Get your Legs Summer Ready
Today was probably the first decent day weather wise that we have had up in Newcastle upon Tyne. It doesn’t happen very much up north if you consider the amount of times I hear warnings of a mini heat wave happening down in the South East of England. Believe me when it happens where I live you really do make the most of it. So there was only one thing for it. I put my shorts on. Ok so I’ve sat in my garden most of the day and haven’t inflicted my legs on the unsuspecting public just yet. But still it’s been nice to strip some layers off and finally get in the mood for summer.
So if you, like me wince at the thought of getting your legs out in public here are some tips for getting your legs summer ready.
Get rid of the Fuzz
The colder weather is great because you can get away with not de-fuzzing the pins for ages; it’s great! But there comes a time to get rid of the fuzz, you can’t conceal it any more. Whatever method you choose; whether shaving, waxing, using hair-removal creams or something more permanent like electrolysis or laser hair removal get back in the habit. Treat your pin’s to a scrub and apply some ‘fancy schmancy’ moisturiser. At the moment, I love The Body Shop’s Body Butter Range, however an all time favourite of mine is Johnson’s Baby Oil, applied on wet skin straight after a shower.
Fake it
Yep if you feel that the world isn’t quite ready for the glare given off by your sun starved pins then a little bit of fake tan is in order. Either get it done at a beauty salon or use many of the readily available lotions that you apply yourself. I personally like the moisturisers that also contain a tanning agent so you can build up the colour gradually; my favourites are Palmers Cocoa Butter Natural Bronze Gradual Tanning Moisturiser and Dove Derma Summer Revived Body Lotion. Last summer I also discovered St Tropez Gradual Tan in Shower Lotion.
When you do feel brave enough to wander round in a pair of shorts please make sure you always wear sun screen. Burning is no fun and legs are a common body area to develop skin cancer; it’s simply not worth the risk. Slather on the SPF!
Cellulite
I can go into why women are prone to cellulite but it’s not really going to change the fact that us ladies are prone to it. It can also be genetic so not purely a reflection of your lifestyle. It’s tough to shift (if that’s possible) and you can suffer from it no matter what age and how greater a shape you are in. But there are things you can do to minimise it’s appearance. Tone up, interval ‘fat burning’ cardio, drinking more water, eater a healthier diet and getting more sleep can help. There are firming lotions available to buy but I’ve never tried them. Also disguise those really cellulite areas with what you wear, floaty layers, slightly longer shorts. Remember 90% of women have cellulite so if you are not alone if you do suffer from it!
Tone up
OK I always think that if you are wanting to get in shape it’s best to exercise your full body but if you want to concentrate on your legs these are the following exercises I tend to focus on when I am training my legs. With any exercises it can take time to see results but if you keep at it you will start to notice a difference particularly if you are incorporating cardio into you exercise plan as well. The exercises I’ve listed below will target the leg muscles (and bum which is always a bonus) and can be performed at home as bodyweight exercises. With the exception of the Box Steps and Side Step Ups no additional equipment is required.
Squats – target Glutes, Quads, Hamstrings, Calves
Hip Thrusts/ Glute Bridge Raises – target Glutes, Hamstrings
Alternating Lunges – target Glutes, Quads, Hamstrings
Side Lunges – target Glutes, Hamstrings, Quads
Walking Lunges – targets Glutes, Quads, Hamstrings
Wall Sits – targets Glutes, Quads, Hamstrings
Box Step Ups – targets Quads, Hamstrings
Side Step Ups – targets Quads, Hamstrings
Calf Raises – targets Calf Muscles
Check out My At Home Bodyweight Leg Workout
Perhaps aim to perform a leg workout out a couple of times a week and alternate with cardio or do the cardio before your leg exercises. The leg exercises will tone you up and the cardio (think intervals) will burn fat.
For more Leg Workout ideas check out Pinterest.
Whether you are happy or not with your legs, it’s always a brave step getting those legs out for the first time in the summer. There’s still time to get those legs summer ready, so what are you waiting for?
How do you get your legs summer ready?
