So is there a solution to all these potentially devastating body image busters? Can you feel good about your great legs and wear your skirt with pride? But of course.

 

The solution is really quite simple, yet sometimes so hard to achieve. And you know it just as well as I do. Proper, healthy diet and physical activity will give you great legs that you can feel good about. It will help you with the prevention of cellulite, varicose veins, spider veins and other ailments that negatively affect your legs’ beauty.

 

But you to hate exercise, you say. That’s ok, you don’t have to be a marathon runner or spend every day at the gym. You don’t even have to commit yourself to a specific exercise routine.

 

But what you have to do is commit to being physically active and have fun doing it, because if you don’t enjoy an activity, then you’re less likely to stick with it.

 

Think of things that you could have fun doing. Roller skating, skiing, biking, swimming, walking, jogging, playing tennis or just running around with your kids are all activities that not only can be fun, but also they are great for shaping and toning your leg muscles and weight control.

 

Once you decide which activities fit your life style, commit yourself to doing them at least three times a week for an hour at a time. Just remember to warm up and stretch before any activity and have fun!

 

What if you don’t have time to get out three times a week? There are other options. If you work full time, you probably drive to the office and park as close to the building as you can. Choose to park few blocks away and take a brisk walk instead. Not only that will work your legs, but also it will energize you in the morning, better that a cup of coffee.

 

What about elevators? Do you find yourself taking one every day? Then stop. Start taking the stairs at least once a day. It is better that a stair climber. Just take your time and do it at your own pace.

 

So as you see physical activity is easier than it seems. The most important thing though, is to commit yourself to it and have fun doing it.

 

While you’re getting physically fit don’t forget about a healthy diet. It is just as important as exercise in getting great legs. It can be sometimes challenging to choose the right foods, but again if you commit yourself to healthy eating, it will be easier to make the right choices.

 

So what are the right and wrong choices?

 

Forget about junk food! And when I say junk food, I mean anything that has no nutritional value, like chips, fries, candy, cookies and pop.

 

It’s just as easy to grab a delicious fruit that you can enjoy and don’t feel guilty afterwards.

 

Other food to avoid are:

 

fried and deep fried foods 

sweets, sugar and artificial sweeteners 

processed foods that contain large amounts of salt or preservatives 

carbonated beverages 

alcohol 

salt and salty foods 

foods that contain "bad fats" like trans fats and saturated fats

 

So is there anything you can eat? Don’t fret. There is plenty of healthy, nutritious foods for your enjoyment.

 

The most important ones are fruit and vegetables. They are packed with fiber, vitamins and minerals, they are low in calories and contain no fat. Dietary experts recommend consuming 5 servings of fruits or vegetables a day. Because fruit is naturally high in sugar, you should limit yourself to 2 servings of fruit, but have as many veggies as you want.

 

Other foods that are healthy and not consumed enough by the North American population are:

 

foods high in omega-3 fatty acids 

fish and seafood 

lean protein

 

And let’s not forget about water! Water flushes out excess sodium and toxins out of your body. It contains 0 calories and is an appetite suppressant. It hydrates our skin, improves muscle tone and helps with weight loss. It is recommended to drink 6-8 glasses of water per day.

 

So start today. Follow a healthy diet plan, along with a physically active lifestyle and you will be on your way to achieving great legs that you can be proud of.

 

Eva Remming is the author of Get Great Legs, a website with tons of information for women to get their legs in shape. Go to : http://www-get-great-legs.com/.