3 Tips To Get Lovely, Lissome Limbs

Longing for lovely, lissome limbs? Dying for gorgeous gams? Though we can’t promise legs that go up to your armpits, here are some health-boosting tips on making the most of what nature gave you.

- Verne Maree

Varicose veins are just one of several vascular problems that can arise in the legs.

Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, is not confined to the heart. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a build-up of plaque in the walls of leg arteries that prevents normal blood flow and causes myriad problems.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a life-threatening condition where part of a clot can break free, travel to the lungs and obstruct essential blood flow. Sitting or lying down for too long – anything that slows down blood flow – are major risk factors.

Tip #1 Get Moving!

Sitting is the new smoking, say the experts, and the bad news is that you can’t out-exercise a serious sitting habit. Even regular bouts of exercise won’t undo the damaging effects of prolonged sitting – especially slumped in front of the box – which significantly raises your risk of chronic issues such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer and even mental health problems.

It also weakens both your glutes and major leg muscles, affecting healthy circulation and thereby setting you up for varicose veins, DVT (deep vein thrombosis) and PAD. As usual, prevention is key. Exercise does not tend to improve varicose vein symptoms once they’ve already developed, our doctors warn.

Standing desks are becoming all the rage; should you jump on the bandwagon? As a preventive measure, yes – but not if you already suffer from varicose veins. That’s because prolonged standing is known to make varicose veins worse.

Being immobile during long-haul flights and car trips is a known risk factor for DVT. So, stop the car, get out and stretch your legs. On a flight, make sure to frequently wriggle your feet to get the blood flowing. Get up occasionally to walk the aisle, even at the risk of annoying your fellow passengers.

#2 Eat Right!