“She’s got LEGS.”

Guitarists ZZ Top made that phrase into a hit song in 1983, and everyone wanted to emulate that long-leggy look shown in the song’s classic video.

You might not be able to control the length of your legs, but you can take steps to ensure you have sexy smooth legs, no matter your age.

What you do daily matters when maintaining the look of your legs. Check out these 10 steps to take daily if you want smooth legs that can inspire a song.

1. Maintain Healthy Weight

Excess weight puts pressure on the blood vessels in your legs by causing your veins to bulge and show. 

To lose weight, start by increasing the amount of water you drink each day. Good hydration keeps you feeling fuller, so you eat less. Water helps decrease the appearance of cellulite in your legs as well. 

Next, try cutting your calories by 500 to 1000 per day. Consuming lean meats, veggies, fruit, while avoiding sugar and processed foods will help you shed some extra pounds, and make your legs less bulky.

2. Exercise

Putting the stress of exercise on your veins and valves will help make them stronger, and doing cardio will help you pump more oxygen to all your organs.

At the gym, the treadmill and elliptical machines will assist you in increasing your heart rate and burning a few calories.  

Some of the best leg exercises you can use to tone up your leg muscles include:

• Squats to build hamstring, quad, and calve muscles
• Calf raises, either on a machine or holding hand weights
• Lunges, both forwards and reverse
• Leg press, curl, and extension machines

Can’t get to the gym? Find excuses to walk further to and from your car, and take the stairs instead of the elevator.

3. Rest and Elevation 

Make sure you get regular sleep, and when you are resting, try and elevate your legs so the blood can flow in the opposite direction.

Apply this habit at work too, by taking occasional breaks from your desk and elevating your feet while sitting.

4. Save Heels for Special Occasions

While nothing says “style” more than a fabulous pair of heels, it has been proven that high heels do compromise your legs and feet, especially with long-term wear.

Save your stilettos for special occasions, and opt for flats or a smaller heel for work or casual wear. You will be more comfortable, and your lower limbs will get a much-needed break from the awkward positions maintained in heels.

5. Skin Care for Smooth Legs

Don’t neglect the skin of your legs if you want them to be smooth and sleek. 

Make sure you give your legs a good skin scrub with a Himalayan salt exfoliant or take a soak in an Epson salt bath. The use of salts helps in reducing the signs of water retention.

Use a moisturizer on your legs daily, especially when weather conditions are cold and dry, as skin tends to flake. Massaging essential oils like eucalyptus into leg muscles will rejuvenate them and can help ease tension. 

If you shave, use a moisturizing shave cream or balm to reduce friction and razor burn. Depilatory creams work well unless you have particularly sensitive skin. Waxing your legs is another option, though this method can be harsh on the skin too.

Find a gentle method that you only have to use every few days to reduce skin irritation.

6. Help for Varicose Veins

As you age, it is not uncommon for small, spider-like veins to begin to show on your legs, especially if you have been pregnant at some point, or if you carry around excess weight. Pressure over the years can cause the valves of these veins to degrade, and the veins can swell and pop out.

Varicose veins are larger, rope-like, and blue or purple in color. They are unsightly, and in extreme cases, cause pain. 

Applying the lifestyle changes listed above can help with varicose veins, but if they become problematic, or get worse, you may need to have varicose veins treatment by a doctor who specialized in leg health. Using a laser or other minimally invasive techniques, veins can be reduced or even re-absorbed so they can’t be seen. 

7. Tanning Your Legs

Sunning yourself without sunscreen to get a tan is a no-no for the entire body, not just your legs. Besides the risk of skin cancer, sunning can cause premature wrinkling of the skin.

A self-tan, with a touch of luminizing moisturizer on top, will give you a safer tan with just the right amount of sheen.  

If you’ve got a little money to spend, try for a professional spray tan for great results.

8. Leg-Wear That Flatters 

Sometimes you can show off your legs by not actually showing them.

Black leggings or a maxi skirt give the illusion of length, which is good news for those who are short and have a more compact build.

Keep the hemline of your regular dresses and skirts right below the knee for added length, and to keep less-than-perfect thighs hidden.

9. Avoid Tightness

Women have been taught to cross their legs when seated, but this restricts blood flow and can increase vein appearance in the legs. Instead of a tight cross at your knees, try loosely crossing at your ankles instead.

Corset-like shapewear or terribly tight jeans may help slim you, but the pressure on your mid-section causes pressure on the veins too. Consider a less tight outfit for daily wear.

10.  Don’t Smoke

In addition to all the reasons NOT to smoke, you run the risk of destroying blood vessels in your body, including your legs if you do smoke. 

Smoking and beautiful legs are at odds. Try to quit today, and you’ll see improvements in all your body parts!

You Can Have Lovely Legs

With proper self-care and just a few extra steps each day, you can have legs you are proud to show at any age. If you are younger, don’t be afraid to bare your smooth legs! If you are older, knowing how to dress your legs is as effective as baring them. 

Beauty aside, your legs have the tremendous task of carrying your body from place to place. Respect your legs and the work they do by giving them what they need every day!

Looking for tips that will enhance your body, mind, and lifestyle? Keep reading here for interesting news that you can use!