For many women over the age of fifty, wearing a dress is becoming a thing of the past. They feel the ol’ gams simply ain’t what they used to be. Once taut muscles are worn out, beginning to sag; so-called “cottage cheese” thighs develop as cellulite collects uncontrolled; and varicose veins sprawl out like unspooled threads of yarn.
Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veins that bulge against your skin. According to the Mayo Clinic, varicose and spider veins—a common, mild variation of varicose veins—are simply a cosmetic concern. For others, they can cause discomfort and aching pain. The most common treatment for varicose veins is sclerotherapy.
Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution directly into the vein. The solution causes the vein to scar and collapse. Once the vein is collapsed, blood has to reroute itself through healthier veins. Body tissue reabsorbs the damaged vein and eventually it will fade. It usually takes from a few weeks to a month to see the results.
Cellulite is the dimpled-looking fat that collects on thighs and buttocks. It is something everyone gets—women and men. To keep it from consuming vast portions of your body you need to control the portions of food that you take into your body. A lot of this is common sense and things you’ve heard before: follow the food pyramid, make a conscious effort to keep track of what you’re eating, and when you’re ready to eat something else, make a selection from an area of the pyramid you’ve been neglecting, say nuts or berries instead of more chips.
Another thing to do is exercise. This will help with both the cellulite and waning muscles. Some people use treadmills to avoid bad or cold weather. Once the weather turns it’s fun to go outside and walk the dog. If you don’t have a pet just go to a park, walk the trails, and people watch. Dancing is also good, and can be done in the privacy of your home if you feel uncoordinated or is a good night out if you feel like showing off your moves. Put on some tunes when you wash dishes and bop along to the music. Anything to get tired, neglected muscles moving again.
This may surprise you, but sex is also one of the best exercises for your body. It tones muscles, trims fat, and burns calories. Plus it feels good.
So get off the couch and go buy a dress and go dancing. Show off some leg. Afterwards, you might get another reward that’s good for your health. Wink, wink.