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2004/06/02, 01:56 PM
Okay, I've read many posts on the fact that you cannot lose fat in specific areas and I am understanding that. My question is that my calves are sooooooooo thick! They didn't used to be years ago when I was thinner until I started weight lifting. I assume some may be fat, but I am now combining weight lifting with cardio in my program but I don't want my calves getting any bigger! I am using my glider and leg lifts on my weight bench, but I don't know if I should skip the leg lifts or ??? to ensure I don't end up with more muscle combined with the fat already there. I easily gain muscle in my arms, legs, and calves, but I don't want monster calves! I stretch well as when I worked at Curves for Women, I was taught it was important to stretch or the muscles would become as mine have. Help?
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MISERY IS OPTIONAL
SMILES FOR MILES
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2004/06/02, 02:03 PM
Ok, I'm not an expert here but in my workout I do TONS of squats, lunges, leg lifts, etc and I too have very large calves. Anyways I have found that even though I am doing a workout that is building the muscles in my legs that my calves are slowly shrinking because the muscle I'm building is helping to burn that fat that is stored there. Not fast but they have gotten noticeably smaller in the 2 and a half weeks I've been doing this, my jeans don't "hug" my calves the way they used to. My advise would be to keep up the workout you are doing and give it some time, women have to REALLY work at it to seriously gain muscle mass to the extent I think you are afraid of. Measure your calves this week and then in like 2 weeks measure them again and see what exactly is going on down there so you don't have to try to guess.
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Love me as I am . . .
Let me worry about how I look!
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2004/06/02, 02:07 PM
Well I will have to ask this, do you do your calve excercises right? Lots of people only do partial reps. DOing calv raises on the floor, going up on tippy toes is not a calve raise. If that where so everyone would have nice lovly calves just from walking around.
GEt on somthing about 4 to 5 ins off the ground, go all the way down, as far as your calves and ancles will alow you( my heals actually touch the floor) then come up and hold the contraction for 2 to 3 secs, then go back down, PAUSE) then come back up.
These partial reps I see done actually shorten the muscle and make it thicker or so in the middle. Kinda like people who do so many, non ful range curls( biceps) arms hang funny.
Another thing if you do have fat on your calves, and your building muscle under fat, they will get bigger and thicker. Lower yoru calories to lose fat, this fat lose will come from everywhere, including your legs.
Heres somthing I like to do for my calves.....
If you have a stair master thingy( the ones that actually have stairs that move......walk on it like you normally would fo ryour cardio......but try to play only your toes on the step, as you step up step up through your calves( calve raise)Basicly try to tippy toe your way up the stairs.......very challanging and hard, make sure you look down to know where you placing your feet, and not slid off.
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.......adversity causes some to break, but others to break records!
......minds are not vessles to be filled, but fires to be enlightened
......Confucious once said ,DO NOT play leap frog with a unicorn
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2004/06/02, 02:08 PM
I agree with Kyrah 100%!! You will build some muscle in your calves, and yes at first they may get bigger, but that muscle will help to eat away the fat over your whole body. An added bonus, is when you get to a healthy weight, you will have lovely heart shaped calf muscles. Guys love em, and they make legs look that much better in heels!!!
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2004/06/02, 02:09 PM
Bada Bing... what Kyrah said. Women don't build muscle like men. You would have to be a genetic freak to add lots of muscle size. Give it more time. You may even notice a small increase in size as the new muscle pushes the fat out but thats temporary.
Stay the coarse.
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Foolish consistancies are the hobgoblins of small minds.
Charlie
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2004/06/02, 02:12 PM
Andrew is on the money too. I do calf raises as he described on the steps in my condo. Do 3 sets of 15 as Andrew described and be prepared to cry the first few days!!!!!!!
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Foolish consistancies are the hobgoblins of small minds.
Charlie
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2004/06/02, 04:22 PM
Think about steak - it has fat marbled in to it, so do your muscles!
As you lose weight your calves will get smaller.
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If you fall down seven times, get up eight.
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2004/06/02, 10:29 PM
Okay, got it and it all makes sense, thank you! The only thing is I wasn't sure exactly the description of the calf raises...I think I got you, Andrew - I find a platform 4-5" thick and keep the upper part of my feet on it as I lower my heels all the way and then come back up? Is that correct? I'll give that a shot. I hate to cry, but if it's worth it, Charlie, I'll cry a bucket!! :)
I don't know if it helps, I don't have a stairmaster, but I go on my tip toes on my glider as part of my routine, will that work also? I certainly can relate to my calves having lots of fat and the growing muscle may at first seem to make them look bigger but as the fat goes, the muscle grows! I guess I need to look at it as the rest of my body has the same problem, my calves just seem more noticable and BIG! I'll just keep on workin' them! Thank you all for your help...again!
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MISERY IS OPTIONAL
SMILES FOR MILES
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2004/06/07, 05:55 PM
I found a good place to do real good calve raises and boy do they burn! Must be working! Thanks again!
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Veda
MISERY IS OPTIONAL
HAVE A GREAT DAY!
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2004/06/07, 06:12 PM
Try single leg calf raises!!!! Great burn.
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Foolish consistancies are the hobgoblins of small minds.
Charlie
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2004/06/08, 12:12 AM
oohhhhh, jeeeezzzz, Charlie, just when I think I'm burnin' like no other burn...how 'bout I just pour gasoline over my head and light a match? Ohhh, the burn!!!!
Seriously...okay, I'll try it, what do I have to lose? Ohhhh, that's right -- F A T !! What do I have to gain? Ohhhh, that's right -- MUSCLE!! I shall do my single leg calf raises!!:dumbbell::angry::dumbbell:
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Veda
MISERY IS OPTIONAL
HAVE A GREAT DAY!
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