Guest blogger, Wendy Stehling is the author of the New York Times bestselling Thin Thighs in 30 Days, a book that sold millions when it was first released in the 1980s and has recently been newly revised and updated. Wendy Stehling lives near Providence, Rhode Island, and walks every day.
All women want slimmer, stronger legs, but many can’t find the time or energy to exercise regularly. However, what I learned while creating the Thin Thighs in 30 Days plan – and living it for the past 30 years – is that you can stay fit and tone your legs just by maximizing your walking opportunities and measuring what counts.
Here are a few tips:
- Put your best foot forward, with the right shoe. Athletic shoe companies spend millions on research, but their findings won’t benefit you if you pick the wrong pair. Make sure there is at least a thumbnail from your big toe to the end of the sole. Also, show the salesperson the sole of another pair of your shoes. They should be able to recommend an athletic shoe based on your distinctive wear pattern.
- Map out a course. Hitting a distant goal is great motivation, but pedometers can be frustrating. Map out a course online and check its distance before you leave home.
- Use intervals. Time and time again, fitness researchers advocate interval training, and you can easily reap the fat-burning benefits of interval training while walking. Alternate your normal pace with bursts of race walking. Start with a few intervals per walk, and add more over time to keep things challenging.
- Get a preview of the results. Exercise will do more for your cellulite than expensive lotions. To get a preview of how increased muscle mass will affect your thighs, try this: Sit on a chair in front of a mirror and cross your legs. Look at the outside of the upper thigh of your top leg. You will probably see some dimples on your thigh. Then, tighten your thigh muscle. You will notice the dimpled fat seems to lessen. As you continue to walk, your muscle tone will increase and mimic this effect.
- Measure your progress. Consult a tape measure. Measure your thighs at their largest point, just below your butt, and keep track of your progress. One inch can make a big difference in your appearance – and can be a better gauge of your fitness than weight.