Summer is coming and everyone is starting to show a bit more skin. For anyone carrying a few extra pounds from winter hibernation, it can be difficult not to feel self-conscious in your summer clothes. But I have great news! The summer is the perfect time to begin a new healthy-active lifestyle. Get outdoors and get moving!
A common fitness goal is to reduce the love handles we carry on the side of our hips, but it isn’t an easy task. The only sure fire way to get rid of your pesky love handles is hard work and a combination of diet, exercise and targeted workouts. Here are our tips to get you started:
Eat Right
A healthy, balanced diet is the first step to any type of weight loss, no matter where you are trying to shed the extra pounds from, but eating right is especially important when you’re trying to flatten your mid-section. Getting enough healthy nutrients will fuel your body through the workouts you need to get fit, but will also kick start your metabolism to keep burning fat. Foods high in fiber can also assist in weight loss.
Overall Fitness
Although cardio may not seem to be working out your core, it takes all types of physical activity to attain true weight loss and minimize those love handles. Whether you start running, swimming laps, cycling or jumping rope, cardio is an essential part of your fitness routine.
Targeted Exercises
Now for the good stuff. If you really want to tackle your ‘love-handles’, you’ll need to target muscles in your core. Sit-ups are a great place to start, but twisting crunches are more effective. At the peak of your crunch, try to touch your right elbow to your left knee; release, and switch sides with the next crunch. Leg lifts can also tone your core, and activities such as yoga and swimming provide an excellent all-over workout that can contribute to a toned mid-section.