Healthy Living

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Let's Talk About Cankles

Vintage ads are always good for a laugh.

Vintage ads are always good for a laugh.

You know the term "cankles," right? They're described as "chubby ankles" or calves that stretch down to the ankle region without much definition. One major nationwide gym is waging war on cankles, and here's why it kind of bugs me...

Gold's Gym has designated July as "Cankle Awareness Month." According to their Web site: "The word comes from the combination of 'calf' and 'ankle.' It occurs when the calf merges with an obese or swollen ankle."

Gold's claims that cankles are the "fastest growing aesthetic affliction in the United States"--even more than muffin tops and saddle bags. "Millions of people across the country are currently affected by cankles and millions more are at risk," they write on their "Say No to Cankles" Web site. "In fact, it is estimated that if current trends continue, by the year 2012 Cankles will surpass Love Handles as the number one aesthetic affliction in the world."

Guess the country where men prefer size-14 women...

A clever marketing ploy? Yes. But let's be real here: There is no real scientific evidence that cankles will take over the world by 2012. I agree that anything to help fight obesity is a great thing. But here's the rub: What about people who are pretty much fit, yet still have cankles, or just ankles that are a tad bit "thick"? I know a woman who is as fit as they come--runs five miles a day, has toned arms and great abs--and yet her ankles are a little on the thick side. That's just the way her legs look, and no amount of exercise is going to change that.

So here's my question: Is this campaign a bit too harsh, especially when you consider that some people simply can't change the shape of their ankles?

When to call it quits: Is it time to declare a truce with your body?

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by Sarah Jio

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From the Community…

Comments 61-68 of 68
  • MARY's Avatar
    Posted by MARY Sat Jul 11, 2009 2:29pm PDT

    yeap cant change the cankles!!!! eeee that sucks but its runns in the family!!! eee

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  • Glynis's Avatar
    Posted by Glynis Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:01pm PDT

    I'm an avid runner, and I've learned that I can't get perfect legs from running becausing it does burn fat, but it also builds MUSCLE! Muscle can make legs seem unshapely if you're not a particularly tall person. So sometimes "cankles" can actually be strong calf muscles developed by running lots of uphills!

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  • allee's Avatar
    Posted by allee Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:07pm PDT

    First when I saw this I thought ,"WHat the Hell is a Canckle?" THis is THE stupidest thing I have heard in a long time. I have had "Canckles" for about two weeks. How you ask? Well they started on an 8 hour siiting still no leg room flight from Detroit to Germany. Then Germany to Milan. Going from cool Michigan weather, to crazy heat and humidity. Sitting still for hours and hours. Then I get to Milan, and my body was adjusting to the heat and climate. Then about a week in My period started and I was more bloated then ever. Now after about two weeks my "Cankles" have returned to normal-ish.

    I really cannot believe people are so concerned about this area of the body. The next thing we will hear is anckle liposuction. crazy, just crazy.

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  • Doktor Eevol's Avatar
    Posted by Doktor Eevol Sun Jul 12, 2009 2:53pm PDT

    Amy says it right.

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  • ♥Harley♥™'s Avatar
    Posted by ♥Harley♥™ Mon Jul 13, 2009 11:20am PDT

    If I had a Gold's Gym membership...I'd cancel it!!!

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  • Mrs. Carol B's Avatar
    Posted by Mrs. Carol B Tue Jul 14, 2009 10:28am PDT

    What next? Are your fingers too fat? Toes too stubby? Guess membership is down at Gold's....can't blame them for trying.

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  • Brianna's Avatar
    Posted by Brianna Tue Jul 14, 2009 11:21am PDT

    they should have stuck with muffin tops... those cannot be gentic... your pants are too small for you and make your tummy fat indent and flop over... the end..

    I have had fat and stubby toes and fingers from birth... what excersize machine am I to use to fix that Golds... well?

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  • Melissa N's Avatar
    Posted by Melissa N Tue Jul 14, 2009 9:27pm PDT

    I swear, people will pick on any insecurity they think we have. I am not thin and even when I lose weight, I am not tiny but I am who I am and why does society think everyone should be a perfect size 0 with no shape? Hello, I am not a little boy looking Twiggy model, I am a woman.

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