Summer is just around the corner which means pretty pedicured feet, flowing dresses and mini-skirts. Time to show off those great legs! Since I wear pants most of the winter, my legs are looking a little rough, and in need of some TLC… a good wax or shave isn’t going to cut it. It’s time to get those legs out of hibernation, and get ready for great legs this summer!
Some women don’t feel comfortable showing off those gams! About three-quarters of Canadian women experience swollen legs, varicose veins, and the feeling of heavy, painful and tired legs. These symptoms get worse in the summer too.
I didn’t know there is an actual medical term for these symptoms, called chronic venous insufficiency or CVI. Our daily lifestyle habits such as prolonged sitting or standing can cause CVI symptoms. When blood flow in the lower legs is impaired, it pools in the lower limbs causing pain, swelling, heaviness, tiredness and varicose veins.
Three-quarters of Canadian women say they have experienced at least one CVI symptom at some point in time, yet less than one in five women are aware of the condition.
While most women have experienced at least one symptom of CVI at some point in time in their lives, more than half of Canadian women experience tired legs, and 1 in 5 suffer from heavy legs and varicose veins.
It’s no wonder many of us are self-conscious about baring our legs in the warm summer months. So how do we get great legs this summer?
Here are some simple tips to get your great legs ready for summer.
5 Ways to Get Great Legs this Summer
Get those legs moving
Exercise is good for the body for many reasons, but it’s also good for your legs. Research shows more than 60 per cent of women spend more than four hours a day on sedentary activities, like watching TV and sitting at a desk.
So, get up from your desk often, ideally every hour and walk around the office. Rather than take a coffee break while sitting, go out for a quick power walk. Also, do stretches or leg exercises like squats, or if you can, do leg weights at home or at the gym to strengthen those muscles.
Eat well for good circulation
Eating well not only does your heart and body good, but also your legs. A balanced diet that includes plenty of fibre, fresh fruits and vegetables can help maintain good leg vein circulation and keep your heart healthy. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water too!
Good Posture
Did you know that your posture can also affect how your legs feel? Make sure you keep your shoulders back, chest up and stomach pulled in. But you need to also remember “leg posture” – make a conscious effort not to cross your legs, or at least not for a long period of time, as crossing your legs can restrict blood flow to and from the legs! Reminding yourself about maintain a good posture will help throughout the day.
Give your legs a boost with Antistax™
Approved by Health Canada, Antistax™ is an herbal medicine that contains Red Vine Leaf Extract. Pharmacologists analyzed the active ingredient of the Red Vine Leaf and developed it into an effective extract. This herbal extract is the basis of Antistax™, which when used has been shown to improve lower leg blood flow, reduce swelling (lower leg edema) and relieve the feeling of pain, heaviness and tiredness. Antistax™ is available in the supplement section of your local pharmacy. Red Vine Leaf Extract has been used for decades, beginning with French farmers who made infusions and poultices from vine leaves to treat their heavy, swollen and painful legs.
Love your legs
While Canadian women are investing in their hair and skin, they are not showing their legs the same amount of care. Your legs are screaming for attention! Stimulate circulation in your legs by gently massaging them with your hands or a natural bristle brush in the shower. Help the circulation and the flexibility in your legs too by using a mix of hot and cold bursts of water.
What do you do to get your legs ready for summer?
This post is proudly sponsored by Antistax™. As always, opinions expressed are my own.
21 Comments
I totally needed these tips! I’ve been working out, and want my legs to look better. Posture, huh? I’m going to try to work on that!
I was leaning in when I read this post, and immediately sat up straight when I read about how good posture helps your legs. Will be keeping that in mind.
These are great tips on how to make your legs look great! Some of these I would have ever thought of doing. Thank you for the great tips!
I usually get mine all prepped up and ready for some walking and jogging by following the same rules and principles you posted here. One thing I’m curious about is Antistax and I would be willing to check it out should the necessity arise.
These are such great tips! I haven’t heard of this product before, but it sounds very intriguing.
I’d love to keep my legs in good shape this summer. These are great tips. Antistax sounds really cool!
I go jogging often, so this also helps tone the muscles in my legs. Leg season is definitely summer since the clothes will be more on dresses and the like! It’s good to keep our legs moisturized and well taken care of.
These are a great tips, I need a nice legs for this summer lol, I’m so glad that you share this
Thanks for letting us know about Antistax. Women are prone to varicosities in their legs and this supplement would help reduce the chances of suffering from CVI. I am always on my feet and after a long day, my legs get really tired and achy. I think it is time for me to get Antistax.
Great advice! This is really useful for all woman, I’ll share this to my wife.
Those products are awesome! I’ll try it for my legs, thanks for the tips!
I honestly had no idea what caused vericose veins or that there were other symptoms that accompanied them!
That sounds like a good product. I don’t really like my legs because I’m so pale. I have very fair skin. I need to keep them in better shape though.
I try to exercise daily either by going for a walk or going the gym to keep my legs ready for the summer. I didn’t know that posture can affect my legs so I will have to keep that in mind while I’m sitting at my computer.
Antistax sounds like something I could use. These are awesome tips.
I’m one of the ones who wasn’t aware of the condition. I’m glad now to know.
These are great tips. I am so glad you shared this post. I need nice legs for the beach!
Exercise and stimulating circulation are really important parts of having legs that function well and look and feel good. As a regular jogger, I can always see an almost immediate improvement in the way my legs look after a good jog.
I have medical problems that makes me reatin a lot of water and my legs swell. I hate it. i love these ideas.
I have bookmarked this page so many great tips thanks
It’s so nice to know there are products out there for tired achy legs if we need them.Thank you so much for the great tips that are so important to preventing this problem.