calves

I used to be a dancer, and i have thick dancer calves .. muscular. but since i am retired and just dance for fun a couple of times a week, my calves have gotten "soft",

does anyone know of any exercises that slim and tone calves?? please help. i hate my calves.

I have blood panels done every so many months. I did the TSH tests and I no longer have issues with my thyroid.

Yes, my 1200 calorie diet was calculated based on all mentioned above.

I do squats and lunges in all my gym classes, but it's just painful on both of my knees.

I have kettlebells, resistance bands and an exercise ball.

[Barb135]

The very first thing I'd advise you to do is get some blood tests to see if you might have hypothyroidism. Ask for TSH, Free T3 and Free T4; don't settle for just TSH.  Hypothyroidism can make losing weight seem nearly impossible and it also causes a lot of extra aches/pains.

Was your 1200 calorie diet determined via calculations based on height/weight/activity level/age?  If not, you need to do that, as you may not be getting enough calories.

Strength training is very important for weight loss; can you do things like squats, lunges, etc?  Those are also considered weight training, even though you're only using your own weight.  There are also quite a few exercises that can be done using simple hand held weights. Start out low and work up.  I'm in a program, in which my doctor wants me to choose 4 exercises involving weights and do 4 sets of 12 reps, just once/week.  

You might also check into exercises with resistance bands and/or exercise ball.  

Thank you for responding.  Every Monday and Wednesday, I take "U-jam" and every Tuesday and Thursday, I take "Body Combat"  Both classes are at 24 Hour Fitness.  U-jam is a hip-hop class and Body Combat is a mixed martial arts class. They are group x classes and are great cardio that focus on HIIT (high intensity interval training). I used to take martial arts when I was in high school, so Body Combat and Turbo Kickboxing are right up my alley, next to any type of dance. I've always had a bad right knee due to Osgood Schlatter. Now my left knee is starting to act up due to knee effusion.  Since I am older (33 yrs old), my joints, especially my knees, take the worst beating.  I have gained almost 40 lbs since I have been sober (2 and a half years now). I know that the pain and suffering in my knees is due to the fact that I am heavier, so I am trying to drop weight .  I have lost 10 lbs so far, but it's quite a struggle since I have to be really careful not to injure myself to the point where I won't even be able to work out.  I have also changed my eating habits.  I am on a 1200 calorie a day diet, and workout 4x a week, an hour each time.  I did a little bit of strength training a couple of months ago, but since my knees have been acting up (the worst is when they are both hurting), it's been hard to lift any "extra" weight." I ice 2-3 times a day for 20 mins. and am about to start physical therapy for my knees and the rest of "me" since I suffer from chronic pain, mainly in my back. As far as diet is concerned, I have seen a dietician and consulted personal trainers at my gym as well. I use myfitnesspal and supertracker to manage my eating/calories and ratios of fat, carbs, and protein. i also use the moves app as a pedometer and bought a fitbit to track my activity. I know that it takes time, but I wonder if there is more that I can do.  

[Barb135]

Try doing some of the same dances you used to do, more times/week.  Or look into some yoga.  Yoga is excellent for toning/firming the entire body.