I've had big calves my entire life. Not convinced it's genetic. (Is it?)

[wkandinsky]

Would anyone like to share tips or personal stories on how to lose weight/decrease body fat percentage or more specifically, slim down their CALVES and thighs? (Note: Emphasis on calves.)

I've resorted to posting on this forum, since I'm feeling a bit desperate and confused. I've only started working with a personal trainer last week, but I'm still interested in getting a second opinion about the changes I need to make to achieve my goal.

I've always had big calves—my entire life. Even when I was an athlete in college at 44/45kg (and 158cm tall or 5'2"), my calves were 33cm (13in) at their slimmest. (I was doing judo.)

Fast forward 10 years later... My weight fluctuates between 46.3kg and 47.5kg. My body fat percentage is 20.4% and my visceral fat rating is 1.

But my calf circumference is at 34.3cm (13.5in) and my thighs are 51cm (20in). I read somewhere that for my height, the ideal calf circumference should be 31cm or 12in, so this is my goal. (Not so worried about my thighs though.)

What's the best way to go about achieving my goal? Apart from measuring my legs, should I also focus on losing more weight or just decreasing my body fat or both?

Just a quick note about my current lifestyle: I gained weight last year, and I was 51.9kg at my heaviest. At the moment, I've successfully adopted a low-carb lifestyle and I've been at it for six months. I keep a food (and exercise) diary to stay accountable. I allot one day per week to eating carb like high GI fruit/rice/bread/oatmeal and yummy unhealthy stuff. (Successfully survived the December holidays without gaining weight, with no proper exercise regimen!)

In terms of physical activity: I own a stationary bike, so I do some spinning ~45-48 minutes everyday with an average speed of 33-36kph. As much as possible, I do it in the morning when I get up at 6am. On top of that, I drop by the gym weekly for weight training and doing some elliptical training for at least 30 minutes.

I own a set of dumbbells, but I haven't been using them regularly.

I've also started running (again) two weeks ago. As a beginner, I can only run 3km non-stop. After covering that distance, I walk an additional kilometer. That makes for about 30 minutes. I've done this five times already.

Any advice is appreciated! Thanks.

[IzTriv]

Well, you can't spot reduce fat.

But you can try build some lean muscle in your calves.

One of the easiest/no excuse exercises you can do:

Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, and go up on your tippie-toes, high as you can. Hold for a second. Go back down. Repeat.

Once that gets too easy, throw a dumbbell in each hand and repeat.

Keep repeating and gradually increase the weight.

[wkandinsky]

I tried this when I was younger and fitter. It toned my calves, but it didn't help shrink them.

In any case, what do you mean by "repeat"? I'd like you to be more specific. How many reps and sets?

Well, you can't spot reduce fat.

But you can try build some lean muscle in your calves.

One of the easiest/no excuse exercises you can do:

Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, and go up on your tippie-toes, high as you can. Hold for a second. Go back down. Repeat.

Once that gets too easy, throw a dumbbell in each hand and repeat.

Keep repeating and gradually increase the weight.

[rockangel]

Pictures of massively huge calves or it doesnt exist. my calves are the same size as yours and they are by no means huge, and im 3 - 4 inches shorter. Is it possible that you are simply insecure about them and are not being objective????

By the weights you list, you fluctuate in very low weights for your height....your calves may seem "huge" to you if you lack muscle mass in the rest of your body.

[Katie39]

I have had big calves my whole life. Mine are even bigger than yours....they measure close to 15 inches in circumference. My weight has fluctuated throughout my adult life from 115 up to 140 (during my pregnancies) and my calves have remained about the same size. I used to feel a little insecure about them and think they were too big, but after I got into bodybuilding and having more muscle, I started to really like them. People stop me all the time and tell me I have great calves and ask what exercises I do to make them that way. And I always say, for me, it's genetic cause I don't do anything to make them bigger...although maybe some of my cardio (such as running, bike riding, etc...) works them.

[oregonchick76]

LOL. I'm 5'3" and my calves are 14.5". And I wish they were bigger.

