FITNESS: What Exercises To Do To Slim Thighs And Love Handles

While there are exercises that can help slim down your thighs and get rid of love handles, do not forget that losing fat from these areas is not as simple as doing a few exercises. You must attack problem areas on two fronts: Consume fewer calories and expend more calories. In conjunction with exercises that target your problem areas, make sure to watch what you eat, and include cardiovascular exercise to burn fat.


Cardiovascular Exercise

In order to slim your thighs and get rid of love handles, the first exercise you need is cardiovascular exercise that will burn calories and fat. Walking, running, swimming and biking are all examples of cardiovascular exercises. The more intense the exercise you choose is, the more calories you will burn while doing it. For example, a 160-lb. person will burn 277 calories while walking 3.5 mph. The same person will burn 986 calories when running 8 mph. If you are interested in burning more calories in less time, choose higher intensity activities like running, rollerblading and jumping rope.



Pilates

Pilates is an exercise system that slims the thighs and tones the entire abdomen. It uses slow, controlled movements to work the core muscles of the abdomen, the muscles of the back, and the muscles in your upper legs and hips. Incorporating just two to three sessions of Pilates per week can yield significant results. When doing Pilates, pay special attention to your breathing, and make sure to always keep your abdominal muscles pulled in toward your spine.

Thigh Slimmer 

  The Pilates leg series focuses on the hip and thigh area. You perform the leg series while lying on one side with your head resting in your bottom hand and your top hand on the ground in front of your body. First, using your top leg, swing your leg forward and back, and then lift it up and down. Next perform small circles forward and back with your top leg and then large circles forward and back. Finally, lift both legs together, and then with both legs elevated, lower and raise the bottom leg. Complete eight to 10 repetitions of each exercise.

Love Handle Trimmer 

  The mermaid is a Pilates exercise that focuses on your sides, which is where you get love handles. Kneel on the ground and then sit back on your heels. Place your hands on the ground in front of you and transfer your hips to the ground on the left side of your feet. Place your left hand on the ground as you reach your right arm up and over to the left side. Feel your side lengthening as you stretch over to the side. Swing your arms over to the other side, placing your right hand on the ground and reaching your left hand over and to the right side. Repeat this motion back and forth three to five times before switching to rest your hips on the right side of your feet and repeating the entire series.