Definitely not.

If you do, then I do. 13 inch calves and 4 inches shorter than you. I do not think either of us have chunky calves!! No way. I would say we have proportionate calves.

Anne! What are you smoking! I have very slim calves and they are just under 13 inches in circumference (standing at 5ft 6). You have wonderful legs and lovely calves :0)

Thanks guys. I just had a moments doubt when I wrote "I don't have chunky calves" and suddenly wondered if I did! 2 factors
1. Recently bought some boots which were pretty tight to do up around the calves.
2. My Mum always worried about her muscular calves, which look larger because unlike me, she has very skinny thighs.

Yeah, no way you have chunky calves. I'm 5'3" and also have 13" calves; I think mine are too skinny sometimes!

What boots did you get that you were tight around the calf? I rarely find any of those :)

I've said this before but here I go again: I actually wish my calves were bigger. It's not about appearances, it's about function. The calves are the strongest muscles in the body. The bigger this muscle, the more muscle tone you have, and the better your body's ability to burn calories round the clock! (Not to mention the faster you can run and do other sports... )

In my weight training years, I worked very hard to try and improve the size of my calf muscles, and it was very frustrating and difficult to do. At most, they'll grow another 1/2 inch. When I am not exercising they will shrink to 12 inches. That is NOTHING to admire. It means I'm unfit. I have had 12 inch calf muscles when I was overweight. The fitter (and svelter) I get, the larger my calf muscles. Unfortunately, they just don't seem to want to get any larger than 13.5 inches.

Go to those sites that you plug in your measurements, to determine your body composition, and you'll find that if, for example, I enter 12 inch calf muscle, my body fat percentage is calculated as higher than if I enter 13 inches.

Long-winded way to say: NEVER hate your calf muscles. Adore them. In fact, the larger, the better. It saddens me whenever I hear any woman calling her calves chunky. All I see is beautiful muscle!

If you saw my monster calves you would NEVER think you have chunky calves ever again. Seriously, if your calves are chunky, then mine are bloated monster explosions. Your calves are in no way chunky!

haaaaaah! My calves are 14.25" and I'm five feet tall. So that would be a BIG no.

On a related note, a larger calf circumference does wonders for minimizing thighs.

P.S. my calves aren't chunky, they're very muscular. I'll get around to posting pics soonish now that I'm at my goal weight.

Oh shiny - your post was awesome.
If I could, I'd donate .25" of my calves to you. I could buy tons of boots without that extra quarter inch.

My bodyfat is pretty low currently, so they're not getting much smaller unless I stop working out, which isn't an option.

Yeah, echoing danielle -- great post on calves shiny. I had no idea!

No, they are not chunky. Not even vaguely.

However, even if they were, there is very little one can do about the size of one's calves. Some heavy people have slender calves and some lean people have larger, more muscular calves. The size of the calves and ankles are related very closely to one's frame size, since these are areas were few people store much fat. "Chunky" calves are often muscular calves and there is nothing wrong with that.

My calves and ankles are both large. I have large bones (really) and have built up muscle in my legs from walking a lot. I think my legs look fine, but it is frustrating to never, and I mean never, be able to find a pair of boots that would fit my calves.

Very interesting malcontent. I agree with you ...it makes perfect sense:)

Anne, you are perfect the way you are!!

Don't flame me, but I think your legs are quite like Jennifer Aniston's, who has come up with some great ways of creating the illusion of longer legs.

In response to your question, I would say that your legs are perfectly in proportion with your frame. As for the boots, it was one pair and the exception does not break the rule.

Anne - you have gorgeous gams. I hope reading all these responses will convince you :-) Makes me want to see you in some outfits that really show them off in a variety of ways.

Thanks everyone for those kind words! RoseandJoan there is no way I would be offended by a comparison to Jennifer Aniston! I know I am short legged so I'd be eager to learn something from her!

Cathy, Just realised I had forgot to reply to your boots question. My boots were called Waverly and were by Sandler. but since I am in Australia and also I am not sure if these are in stock anymore (there website doesn't show them now) that doesn't help much I am afraid - sorry!