Okay, I just got the tape measure out too! Although, mine are only 13 inches, I have had several "bodybuilder" types stop and actually ask me what I did to get mine...it is all muscle. I just laugh and say "its because I am soo darned short....I spend most of my life on my tiptoes trying to reach stuff"...hee hee....me the 4ft11 tiny person with the greatest calves around! Take care, Donna.
Large Calves
- Thread starter Smokie
- Start date
My sister had really big legs all her life. She has been jogging for about 6 years now and has added weights the last 2 years. She has lost 60lbs dieting this year. She went from 220lbs to 160lbs. I remember an aerobics instructor telling her to take it easy on the leg exercises because she would bulk up easy because her legs were so muscular looking. She ignored all that advice and has kept plugging away. Her legs look amazing now. She jogs about 6 miles a day and does weights every 2nd day with Sunday her rest day.
Sharon
Sharon
likes2bfit
Cathlete
I had to go measure my calves just for grins! OK at 5'2" and a size 4-6 in clothes, my calves measure 14.75" By the way I also have a size 8.5 shoe and a D width! go figure!
I'm right there with ya. All the women in my family have huge calves and we also have "cankles." Our calves seem to go directly to our feet without really have ankles. I have had people comment on my calves. Not really bad, but just wondering what exercises I do to get them so big. Mine also measure 14.75. I'm 5', 123 pounds, wear 4/6, and size 5 shoe.
I love this thread! I wish I took calf measurements before I started Cathe so I know if they've gone bigger or smaller.
I'm 5'1", size 2/4, shoe size 6.5 (7 sometimes). Right now my calves measure 13 inches. For someone my size, I think that's pretty substantial. I've never been self-conscious of them, however. I've always been pear-shaped and bottom-heavy.
Before I discovered Cathe, I had been doing a lot of step aerobics but my calves were extra jiggly. Now they're really toned and hard. When I first did the calf exercises on PS Legs, I couldn't get through the segment. Now I do them with a pair of 8-lb. dumbbells, 10 sometimes. I don't think they're getting bigger. If anything, my calves and legs have been streamlined so well by Cathe's leg workouts.
Just for fun -- for all you ladies out there who fret over your calves or any other lower body part that you think is more "developed", here's something I found from Malcolm Godwin's book "Who Are You? 101 Ways of Seeing Yourself": "When the lower half of the body is more developed, it suggests you are securing a strong emotional foundation. Your private roots are more stable than the self-expressing and public image. Introspection, stability, privacy and groundedness are the major attributes."
I find that applies to me very well.:7
Pinky
I wish I took calf measurements before I started Cathe so I know if they've gone bigger or smaller.I'm 5'1", size 2/4, shoe size 6.5 (7 sometimes). Right now my calves measure 13 inches. For someone my size, I think that's pretty substantial. I've never been self-conscious of them, however. I've always been pear-shaped and bottom-heavy.
Before I discovered Cathe, I had been doing a lot of step aerobics but my calves were extra jiggly. Now they're really toned and hard. When I first did the calf exercises on PS Legs, I couldn't get through the segment. Now I do them with a pair of 8-lb. dumbbells, 10 sometimes. I don't think they're getting bigger. If anything, my calves and legs have been streamlined so well by Cathe's leg workouts.
Just for fun -- for all you ladies out there who fret over your calves or any other lower body part that you think is more "developed", here's something I found from Malcolm Godwin's book "Who Are You? 101 Ways of Seeing Yourself": "When the lower half of the body is more developed, it suggests you are securing a strong emotional foundation. Your private roots are more stable than the self-expressing and public image. Introspection, stability, privacy and groundedness are the major attributes."
I find that applies to me very well.:7
Pinky
DebbieH
Cathlete
Kelly!
"Cankles!" That is too funny. I have never heard them called that before. I have a friend who hates her legs because she has no ankles. Her calves just go straight down, no taper. Next time she complains, I'll have to let her know there is an official name for her problem! Tee-Hee! BTW, my calves measure 14.75 right and 14.50 for the left. I am 5'4" (ALMOST) and wear a 6-8 and don't consider my calves huge. They are not tiny, but not huge! I always called my legs "tree trunks" cause they are short and a bit stocky.
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
"Cankles!" That is too funny. I have never heard them called that before. I have a friend who hates her legs because she has no ankles. Her calves just go straight down, no taper. Next time she complains, I'll have to let her know there is an official name for her problem! Tee-Hee! BTW, my calves measure 14.75 right and 14.50 for the left. I am 5'4" (ALMOST) and wear a 6-8 and don't consider my calves huge. They are not tiny, but not huge! I always called my legs "tree trunks" cause they are short and a bit stocky.
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
jenniferoc
Active Member
This cracks me up!!! I have always hated the size of my calves!! After reading this thread I actually took out the tape measure to check. They are still 14.5 inches around. I'm 5'5" and around 125-130 lbs. I was absolutely humiliated when I went shopping for a pair of the slim type tall boots and couldn't get them closed!!! I never thought I'd hear anyone else complain about the same thing. Oh well, so much for sexy looking boots.:7
kathryn
Cathlete
Oh well, so much for sexy
>looking boots.:7
Maybe we should start a line of footwear for women with big calves. Something to make the calf an area of the body with sex appeal. The BIG calf, that is. How about boots with a cut-away calf area, so our big muscles can show in all their glory? Woe to the small-calved women who cannot compare to us!
:+
>looking boots.:7
Maybe we should start a line of footwear for women with big calves. Something to make the calf an area of the body with sex appeal. The BIG calf, that is. How about boots with a cut-away calf area, so our big muscles can show in all their glory? Woe to the small-calved women who cannot compare to us!
:+
MadnNatsmom
Cathlete
Just measured mine: A smidge over 14" and I am 5'3", 132 and wear a 4/6.
For me it's genetic - from my mom who has never lifted a weight in her life.
But, it's all muscle (from running) so, I don't do additional strength work.
For me it's genetic - from my mom who has never lifted a weight in her life.
But, it's all muscle (from running) so, I don't do additional strength work.
I win the contest. My calves are 17 in. They've always been huge whether I exercised or not. I could afford to lose about 30 lbs. but they would still be large. I don't even consider buying boots. I am extremely self-conscious about them, and almost never wear skirts. My knee joint is also very large, so my calves support a large skeletal structure, I guess.
Funny thing is that my wrists and hands are very tiny and delicate. I'm a classic pear, all the way to the bone.
My SIL is just the opposite. She has slim ankles and calves, and very large wrists and hands.
I do think this apple or pear thing has some bearing on it, hence the article.
Funny thing is that my wrists and hands are very tiny and delicate. I'm a classic pear, all the way to the bone.
My SIL is just the opposite. She has slim ankles and calves, and very large wrists and hands.
I do think this apple or pear thing has some bearing on it, hence the article.