help love handles

lulubell

Hi guys i need help please!
I'm 27, 5ft 4 & i weight 8st 10lb,Now i don't think that i'm very overweight or anything but i do have a major problem area and it's depressing the hell out of me! LOVE HANDLES!!! I'm a mom of 2 children and since them there is no way i can shift my belly & love handles. When i loose weight it goes from everywhere, bum, legs, boobs, face, everywhere except where i want it 2:mad: I try 2 eat healthy, & over last 3 weeks have been walking 3 miles a day, also been doing 50/70 crunches every second day(these kill me) and nothing, no difference at all. Going on hols in summer and would love to wear a nice bikini!!!! Haven't worn one in 7 yrs. Please help;)

FunkZ

I don't think the crucnches will help at all, I'm not too sure though.

Maybe you could start jogging, and weights are really good for looking good. And you should check the stickys up the top there, loadsa advise on nutrition, though ya could be alright there anyway.

Ya could try doing some sort of MA like Tae Kwon Do or Kick Boxing, they help a lot! And mainly just keep working at it!

rubadub

You will not spot reduce fat by doing crunches. They do not do much for you compared to other exercises you could be doing in the same time, with the same effort. And post your typical diet, and calorie intake if you know it.

These sites are worth a look, weight training is great for fat loss, and you don't necessarily need weights to start out

http://gubernatrix.co.uk/category/bodyweight/

www.exrx.net

lulubell

don't know my calorie intake, but here's my typical diet:

Breakfast: 8.30am
Porridge & cup of green tea

Snack: 11.00am
apple, fruit youghurt & cup of coffee

Lunch: 1.30/2.00
tuna & salad(spinach, baby tomato, red onion, grated carrot, drizzle of olive oil) or bowl of homemade soup(veg) and slice of wholemeal bread

Snack: 4.00
handful of fruit & nuts, grapes or a pear & glass of low fat milk

Dinner: 7.00
grilled salmon/chicken/ and lots of veg(gabbage, courgettes, peppers, celery, carrots)etc

edward8519

hey!

well your diet seems to be very good so that is nothing to be worried about, so cut down on or to change!

as already mentioned, u can crunch all you want but it wont make a difference to your love handles!

here are some considerations that you might try to fit into your daily schedule:

1) Before you have breakfast you should try spend 15-30mins jogging in the morning. if you cant do this try to go out for a brisk walk! the reason this should be done before breakfast is so you try to burn off some of the bodies fat stores. it waill also increase the basal metabolic rate (the amount of energy you body uses at rest!). if you were to exercise after breakfast you would simple be burning off the carbs you just ate!

a lot of people may tell you that this is a bad idea as you need energy for exercise which is provided by breakfast. remember, you are trying to burn off fat, not run a marathon!

2) another thing to consider is to increase the amount of low GI foods you eat. low GI foods are high in fiber, release energy over long periods of time and make you feel fuller for longer. examples are wheat pasta,long grain rice, brown bread.

try to keep away from highly processed cereals. not only do they have a high GI but they have hidden little nasties like acrylamide! (thats a new days work though )

3) the last thought i will give you is to try to have yor final meal at around 6 in the evening... i know that this is hard especially when trying to manage a family with demands!! but it will give you time to digest you dinner before you go to bed. maybe try go get another little run in... or any type of exercise that raises your heard rate!!

now as a final note i wanna say that men dont want stick thin ladies. curves are a great thing and should be flaunted, not ashamed of! from what it sounds like you take great care of your body and im sure you look great in a swim suit!! self image and realisation is an important thing though so i wish you all the luck i can!

hope the tips help!
(ps. let me know if the info was useful or not!)

davyjose

edward8519 wrote: »

3) the last thought i will give you is to try to have yor final meal at around 6 in the evening... i know that this is hard especially when trying to manage a family with demands!! but it will give you time to digest you dinner before you go to bed. maybe try go get another little run in... or any type of exercise that raises your heard rate!!

If the OP does this, she'll be going nearly 15 hours without food. This isn't good for fat loss as it forces the body to store fat. If I were th OP I'd actually have a snack before bed.

FunkZ

A skinless chicken fillet would be a good idea for that snack as well.

Colm_OReilly

Simplest changes you can make to your diet would be to drop the yoghurt, the wholemeal bread and the glass of milk. I doubt you'll miss them that much.

Now, if you could throw an egg in your mid morning snack and a slice of turkey in your 4pm meal you'd be well on the ball. Most people don't realise how much carbs they take in, even if they're healthy carbs like fruit/veg they still have a hormonal reaction which limits the body's burning of fat.

DO NOT starve yourself from 6pm to 8am the next morning!

As for exercise, if you're stuck for time try SimpleFit, 3x a week for about 15-30 minutes will help you get in shape. If you've access to weights let us know and we can help you with programs as well. Don't be afraid of weights, they won't turn you into a musclewoman!

As a last note, try playing with your kids more. If you get them involved in little workouts with you, it'll be more fun for all concerned (Plus, they'll pester you to do more activities with them, so keeping you more active throughout the day!)

Let us know if you need any more advice,
Col

edward8519

davyjose wrote: »

If the OP does this, she'll be going nearly 15 hours without food. This isn't good for fat loss as it forces the body to store fat. If I were th OP I'd actually have a snack before bed.

this would be true if she did not exercise before breakfast. your right, fasting for such long periods of time usually is not advisable as it will decrease the BMR and store fat. but if she were to exercise before breakfast it will increase metabolism.

and yes if you get very hungry have a high protein, low carb snack.

the body is an awkward vessel which has a different reaction to every scenario.

lulubell

Thanks guys for all the help! Sounds like great advice! Don't have any access to weights as i'm a stay home mommy, so will just have to play with kiddies more. Will try everything and let ye know how i get on. Thanks again:D

Lila

Try some varied abs workouts - not just crunches. Many moves like the side plank/bridge give a great 'corset' effect on your waist and sides. The other benefit is you don't need much equipment and can do them at home.

Maybe take a look here to start you off - www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/at-home-workouts-0

Tiriel

Maybe try a fitness ball! They're pretty inexpensive and if you get a DVD with it to show you some great exercises. Helps to isolate the area to work on and not put excessive strain on your back etc. great for working all aspects of your tummy Can recommed it!!