Get online diet plans, healthy eating ideas and exercise regimes from Tesco Diets

Tesco Diets news on MSN

Slimmer thighs for Summer: easy as A, B, C!

"As you grow older, you'll find the only things you regret are the things you didn't do."
- Zachary Scott, 1914-1965, Actor

Summer is right around the corner and it’s time to help you get a slimmer pair of pins. I won’t kid you, this process does take time, but with some persistence and perspiration you can make your legs leaner and tighter in time for swim suit weather.

Total body fat needs to be reduced to make your legs lean and mean. The slimming effect will not take place without fat melting away.

To accomplish your quest for thinner legs, there are three components to the formula.

A There must be a slight reduction in total calories with proper amounts of protein, carbohydrates and fats, achieved through healthy eating.
B You must increase your exercise output.
C You must be consistent.

The formula never changes; it’s the lack of consistency that holds many people back. If you haven’t joined our online plan, it’s time to get started! Your legs won’t get slimmer without an effective and easy-to-use meal plan. I also recommend our fitness plan that provides great workouts, animations and how-to guidelines.

Here, I’m providing one of my speciality workouts for you. This workout only needs to be done once or twice per week on alternative days. This workout also assumes you currently work out with weights and perform cardiovascular exercise approximately three days per week.

If you don’t follow the above programme, try to build it into your routine slowly and with care. Then add this leg-slimming routine as your fitness level increases.

I’m going to provide a bit of an unorthodox routine. This routine is designed to isolate the leg muscles and to stimulate the metabolism with cardiovascular exercise. Let’s have some fun!

The Slimmer Thighs for Summer Workout!

A. Fitness Band Reverse Lunge
Starting Position:
- Stand with one leg slightly in front of the other with the fitness band under the front foot.
- Hold a handle in each hand with the elbows bent so that your hands are slightly above your shoulders.
- Your palms should be facing each other.

Movement:
- Step backward with the rear leg bending the front knee to form a 90 degree angle.
- Contracting the quadriceps muscles, slowly return to the starting position.
- After completing the set, switch legs and repeat the motion.

Key Points:
- Inhale while stepping back, and exhale while returning to the starting position.
- Make sure to avoid touching the floor with the rear knee.
- The slower you perform the movement, the more challenging the exercise becomes.
- You may want to try this one without the band first to learn to balance during the movement.

Perform 20 slow and controlled repetitions for each leg and then immediately go to the next exercise.

B. Dumbbell Squats
Starting Position:
- Stand up straight with feet shoulder-width apart.
- Hold a dumbbell in each hand with arms hanging down at your sides and palms facing one another.
- Maintain a neutral spine and a slight bend in the knees throughout the exercise.

Movement:
- Lower your body by bending from your hips and knees, stopping when your thighs are parallel with the floor.
- Contracting the quadriceps muscles, slowly return to the starting position.

Key Points:
- Exhale while returning to the starting position and inhale while lowering your body.
- Do not let your knees ride over your toes (you should be able to see your feet at all times).
- It helps to find a marker on the wall to keep your eye on as you lift and lower, otherwise your head may tend to fall forward and your body will follow.
- Think about sitting back in a chair as you are lowering down.
- Push off with your heels as you return to the starting position.
- You may want to try this exercise without weights until you master the movement. It’s a very effective exercise that involves most of the muscle groups of the lower body, but if done improperly can lead to injuries.

Perform 20 slow and controlled repetitions and immediately go to the next exercise.

C. Cardiovascular Exercise of Choice
You can perform any type of cardiovascular exercise you wish, such as power walking, cycling, using an elliptical trainer, running etc. Perform seven minutes at a slightly higher intensity than you normally do. Don’t push too hard because we aren’t through yet.

After completing your cardio routine, take a 90 second break and repeat the above sequence two additional times. This will give you a total of six sets of leg exercises and 21 minutes of cardio. It will work if you pay attention to the rules of the formula for fat loss.

Beginners should perform one set, intermediates two sets, and advanced exercisers three sets as recommended above.

Prepare for some serious perspiration and ultimately a pair of slimmer legs - just in time for summer!

Join today and Drop a stone In 8 weeks

Motivated to succeed

Motivated to succeed