They are effective, safe, and you don’t need tons of equipment. Do 3 sets of 10-15 reps at least 3 to 4 times a week and you’ll see a difference in as little as 2 weeks!
1. Side Lunges
Works your glutes, lower back and core. I always like to go down slow and under…
We get it. You want lean body. And while no single exercise will ever flatten your belly or give you a six-pack (you need to adjust your diet for that), there are ways to work your abs even harder so that as you…
Best 10 Thigh Exercises
Hey Guys, I put these exercises together for you because a lot of people have been asking me and messaging me asking for thigh gap exercises and leg exercises.
Hope you like it!
butt exercise
Focus Areas: works back, chest, thighs, butt and hamstrings.
Step 1: From the starting position on your back bend one leg and put all the pressure in your resting heel and lift one leg straight up.
Step 2: Squeeze your glutes and lift your butt off the ground by driving your weight down your resting heel and at the same time you’re lifting your arms with your elbows locked and your hands meeting over your chest.
Do 10-15 repetitions on each leg.
Take It To The Gym! The Slim Workout
This is a 6 week cardio plan that you can take to the gym (or do anywhere). All you need is a stopwatch (or timer).
The beauty of this plan is that it leaves you TONS of flexibility: you can follow the intervals with any cardio machine you like (treadmill, elliptical, rower, bike) OR take it outside and run, jog, hike etc. Simply boost or lower the effort you put in to the right level for YOU.
If you’re using a heart rate monitor, find your maximum (220-your age for men, and 226-your age for women), and simply add a percentage point to each of the suggested intensities. (2-3 becomes 20-30% of your maximum heart rate. 5-6 becomes 50-60% of your maximum heart rate, and 7-8 becomes 70-80% of your maximum heart rate).
If you don’t have a monitor, use the ‘talk test’ & the guidelines below and check your breathing. It’s YOUR workout, so while you should push yourself, you can dial things back if need be.
2-3: Easy. You should be able to talk normally, and notice a small boost in heart rate.
5-6: Moderate. You’ll start breathing a little more frequently, and can speak in short sentences. You’ll feel like you’re working, but know that you can push harder.
7: Hard. You’re heart rate is up and you’re pushing yourself. You can speak a few words at a time, but your breathing should be more labored. You won’t want to be speaking very much.
8: Really hard. This is an intensity you only reach and keep up in short intervals. Give it your all (it’s not long). Speaking is very difficult, and breathing is fast. Your heartrate should be WAY up.
Add 2-3 cardio interval workouts like these to your routine each week for 6 weeks, in addition to your resistance workouts. Each workout is only a half hour, and you’ll work up to tougher intensities as you go.
Save a copy of this for your phone/timer! Switch up the machines/exercise you’re using from week to week (or willy nilly) for best results.
1. Catch the running bug. You’ll continue to burn fat after your jog: People who run for at least four hours a week melt more calories than non-runners, even when they’re not running, a Yale University School of Medicine study reports.
2. Crank it up early. Working out harder during the first half of your workout and taking it easier during the second burns up to 23 percent more fat than doing the opposite, according to a study from The College of New Jersey.
3 & 4. Go hard — and make it quick. Staying at 80 percent of your max heart rate for 40 minutes can amp your metabolism for 19 hours afterward, research published in Obesity notes. And doing a shorter workout at 75 percent of your max aerobic capacity will give you a greater metabolic boost than sweating longer at 50 percent, a Colorado State University reveals.
5 to 7. Lift dumbbells … slowly. More muscle equals mega metabolism boost. Strength training can help you trim major fat, research reveals — and doing super-slow (versus normal speed) reps increases strength by 50 percent.
Plus, using dumbbells activates more muscle fibers than using machines, explains Gregory Haff, Ph.D., an associate professor in the exercise physiology department at West Virginia University.
8. Speed up, slow down. Alternating bouts of high-intensity and low-intensity cardio has been shown to torch pounds.
9. Put on weight (literally). Wearing a weighted vest (about 10 percent of your body weight) while walking can boost your calorie burn by 8 percent.
10. Download Rihanna, not Brahms. Listening to up-tempo songs actually makes you run faster and harder than listening to slower-paced music, British scientists say.
11. Let kettlebells ring. Not only does working out with kettlebells build muscle, but doing it for 20 minutes burns as many calories as running at a 6-minute-mile pace for the same amount of time.
12. Keep it up. As few as 80 minutes a week of aerobic or weight training helps keep you from regaining belly fat after losing weight, according to researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
13. Add poles. Use Nordic poles while you walk, and you’ll burn 20 percent more calories, says research from The Cooper Institute in Dallas.
14 & 15. Lift first, nix the rest. Doing strength training before cardio can torch more fat than cardio alone. And if you do one move after another without pausing, “you’ll see more gains in strength and muscle mass,” says Dr. Pierre Manfroy, M.D., consultant for the book “100 Ways to Supercharge Your Metabolism.”
16. Add pounds. Lift heavier weights for fewer reps to make your workout more intense — and burn more fat — Manfroy says.
