How Can I Make My Leg Calves Smaller?
Some people view their legs as their most prized possession. Other people may be self-conscious if their calves seem out of proportion to the rest of their body. To make their calves appear smaller, many people try a variety of tricks to camouflage their size. While it is impossible to make big calves small, there is a way to reduce their size. Some people dress a certain way, while others take more drastic measures.
Instructions
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Dark Leggings
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Visit your local retailer store or shop online for black leggings that extend just past the calf muscles on the legs. A good measurement to follow is 5 inches below the knee.
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Find leggings that offer support throughout the entire body. Pants made from polyester, spandex and cotton blends work best. These leggings can make calves appear smaller because of the extra support they provide your legs. The dark color will also camouflage the legs and make the calves appear leaner.
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Try on a few different pairs of these types of leggings. Once you find the right pair, pay for them at the checkout counter.
Jogging
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Jog at a slow to medium pace of about 4 miles per hour or whatever is comfortable. You can also run in place or jog on a treadmill at this speed if the weather is bad outside.
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Participate in this jogging exercise three to five times a week for 30 to 40 minutes a day. Jogging is preferable to running at a faster pace because it helps burn fat. Running at a slow, steady pace helps to slim down the legs and calves.
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Run on flat surfaces with virtually no incline. If you are running outside, run on straight paths as oppose to a running path with many hills and inclines, as hills tend to build muscle. If you are running on a treadmill, run on flat surface and do not place the treadmill on an incline.
Stretching
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Practice Pilates exercises by stretching the muscles in the calves. Stretching helps to elongate muscles, making the calves appear smaller.
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Stand with your front foot bent about 12 inches from a wall. Your back foot should be straight and 36 inches from the wall.
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Place your hands against the wall and lean forward. Keep your feet pointed forward and your heels flat on the ground. Hold this pose for 30 seconds.
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Switch legs and repeat this same exercise using the opposite leg. This exercise will help to elongate the calves and make them appear leaner. Do five repetitions each on each leg. Do this exercise three to four times a week.
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Tips & Warnings
SuperSkinnyMe.com states that endurance running helps to slim down calves by reducing the amount of fatty tissue surrounding the calf muscle. It also helps reduce muscle mass in this part of the body.
Running on steep inclines and at faster speeds will most likely contribute to overdeveloped calf muscles. This is because exercises that call for strength and speed create more resistance and challenge the muscles more intensely.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
