Everybody gains and loses weight differently, which can be frustrating for individuals who want to lose weight in specific problem areas. For example, if the majority of your excess weight seems to lie in your thighs and buttocks, you may feel a bit jealous of those who weigh more than you, yet somehow have skinny legs and a small behind. On the other hand, if you like wearing tank tops but feel self-conscious about your arms, you might feel upset about the fact that you’ve lost weight everywhere else except your upper arms, which have come to resemble batwings.
“Cankles” is another common problem area for many people. “Cankles” is the urban, contemporary term used to describe unusually thick ankles, or ankles that lack definition to the point where they look like part of your calves. You may feel that your ankles look unsightly and unattractive, or find that it’s difficult to wear boots and other shoes that extend past your ankles.
However, it’s important to know that cankles aren’t always caused by weight gain, though weight gain is often a factor. Check out these five effective ways to get rid of your cankles.
1. Lose weight
This step may seem like a no-brainer, but losing weight through diet and exercise are the best steps to take if you want to get rid of cankles. In most cases, cankles occur due to gravity pulling down fat stores toward the ankles and calves, especially if you’re often on your feet working, shopping, or doing housework. Try doing more exercises that specifically target your calf muscles, such as running, jumping rope, or doing sets of jumping jacks.
2. Prevent fluid retention
If your body is retaining water for any reason, your ankles will be one of the first places that become swollen and bloated. Fluid retention can be caused by excess sodium intake, pregnancy, or even prescription medications. Start drinking more water to flush sodium and other waste out of your body, and ease up on the sodium in your diet by eliminating processed foods. In the meantime, wear compression socks, which can help relieve swelling.
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