We all experience those moments when we see a model on television with long, stem like, thin legs walking in the perfect shoes. And then we hate ourselves because we feel like we’re lumbering around on a pair of tree trunks.
Its okay, you can change that. But, like all parts of your body you want to change, you cannot just do it overnight. It takes a combination of a healthy diet and the right exercises to get you to where you want to be.
Diet Tips
While there isn’t a specific diet you should follow on your quest for skinny legs,
there are definitely more than a few dos and don’ts. Consuming protein builds strong, toned muscles and gives you high energy levels. If you are looking to avoid meat you can find high quality protein in such foods as seeds, tofu, raw nuts and beans.
Animal proteins (beef, pork etc) are not always the best choices because they can have high levels of cholesterol and saturated fats, but chicken and fish are usually fine, and even lean cuts of beef and pork are possible to find. It’s important to remember in a carb-
Exercises
One of the best exercises for quickly affecting your legs is running. Running is
an intense workout and uses every muscle in your legs. When you develop muscles, you burn fat. You’ll want to make sure that you run in flat areas (trails are always better than pavement because the impact is slightly more friendly to your joints). Running on hills or on a treadmill with an incline will actually develop your leg muscles so that they get bigger. They certainly wont be fat, but your calves and quads will be big and toned. If this is something you want to avoid, stick to the flat paths in the park. Swimming is also a great activity, along with Pilates. If you stick to the right diet and keep your legs moving, you’ll notice a difference in a few short weeks.
What Can You Do In A Week?
We all want our desires to come true overnight, and maybe there’s a tiny party dress with your name on it, and you just have to have those sexy stems poking out the bottom of the dress. You need to take a step back. Its important when planning your weight loss goals to remember what is realistic and what isn’t. You don’t want to set yourself up for failure, because then you’ll just feel bad about yourself.
A week really isn’t enough time to allow your body to change. Remember, you didn’t gain the weight overnight (though sometimes it may feel like it) and you wont lose it overnight, either. But, if you are diligent in your diet and workout routine and have the right attitude, you should see some changes in maybe two weeks. Make sure you get enough exercise to burn more calories than you take in, and use both strengthening and toning exercises to produce lean quads.
Effective Training
The most effective slimming routine utilizes a combination of cardiovascular exercises and weight training. Any type of cardio exercise will do. Pick something you prefer and stick with it, but make sure to change it up a bit if you start to get bored.
You might start with jogging, then switch to a spin class, and then move on to Zumba. This is all okay, just as long as you are targeting the leg muscles. Its also beneficial to hit up the gym and take advantage of machines like the treadmill, stair climber, stationary bike, or elliptical. Make an honest effort to dedicate yourself to 20 or 30 minutes of each chosen exercise every day. Its important to make sure you have a few break days to offer the body time to recuperate.
At Home
You may have to venture out of your house to get the best results (gyms, walking and running always help) but there are certainly some easy exercises you can do at home. Invest in a Pilates or Zumba video, push the coffee table aside and get to work. Buy a jump rope and dedicate just seven to ten minutes of your day to skipping leg fat away.
Leg circles are also beneficial and effective. Simply lie on your side and raise
one leg up to a 45-
With the right diet and exercise routine, working your way to skinny legs doesn’t have to be the challenge of a lifetime.
Its important to remember that your gender and genetics play a big role in where your body stories fat. Women will always have a higher body fat percentage than men (especially in the legs), and it will never be possible to completely change your body. However, if you are dedicated and mean business, you can significantly improve problem areas on your body.