17. Try aromatherapy. Exercisers who inhaled strawberry and buttered-popcorn scents torched more calories than those who sniffed neutral odors, according to research from the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago.
18. Box yourself in. Wii boxing knocks out nearly twice as many calories as some other games, like Wii golf.
19. Kick it. Playing soccer not only torches more fat and builds more muscle than jogging, but it feels less tiring, Danish research reveals.
20. Stay in shape. Fit people have more fat-burning metabolites in their blood than couch potatoes do, scientists say.
IN THE KITCHEN
22. Get more protein. Eating a protein-packed breakfast and lunch helps you burn more post-meal fat than if you eat lower-protein meals, according to Australian research.
23 & 24. Guzzle green tea — or coffee. Downing five 5-ounce cups of green tea a day boosts metabolism, says Lyssie Lakatos, R.D., author of “Fire Up Your Metabolism.” Two cups of coffee will also do the trick, one study shows.
25. Have an omelet. Eating two eggs for breakfast while dieting will help you trim more weight and body fat than if you ate the same amount of calories noshing on a bagel, scientists say.
26. Stay above 1,200 calories… ”The average person’s body goes into starvation mode if she eats fewer than 1,200 calories a day,” says Eric Berg, author of “The 7 Principles of Fat Burning.” “That’s stress, and stress creates more belly fat.”
27. … and cut calories gradually. If you diet, don’t trim more than 250 calories a day. Cutting calories too quickly slows your metabolism down, Dr. Manfroy says.
28 to 33. Munch on these. Almonds, cherries, yogurt, grapefruit, whole grains, and spicy foods have all been shown to torch fat.
34. Fuel up right. Eating a low-glycemic-index breakfast (such as muesli and peaches) will help you burn more fat during a subsequent workout than eating a high-glycemic-index meal (like waffles), researchers from the University of Nottingham reveal.
35. Think before you drink. Sipping as few as 90 calories’ worth of vodka can slow your metabolism by 73 percent, one study shows.
36. Graze. Women who go without eating for long periods are more likely to have higher body-fat percentages than women who nosh more regularly, one study notes.
37. Dine like a Greek. Eating a diet rich in monounsaturated fat (think olive oil, avocados) can help trim both weight and fat, research published in the British Journal of Nutrition shows.
38. Stop gorging. Your body can only handle so much food at a time, so stick to 600 calories or less per meal to maximize fat-burning, says Leslie Cooper, co-author of “Flip the Switch: Proven Strategies to Fuel Your Metabolism and Burn Fat 24 Hours a Day.”
39. Skip juice. Reaching for an apple instead of apple juice is not only better calorie-wise, but it’ll also do a better job of boosting your metabolism, Dr. Manfroy explains.
IN YOUR LIFE
41 & 42. Get C and D. Vitamin C can help you burn more fat, and D may help you lose fat, research notes. Aim for 400 to 500 mg of C and 800 mg of D a day.
43 & 44. Walk more (in denim). Researchers found that fitness-friendly offices (think treadmill desks, mobile headsets) helped people trim pounds and fat, as did wearing jeans to work, since dressing casual encourages you to move more. Wear comfy clothes when you can, pace while on the phone, and stand while chatting with co-workers.
45. Add fish oil (And work out). Taking 6 grams of fish oil per day and hitting the gym three times a week can help nix body fat, an Australian study reveals.
46. Work the day shift. Keeping nontraditional hours lowers levels of hormones that trigger satiety, increases blood glucose and insulin levels, and raises levels of the stress hormone cortisol (which can drive you to eat more), scientists say.
47. Nix the boob tube. Cut your TV time in half, and you’ll burn more calories each day, research from the University of Vermont suggests.
48. Go mental. People who visualized themselves training a specific muscle boosted the strength in that muscle group, researchers found.
49. Eat a smaller dinner. Your body may not digest food — and burn fat — as efficiently if you down a huge meal right before bedtime, especially because your metabolism is slower while you sleep, Dr. Manfroy says.
50. Jump-start your morning. Wake up your metabolism — and get fat-burning started — by doing some sort of exercise within the first few hours of being awake, Cooper suggests.
51. Get your snooze on. Sleep for a solid 81D 2 hours instead of 51D 2, according to research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, and you’ll lose more fat. Sweet dreams!
While there’s nothing quite like running outdoors, the Summer heat can sometimes make it impossible to do. For those days, there’s the trusty treadmill. Whether you are a beginner runner or advanced, we’ve got the perfect treadmill workout for you. From a treadmill workout that mimics running up and down San Francisco hills to another that has you ascending a mountain, you’ll swear you’re actually running outside.
- Getting Started — If you’re new to running, try our 40-minute beginner treadmill workout. The workout combines walking and running to get your heart rate up while also priming your body for distance and speed. If you feel like the workout is too easy or hard, play around with the speed, but be sure to give your body time to adjust to the physical demands of running for the first time.
- Woggle Workout — Once you’re feeling a bit more comfortable on the treadmill, give thiswogging workout a chance. This 60-minute workout alternates between walking briskly, jogging, and running slowly; plan to burn around 300 calories.
