Does weight come off your calves?

This might sound silly but I would really appreciate honest answers. I am doing really well and have lost over 50lbs with just 82 to go. I have fat legs but I have this horrible feeling that whilst I am losing weight elsewhere that it won't shift from my legs. I do walk every day so they are toning up. Has anyone before and afters to make me feel a bit less worried?

Thank you

Replies

healthypelican

Your calve muscles will be bigger from carrying extra weight. You will lose fat from your calves, and some of the muscle. Some people do have bigger calves though.

eeede

I'm in the same situation. My doctor told me to see a physiotherapist because I have quite some retention water in the legs (mainly the bottom legs) to try to make the water go away.

The specialist told me I can help it with exercice but it's genetical and I've had it since I were a child and even as a gymnast when I was doing 15h a week so not much hope here.

CorkGirl76

healthypelican wrote: »

Your calve muscles will be bigger from carrying extra weight. You will lose fat from your calves, and some of the muscle. Some people do have bigger calves though.

That's a very good point about having large muscles from carrying the extra weight. Fingers crossed I will lose fat too

I think the weight loss seems to be from the top down for me.

CorkGirl76

eeede wrote: »

I'm in the same situation. My doctor told me to see a physiotherapist because I have quite some retention water in the legs (mainly the bottom legs) to try to make the water go away.

The specialist told me I can help it with exercice but it's genetical and I've had it since I were a child and even as a gymnast when I was doing 15h a week so not much hope here.

Lots of my family have biggish calves but not to the extent I do but they are all relatively slim. I do see a physio for my back and she has been doing a lot of physio on my calves as the muscles are so tight from all the walking. She massages them to try and loosen them up. What is your physio doing?

unknown

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CorkGirl76

filbo132 wrote: »

I have the same issue, but with leg fat. I can be shredded as *asparagus*...but the legs still carry fat. You have to be in at lean bf % to see any progress unless you have issues where there is water in there.

I suspect that I do carry water there. Especially when it is hot. But I also think I will always have bigger than average legs - I would just like them to trim down a bit. I still have a way to go so hopefully there will be some difference.

unknown

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smantha32

Weight did come off my calves.. In fact that's the first place I notice getting bigger when I gain.

Madwife2009

I've lost fat from my calves. I actually like my calves now as they are muscular rather than blobs (I cycle a bit though, which may have helped with the muscle development).

IremiaRe

I have gotten some definition in my calves - and I can really tell when I am retaining water - because the ankles and calves are noticeably bigger, again.

Some folks are build to have bigger lower bodies - and you may be one of those - but, the fat will come off everywhere, eventually, if you keep at it.

nik_27

I noticed my calf muscle develop after a year of walking and after I started drinking protein powder so I think that helped me my calf are huge and when you walk go fast and keep your pace up hope this helps.

lorrpb

I lost about 3 inches from my calves. It all depends on genetics. They have been big all my life, and will be big the rest of my life, but they're smaller than they were. Really it's nothing to worry about.

CorkGirl76

Thank you everyone. You have all made me feel a lot better about it and hopefully I will at least get some definition and shape to them.

apullum

I run. I have huge calves that are all muscle. I will never be able to wear cute boots (which wouldn't fit my wide feet anyway), but I'm okay with that.

samuelgina91

I just do calf raises (p90x) three sets of 25 each and repeat that everyday for a month and it significantly tones up to the point it looks shapely, and less "cankle" like. Calf raises- keep feet parallel, straight, shoulder width apart go on to tip toes (from a flat position to a raised on the toes and back down till feet are firmly placed onto the floor) do 15 slow and 10 fast. Then move feet inward great toes creating a upside down V and then repeat set, then last set with toes pointed outwards like a proper V with the feet.

Also I am short and my calves are obnoxiously large to start with, if you are having water retention then just try elevating your feet at night with a light massage that can help with the water retention/also and/or compression stockings during the day if you are standing for long periods of time.

boopster99

Losing from my calves was a mini-goal for me early on in my journey. I have these boots that I adore but when I gain weight, can't get them done up. I've lost enough to fit them again!! As for water retention, I love what my nurse daughter always says "float the bloat" ... drink drink drink copious amounts of water!

GemstoneofHeart

I have lost weight in my calves, I can tell my how my pants and boots are fitting.

danigirl1011

I unfortunately, regardless of weight, always have big calves. A couple of weekends ago my husband and i went to a Bi-Mart store to buy rain boots. It was mens on sale and i have always wanted some and now need some, so i thought why not? But, none of them would fit my calves even though they looked huge. I was so embarrassed

It does change with weight though and if you go to the gym you can try to tone them. If you do less weight and more reps in each set. I have heard yoga works really well to make things lean and toned. I am going to start that when i get closer to my goal weight. Great job on the 50 pounds!

LadyLilion

You definitely lose all over. However, I do have a friend who, because of her workout, realized she was actually gaining inches on her calves and waist. two areas she was working overtime trying to trim. Turns out she's just a person who builds muscle really well. So while doing lots of calf raises and ab crunches, she was looking toned and great, but the circumference actually got bigger. But, she's a freak - LOL - I wouldn't worry about it unless you are doing a huge amount of weight work.

TominTorrance

I have noticed my calves, fingers and even my head is smaller, it's really cool! Thats at about 13lbs lost in 3 weeks

dutchandkiwi

Mine is moving - I'll never have thing calves I guess but now I am heading towards the middle of my BMI there is a definite change noticeable.
My legs and bottom have always been my body fat storage area of preference. I am really quite bottom heavy, while my upper body stays reasonably thin until very late in the overweight/early obese time. Never went over an M/EU38 at top. Bottom another story.
My bottom/thighs really did not get into line with the upper part until I hit my healthy BMI. I had some fat pockets in the inner knee - they have gone now. Lower legs/calves as said are starting now Long hard road but getting there

I credit walking an awful lot and doing weight training with this change in body appearance

sllm1

My husband once asked his coach how he could get bigger calves. "Genetics."

My calves (5'9", 140) are as big as hubby's (6'4", 235). They will get a little smaller as you lose weight, but you'll likely never have tiny legs/calves. And that's okay. The tricky thing is finding boots.

DietPrada

It certainly does. Last year I had to wear wide shaft knee boots in winter. This year I have a regular pair, and I can shove my hands inside the wide shaft ones they are so big.

newheavensearth

Yes you can lose from your calves. Before I could only wear mid calf boots slouched down. Now I'm in over the knee boots

My calves are more shapely from running, plyometrics, and lifting. I can see my inner and outer ankle bones now, no more cankles! I think the secret is just fat loss and high rep work.

estherdragonbat

I never thought much about it, but I saw my vascular surgeon this morning to get a new prescription for compression stockings and I'm down from a large to a medium, so something's gotten smaller...

jadedone

I think my calves don't change, but measurements say they do. It also depends on genetic. Mine are near their absolute limit unless I lose muscle. Everyone is a little different. Body weight calf raises and walking or running can have an impact. Good luck.

Also what do the calves look like for your family members? That plays a role too. My calves are pretty much a clone of my dad's.

CynthiasChoice

Since I was a normal-weight child, I've had large calves, knees and ankles as well. Wearing dresses/shorts has never been fun! One of my children got my large calves, and the other got Dad's slender ones.

I've dropped 40 pounds, and my calves did get smaller.

amusedmonkey

Genetically I have bigger/fatter calves than many. While it might not feel like I'm losing there, I am. They're just shrinking in proportion with everything else, so they are still proportionally big but smaller by measurement.