Have Legs You Can Be Proud Of

I recently started participating in a fitness challenge calling for me to complete 4000 squats in 31 days. Happily, I am near the finish line with only about 400 more to go with two days remaining. I plan to continue with regular squats and leg exercises once this challenge is done.

Lunges can help sculpt strong, defined and shapely legs

Why am I doing such a task? I am putting myself through this programme to add definition and strength to my legs, which I already love, and to make me proud enough to display them in shorts and mini-skirts. But it takes more than rigorous exercise to have great legs.

1. Diet – A healthy diet has many benefits, such as wellness and the development of muscle tone and fitness. Including protein in your diet helps to build the muscle that is essential to have those well-shaped legs.

2. Exercise – Combined with a healthy diet, squats (free or weighted), running, walking, dancing, lunges and several other activities can help sculpt strong, defined and shapely legs. Pilates, which is known for building core strength, is a fun way to tone your legs and will also help you to become more flexible. These exercises not only help you build legs you can be proud of but work your whole body.

3. Moisturise – I don’t know how many of you forget to moisturise your legs after a shower or when needed, but this is an essential step to having attractive legs. Ashy or scaly skin is not only distracting from what may be well-shaped legs, but after a while they could cause dry skin issues – rashes, flaking etc. – which are never pleasant. Therefore, be very careful to keep your skin moisturised for both health and aesthetic reasons.

4. Wear the right shoes – High heel shoes help your legs, especially the calves, look great. So at a fashionable cocktail party a good pair of heels is advisable. However, do not overdo wearing heels as long-term use on a constant basis can do harm to your feet, the muscles in your legs and other parts of the body. Therefore, try to wear comfortable shoes (not flip flops) that provide support and can help keep your feet and legs healthy and attractive. Save the high heels for special occasions.

Having legs that are attractive, strong and healthy is a dream that many of us share. I believe that the above steps can help us have legs we can be proud of.