YOUR GUIDE TO PERFECT PINS - DAY 1
Wednesday 16 April 2008
Can’t wait to make the most of the spring weather in floaty floral dresses? Looking forward to show off your legs in your denim hotpants on holiday?
But if you are (like most of us) dreading the thought of revealing your out-of-shape legs and – whisper it – cellulite to the world, our Perfect Pins plan will help you get a leg up in the fashion stakes.
“With the right diet and exercise, you should see a difference to your legs in just two weeks,” promises Elise Lindsay, who worked with Closer columnist Coleen McLoughlin on her fitness DVD.
"Follow this plan three times a week and your legs will look more toned in a fortnight."
So what are you waiting for? Start our four-step plan today and get hunting for those hotpants!
Leg Lunges
* Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. With your right foot, step out and lower yourself into a comfortable position.
* Keep your back straight and your feet pointing straight ahead. As you step, the heel of the other foot lifts off the floor. Return smoothly to your starting position.
* Do 2 sets of 20 repetitions.
Squats
* Stand with your legs shoulder-width apart, feet flat, and toes pointed out.
* Keeping your back straight and heels on the floor, bend down from your knees. Don’t bend past 90 degrees, or so far that it causes pain.
* Hold for a few seconds and then slowly rise back up.
* Do 2 sets of 15 repetitions
Inside Leg Abductor
* Lie on your side with your top leg bent slightly forwards from your bottom leg, with the knee resting on the floor in front.
* Keep your toes pointing forwards as you lift the underneath leg just off the ground.
* Do 2 sets of 15 repetitions
Running
Running is the best aerobic exercise you can do for your legs because it works the whole of your lower body so well. Use hill sprints on a regular basis and you will see amazing weight loss and leg toning results. Aim for 20 minutes three times a week.
Walking
Walking and running use different muscle groups, so alternating between the two is a good strategy for overall training. And remember, the best women’s legs in the world are on those women who stay active and use them a lot. Take the stairs instead of the lift, walk to the shops instead of getting the bus… anything to keep moving! Your legs do a lot of work during the day so you really need to challenge them.
Check back tomorrow for Day 2 of our Guide to Perfect Pins when we'll be featuring the diet plan for slimming your legs
For a personalised eating plan that will supplement your exercise regime and help you banish those dreaded lumps and dimples go to closerdiets.com