How To Get rid of Cankles – Without Surgery

How to get rid of cankles – get skinny ankles fast

Let’s face it, most of us would be lying if we said that we found chunky ankles attractive. They weigh down the appearance of our legs, and even make selecting a pair of shoes difficult. So what are cankles? The urban dictionary describes a cankle as “the meeting of the calf and the foot where an ankle is not present due to lack of ankle definition” – ouch! I mean, here we are focusing on losing belly fat, or that back fat and now there’s another thing to worry about. But the fact remains that many of us do want slimmer ankles – and there’s nowt wrong with that. I’m sure you want to know how to get rid of cankles. If so, you have come to the right place.

What Are Cankles?

So how do you know if you have cankles?  We’ve given you the urban dictionary definition, but let’s explore what cankles are a little further. In a typical leg, the ankle area is thinner than the calf. But people with cankles have a calf and ankle area that are approximately the same size. There is almost no definition of calf and the lower leg appears fatter than normal. According to the Dr. Oz Show, cankles occur when weight gain increases fat stores in the leg. Then, due to gravity, these fat stores begin to gather around the ankle region creating wider ankles. However, this is just one way that cankles are formed, there are others.

What are cankles caused by?

Perhaps you’re wondering. are cankles normal? The answer to that would be – sometimes. You may have cankles because your parents had them. But there are different causes of cankles and some may indicate other issues.

1. Fluid Retention

Often swelling around the ankles is caused by fluid retention.  One of the main reasons for this is high levels of sodium in the body. This encourages the body to hold on to excess water, causing bloating and (of course) swollen ankles. Many pregnant women experience puffy ankles due to poor circulation. When the blood is not able to flow as freely as it should, it begins to pool in the ankles and increases their size. But here’s the good news. If you are reading this and asking yourself; can you get rid of cankles? The answer, when it comes to cankles caused by fluid retention, is a big fat YES! What to do: 

• Get a pair of compression socks, these are fast at relieving swelling. However, they will only work as well as your diet, so avoid sodium-rich food.
• Drink at least 1 liter of water per day because your body will hold water if you do not drink enough of it.
• Use natural diuretics that will dislodge excess water weight.
• Reduce any excess salt in your diet. Since, aside from being bad health wise, it also makes you hold on to fluid like crazy.
• Another thing you can do to get rid of fluid retention is to exercise. A regular exercise routine will give your body the extra help it needs to keep it in balance. Not only will you sweat out excess water but also the sodium that causes you to retain it.
• If you’re pregnant, and the puffy ankles persist, have a discussion with your doctor about any health complications.

2. Medications

There are some medications that cause fluid retention. Examples are; medication for high blood pressure, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids. What to do:

• If your ankles disappear soon after taking a new medication, speak to your doctor about possible side effects. They may be able to prescribe an alternative that agrees with your body, or give you advice on how to reduce the fluid build up.

3. Genetics

Sometimes, just like hair, skin, and eye color, genetics can dole out a pair of cankles. When someone is genetically predisposed to get cankles, they stick around, despite diet and weight changes. What to do:

• There is no way to change your genetics, but you can focus workout’s to your calves. This is an area that even the fittest people tend to ignore.
• Make sure you are not doing things that increase swelling or make you retain extra water.

4. Illness

The causes of cankles are rarely serious, however their can sometimes be an underlying medical problems. For example; liver failure, kidney disease, heart failure may also increase fluid around the ankles. The Fix: If you’re experiencing symptoms, like changes in urination, fatigue, nausea, or shortness of breath, visit your doctor as soon as possible.

How to get rid of cankles naturally

1. Avoid foods high in sodium

As mentioned before, aside from genetics, most cankles are caused by fluid retention. To see if you have fluid retention around your ankles, press down on them gently with your thumb. If fluid retention is present, an indentation will remain on the skin If this is the reason for your cankles, and there are no underlying medical issues, you can begin to do something about this right now. Cut back on sodium rich foods, like ready made meals and fast foods. For flavoring in home cooked meals, replace the addition of salt with herbs or even seaweed. When you get enough water, fluid retention is less likely. An easy way to make sure you get enough daily is to carry a 1.5 liter bottle of water with you. The goal should be to drink it all by the end of the day.

2. Hemorrhoid cream

Although putting hemorrhoid cream on the ankles is not a long term strategy, it does work. It could be used if you need a quick fix before a night out, or simply when you want to bring down the bulk of the swelling. But I repeat, this is not a good long-term solution, This cream can firm and tighten the skin, but only temporarily. Just make sure that you speak to your doctor before using any new remedy or supplement.