Stretch marks are pink, reddish or purplish indented lines that appear on the abdomen, breasts, upper arms, bottom and thighs. Stretch marks are most common in pregnant women toward the end of pregnancy because they are caused by a stretching of the skin. Exercise that keeps your muscles firm will tone your skin and help you avoid stretch marks. Exercise also is one of the most effective ways of minimizing stretch marks, according to MotherNature.com.
Leg Lifts or Raises
Leg lifts or raises can help your hip and leg area. This is a good exercise for minimizing stretch marks or avoiding them completely. Lie on the floor on your side, support your head with your hand and hold your other hand out in front of you. Bend your knees slightly but keep your legs mostly straight. Raise your top leg, hold for two seconds, then slowly lower it. Start by repeating this eight to 10 times with each leg three times a week. Gradually work your way up to 20 leg lifts or raises on each side three times a week.
Thigh Exercises
To firm your inner thigh, lie on the floor on your side. Bend your top knee and put your foot in front of the bottom leg. Raise the bottom leg about 6 inches off the floor, then slowly lower the leg. Start with eight to 10 repetitions with each leg eight to 10 times a week and gradually work up to 20 repetitions three times a week.
Another exercise you can try that firms your whole thigh and can be done anytime is to swing your legs. Sit on a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Put your hands in your lap and swing both legs up so that they are straight out in front of you. Aim for 20 swings three times a week.
Firm Your Bottom
Lie face-down on the floor. Put your arms out at your shoulders, bend your elbows and put your palms flat on the floor. Lift one leg with your heel first about 6 inches off the floor, then slowly lower it back. Start by performing eight to 10 repetitions with each leg three times a week and gradually work your way up to 20 lifts on each leg a week.
Walk or Jog
Walking is a great cardiovascular exercise for your entire body. Walking helps keep the muscles and skin firm in your lower body, which helps to avoid stretch marks. Jogging is a cardiovascular exercise that requires more training. If you want to jog, begin by doing some brisk walking initially to build up you strength and tolerance prior to jogging. Aim for performing a cardiovascular activity for 30 minutes four times a week.
