Many women find long, lean sexy legs hard to get. One reason is that before menopause, most of us store a disproportionate amount of fat in our lower bodies, particularly in our hips and thighs. Thousands of years ago, excess hip, butt, and thigh fat served an important purpose. During drought and long winters, women burned this fat to fuel both pregnancy and lactation. Women with more lower body fat tended to survive harsh conditions and consequently passed on their genes to their children, whereas women with more slender proportions did not.
In modern times, we no longer need this fat reserve because we have plenty of food. Unfortunately, our bodies simply haven’t caught up with the times. Not to worry. These exercises will firm your body’s largest muscle group and give you sleeker legs.
Do two sets of 10 to 12 reps on each leg, 2 or 3 times a week (be sure to sneak a rest day between workouts).
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- Standing with your feet together and arms by your sides, shift your weight onto your right foot. Rest the toe of your left foot next to your right foot for balance. Don’t let the knee of your squatting leg extend past your toes
- Keeping your back straight, bend at your hips and knees, and slowly sit back onto your right leg, raising your arms straight in front of you as you lower. Stop when your thighs are almost parallel to the floor, and hold for a second. Then press into your right foot through the heel and stand back up.[/su_box]
