Calf muscles

[paulababy]

Is there anything I can do to trim my calf size? I have a problem that my calf muscles are HUGE! Even when I was in my twenties (I'm in my forties now), I had a boyfriend who was a bodybuilder and commented on my large calf muscles. I can't even buy boots with zippers because they are too tight (I have to buy the stretchy ones). Any suggestions??
Paula

 

[krisfitness]

For "thinner" calves perform non-weighted calf raises for high reps...50-60 reps. Make the muscle burn.

 

[paulababy]

Thanks for the suggestion! Do you "promise" that it won't make them bigger?? Every time my DH seems me doing calf raises he teases me, saying "Don't make them any bigger!". Gotta love those hubbies...
Paula

 

[krisfitness]

No, trust me. They will get a good burn, but since they are that high in reps w/out weights, your calves WILL NOT get bigger!

 

[kathryn]

Be aware also that calf size and shape is very much genetically determined. If you have excess fat over the area, losing body fat will reduce their size somewhat, and doing high-rep calf work can help them tighten up a bit, but it's hard to grow or shrink calf muscle (which is why body builders sometimes resort to calf implants....like you, I could be a donor!)

 

[paulababy]

Thanks, kathryn. Yes, I figured that I probably couldn't do a whole lot about the size of the muscle, but thought I'd get some suggestions anyway. Have a great holiday!
Paula