Big calves and ankles
You guessed it! these too are a direct of genetics. Fat is rarely stored in this area unless one is quite obese. Big calves muscles, however, and thick ankles, or what others call “cankles”, are inherited. Such activities as ballet, jumping sports, and hiking can make the calves bigger, but only girls who naturally have big calves will be significantly affected.
There are no exercises to make the calves smaller. Calves are big because of genetic reasons mostly (people inherit the tendency to have big calf muscles) or because the person is constantly on their toes (as in ballet), always using high heels, or is involved in jumping sports (like basketball or volleyball). However, there are ballet dancers with big calves and there are ballet dancers with small calves- this means that if you are NOT genetically predisposed to having big calves, you won’t have them even if your activity requires you to use your calf muscles.
These stretching exercises only help in lengthening the calf muscles for a more streamlined look (translation: less muscular)
A. “Kiss the Wall” Calf Stretch
Stand about two feet away from a wall. Flex your left foot and place it against the bottom of a wall. Keep your back tall and straight. Lean forward from the hips as if you were trying to kiss the wall. Hold the stretch for 10 to 30 seconds. Repeat on the other side.
(sorry for my drawing)
B. Standing Calf Stretch
Do this stretch several times a day if you wear high heels to keep the calf muscles from getting tight. This stretch is also beneficial if you play a sport that require a lot of jumping. People who run or walk uphill will also feel the lengthening effect on their calf muscles.
Make sure your toes are facing front. Lean forward from the hips with a straight back. Press your back heel into the floor. Hold the stretch for 10 to 30 seconds.
(sorry for the drawing)
Fashion fix
Big Calves/ Cankles
Do:
Pointy pumps with 2-to-3-inch heels. These give legs a slimmer line.
Flared jeans. They help conceal the area. Try to wear heels all the time to give legs more contour.
Don’t:
Capris/ cropped trousers. They only draw attention to your calves.
