Despite your best efforts, you just can't seem to lose weight around the hips? Don’t worry, we got you! Here are a few tips and tricks to help you lose weight around the waist.
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The hips
Before you do anything, let's first determine where exactly the hips are located. The hips are found at the level of the lower abdomen, just below the waist. They form the connection between the thighs and the pelvis.
Depending on the person, the hips are more or less developed. When the hips turn out a little fuller, they are sometimes called a lifebelt or love handle, yet the feelings we have towards the hip bulges are usually not particularly affectionate.
Here are a few ways to fight your lifebelt.
Exercise is a must
Exercise is the only way to get rid of waistline fat. But for it to really work, you have to do it right. The following sports and exercises can help:
- High-intensity interval training (HIIT): For maximum calorie burning
- Fitness: The best exercises are lunges and planks, i.e., different variations of the plank
- Skipping rope: Back to childhood with an extremely effective exercise
- Hula-hoop: Just like the skipping rope, the hula-hoop helps you lose weight around the stomach. It also strengthens the back and abdominal muscles. Hula-hooping melts away the fat around the waist and strengthens abdominal muscles at the same time
To train the whole body, you can combine these exercises with swimming or jogging, for example. It is best to accompany the exercise with the right diet.
Fewer carbohydrate intake
A diet high in carbohydrates is noticeable in the abdominal area. This is where the flab accumulates. If you want slim and defined hips, you should reduce the sugar content of your diet and instead opt for fibre rich foods.
Right fat intake
Contrary to what you might think, you don't have to eliminate all fats from your diet to lose weight around the hips. However, it is important that you choose the right fats.
Avoid omega-6 fats (found in peanuts or sunflower seeds) and instead go for omega-3 fats, found in rapeseed oil, linseed oil or walnut oil. Make sure your diet is oily, low in salt and sugar, and high in vegetables.
Time for a massage
If you want to combat cellulite, which is particularly prevalent around the hips/thighs/buttocks, it helps to give this area a good kneading. Once or twice a week, you should massage the area with an oil or cream.
Water is the best liquid
Water retention can also lead to increased hip fullness. To avoid this, make sure you drink enough water, at least 1.5 litres a day. This allows the fat that has accumulated in the area to drain away.
