Large calf

[amandads]

I have extremely large calves. Does anyone have any idea how to shrink them? I have been exercising 3-4 times a week and have lost 39lbs and around 27 inches. I have only lost 1/2 inch in each calf. Please le me know if you have any suggestions.

[Trying4Thin]

Hi!

I am not a personal trainer, and I dont have any anatomy classes under my belt but I will give it the old college try...

First of all; major congrats on the weight you have lost already. 39 pounds worth of freedom is great! What have you been doing for cardio? Do you think your calves are large because of excess fat? Or because you have gained muscle there? Or maybe it is genetic? I understand how you feel. I wish I could point to a place on my own body and say, "Ok I want to lose 20 pounds of belly fat." Then (POOF) the next 20 I lost over time would all come from my belly area. Unfortunatly that isnt how it works. Your body is really in control here because it decides when and where the weight and inches come off from. You may want to try some calf specific exercises like calf raises. (Use a chair for balance and lift up and down on the balls of your feet). When you feel comfortable enough; do the exercise standing on one foot. You really will feel the burn. I have done a lot of walking and running both with treadmill and natural incline and that helped mine tighten up. You could also do an internet search of calf exercises. I bet Yahoo! or Google would come up with more things than I could.

Good luck!
~Carrie

[muppet]

I have large calves too. My legs are just naturally muscular. My calves will slim down some, when I lose weight, but they are always going to be large. I'm not complaining -- my muscualr legs is one of the things that my husband first noticed, and was attracted to, about me.
I'm a little worried that more exercise will make them bigger, not smaller.
I'd really loooove to wear boots!!!

[amandads]

thanks, for the input. My calves are very firm and always have been. I do 35 minutes on the elliptical and 1/2 mile on the threadmil 3-4 times a week. I try to do circuit training atleast twice a week. I have never been able to wear boots or ankle bracelets.

[Missy]

I can't wear those zip-up knee high boots either. I love them, but can't get them on. I hate it!

I think it all depends on your bone structure and how big the bone there is...I have lost some fat off mine as well, but I'm not sure I'll ever be able to wear boots like that.

[Patty_Ann]

I also have large legs...calf and thighs. They are muscular legs - I sometimes wish they weren't so big. I have always had large muscular legs - when I was small in school they were always the largest body part. Now that I am losing weight the muscles are starting to appear again. I have been pretty lucky in losing inches off my legs...my calf I have lost one inch and my thigh I have lost like 2 inches.

[Patty_Ann]

Has anyone measured their calf and thighs? Do you feel comfortable telling us your measurements?

My beginning measurements...
CALF - 17.5"
THIGH - 28"

My current measurements...
CALF- 17"
THIGH- 26"

Well, I had posted earlier saying that I had lost more inches on my calves...just realized that I have lost .5"...sorry.

[amandads]

I currently have 19" for calves and 29 for thighs.

[Missy]

Currently my calves are 15.5"
Thighs- 26.5"

I think I will measure my other areas as well and post them in my journal.

[Jules]

I have large calves too. Just genetics. I was actually asked by a date while ice skaing if my legs were swollen for some reason (years ago). Just look on the bright side -you have healthy strong legs that can support you, unlike many people with skinny legs who have all sorts of knee surgeries and problems.