You can't lose weight in just one portion of your body. You lose weight throughout your body when you expend more energy than you take in. However, strengthening your muscles reveals a leaner, sculpted physique as you lose weight. Your calves are particularly easy to work out, since you don't need specialized equipment and the muscles are easy to engage.
Calf Raises
Calf raises are exactly what they sound like -- using your calves to raise you up and down. Use just your body weight, add a set of light dumbbells or hold 2 quarts of liquid to add resistance. Stand backward on a step or bench, so that your heels can drop below the level of the step. Hold onto a railing for balance, if necessary. Lift onto your toes and drop down, about 2 to 3 inches below the level of the step. Feel a stretch along the back of your calf. Don't push beyond a gentle stretch. Lift onto your toes and repeat until fatigued. As you gain strength, complete the lifts one leg at a time for more challenge.
Seated Raises
If standing is too difficult or balance is an issue, try seated calf raises. Use specialized gym equipment or a sturdy bench and heavy books. If at the gym, set the weight and sit down on the bench, tuck your knees under the bar and lift until fatigued. If at home, sit on a bench that lets your knees rest at a 90-degree angle. Add two heavy tomes, one on each leg. Plant your feet hip-width apart. Lift the books so that you come up onto your toes while seated, lifting just the books, not your body weight. Return your feet flat to the ground, and repeat until fatigued.
Considerations
The calf is an active muscle group. You engage your calf muscles, the soleus and gastrocnemius primarily, every time you walk. When you work your calf muscles, stretch them regularly. Stiff calf muscles may make you not only walk funny but may cause a debilitating injury. Tears of the gastrocnemius in particular, may occur without proper stretching. You may feel a twinge in the middle of your calf muscle, just where the muscle comes together on the inner middle of your calf. If this happens, stop activity and stretch gently. Then ice and rest for two to three days to avoid a more serious tear.
Stretches
To stretch the calf muscle, use a wall to support your body weight. Stand in front of the wall, palms flat against the wall, fingers up. Step back with one foot and lean in. Feel a stretch along the back of the calf. Lean in farther to deepen the stretch, but not so far that you feel pain. Bend your knee to move the stretch into the Achilles tendon and soleus muscle. Stand up and switch feet.
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