- Pyramid Intervals — Keep boredom at bay with this pyramid interval treadmill workout. By changing your running speed every minute, you’ll also be winning the war against weight gain.
See the more advanced, calorie-busting treadmill workouts after the break!
- The 500-Calorie Workout — If you can find about 40 minutes in your day to do this high-interval treadmill workout, you’ll lose about 500 calories. Do it five times a week and you’re already down a pound.
- Rolling Hills — This treadmill hill workout will show you what it’s really like to run in San Francisco. After doing the incline variations in this workout, running flats will seem like a breeze. will
- Go For a Hike — Even if you can’t make it to Yosemite, this treadmill hike workout will mimic what’s it like to be in the great outdoors. The 45-minute workout involves walking and jogging up steep inclines so you’ll strengthen your quads and work your booty.
- Graduate to a Mountain — Once you’ve hiked up some hills, why not try for a mountain ascent? This treadmill mountain climb mixes a brisk walking speed with steep inclines.
- Add Leg Work — The treadmill doesn’t have to be just about running. This treadmill leg workout allows you to go at a comfortable pace while mixing in lunges, squats, and pliés.
Aerobarre: 7 Moves to Your Sexy New Body
- Boxing
- Perky-Butt Plie
- Attitude Adjustment
- Look-At-Me Leap
- Raise the Barre
- White Swan
- Diamond Downsizer
Gifs via eatposelove.tumblr.com
Video via Self Magazine
Get rid of your muffin top
1. Plank This isolation exercise targets your internal abdominals, called the transverse abs. These muscles are the deepest muscles that act as a girdle that holds everything together. Start by getting into a pushup position, but bend your elbows and rest your weight on your forearms instead of on your hands. Your body should form a straight line from your shoulders to your ankles. Brace your core by contracting your abs as if you were about to be punched in the gut. Hold for 30 seconds. As the exercise becomes easier over time, increase the duration of your hold by intervals of 15 seconds, eventually working up to 3 minutes.
2. Side Plank The side plank is another isolation and balance exercise that targets your core, hips, and back—muscles that play a large role in smoothing out love handles, says Paris. Start by lying on your side with your knees straight and feet stacked. Prop up your upper body on your left elbow and forearm, then raise your hips until your body forms a straight line from the ankles to the shoulders. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat on the other side. As the exercise becomes easier over time, increase the duration of your hold by intervals of 15 seconds, working up to 3 minutes and possibly move onto resting body on your hand versus elbow.
3. Scissor Kicks Working your obliques not only defines your waistline, it also improves posture which can help decrease back pain. Start by lying on your back with feet 6 inches off the ground and your hands by your sides. Pull your navel in toward your spine to eliminate the arch in your back. Keeping both feet off the ground and your legs straight, alternate kicking your feet toward the ceiling. Kick with your right leg, then your left leg. That’s 1 rep. Repeat for 10 to 15 repetitions.
4. Vacuum Exercise The transverse abdominals are the most important muscles to target when you’re trying to flatten your belly. They’re hard to reach—but this do-anywhere move hits ’em. Start on all fours with your spine relaxed and inhale deeply. While you exhale, pull your navel toward
your spine and hold for 12 seconds. That’s 1 rep. Repeat for 12 repetitions5. Opposite Arm and Leg Raise Start on all fours. Then simultaneously lift your right arm straight in front of you and left leg behind you, creating a straight line between your fingertips and heel. Hold for a breath and return to start. Repeat the move, this time using your left arm and right leg. That’s one rep. Complete 20 repetitions.
6. Bicycle Crunch Round out this routine with the bicycle crunch, which targets the rectus abdominals, the hardworking muscles that hold you upright. Start lying on your back. Place your hands behind your head, and lift knees toward your chest so that both your hips and knees are bent 90 degrees. Curl your head and shoulders off the floor while twisting your torso to the left. At the same time, pull your left knee toward your right elbow and extend your right leg so that it’s about a 45-degree angle to the floor. Repeat on the other side by twisting your torso to the right and pulling your right knee toward your left elbow while you extend your left leg. That’s one rep. Complete 15 repetitions.
Watermelon Sherbet
Ingredients:
- 4 cups diced seedless watermelon
- 1 cup white sugar
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 dash salt
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 1 (.25 ounce) envelope unflavored gelatin
- 1 cup chilled heavy cream
Steps:
- Combine the watermelon, sugar, lemon juice, and salt in a large mixing bowl; stir to coat evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Blend the mixture in a blender until smooth; return to the bowl.
- Pour the cold water into a saucepan. Sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water; let stand 1 minutes. Place the saucepan over low heat; cook for 2 minutes. Stir the gelatin mixture into the blended watermelon mixture. Add the heavy cream; beat with an electric hand mixer at medium speed until the mixture is fluffy.
- Transfer the mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer’s directions until it reaches “soft-serve” consistency. Transfer ice cream to a one- or two-quart lidded plastic container; cover surface with plastic wrap and seal. For best results, ice cream should ripen in the freezer for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Note: You need an Ice-Cream Maker for this!!