[wkandinsky]

Photo here: *****://www[dot]dropbox[dot]com/s/dw3nanjpebm80ge/IMG_1484.jpg?dl=0

Pictures of massively huge calves or it doesnt exist. my calves are the same size as yours and they are by no means huge, and im 3 - 4 inches shorter. Is it possible that you are simply insecure about them and are not being objective????

By the weights you list, you fluctuate in very low weights for your height....your calves may seem "huge" to you if you lack muscle mass in the rest of your body.

[superja]

I think you're seeing something that other people aren't.

Where did you find this 12" 'ideal' measurement?

My calves are 13" and they're a part I struggle to bring up. They're tiny. I couldn't imagine losing another inch off of them.

[birdiefu]

Photo here: *****://www[dot]dropbox[dot]com/s/dw3nanjpebm80ge/IMG_1484.jpg?dl=0

Um...those calves are not big, only you think they are. And and least there are no cankles

[wkandinsky]

I arrived at this figure based on recommendations by mostly Asian websites.

I couldn't find some of my original sources, but I did stumble upon this page to give you an idea: shorty-stories[dot]delectablychic[dot]com/2012/01/koreansizecharts/

I think you're seeing something that other people aren't.

Where did you find this 12" 'ideal' measurement?

My calves are 13" and they're a part I struggle to bring up. They're tiny. I couldn't imagine losing another inch off of them.

[wkandinsky]

Haha. Thanks. I do take comfort in the fact that my ankles and calves are "visually separate".

Um...those ankles are not big, only you think they are. And and least there are no cankles

[oregonchick76]

Photo here: *****://www[dot]dropbox[dot]com/s/dw3nanjpebm80ge/IMG_1484.jpg?dl=0

Laughing. Your legs have a taper from the thigh all the way to the ankle. Someone with 'big' calves has almost an hourglass shape from wider at the thigh, narrower at the knee, wider at the calf, and again narrow at the ankle. And personally, I'd rather have beefy calves. Your legs look like my skinny 17 yr old daughter's.

[megdaig]

I just spat my oatmeal all over my phone.

What look is it you are going for? You have toothpicks down there and your calves taper down into your ankles...meaning you have no calves.

I think you are trying for something that is unattainable.

[BrotherWolf]

I arrived at this figure based on recommendations by mostly Asian websites.

I couldn't find some of my original sources, but I did stumble upon this page to give you an idea: shorty-stories[dot]delectablychic[dot]com/2012/01/koreansizecharts/

I am not sure I would take seriously any web site that gives you ideal measurements ... ideal for what ?? lol

[oregonchick76]

I am not sure I would take seriously any web site that gives you ideal measurements ... ideal for what ?? lol

Not ideal for holding up body weight apparently.

[BrotherWolf]

Not ideal for holding up body weight apparently.

yeah really …..it's crazy that there is such a site

[Artemis00]

I arrived at this figure based on recommendations by mostly Asian websites.

That makes a lot more sense and now I can understand why you feel your calves are too big.

I know in the Asian culture, women having large calves (of course large is a subjective term) is considered unattractive.




OP...based on your picture and the after pics from women that have decided to have calf reduction surgery...your calves look a lot like their after pics.

[megdaig]

That makes a lot more sense and now I can understand why you feel your calves are too big.

I know in the Asian culture, women having large calves (of course large is a subjective term) is considered unattractive.




OP...based on your picture and the after pics from women that have decided to have calf reduction surgery...your calves look a lot like their after pics.

Wow....didn't know such a thing existed.

[rockangel]

yeah well, the asian community has been known to prefer women smaller and doesnt care if they look deformed or not. Like foot binding.....


OP, your calves are not huge, and there is no "ideal" calf size for health. If you are basing your thoughts and self worth over some random websites "ideal" chart... you have bigger issues than calf size.

[mtnliones5]

I'm four inches taller than you but my calves are just over FIFTEEN INCHES around!! If anyone has huge calves it's me!!

[peasandlove]

I'm four inches taller than you but my calves are just over FIFTEEN INCHES around!! If anyone has huge calves it's me!!

one of mine is 15 and the other 14.5.. lol
I struggle with trousers though, fitted ones bunch up on the bigger calf
im pretty tall though so I don't "think" they look big