Want leaner, stronger, sexier legs? It’s a work in progress that requires perspiration and persistence. To develop and tone any specific area of your body, you must commit to a balanced diet and regular exercise. Cardiovascular exercise helps you burn calories to expedite fat loss. Weight training and resistance training help to build and tone muscles.

Aim for at least 30 minutes per day of moderate-paced exercise. Activities such as jogging, cycling and hiking won’t directly burn leg fat, but they will contribute to greater leg strength and muscle tone. These activities also burn lots of calories – you’ll burn about 350 calories for a half -hour jog. One of the great benefits of exercise (and there are many) is that the more muscle you build the faster you will lose weight. Pound for pound, muscle tissue burns more calories at rest than fat does, so the more muscle you build, the more calories you will burn off.

To tone and strengthen your legs, design your workout with extra leg-strengthening exercises like squats, lunges, step-ups and side shuffles. Aim for a minimum of one set of eight to 12 repetitions of each exercise using a weight that feels heavy by the last reps. If you’re new to strength training, you may notice improved strength and tone in the first few weeks; fat loss may take longer, however, depending on how much you want to lose.

If cellulite is a problem, don’t be discouraged. It is estimated that nearly 90% of women have some cellulite on their bodies. Contrary to what you might think, cellulite isn’t because you are fat. It’s more of a problem of looks but not one of health. However, there is a lot you can do to treat, reduce and even prevent cellulite.

Stay hydrated, by eating foods that contain a significant amount of water like watermelon, cucumber and tomatoes. These foods improve skin hydration, keeping cells functioning at their peak level. Blueberries are an excellent super food to keep in your diet. Blueberries help keep collagen strong and healthy, providing the skin with structural support to promote thick, strong and cellulite-free skin.

Never give up! Stay focused and finish what you started. Remember that you are further along than you were yesterday. Every second you devote to your health and fitness is an investment that will pay off in your future. To get your legs looking their best, keep exercising and keep eating foods that nourish and build the body you desire.