Reduce calf muscle size
Dan18765
Posts: 14 Member
Hi, I'm an 18 year old female and I've been running/walking for about half a year now to lose weight and get some physical activity into my lifestyle. (When I say running I don't actually run constantly because of my asthma. I can only run for a maximum of 1:15 minutes at a time. And I alternate running with walking. When I started however I could only run for about 15 seconds at the most so yay!!) Anyway I have quite chubby legs and stomach and stuff so wanted to slim down. But I've recently noticed my calf muscles getting bigger. I wasn't aware that running/walking caused calf muscles to get bigger unless you run on the balls of your feet, which I don't do.
I guess my question is how can I reduce the size of my calf muscles and lose fat on my legs? I know you can't spot reduce and I know how weight loss works with a calorie deficit and stuff. Does anyone know any exercises to lean out calf muscles and just legs in general? Whenever I research it a lot of sites say that running is good for leaning out muscles so I'm confused. Maybe it's because I alternate between running and walking, not really sure. Should I stop running and try something else? Thanks for any advice, hope this question makes sense haha
I guess my question is how can I reduce the size of my calf muscles and lose fat on my legs? I know you can't spot reduce and I know how weight loss works with a calorie deficit and stuff. Does anyone know any exercises to lean out calf muscles and just legs in general? Whenever I research it a lot of sites say that running is good for leaning out muscles so I'm confused. Maybe it's because I alternate between running and walking, not really sure. Should I stop running and try something else? Thanks for any advice, hope this question makes sense haha
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Replies
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Have you actually measured them? It could just be perception. Otherwise, the only way to get rid of muscle is to let it atrophy which would be, don't use it at all. I'm guessing that once you lost more fat all over, you'd be happier with how they looked though. If you're on a calorie deficit and losing weight, your muscles aren't getting any bigger...they may be holding more water though to help them repair. Just keep doing what you're doing...I know, not the answer you were looking for.0
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From what I've seen it's more of an illusion than anything else. You may be seeing your calf muscles pop out, which can make them seem bigger. The only way (and I mean the ONLY way) to know for sure is to have measurements of before, during and after.
And, as said above, the only way to "slim" them down is not to use them at all and I'm not sure how you'd do that.0 -
There is no such thing as leaning out muscle. Muscle is not fat, it's lean, period. You may lose more fat on your calves but if you are part of the calf blessed, you're still going to have big calves unless you let them atrophy, as mentioned before. My suggestion is to embrace them. Big calves are not something to avoid.0
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It's not happening.
Learn to love you calves.0 -
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I have this problem, too. I'm learning to love them. Calves are like eyebrows and booties - I'd always rather have too much than not enough.
I'm thankful that they are shapely and that my legs are strong. 0 -
You can really only stop being active, sit around all the time, and eat little so that they atrophy. The calves are involved in extension of the ankle (aka Plantar Flexion). Even though you may not always be extending your ankle when you walk or do certain exercises because you're pushing against the ground or a surface, your calves are still firing in a manner as if you were. It's very hard to keep your calves inactive. That's why what most people don't realize in an exercise such as the back squat; the calves have very high peak activation. It's very likely that the size of your calves is just representative of your genetics and that's what you have to deal with. Probably no good solution for reducing calf size.0
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Embrace them, they are quite useful. Big calves are a gift0
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Stop exercising... When you are ready to lean out the body (lose body fat) this is where lifting weights some in. Running will help keep you lean yes indeed. It keeps my body fat down (or at least it it allows my calories to not sit on my behind and thighs any more)... I build my muscles heavy in my legs and calves and my calves are still covered in fat and I am a runner and a lifter.
Lifting will change the shape of your body tremendously.. it is a positive transformation for sure.0 -
Learn to love them. I've had big calves my entire life and no amount of weight loss or exercise made any significant difference. Mine are 19.5" around. Just say goodbye to knee high boots/socks/etc
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I lost about an inch from my calves while running 25k a week - so it can happen! That said, its not super visible (I notice it more in the fit of my boots to be honest). My calves are also still about 16" relaxed, so I'll never have slim legs. It used to really bother me, but I'm starting to appreciate them more now that I'm more active. It's cool feeling strong and powerful.
Keep running. Do some weighted squats. Make the most of your legs!0 -
If someone has been heavy most of their life, chances are they gained muscle in their calves as weight gain continued. Calorie surplus plus progressive overload (weight gain) helped to build them up. Getting rid of muscle isn't as easy as it sounds. The muscle has to be inactive and that's practically impossible for someone who can/has to walk.
You can lower your overall body fat % which will help to reduce some circumference, but at the same time may create the illusion of having more muscular calves.
Like most say, learn to love them.
