Originally Posted by RedHairedScot
I used to lift a bit, too. I think my quads especially were bigger back then, but after cycling (and more importantly, running) they got a bit smaller and much leaner. I like the new look.
Here's the rule. Fit in jeans. If waist is too big, eat less. If thighs are too big, squat less. If calves are too big, good. (Just my own bias -- I've never been able to grow calves. I think this is more of a problem with women. Machka?)
The whole building muscle thing is more of a problem with women. It seems to me that we have to work twice as hard at it for half the gains that the guys are getting.
I develop small, lean calf muscles when I cycle, but as I mentioned above, when I did a lot of walking (especially walking through snow), that's when I
really developed my calf muscles. Unfortunately I had some Achilles tendon problems a few years ago, and I can't walk as much anymore.