Wanting to lose muscle?
smnovosad1
Posts: 36 Member
I’m 5’5”, 130 lbs (including 2 lbs on the chest I wasn’t born with, lol). I am muscular and can see my abs. I do still have a little fat on my hips and booty.
I hate my legs. They are super muscular and my calves are huge. I actively built them in high school when I was a runner and started out of blocks, but that was 20 plus years ago. I can’t wear most boots that cover the calves because they don’t fit, and it’s super frustrating and embarrassing to try them on. I love how my arms and abs look, but these legs! My husband says they look beastly, which as a female is not my goal.
Can I do anything about this? Or is this something I should just chalk up to, suck it up, a lot of people would love to have your problems?
I hate my legs. They are super muscular and my calves are huge. I actively built them in high school when I was a runner and started out of blocks, but that was 20 plus years ago. I can’t wear most boots that cover the calves because they don’t fit, and it’s super frustrating and embarrassing to try them on. I love how my arms and abs look, but these legs! My husband says they look beastly, which as a female is not my goal.
Can I do anything about this? Or is this something I should just chalk up to, suck it up, a lot of people would love to have your problems?
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Replies
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The only thing you can do about losing leg muscles is to not use them at all. If you're not willing to be confined to a wheelchair you might have to learn to love them. And yes, lots of women would love to have your problem.
Also, for the boots thing try buying a half size bigger. I have pretty big calves and a half size bigger is big enough to fit my calves in I just have to wear thicker socks.10 -
For starters, they make lots of boots for large calves, but I hear you...is distance running an option?1
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Are you not happy with the size of your lower body or the definition? Or both? You say you still have fat on your lower body, it could be a factor that makes your lower body seem more bulky. I know when I'm bulking my legs look huge... but it is because I have gained some muscle as well as fat there. When I lean down my legs become smaller, leaner, slimmer... but they do become more defined/toned/scupted.
Calf size is tricky to reduce ( I don't even actively train mine and they are very muscular) and it is typically a result of genetics, and something you may just have to accept.
While I would never recommend trying to lose muscle, if you really think your legs are bulky you want slimmer legs and do want to lose some muscle size, you can stop actively training them, and stop using progressive overload. Or you can build up your upper body more to even things out.1 -
For starters, they make lots of boots for large calves, but I hear you...is distance running an option?
I wouldn't recommend that either. I had big calves three years ago, when I did very little exercise and was obese. I have big calves now, as a distance runner who's 100 pounds lighter. The difference is that now my calves are much more muscular, so I think they look better and I'm happier with the what they can do.
Honestly, I think it is genetics for you, OP, since you aren't doing any particular leg exercises. You just have big calves. Try looking for a cute pair of ankle boots...and tell your husband that you don't think "beastly" is a very kind way to describe your body.8 -
I actually do run — usually 3-6 miles, I suppose I could try to make it longer? I do body weight videos (insanity, t25) — no lifting.
I’ll keep dieting and hoping there is some fat there that comes off. I have a weird frame. My waist doesn’t pinch in much. I actually got my implants because the more weight I lost the smaller my chest got, and getting them helped me taper some to the chest. When I put on weight, it mostly goes to my bum and thighs.
I’m not sure I can lose more than 5 more pounds. I’ve dieted to 121 lbs before and even though it’s in my range of normal BMI it was too low for me to keep a menstrual cycle so I think it’s probably unhealthy for me to go that low.2 -
Calves are very hard to get smaller. After all, they've been helping your body weight move around for years.
I have 15 inch calves and can fit into boots. What are your measurements?2 -
smnovosad1 wrote: »I actually do run — usually 3-6 miles, I suppose I could try to make it longer? I do body weight videos (insanity, t25) — no lifting.
I’ll keep dieting and hoping there is some fat there that comes off. I have a weird frame. My waist doesn’t pinch in much. I actually got my implants because the more weight I lost the smaller my chest got, and getting them helped me taper some to the chest. When I put on weight, it mostly goes to my bum and thighs.
I’m not sure I can lose more than 5 more pounds. I’ve dieted to 121 lbs before and even though it’s in my range of normal BMI it was too low for me to keep a menstrual cycle so I think it’s probably unhealthy for me to go that low.
Your current weight is great, no need to diet.
I have large calf muscles, genetics from my dad. But it is muscle and there is nothing bad about having muscle. Muscle burns calories. And you need muscle to do things in life.
Add swimming to your fitness program if you haven't yet, as that helps tone your whole legs and the rest of your body too. Even your booty.
Swimming will help you use muscles you didnt know you have. You can combine swimming, running, and biking; and do triathelon events.