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I guess my question is how can I reduce the size of my calf muscles and lose fat on my legs? I know you can't spot reduce and I know how weight loss works with a calorie deficit and stuff. Does anyone know any exercises to lean out calf muscles and just legs in general? Whenever I research it a lot of sites say that running is good for leaning out muscles so I'm confused. Maybe it's because I alternate between running and walking, not really sure. Should I stop running and try something else? Thanks for any advice, hope this question makes sense haha
You answered your own question.0 -
If you've stumbled across a method of accidentally making your calf muscles bigger, you should write a book and sell it to all the guys with skinny calves in gyms all over the world, who are chugging supplements and doing mega sets of calf raises with 400+ lbs. desperately trying to make their calves grow!Hi, I'm an 18 year old female and I've been running/walking for about half a year now to lose weight and get some physical activity into my lifestyle. (When I say running I don't actually run constantly because of my asthma. I can only run for a maximum of 1:15 minutes at a time. And I alternate running with walking. When I started however I could only run for about 15 seconds at the most so yay!!) Anyway I have quite chubby legs and stomach and stuff so wanted to slim down. But I've recently noticed my calf muscles getting bigger. I wasn't aware that running/walking caused calf muscles to get bigger unless you run on the balls of your feet, which I don't do....
The size and shape of one's calf muscles seems to be more genetically predetermined than just about any other muscle on the human body. If you have small ones, it's hard to make them bigger; if you have big ones, it's hard to make them smaller (unless you have a lot of fat covering the muscles, which, when you lose it, will make your calves smaller). Walking and/or running don't cause your calf muscles to get bigger - they don't provide adequate stimulus for it. Walking and running are what your calf muscles are used to doing every single day of your life. People trying to get bigger calves are doing weight training exercises with humongous amounts of weight, overloading the muscles as much as possible in an effort to make them supercompensate and grow.
I doubt you're seeing your calf muscles getting bigger. More likely what you're seeing is that as you're losing the fat covering them, the muscles are more defined and may appear bigger.0 -
You can lower your overall body fat % which will help to reduce some circumference, but at the same time may create the illusion of having more muscular calves.
Like most say, learn to love them.
This is exactly what happened to me. Losing weight I lost circumference, which is obvious in the way my wide calf boots actually fit again (YAY!) with a little bit of extra space (YAY!!!) but they actually look bigger because there's an obvious separation between the ankle and the upper part where the muscle is.
So many people are trying to get bigger calves, I am going to appreciate mine now that they reflect the hard work I've put into them, and aren't just sausage-like 0 -
If you've stumbled across a method of accidentally making your calf muscles bigger, you should write a book and sell it to all the guys with skinny calves in gyms all over the world, who are chugging supplements and doing mega sets of calf raises with 400+ lbs. desperately trying to make their calves grow!
Nice!
One thing that occurs to me is you could switch walking/running for swimming - I'm not a swimmer so can't say for sure, but I doubt it uses the calf muscles as much since you're not supporting your body weight with them while doing it.
But all in all I think you should be happy with your calves.0 -
Hi, I'm an 18 year old female and I've been running/walking for about half a year now to lose weight and get some physical activity into my lifestyle. (When I say running I don't actually run constantly because of my asthma. I can only run for a maximum of 1:15 minutes at a time. And I alternate running with walking. When I started however I could only run for about 15 seconds at the most so yay!!) Anyway I have quite chubby legs and stomach and stuff so wanted to slim down. But I've recently noticed my calf muscles getting bigger. I wasn't aware that running/walking caused calf muscles to get bigger unless you run on the balls of your feet, which I don't do.
I guess my question is how can I reduce the size of my calf muscles and lose fat on my legs? I know you can't spot reduce and I know how weight loss works with a calorie deficit and stuff. Does anyone know any exercises to lean out calf muscles and just legs in general? Whenever I research it a lot of sites say that running is good for leaning out muscles so I'm confused. Maybe it's because I alternate between running and walking, not really sure. Should I stop running and try something else? Thanks for any advice, hope this question makes sense haha
Your calves did not get bigger from 15 minute runs. Based on your age, I suspect your calves are actually much leaner than you think they are. It is amazing what teenagers believe is wrong with their bodies. Try focusing on exercising for fun and fitness, and try to not overthink the details. Your calves, legs, nose, ears etc might not be "perfect" but this is what makes you unique
Not what you asked, but asthma stopping you from running is not normal. It means your asthma is not properly managed. You need an appointment with a specialist.0 -
I've always had small calves my whole life and use to do calf exercises twice a week at the gym to try to get them bigger. I've been running avidly now for 6 years, 5-6 days a week with every run being at least 10k and still can't get them bigger. I wish I had your problem (lol).0
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I've always had small calves my whole life and use to do calf exercises twice a week at the gym to try to get them bigger. I've been running avidly now for 6 years, 5-6 days a week with every run being at least 10k and still can't get them bigger. I wish I had your problem (lol).
have you tried shorter faster runs? I built my calves doing lots of hills and short fast runs < 5km always.0 -
hamlet1222 wrote: »I've always had small calves my whole life and use to do calf exercises twice a week at the gym to try to get them bigger. I've been running avidly now for 6 years, 5-6 days a week with every run being at least 10k and still can't get them bigger. I wish I had your problem (lol).
have you tried shorter faster runs? I built my calves doing lots of hills and short fast runs < 5km always.
No but thanks for the idea. Maybe wind sprints would help?0
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