How to get rid of cankles through exercise and the best clothing to conceal them.
Cankles (calf + ankles), the term used to describe ankles that lack definition and appear to blend into the calf, can be a source of self-consciousness for many women. While genetics plays a major role in being the owner of cankles, lifestyle factors such as lack of exercise and poor diet can also contribute to the appearance of swollen ankles.
The good news is that there are many ways to reduce the appearance of cankles and achieve a more defined ankle and calf area. And if you seem to be unable to rid yourself of those cankles, you can at least hide them with the type of clothing and shoes you wear.
Exercises to Get Rid of Cankles
The key to getting rid of cankles is to focus on exercises that target the calf muscles which can reduce the appearance of cankles.
Calf raises
Stand with your feet hip-width apart and lift your heels off the ground, balancing on the balls of your feet. Slowly lower your heels back down to the ground and repeat for 3 sets of 15 reps.
Seated-Calf Raises
Sit on a chair with your feet flat on the ground. Place a weight, such as a dumbbell or a heavy book, on your knees. Slowly raise your heels off the ground and hold the position for a few seconds before lowering your heels back to the ground. Repeat this exercise for three sets of 15 reps.
Jump Rope
Jumping rope is a great cardio exercise that also targets the calf muscles. Start with 30-second intervals and gradually increase the length of time as you build stamina.
Leg press
Use a leg press machine at the gym, push the weight away from your body using your calf muscles. This will help tone your calves and ankles. Do 3 sets of 12 reps.
Stair Climbing
Whether you use a stair climber machine at the gym or climb stairs in your home or office, this exercise is great for toning the calf muscles and burning calories. Free and affective at slimming down those cankles.
Resistance Band Exercises
Using a resistance band, wrap it around one ankle while securing the band to a stationary object. Extend your legs so the band you pull the band away from and towards your body. Do 3 sets of 12 reps on each foot.
Jumping Jacks
To do a jumping jack, stand with your feet together and your hands at your sides. Jump your feet out to the sides while raising your arms overhead. Jump your feet back together and lower your arms back to your sides. Repeat this exercise for three sets of 15 reps.
How to Get Rid of Cankles Fast
If you need to get rid of cankles quickly for a special event or occasion, there are a few things you can do that may help.
One of the most effective ways to reduce swelling in the ankles is to elevate your feet. Lie down on a bed or couch and prop your feet up on a few pillows. This will help to reduce swelling and improve circulation in the ankle area.
Another quick fix for cankles is to wear compression socks or stockings. Compression socks are designed to improve circulation and reduce swelling in the ankle area. They can be worn under pants or with skirts and dresses for a more discreet look.
You should always stay hydrated and reduce your salt intake since consuming too much salt can cause water retention, leading to bloating and swelling in the ankles.
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Best Outfits to Hide Cankles
Another way to get rid of cankles fast is to dress in outfits that can help conceal them.
First, choose pants or long dresses and skirts that hit at the slimmest part of your ankle or cover them all together. This will help to create the illusion of a more defined ankle or will at least conceal them.
If you prefer to show more leg and often wear short shorts, dresses, and skirts, be sure to wear ones that are above or are just below the knee. This can help to draw attention away from the ankle area and more upward towards your knees and thighs.
Skirts and dresses at the half-way point of the calf can bring more attention to your cankles and make your legs look shorter and wider.
Ankle socks or crew socks that hit just above the ankle can also be a good choice, as they draw attention away from the ankle area and slightly elongate the calf. Knee and thigh-high socks are great as well if you can find a way to incorporate them into an outfit.
Best Shoes for Cankles
Chunky boots cover your ankles are a quick and fashionable way to conceal your cankles. Knee and thigh-high boots are of course the perfect disguise for thicker ankles. If you’re wearing pants or jeans, consider cuffing them to create a more tapered look at the ankle.
If you are wearing heels, diagonal heel slants are your friend. While flat shoes like sneakers and sandals are super comfortable, if you’re not just out running errands try to incorporate a high heel or slanted wedge to elongate your ankle area.
Pointy-toed heels are another uncomfortable but flattering option for cankles. If you’re going out for the night and want to make sure you look sexy from head-to-toe, opt for a pointy-toed shoe as they will give your foot and ankle area a slimmer look.
Strappy heals that wrap around your ankles are a great way to conceal cankles. By placing the strap above the ankle bone, it can create the illusion of a more slender ankle. The strap can also create a visual break between the foot and the leg, which can make the ankle appear slimmer.
If you’re wearing sneakers, stick with low-tops. While you’d think high-top sneakers would hide your cankles better, they usually end up making your legs look shorter since there’s no discernible break between your calves and feet.
If you’re not working out and are wearing fashion sneakers, a low-rise, platinum base sneaker with below the ankle socks or knee socks would be a cute way to elongate your legs and hide those cankles.
Minimal designs and nude colors for shoes also helps NOT draw attention to your feet, making cankles less noticeable. Just be sure to wear a bangin’ outfit to make up for the lack of pizazz on your feet.
Also, be sure to wear shoes that fit properly. While a strappy heel can be amazing for hiding cankles, make sure the straps are comfortable and not too tight. Shoes that look too tight or like they’re painful to walk in will only bring more attention to your situation down there.
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Are Cankles Unattractive?
The idea that cankles are unattractive is a societal construct that has been perpetuated by media and beauty standards. When the ideal of beauty is a stretched tall, 5’10” women under 115 pounds– of course their calves and ankles are going to be toothpicks compared to the average woman, who in the US is 5’4 and 170 pounds.
The reality is that cankles are a natural variation in body shape and should not be stigmatized or considered unattractive.
While it is true, there are some rare men who would consider cankles a dealbreaker, they seem to be more of one of those things that women pay attention to more than men. Besides, who wants to be with a man like that? Yikes!
If you’re self-conscious about it, just remember there are many solutions you can take if you want to know how to get rid of cankles. Focus on exercises that target the calf muscles and reduce swelling in the ankle area. Choose outfits and shoes that flatter your body shape and make you feel confident and comfortable.
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