Genetic Question(serious)

Jessica29 · 04-25-2009, 01:38 PM

I am only 5ft and 109lbs.. I have eaten clean for a long time now and I go to the gym at least 4 times a week.

However since I am short.. my calves are pretty large still and since my dad and brothers have thick calves too, does this mean that mine will never go away?
My calves are mostly muscle but I am looking for them to just look leaner, not so "meaty."

So my questions are
1. Is there any way to reduce the muscle thickness of the calve I guess you could say in order for it to not look so big. Keep in mind I am only 5 feet tall.

2. Does this all have to do with diet? Should I make my diet even cleaner then it is? I know these things don't happen over night!

3. Can the exercise I do be making my calves bigger?

Someone help me clear this up! I am just really confused.. don't kill me please I hope these questions aren't rediculous!

Thanks

JAWS22 · 04-25-2009, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jessica29

I am only 5ft and 109lbs.. I have eaten clean for a long time now and I go to the gym at least 4 times a week.

However since I am short.. my calves are pretty large still and since my dad and brothers have thick calves too, does this mean that mine will never go away?
My calves are mostly muscle but I am looking for them to just look leaner, not so "meaty."

So my questions are
1. Is there any way to reduce the muscle thickness of the calve I guess you could say in order for it to not look so big. Keep in mind I am only 5 feet tall.

2. Does this all have to do with diet? Should I make my diet even cleaner then it is? I know these things don't happen over night!

3. Can the exercise I do be making my calves bigger?

Someone help me clear this up! I am just really confused.. don't kill me please I hope these questions aren't rediculous!

Thanks

I know a few short females who have large calves and legs, if you do intense cardio. (I have devised a split for a few friends that has worked very well, PM me if you'd like)
However, working out can only take you so far when your fighting genetics, but they can be beaten. If you eat lean foods, and do fast cycling(the best fat burning method), eliptical, and track work, you will start to burn away the fat to make you look smaller.

On a personal note, you should be happy with your calves, big calves are a blessing.

SexyChic · 04-25-2009, 03:24 PM

It has a lot to do with genetics and how much muscle tissue you have and how long or short they are....
And where you store your bodyfat.

FameGirl · 04-25-2009, 07:22 PM

Hi my name is FameGirl, and I have thick-ass calves.
Seriously, if you saw them in person, they're huge.

The area surrounding my ankle is also huge. It's just a thick area. I believe this could very well do to the bone/joint development as a kid. I don't have a source, but I have read that high impact activities (such as sports) can cause the bones to grow a little thicker than your average kid. I was constantly playing hockey, basketball, etc so I can only guess that that is the reason why I have massive calves.

I hated them my whole life. Because they're not defined, just huge! Now, I just live with em, and even poke fun at them. Me and my boyfriend call them my "meats" and they will never go away lol.

Embrace your calves!

Jessica29 · 04-25-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAWS22

I know a few short females who have large calves and legs, if you do intense cardio. (I have devised a split for a few friends that has worked very well, PM me if you'd like)
However, working out can only take you so far when your fighting genetics, but they can be beaten. If you eat lean foods, and do fast cycling(the best fat burning method), eliptical, and track work, you will start to burn away the fat to make you look smaller.

On a personal note, you should be happy with your calves, big calves are a blessing.

Thanks!.. PMing you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SexyChic

It has a lot to do with genetics and how much muscle tissue you have and how long or short they are....
And where you store your bodyfat.

Interesting... very frustrating though! Wish there was some way to reduce them

Quote:

Originally Posted by FameGirl

Hi my name is FameGirl, and I have thick-ass calves.
Seriously, if you saw them in person, they're huge.

The area surrounding my ankle is also huge. It's just a thick area. I believe this could very well do to the bone/joint development as a kid. I don't have a source, but I have read that high impact activities (such as sports) can cause the bones to grow a little thicker than your average kid. I was constantly playing hockey, basketball, etc so I can only guess that that is the reason why I have massive calves.

I hated them my whole life. Because they're not defined, just huge! Now, I just live with em, and even poke fun at them. Me and my boyfriend call them my "meats" and they will never go away lol.

Embrace your calves!

I'm glad I'm not the only one! Thanks girl! Ha my BF makes fun of them too! He even says his are smaller then mine which really gets me going.. lol. Anyways, with the whole sport thing.... I hardly played any sports

Just basketball until 7th grade... thats what gets me the most because you would think I played soccer. It probably has also a lot to do with my height.. If only I could grow a few inches!! Thanks again!

Jrzimmer · 04-26-2009, 09:41 AM

Oh amen to this thread! I'm going through the same problem! I managed to take 2 inches off each calve this last month by running and doing calve raises with my toes out and heels in, and toes in and heels out. I stay away from normal calf raises since the head on my calve doesn't need to get bigger. Doing the other types of raises help tone them up on the side a lot! I agree with the ankles being bigger than they should be, I have that too. Nothing dainty here.... But at this point other than doing what I'm doing I've come to grips with the fact I'm norweigian and pretty much a Viking....lol Just don't call me Olga!

Jessica29 · 04-26-2009, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jrzimmer

Oh amen to this thread! I'm going through the same problem! I managed to take 2 inches off each calve this last month by running and doing calve raises with my toes out and heels in, and toes in and heels out. I stay away from normal calf raises since the head on my calve doesn't need to get bigger. Doing the other types of raises help tone them up on the side a lot! I agree with the ankles being bigger than they should be, I have that too. Nothing dainty here.... But at this point other than doing what I'm doing I've come to grips with the fact I'm norweigian and pretty much a Viking....lol Just don't call me Olga!

hahaha ahh well I am glad you have had some improvements... hope I can do the same!!

trance__dreamer · 04-28-2009, 08:39 PM

do you have any idea how many guys out there would love to be genetically gifted in the calves department?! so, i embrace my muscular calves each & every day. =)

the back of my legs look similar to this:

16.75's, babyyyy! /m\

VixLife · 04-29-2009, 12:25 PM

There's just no pleasing us, is there? My calves are goofy/skinny and I think they look deformed! I guess I should be thankful they do their job.

Jessica29 · 04-29-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trance__dreamer

do you have any idea how many guys out there would love to be genetically gifted in the calves department?! so, i embrace my muscular calves each & every day. =)

the back of my legs look similar to this:

16.75's, babyyyy! /m\

wow! Good for you! If i were taller I think they would look better and I wouldn't mind but I'm short........

Quote:

Originally Posted by VixLife

There's just no pleasing us, is there? My calves are goofy/skinny and I think they look deformed! I guess I should be thankful they do their job.

Never are we satisfied!