Big Calves. HELP

Twitchy109
Twitchy109 Posts: 36
edited October 5 in Health and Weight Loss
So I have big calves, always kind of have had them. But when I gained weight, they got bigger as well. I don't know how much of it could be fat but I would really like not to have the "peg legs" as I have been called. Anyone have any suggestions on how to shrink them? And a lot of it is solid muscle. I don't know what to do. :(
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Replies

  • honeysprinkles
    honeysprinkles Posts: 1,757 Member
    So I have big calves, always kind of have had them. But when I gained weight, they got bigger as well. I don't know how much of it could be fat but I would really like not to have the "peg legs" as I have been called. Anyone have any suggestions on how to shrink them? And a lot of it is solid muscle. I don't know what to do. :(
    I am in the same boat as you. I have muscular calves. They don't really bother me though, I'm just focusing on getting in shape and whatever happens to my calves, happens. lol
  • CoryIda
    CoryIda Posts: 7,870 Member
    You can't spot reduce (if you could, Lord knows I would have a smaller chest by now).

    Just work on getting healthy all over. Your calves will reduce somewhat, but you don't get to pick where the fat leaves first.
  • Pdschurig
    Pdschurig Posts: 56 Member
    I have lost nearly 50# over the last year and a half, and only in the last 3 weeks or so seen any change in my calves (I can now zip up my boots all the way), I have found nothing that shrinks that part yet, but I am still looking!
  • ccckwalk
    ccckwalk Posts: 262
    I am in good shape always been in sports (catcher, goalie, short stop) big calves are needed....I can't fit them in most cute boots. I have just decided that I would rather have muscular amazing looking legs that skinny sticks! :) it is all in how you look at it! :) ~Corina
  • malibulu
    malibulu Posts: 79
    Mine are big too - I've lost 19lbs so far and have noticed a big change in their size - still big, but less big lol. I'm gonna wait til I've lost another 20 lbs before I try and do anything else because I think getting rid of the weight at the moment is my biggest issue. Hopefully they'll just change in proportion as they have done already :-)
    Good luck with your loss x
  • RAFValentina
    RAFValentina Posts: 1,231 Member
    We all come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and it makes the world wonderful and diverse! I have skinny calves... look like twigs...not a good look... and can't get calf boots to fit! Not all pros to it!
  • kcgslp
    kcgslp Posts: 203 Member
    I have the same problem....but honestly I have given up on seeing any significant change. They are a bit more cut/defined since I now run 4-5 times a week but still pretty big.

    I have spoken to 4-5 different trainers over the years and they all talk about distance running and low weight high repetition strength training (which I do) but none of that can change my genes.
  • shellyc7182
    shellyc7182 Posts: 261 Member
    I, too, am anxious to see my calves shrink... If they will! I was a dancer for many years and I have massively muscular, super-strong legs, covered now by a marvelous layer of fat! Here's to thinner calves!
  • AZKristi
    AZKristi Posts: 1,801 Member
    Most of the calf muscle is located higher on the leg. Even with good sized muscles you can have nice, shapely legs.

    My legs (including feet and ankles) have slimmed down more quickly that other parts of my body. I think this is because I do a lot of spin classes, but it could just be where my body wants to take fat from first.
  • Jeff92se
    Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
    Can I have them? I'd like to have bigger calves.
  • tameko2
    tameko2 Posts: 31,634 Member
    So I have big calves, always kind of have had them. But when I gained weight, they got bigger as well. I don't know how much of it could be fat but I would really like not to have the "peg legs" as I have been called. Anyone have any suggestions on how to shrink them? And a lot of it is solid muscle. I don't know what to do. :(
    I am in the same boat as you. I have muscular calves. They don't really bother me though, I'm just focusing on getting in shape and whatever happens to my calves, happens. lol

    I do too - and I did lose most of the fat off mine but they're still big. not much you can do about it honestly. Learn to love it and if you're me, stop buying running capris that you have to wear pushed up under your knees because they are too tight on your huge calves (Sigh)

