total newb, i hate my legs

[GG1234]

i've always hated my legs, and they're the only thing i'm SUPER self-conscious about. i have bigger thighs, and virtually no calf muscle, and fat knees i refuse to wear shorts, and it drives me crazy. i've tried running, and all sorts of other things, with absolutely no results.

what can i do to build up a calf muscle, and just tone up my thighs/knees?

Thanks.



*add* and on a completely different note, i recently gained a bit of weight, and have been trying to lose it. i was eating a lot of fast foods (bad, i know!). i've cut that down almost completely, and am eating a lot more tuna, whole wheat breads, chicken, salads (i'm a salad-aholic... if that's even a word). and i've visibly "lost weight", but, i'm still 130lbs. my face has thinned out, my pants fit a lot more comfortable, etc. but, i'm still the same weight. the amount of exercise hasn't changed at all, so... why have do i look like i've lost weight, feel like i've lost weight, but the scale says otherwise?


(sorry, just kind of an off-the-wall question i figured i'd ask)

 

[scorpiogirl]

If you haven't already...please read thru these first and post your stats....thx

http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?t=363631

http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?t=388278

 

[GG1234]

If you haven't already...please read thru these first and post your stats....thx

http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?t=363631

http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?t=388278

i'm reading through now.

however, aside from running/biking a lot to thin out my legs in general, what else can i do to build up my calf muscle?

i used to do gymnastics from when i was about 2 or 3 till i was 13, then i tore my achellis tendon, and had to quit. i'm guessing that's why i just have bigger thighs. i'm not too concerned about that, i just want to balance my legs out a bit more. i have virtaully no calf muscle at all, and it just looks off-balance with my thighs.

 

[Sassy69]

Calf muscles are particularly hard to build - generally you either have them or you don't. However, the exercises that will help are sprints, biking (look at the size calves of the competitive sprinters.. not marathoners... sprinters, and bikers), skating, skiiing. In the gym, standing, seated, leg press calf raises. Plyometrics - jumping, etc.

As far as changing your proportions, that's primarily a function of dieting down to where you aren't just losing bodyfat in the easy places, but also the hard places, like where women suffer - hips, thighs, stomach.

 

[scorpiogirl]

I agree - you have them or you don't! I....DON'T! I have to work at keeping them or they disappear!!! lol

 

[GG1234]

Calf muscles are particularly hard to build - generally you either have them or you don't. However, the exercises that will help are sprints, biking (look at the size calves of the competitive sprinters.. not marathoners... sprinters, and bikers), skating, skiiing. In the gym, standing, seated, leg press calf raises. Plyometrics - jumping, etc.

As far as changing your proportions, that's primarily a function of dieting down to where you aren't just losing bodyfat in the easy places, but also the hard places, like where women suffer - hips, thighs, stomach.

i used to ice skate and ski a lot. not so much anymore, a lot more snowboarding though (makes my legs burn after a long day).

i've been working on my diet more. a lot less crap food, almost down to nothing. whole wheat/grain bread if i have bread at all, usually a chicken salad for lunch with green peppers, black olives, tomato, cucumber, a little olive oil and red vinegar (i'll pick on it through out the day), tuna and a cup of tea in the morning for breakfast. dinner depends on if i'm awake enough to make something. that's usually my downfall. macaroni and cheese or something of the like. since i've changed my diet (for the most part), i did notice weight loss (or at least visible loss) in my thighs, hips, and stomach). however, i'm still the same weight i was before... according to the scale.

no one in my family really has a defined calf muscle, unfortuately. my brother, sister, and both my parents have generally the same leg shape... no calf, and bigger knees/thighs.

i'll try some of the exercises you suggested. is there any other suggestions you can give? i'm a total newb to working out. i usually just kind of wing it, i have no real idea what i'm doing.

 

[scorpiogirl]

i used to ice skate and ski a lot. not so much anymore, a lot more snowboarding though (makes my legs burn after a long day).

i've been working on my diet more. a lot less crap food, almost down to nothing. whole wheat/grain bread if i have bread at all, usually a chicken salad for lunch with green peppers, black olives, tomato, cucumber, a little olive oil and red vinegar (i'll pick on it through out the day), tuna and a cup of tea in the morning for breakfast. dinner depends on if i'm awake enough to make something. that's usually my downfall. macaroni and cheese or something of the like. since i've changed my diet (for the most part), i did notice weight loss (or at least visible loss) in my thighs, hips, and stomach). however, i'm still the same weight i was before... according to the scale.

no one in my family really has a defined calf muscle, unfortuately. my brother, sister, and both my parents have generally the same leg shape... no calf, and bigger knees/thighs.

i'll try some of the exercises you suggested. is there any other suggestions you can give? i'm a total newb to working out. i usually just kind of wing it, i have no real idea what i'm doing.

Don't just "wing it" - you could hurt yourself! Do a search on the web of exercises and how to do them. There is tons of info. - and pics. It will definitely help you!

 

[Frisky]

im sure you see something different than everyone else see's ... as do most.

 

[*MissFit*]

YaH reality is never what we think it:0

Keep working at it and dont stress

 

[GG1234]

YaH reality is never what we think it:0

Keep working at it and dont stress

i know. i look back at pictures from about 2 years ago or so, and l remember thinking i looked fat back then. now, i think i almost looked too skinny. lol

i've never really been self conscious about anything, except my legs. just something i have to work on i guess. when i was at the lowest weight when i was in college, 105lbs (i'm 5' tall) i was almost happy with my legs. i was working out a LITTLE bit back then, jogging for about 15-20 minutes a few days a week. then i stopped, and it just went downhill. i think i'm going to go shopping for a tred mill and put it in the garage.


do you think it would be worth it to pick up any other machines? an eliptical (sp?), one of those bike machines, etc?

it's cold out, and i really dislike gyms, so, i'd rather just pick up a few machines, and some weights or something, and just do what i can here at the garage (where i work and spend 90% of my days).