LOVE HANDLES

XQUZEME

Member
Hi,

I have been doing 'Leaner Legs' 2 days a week and 'CTX Upper Body' 3 days a week. I also do "Ab Hits' atleast 3 times a week. I have only been doing this rotation for a little over a month. I have just started to jog every night. My diet is not the problem because I stay away from sweets and I eat a balance of protein and carbs. For some reason, I cannot get rid of my love handles. Is there a certain exercise that targets this area? Or do I just need to give it more time?

Thanks to everyone that answers.
 
Hello XQUZEME,

Cute name!

It sounds like you have a nice rotation going and are doing enough ab work. Oblique work targets the love handles, but no matter how much you strengthen those muscles, you won't be able to see the definition under a layer of fat. I hope I haven't insulted you- that's not my intention at all. I have a lovely layer of fat on the obliques also. When you lose fat and drop pounds, you do so throughout your entire body, not just one area. I'm sure you've heard the old "you can't spot train." If you are doing all you can, yes, you do need to give it more time. Some people unfortunately notice fat loss in the abs last. Consider changing up your routine since it's been pretty steady for a while now. It's great that you added jogging!

Gina
 
I assume you know that spot-reducing doesn't work, so I'd say that after you work out for a good long while and get your body fat down as low as you can get it, there is usually a lump of fat that is very stubborn, the last to go, the "problem", whatever you want to call it. For me, it's on my upper thighs. For many, it's the belly "pooch". If it's love handles for you, then it's love handles for you.

You are working out a lot. You may want to switch it up soon, to different workouts to shock your body and help it become more fit, but other than that, just stick with it. You may need to really work to get rid of fat there if that's the "problem" area, but exercising the muscles under the fat does not remove the fat.
 
Gina and Momgambo have given you good advice. Shake up what you normally do to shock your body. You might want to try kickboxing too as a means to lean out that area. Good Luck! (I agree that jogging is great too.)
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
Or, power walking swinging your arms front and back. (with good form of course! :))
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
Ooops Liane, make that Mogambo, NOT MOM-Gambo!
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
You don't mention doing any cardio. While strength training is great for increasing strength and muscle mass, and thus boosting the metabolism, cardio is also good to add to a program for calorie burning. Kickboxing (like Cathe's KPC) is an excellent calorie burner, and it's good for toning the obliques as well.
 
"XQUZEME", very creative name!

FYI, I find that the ab workout that works best on my obliques has been the ab work from Bootcamp. It really focuses in on that area. But, you definitely have to get that cardio in to burn that fat.

I see KP&C is recommended, also Cathe's Cardio Kicks and MIC are very good at fat burning.
 
Thanks for everyones help but I am a little confused. With me jogging every night, is that not enough cardio?
I just started the jogging a couple of weeks ago outside but I was using the treadmill and speed walking atleast 3 times a week. I changed it to jogging and every day so I have boosted it up. I thought by doing that it would increase my cardio and burn fat.
 
It seems as though your workouts are getting you the results you want so maybe you want to re-examine your diet. As you said you don't think it's a problem, but maybe it is. Maybe you're eating too many cals or maybe with your current jogging, not enough. And although your protein/carb ratios are healthy, maybe they arent optimal for you. Maybe you want to readjust them a bit and see what happens. Good luck!

:) Stacy
 

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