    I think mine can lean out a bit more - the running seems to have helpd, but I think they're always going to be bigger than other people's. Better than super skinny legs right?
  • Britt2Fitjrny
    Britt2Fitjrny Posts: 558 Member
    I have kankles too!!! (that’s what I call my big calves even though that's not what kankles are) I get so upset when I want a pair of cute boots and they don't fit my calves! I have lost around 35 pounds and have only noticed a small change in my calves. Bummer... Looks like I’ll have to learn to :heart: my kankles. :happy:
  • sandybirrd
    sandybirrd Posts: 9
    Definitely in the big calf club!!

    I have lost fat off them as I've lost weight. More importantly, I've been doing yoga for almost two years, and I've noticed a huge change in their shape, even back when I was almost 20 lbs heavier. I don't know if it's just better muscle tone or if all the stretching has made the muscles a bit longer and leaner. Either way, they're still thick, but much more shapely...especially in heels!!
  • shamr0ck
    shamr0ck Posts: 296 Member
    Better to have shapely calves than shapeless sticks! Women (and men!) pay to get that lovely shape. Tone 'em up, and use what mother nature blessed you with!

    I have huge calves. :D
  • pinkgigi
    pinkgigi Posts: 693 Member
    I have huge calves, but it is genetic, my Dad had them too, even when I was young, I could never get zip up boots. But you know, I am the envy or some of my cycling mates!

    GG
  • chelsieb27
    chelsieb27 Posts: 11
    I have large calves as well. It's something I have come to embrace. No matter what I do they are always big. When I run a lot they just get bigger. I have tried calf raises and other various exercises and they just stay the same. I haven't found anything to work. Just embrace them. :smile:
  • Ocarina
    Ocarina Posts: 1,550 Member
    Big shapely calves > little child chicken legs. I have always LOVED calves with huge muscles on the back. Obviously kankles are lame but if you have low body fat and well defined muscles it looks hot! Especially if you are a biker or runner as you are showing off your effort. That or defined lean muscles on arms are awesome too! Guess I'm different but I'd rather that then look weak and boney.
  • Megthatgirl
    Megthatgirl Posts: 68 Member
    I'm in the club too. I was a dancer and competitive cheerleader for 8 years so my legs are wicked muscular... I'm wondering how on earth ill fit in combat boots if they don't shrink some!!
  • joybell32
    joybell32 Posts: 252 Member
    I am in good shape always been in sports (catcher, goalie, short stop) big calves are needed....I can't fit them in most cute boots. I have just decided that I would rather have muscular amazing looking legs that skinny sticks! :) it is all in how you look at it! :) ~Corina

    YES! I love this attitude!!!
  • can111
    can111 Posts: 63 Member
    I think it is all genetics. I inherited my mother's body shape - a big plump apple. We both have a large torso (belly, back, neck), but arms and legs are relatively "thin". It is odd proportions. BUT I do enjoy fitting in boots and more importantly for me, ski boots. Oh and that geneitcs thing ... my dad was ALWAYS thin .... why didn't I take after him? :)
  • macpatti
    macpatti Posts: 4,280 Member
    I like how so many of us feel your pain, yet cannot really help! :laugh: I have had huge calves my whole life, even when I was a size 4 weighing 105 lbs! I was always jealous of my sisters who could wear high, leather boots. Not me. So, not much help from me, other than to say, "I feel ya".
  • ashleyncollege
    ashleyncollege Posts: 2 Member
    Wow, all these people are really negative and give you no hope. Yeah it is alot about genetics, but if you lean out and do calf toning exercises, you can trim them down a bit. Just do calf raises 1st/20rep, 2nd/25, 3rd/30, 4th/as many as possible(minimum more than 25). I have massive, well had, massive calves. I was 5'6" 200 lbs, now im down to 140. I busted my but at the gym. I did 30 minutes on the elliptical with upper body weight lifting/machines after, next day was 30 mins elliptical with lower body/abs weights/machines. I dropped the weight fast (about 4 months) but you also have to watch what you eat, hopefully myfinesspal helps with that. Just do youre high rep calf raises with NO weight except your body weight on your lower body days and they will slim down. Message me if you wanna know my routine.
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    Wow, all these people are really negative and give you no hope. Yeah it is alot about genetics, but if you lean out and do calf toning exercises, you can trim them down a bit. Just do calf raises 1st/20rep, 2nd/25, 3rd/30, 4th/as many as possible(minimum more than 25). I have massive, well had, massive calves. I was 5'6" 200 lbs, now im down to 140. I busted my but at the gym. I did 30 minutes on the elliptical with upper body weight lifting/machines after, next day was 30 mins elliptical with lower body/abs weights/machines. I dropped the weight fast (about 4 months) but you also have to watch what you eat, hopefully myfinesspal helps with that. Just do youre high rep calf raises with NO weight except your body weight on your lower body days and they will slim down. Message me if you wanna know my routine.