Your local ymca may have adult swim lessons if you have never swam before. Or you could find a master's swim team to help you refine the strokes you know.
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I recommend building upper body strength by slapping your husband any time he criticizes your body. (Not really)15
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You don't have muscular calves due to running 20 years ago but due to genetics. Nothing you can do about it apart from sitting on the couch and not moving anymore. Well... they you probably still have large calves, but they are soft. So please do embrace them. They are part of you.9
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Love them!2
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My calves are HUGE. I've never done leg lifting/exercising, and sit in a desk for 12-16 hours a day for over a decade. Definitely not fat, as I can flex them and they get rock hard.
I'm going with genetics, very little you can do to spot reduce muscle.0 -
First off, why don't you ask your husband what he means by "beastly"? I'm going to guess its probably a compliment to him. If it really isn't a compliment, it can be more of a jealousy not a dislike, especially if he doesn't put on muscle easily...most guys wouldn't mind strong looking calves on women in the least and I'd guess the majority would like it.3
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I was working out next to some man, when another man approached him and told him how he wanted to kitten his calves. Was he drunk? I do hope so. But I can't burn this from my brain. Ever. Someone help me.3
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SoLongAndThanksForAllTheFish wrote: »ould like it....most guys wouldn't mind strong looking calves on women in the least and I'd guess the majority w
^^^^Agree with this.2 -
Tiny_Dancer_in_Pink wrote: »I was working out next to some man, when another man approached him and told him how he wanted to kitten his calves. Was he drunk? I do hope so. But I can't burn this from my brain. Ever. Someone help me.
Now that might be just a little on the extreme end...at least I hope, heh.1 -
As others have mentioned, genetics are at play. My husband tells me regularly that he wishes he had my calves. His genetics refuse to let him gain any muscle in his calves, no matter how hard he works at it.
So, flaunt those calves! No one is going to complain, I guarantee it!1 -
SoLongAndThanksForAllTheFish wrote: »Tiny_Dancer_in_Pink wrote: »I was working out next to some man, when another man approached him and told him how he wanted to kitten his calves. Was he drunk? I do hope so. But I can't burn this from my brain. Ever. Someone help me.
Now that might be just a little on the extreme end...at least I hope, heh.
It was a TMI moment, not sure if I should have shared it.3 -
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shadow2soul wrote: »
I just measured mine at 14.5", I've been told that I have great looking legs.3 -
Tiny_Dancer_in_Pink wrote: »shadow2soul wrote: »
I just measured mine at 14.5", I've been told that I have great looking legs.
Y’all inspired me to go measure mine. Also 14” here. Maybe that’s just a normal calf measurement, and we all have skewed ideas about what a normal leg looks like.3 -
shadow2soul wrote: »
I think mine are rather large at 15". I'm 5'4" though. And they used to be 16' oof.0 -
i'd suggest going low protein/low calorie for a while. your body will burn your muscles for protein but it probably won't be very selective about just your legs. besides that you could also try stretching. this should help to smooth and elongate your muscles.13
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shadow2soul wrote: »
I think mine are rather large at 15". I'm 5'4" though. And they used to be 16' oof.
Mine are about 15-15.25” and I’m 5’7”. I do know some boots don’t fit and I had to go up a size on my knee brace so the lower strap would fit. I feel like they don’t look big though and fit my body0 -
Go see a counselor about body image issues and body dysmorphia.5
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shadow2soul wrote: »
I think mine are rather large at 15". I'm 5'4" though. And they used to be 16' oof.
Mine are about 15-15.25” and I’m 5’7”. I do know some boots don’t fit and I had to go up a size on my knee brace so the lower strap would fit. I feel like they don’t look big though and fit my body
Yes. You also have 4 inches on me I think mine look fine though, as well. 1 -
shadow2soul wrote: »0
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shadow2soul wrote: »
I think mine are rather large at 15". I'm 5'4" though. And they used to be 16' oof.
Mine are about 15-15.25” and I’m 5’7”. I do know some boots don’t fit and I had to go up a size on my knee brace so the lower strap would fit. I feel like they don’t look big though and fit my body
Mine are 16 (just measured) and I CAN find boots through specialist sites, but none that are nice looking
I'm 5'2", and have always had muscular calves, possibly due to the amount of hiking I've done since a child, maybe genetic.0 -
I am getting jelly of some of these calves!!!!! Now returning you to your regular programming
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My calves have always been huge - even as a size 10/12(UK) I had to buy wide leg riding boots. Try going into shops for larger ladies (Evans in the UK has wider boots) or look online for those suppliers for curvier figures.1
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