How to Get Rid of 'Cankels'

"Cankels" are a colloquial term for excess weight on the leg that causes the fat from the calf to effectively merge with the fat from your ankle -- "making it hard to tell where the calf ends and the ankle begins," as the joke goes. This is unsightly and unattractive, but it can also point to more serious problems with your health. A concerted attempt to get rid of this problem will be beneficial to the aesthetics of that part of our body and could help your overall weight problems and health.

Instructions

• 1

  Make a concerted effort to lose weight. Cankles are very rarely a problem that is unique to that part of your body; it is usually indicative of a larger weight problem. If you eat healthier foods and exercise, then you may be surprised how quickly this problem begins to recede. Likewise, taking these steps can help lower your overall weight.

• 2

  Regularly go swimming in order to fight the problem of water retention, which can sometimes be a cause of cankles. This will negate some of the retention caused through excessive consumption of alcohol, a salty diet, periods of inactivity, hormone fluctuations and pregnancy.

• 3

  Exercise your calves and lower legs. Simple exercises such as running or calf stretches can help to tone the muscles in your calf, ensuring they are firm and much less likely to become saggy and merge with your ankle.