    I thought all the other posts have been lovely and supportive, not negative at all! Exercise will help you to lose fat, but you still can't spot reduce. No amount of cardio or low weight-high rep exercise is going to specifically slim down your calves. You just have to lose the fat all over and hope for the best, while building muscle there to shape them if you want, and hopefully learning to love them!
  • jedwardsau
    jedwardsau Posts: 9 Member
    I have huge calves, but it is genetic, my Dad had them too, even when I was young, I could never get zip up boots. But you know, I am the envy or some of my cycling mates!

    GG

    I have huge calves (as well as my legs) too - seems to be genetic, I could never get zip up boots at the stores (I always walked out close to tears) I have tried EVERYTHING! calf raises, walking lunges, running, cycling...I just decided I will deal with it.

    I managed to find boots though - Bennetts Boots www.bennettsboots.com/
  • phoenix8633
    phoenix8633 Posts: 137 Member
    I've always had pretty big calves, now I've been working out and slowly losing weight I'm seeing a big difference in my calves more than anything else as they are more defined and firm, I don't think I'm ever going to have smaller calves so I'll have to work round them with boots etc!
  • nebbz
    nebbz Posts: 18
    Whether this helps i dont know but my mum has really nice legs (although she struggles to see it her self -.-) she used to be big like me and im currently working my butt off to try and slim down and get healthier for my sake and my horses!

    any way

    she said to stand on the 1st step or a step (enough to elevate you off the ground floor) with your only your toes on the step (heels hanging over) and stand up on your tippy toes, and come down and do 10 sets go watch tv or cook tea, or even if you dont have steps do it whilst making a cupper (i have found my self doing this and yet to measure my calves which were/are 22" around as i have epic rugby calves and a typical horse rider leg (lame)

    still it worked for her maybe it would us!!! lol x
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    I :heart: my muscular calves. They look super sexy in heels!
  • chooriyah
    chooriyah Posts: 469 Member
    Muscular, shapely legs are sexy! Embrace!
  • susiepet
    susiepet Posts: 68
    Hi - I too have big calves - and in England you can now buy fitted boots from a firm called DUO who cater for big calves and do lots of styles. Cheap they are not - but I've worn mine for a couple of years and they are going strong!:smile:
  • Vailara
    Vailara Posts: 2,471 Member
    I have big calves too. Mine got BIGGER when I exercised them in my youth, so I'm not sure that exercises are the way to slim them down. I think if you have big muscles there, then you're stuck with that. But as others have said, it's not such a bad look!

    My calves seem to be reducing more slowly than the rest of the body, and I think that's partly because there's less fat and more muscle there.

    I do the exercise that nebbz suggested above (standing on the edge of the step and going up to tiptoes and back down), but I do it on one foot to give my legs and feet some extra work. It's a good exercise, but I don't think it would decrease the size as it's using that big calf muscle quite a lot.
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