Let’s be honest, once the summertime rolls around, the first thing many women think about is what their legs are going to look like when they put those shorts, skirt, or bathing suits back on. The fine line between being body positive and feeling fit can drive anyone to madness. Being that the winter’s chill is still upon us, leg care can fall onto the backburner. Whether that means we’ve decided to skip the last few leg days or maybe skip the last few shaves, our legs may be covered, but they are crying out for care.

DON’T PANIC. You are not alone. These are fears all women have as winter begins to turn to spring – especially if you live in a southern state where winter seems to last all of five minutes. However, don’t let these thoughts lead you to despair. With some easy tricks and skin pick-me-ups, you can counteract the winter’s sting.

Healthy Foods and Exercise

December is the hardest month to start cold turkey on some diet, and despite all the new year’s resolutions we make in January, sticking to a diet can be a bit unrealistic. Therefore, don’t look at diet as a drastic change in what and how much you eat. Instead, gradually incorporate more fresh, healthy foods into your diet. Reserve this healthy intake to the majority of what you eat. A study determined that heating fresh fruits and vegetables helps prevent blockage in leg arteries. General go to fruits and vegetables that are good for your legs and body include:

• citrus fruits
• banana
• watermelon
• blackberries
• broccoli
• leafy greens

As someone who has tried almost every diet in the book to no avail, the most important factor is to focus on portioning, meal planning and eating honest, fresh food. By making a shopping list, and planning out a week’s worth of meals, it is easier to control when and what you are eating. Waiting for the last minute to eat can entice unhealthy options, so plan to eat healthy for most of the week, allowing yourself a cheat day or two.

Another factor to remember is, if you are looking to slim down your legs, or even just strengthen them, dieting isn’t going to magically fix your legs. Coupling diet with exercise will help you achieve the level of health and overall well-being you are looking for. Running is always a good option for good cardio and leg workouts, but running isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

Here are a few exercises to strengthen and tone your legs and thighs and can be done anywhere:

• Squats
• Lunges
• Calf Raises
• Hamstring Curls

For a free work that incorporates all the above, check out PopSugar’s 500 calorie burner with Jeanette Jenkins. This intense, yet achievable work out can be done at home with your smart tv. Trust me, it is a legit workout.

These exercises are great to perform anywhere, so no excuses.

Treatment

As we age, we begin to notice changes in our skin texture and image. Though aging is nothing to be ashamed of, there are options for people who are looking to improve how they feel. The most prevalent issue is varicose veins. My mother is currently looking into options, and during our joint research, we found an online resource full of information and helpful tips for people who are looking for varicose veins treatment.

Experts at USA Vein Clinics will provide a detailed explanation on different courses of treatment; this website is the perfect resource for anyone considering this treatment.

Hydration

Hydration has two parts: absorption hydration and the molecular hydration. Let’s discuss the latter first. Skin hydration during these colder months is incredibly important. As the weather cools, we tend to increase the temperature in our showers. The best way to combat dry skin is to immediately after you shower to apply lotion all over your body. There are also in-shower lotion options for those who don’t have the time to wait for lotion to sink in after showering. 

Another important point to remember this winter is body hydration; also known as fluid intake. As the weather cools, it can sometimes be harder to tell when you are thirsty until it is too late and you are already beginning to become dehydrated. Another issue I have run into in the past is getting tired of drinking plain water when I would prefer something with a bit more flavor. Unfortunately, this has led to substituting water with higher calorie juices and sodas.

Recently, however, I have found a solution: Infused Water Recipes. When trolling the internet, I found TeaMi – a lifestyle website that promotes healthy habits and tips that anyone can use. An article I particularly found helpful was entitled “11 Amazing Fruit and Water Recipes.” These options were simple to make and helped me slim down by cutting down my sugary drink intake from one or two a day to none.

Massage

This is when things are going to start to feel good. With a combination of nourishing your body with fresh, healthy foods and helping circulate your system by being active, enhancing this experience is through the healing touch of massage. Massage is a very important practice that helps with circulation, alignment and relaxation. With either a self-massage or done by a therapist, a leg massage will invigorate your mind and body while giving your legs a glow. The benefits of a leg massage include:

• realignment with posture
• promote better circulation
• boost the lymphatic system

Start by giving your legs some extra attention after you get out of the shower by massaging your legs with a blend of coconut oil and shea butter. Remember, don’t press too hard in the sensitive areas where veins or bruising may occur.

Closing

Legs are what literally get you out of bed in the morning. They carry you from your job to being with your friends and family, and getting low on the dance floor. Considering what we put our legs through, we should treat them well and take the time to pamper them a little. With these tips and easy to accomplish tricks, anyone can improve their body image and promote healthier habits that can carry on through the rest of your life.