Muscly calves

littlelatina19
littlelatina19 Posts: 42 Member
edited November 11 in Fitness and Exercise
My genes have blessed me with big, rock hard calves. Only it feels more like a curse than a blessing. I'm glad they aren't big and fat but they make such a difference to my appearance! I don't like it, is there any way I could slim them down? The last time I had small calves I was significantly underweight, is there another way because I don't want to go back to that.
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Replies

  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    :huh:
  • Mycophilia
    Mycophilia Posts: 1,225 Member
    Spend a couple of years in a wheelchair? Your legs will probably atrophy quite a bit.
  • glevinso
    glevinso Posts: 1,895 Member
    This is a serious post?
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    Why is it a curse? I don't get it.
  • redheaddee
    redheaddee Posts: 2,005 Member
    In the words of the immortal Cranquistador...
    NO.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    you could cut them out and donate them to science....


    OR

    the method employed in the movie Misery would probably work too ...
  • JAllen32
    JAllen32 Posts: 991 Member
    I get it. I have big calves too. And sometimes I roll my eyes because they don't look super feminine. But man, they are my best feature! I get so many compliments on my legs, and I don't even have to try. The rest of me, not so much! lol But I am very proud of my calves and rock them in heels, for sure! So much better than chicken legs!! Try to realize how lucky you are and rock those muscles!!
  • Wheelhouse15
    Wheelhouse15 Posts: 5,575 Member
    So you are saying you have cankles?
  • ShellyBell999
    ShellyBell999 Posts: 1,482 Member
    edited January 2015
    Its probably just baby fat and you'll grow out of it.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    maybe it is water retention...? Poke a hole in them and see if the water drains out...
  • littlelatina19
    littlelatina19 Posts: 42 Member
    Well thanks for those who answered the question... I get that for guys it's great, but I'm not a guy. I don't like the way I look in dresses and I've never had any positive comments about them :/ I know others would love it but I don't, just like i love how others look and they don't. Anyway, at least now i know they're here for good, no point doing anymore searching.
  • Wheelhouse15
    Wheelhouse15 Posts: 5,575 Member
    Well thanks for those who answered the question... I get that for guys it's great, but I'm not a guy. I don't like the way I look in dresses and I've never had any positive comments about them :/ I know others would love it but I don't, just like i love how others look and they don't. Anyway, at least now i know they're here for good, no point doing anymore searching.

    All you can do is work with what you have, sorry but that's reality but you can make them look their best.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    pics or these "thunder calves" don't exist...
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    Well thanks for those who answered the question... I get that for guys it's great, but I'm not a guy. I don't like the way I look in dresses and I've never had any positive comments about them :/ I know others would love it but I don't, just like i love how others look and they don't. Anyway, at least now i know they're here for good, no point doing anymore searching.

    Calves are a pretty specific thing to comment on. I would feel a little weird if somebody just walked up to me and said, "Hey, nice calves!" Um...thank you?

    Have you ever had anybody say anything negative about them? I have serious doubts about an 18-year-old girl having massive calves. It's probably all in your head.

    As JoRocka would say, put on some high heels, go forth and be fabulous.
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  • shadowofender
    shadowofender Posts: 786 Member
    I would kill to have larger calves. I'm still really overweight but my calves look disproportionally (I butched that spelling, didn't I?) small comparatively. I think it's partially that I have tibial torsion and the lower part of my leg is just crooked and blah blah.

    But seriously, You get what you get, and you should try to love them, as they aren't going anywhere.
  • pscarolina
    pscarolina Posts: 133 Member
    lol...can be an issue in skinny jeans & forget most boots. I feel your pain OP. I wear a size 6 shoe so most boots my size won't zip over my calf. Maybe mine aren't as big as yours though 'cause I have never felt unfeminine because of them. Maybe I just haven't paid attention though haha
  • default
    default Posts: 124 Member
    edited January 2015
    not buying it.
  • jkwolly
    jkwolly Posts: 3,049 Member
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    pics or these "thunder calves" don't exist...
    x2
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    No problem. Just don't wear pants or boots. Pencil skirts and pumps FTW.

    big-calf-muscles-on-women-legs-5.jpg
  • Daiako
    Daiako Posts: 12,545 Member
    No problem. Just don't wear pants or boots. Pencil skirts and pumps FTW.

    big-calf-muscles-on-women-legs-5.jpg

    10/10, do covet and adore.

  • lisaw19855
    lisaw19855 Posts: 165 Member
    I have 17inch calves, even losing weight doesn't shrink them. I'm always complimented on the shape of my legs so have learned to love them x
  • Zaftique
    Zaftique Posts: 599 Member
    I love boots, and can never find any that fit. I feel your pain. Wearing any other shoes makes for smexy gams, but dagnabbit, I WANT BOOTS. T_T
  • When you were underweight, your calves were small because you probably lost both fat and muscle mass. You can't spot reduce fat, and reducing leg muscle is generally a challenge because you walk/run.

    I get it: I'm a member of the strong leg club, too...and the only boots I wear are either the kind that have stretchy uppers, or I have to get custom-made boots, which are pricey. But if you go for a classic style and take care of them, it's worth it.

    I don't do leg exercises that specifically target the calves (like calf raises), although I do exercises that work my legs (squats/lunges/deadlifts). I also find that if my legs are seeming really muscular, it's because other parts of my body are being neglected...and I need to do more core and upper body work. It's about proportion. When my arms and core look badass along with my legs, it makes a difference.

  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,026 Member
    Muscle density is higher in calves and forearms. To lose a noticeable amount of muscle from either would have to come from inactivity from using them. So to make your calves atrophy, you'd have to either learn to walk on your hands, or as mentioned use a wheel chair for a few months. Of course walking on them again will help them to regain their size again.
    So the reality is, you're stuck with them. This is one thing you get to blame your parents for.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png
  • roxielu0422
    roxielu0422 Posts: 102 Member
    I have large calves and I love them. It's one of my best features. It means we are strong. I do have issues finding boots, but we are stuck with them. Might as well embrace it.

    I found boots at Avenue and Lane Bryant. The make the shafts bigger. (insert dirty joke here).
  • Man I feel your pain! I don't like my calves either. Knee high boots are super hard to come by. But, like many others here, I have been complimented on them many a times, so I've grown to accept and like them. Lol. I still want boots though.. lol

    On a serious note though, I've heard that long distance running or swimming can stretch out the muscle to be leaner so it'll look slimmer rather than bulky, round. But I don't know how true it is. I also stay away from calf raises and any other calf focused stimulation.
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    YumiZoomi wrote: »
    Man I feel your pain! I don't like my calves either. Knee high boots are super hard to come by. But, like many others here, I have been complimented on them many a times, so I've grown to accept and like them. Lol. I still want boots though.. lol

    On a serious note though, I've heard that long distance running or swimming can stretch out the muscle to be leaner so it'll look slimmer rather than bulky, round. But I don't know how true it is. I also stay away from calf raises and any other calf focused stimulation.

    No... just no.
  • Alluminati
    Alluminati Posts: 6,208 Member
    YumiZoomi wrote: »
    Man I feel your pain! I don't like my calves either. Knee high boots are super hard to come by. But, like many others here, I have been complimented on them many a times, so I've grown to accept and like them. Lol. I still want boots though.. lol

    On a serious note though, I've heard that long distance running or swimming can stretch out the muscle to be leaner so it'll look slimmer rather than bulky, round. But I don't know how true it is. I also stay away from calf raises and any other calf focused stimulation.

    Stretch them out like laffy taffy. Or Airheads.
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