Bottom Heavy Ladies... I have a question.. :)

So I've always held most of my weight in my bottom half, big butt, thighs.. etc.  Fun. So I have noticed like lots of people I lose weight like water being poured from a pitcher, lose off the top first.  Now at this point, I notice a considerable difference in my lower half as well (thank goodness!) but I'm curious as to ladies that have been through this and have reached goal... did your calves reduce quite a bit? Did you do certain exercises that seemed to really help more then others? I have no desire to wear a mini skirt so my thighs will have coverage most of the time but I'd LOVE to wear cute dresses and skirts in the summer and my calves are just so not up to par for me.  So did your calves reduce? What did you do to help keep them tight and tone? Any exercise suggestions?!? :)


Thanks a bunch!
Amanda

I read a thread on here not too long ago on this very topic.  If I recall correctly, most people said they didn't lose a lot in their calves.  I have large calves myself, but it's much more of a muscle issue than a fat issue.  No matter what exercises I do, my calves stay big because I have such a muscular build.

I think cardio is the best thing to do for toning overall (including calves).  You could do some light weight training for your calves, but keep the weight fairly light or you'll build more muscle mass there.

I have just come to terms with having substantial calves.  I'm 35 pounds from goal and I know they aren't going to get much smaller.

Oh my gosh what a good question! I know I have lost weight in my legs 'cause my new sized jeans are getting lose in the legs already, but when I tried on a cute dress in Macy's last weekend, I saw what my lower legs looked like, and YUCK!!  I WAS feeling so good about my sizing down, but honey, those legs just weren't going to make it!!  I am now going to start using my new Sketcher sneakers that are supposed to target the butt and thighs and PRAY!!  :D

Hi Amanda,
 Nu-mi...I love it! Very cute!
 I think most of us lose from the head down. I know I did. I lost 30 lbs in the first 30 days, and I lost it all in my face and shoulders! From there on, it took almost 2 years to finish losing ALL over. My hips, butt and calves were the last to go. It was truly bizarre to go through, but I'd say a LOT of us do lose that way. Yep, losing from the head first, then on down is totally normal.
 As for exercise, I joined a gym and started working out at about 6 months. (yeah, I should have done it sooner!) Any personal trainer, can help you with specific exercises to do.
 Hope this helps!

Hello Amanda!

I was about as PEAR as they come! LOL!-See my before.

As far as proportion goes-I am not too bad..that's considering where I started. I am always going to be a bit um...CURVY in the caboose region-which I can live with,

My calves-well..they are still what I will say are on the larger side. I CAN wear boots-but I DO need to make sure they are the wider types. I am not THRILLED with them-but again..I was REALLY large to start with.

Congrats on your fabulous progress and enjoy those cute summer dresses!

Peace,
T

Good question,

The answers people have for you is killing me though! Ah crap - it seems like I might have my giganto calves forever!

I was wondering the same thing because my calves are solid! They don't feel fat, they feel hard as rocks and it's a hard to imagine them shrinking.

I am too a total pear shape. Small on top and huge below the waist. I have lost 120 pounds since surgery 6 months ago and it's all coming off top-down.

Bummer.

Susie

 hi Amanda - I don't know if this will hel*****t but I bought a Schwinn encumbent (sp) bike like the ones in the gyms. I love it!! Wasn't very expensive at all, about $300 and my Dr. said it was great. I'm the caregiver for my 94 year old mother-in-law so I can't get out and go to the gym like most folks. Anyway, I am currently on level 2 and bike for 15 min four times a day. That gives me 2.5 miles four times a day and my calves are getting smaller without becoming muscular. I also use 1 lb weights on my bat wings (arms) while riding. (I'm also losing from the head down) my turkey neck is really beginning to wave along with my bat wings - lol but I'll take that over the flab any day - at least until I can get PS later on.

hope this helps - keep up the good work,
hugs,

Ok I read this post right before I went to my Dr this morning so it was on my mind. I had to ask him. He said it will take a lot of time to shrink calves, I asked why. He tells me that the calves have been doing this load of work holding up my fat butt all this time and they are mainly muscle. He says that is why apple shaped people have so many more feet and leg problems as they do not have the leg strength of those of us who are pear shaped or cary the weight all over. I am glad my legs have been working so hard keeping me safe, but I would like to wear dresses when this is all over!

I think "it depends". Those more to our body shape then where we store fat, but also the genetics involved. Look at other females in your family who are fairly normal sized and you might get an example of what your potential is.

My calves did slim down to the point I could buy a pair of boots and not wonder if they slip over my calves, but when I was younger (a lot!), my calves stayed pretty slim until I creep past 200#.  My upper, outer thighs, on the other hand, oh my gracious. Those are still "plump" and disproportionately larger, so I have to buy pants to fit the thighs and tailor the waist by several inches.

Just remember that calve muscles tend to be one or your strongest and most toned muscles even when you are fat, since we are upright walking mammals. You have to be careful not to make them even more muscular. swimming might be a good exercise. Checking with an execise physiologist or personal trainer might be worth the cost too.

Just some thoughts.

ANn

Just a note about fixing pants to fit, (well, jeans anyway) I am in between an hour glass and a pear according to my 18 year old daughter, and with my smaller waist, and larger thighs and derriere, it is hard for me to find jeans. I have just found Diane Gillman's jeans (D2) and they are like a miracle!! I no longer have to wear a belt with my jeans, 'cause these fit me in the waist AND in the bottom areas! All parts fit perfectly with no "fixing"!! I don't usually recommend things, but these are a must have! They come in petite, average, and tall. I am getting compliments that I never have gotten before just because they fit so nicely! Worth mentioning.  :D