How to lose "love handles"?

KimmalyS

I've always struggled with them, and even after working out for 9 months, I just can't get rid of them. Should I start incorporating cardio? My concern is that I'd lose what I gained with my glutes. Thanks everyone!

sijomial

Cardio doesn't cause you to lose glutes or other muscles.
You also don't need cardio to lose fat (calorie deficit does that).
But IMHO you should do some cardio for your health and fitness....

You could make your cardio an exercise that works the glutes as well if you want - rowing, cycling, stepping etc.

Your love handles are just where you are predisposed to store some of your fat, a small calorie deficit will burn off your fat from all over your body but you don't get to choose where from.

Enjcg5

I would gladly take your "love handles." You may want to look into the "recomp" advice on these boards. I have no clue about it though.

Ironandwine69

Hit them with diet and lifting hate.

ThePoeToaster

The only way to lose love handles is to get lean all over. You can't "spot lose". If you aren't doing cardio, toss in a couple of interval sessions a week. That will ramp up your fat burning.

beanz744

1. eat at around 250 calorie deficit
2. intake .8 to 1g per pound BW of protein to preserve muscle mass
3. do what the above recommended cardio

good luck

sijomial

Enjcg5 wrote: »

I would gladly take your "love handles." You may want to look into the "recomp" advice on these boards. I have no clue about it though.

@Enjcg5
Recomp is just eating at or around maintenance calories and training hard.
Results in the simultaneous losing of fat and gaining of muscle.

Most commonly done by those who are at their goal weight. People like me in fact!

sardelsa

As mentioned, unfortunately you can't spot reduce fat. I would keep a small deficit, protein up and continue lifting to keep the muscle you have built in the glutes. You can do some cardio for health and to help keep you in deficit.

What have you been doing for those 9 months? Are you recomping, cutting?

Luna3386

I really don't see much of a love Handle. Some of it may be just how your hips round out. Sometimes it's the way your clothes fit.

Otherwise, you may choose to cut but you can't control where the weight comes from. With a small deficit and heavy weights you should be able to preserve the muscle.

jbitakis

What love handles? What exercise routine did you do to make your glutes bigger?

Enjcg5

sijomial wrote: »

Enjcg5 wrote: »

I would gladly take your "love handles." You may want to look into the "recomp" advice on these boards. I have no clue about it though.

@Enjcg5
Recomp is just eating at or around maintenance calories and training hard.
Results in the simultaneous losing of fat and gaining of muscle.

Most commonly done by those who are at their goal weight. People like me in fact!

Thanks! I am 15lbs to goal weight. I will look into that! Can you point me to a beginner thread so I can read up in it?

sijomial

Enjcg5 wrote: »

sijomial wrote: »

Enjcg5 wrote: »

I would gladly take your "love handles." You may want to look into the "recomp" advice on these boards. I have no clue about it though.

@Enjcg5
Recomp is just eating at or around maintenance calories and training hard.
Results in the simultaneous losing of fat and gaining of muscle.

Most commonly done by those who are at their goal weight. People like me in fact!

Thanks! I am 15lbs to goal weight. I will look into that! Can you point me to a beginner thread so I can read up in it?

@Enjcg5
Here you go - lots to read!

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10177803/recomposition-maintaining-weight-while-losing-fat/p1