Love handles...STILL!

_lizzie_

Hello! I have been losing weight for a long time, almost a year now and its been pretty slow. I'm pretty close to where I want to be now but there is still one problem; love handles! I am thinner now than I was in my profile pics by 4ish pounds, and it really shows everywhere but on my hips! I can see my ribs from certain angles (not individual ones unless I stretch), so I don't want to lose much more weight and look like a scarecrow, but I do want to not have love handles! Is it just genetics, am I just stuck with them? Has anyone gotten rid of love handles that stick around even after you're quite thin everywhere else without making the rest of you too thin?

KarenJean91

I would really like an answer to this too!

rainbowbow

Well... Sounds like you need to do some strength training.

iWaffle

You're going to need to drop body fat more and add on some lean muscle. You'll probably need to do this in cycles. Eat at maintenance or above and crush the weights, then cut back on calories and peel off the fat. It takes dedication but you can do it.

lizziebeth1028

Not sure what kind of work outs you're doing but you might want to try lifting heavy weights and strength training!

WillardsMommy1

At my skinniest (100 lbs for a 5 2.5 female) i STILL had them. & the rest of me looked like I was dying lol.

But I had no muscle tone whatsoever. I think strength training helps tighten up the core overall. That is what i am going for this time instead of starving myself skinny.

But honestly I think genetics play a big role too. I've just always been prone to them.

ninerbuff

Blame you parents. Genetics still are responsible for how you look, however lowering your bodyfat more can still reduce the handles.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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iWaffle

You can't tell people this when they're 50 pounds overweight but the scale is not a fitness goal. Being a specific weight won't make you feel like you've arrived. Pick other goals. Perhaps you want to be able to do 10 push ups or pull ups. Maybe you want to run in a marathon or a 5k. Find something beside the scale to focus on.

SoDamnHungry

A lot of it is body shape. I'm 5'6.5'', 119 pounds, and still have love handles. Hopefully strength training and adding some muscle will help with them. Like you, I don't want to be a scarecrow.

ETA: A lot of it is in the choice of clothing you wear, as well. Low rise pants and underwear cut directly into the area that holds the most fat for people like us, and make the love handles seem much bigger than they are.

LorinaLynn

If that's you in your ticker, you don't have love handles, you have a defined waist and curvy hips. That's not something you can or should try to get rid of.

But I still think you should strength train, because I think everyone should.

trixiemou

Have you tried any of the Jillian Micheal workouts. I am currently doing the 30 day shred and have certainly noticed and felt the difference. May be worth a look.

psuLemon

If that's you in your ticker, you don't have love handles, you have a defined waist and curvy hips. That's not something you can or should try to get rid of.

But I still think you should strength train, because I think everyone should.

And unfortunately, self image > reality most of the time.



But seriously, you will have to cut fat or possible add muscle to improve the situation.

whiteheaddg

I'm 5' 10" and dropped to 155 and still had them. I'm now doing what most folks here are advising. I'm bulking with a heavy lifting routine and will then cut to see if I can finally get rid of them. I agree that it is genetics - all the guys in my family gain weight in this area first.

Good luck!

WendyTerry420

Well... Sounds like you need to do some strength training.

^^ THIS

amandanicoler93

the insanity workout will defiantly build up ur body strength or if u would like something not as crazy as that one go to this youtube video im doing it it is a full body workout it will build your strength. http://youtu.be/ZJ8Zdj0OPMI

_lizzie_

Wow, thanks for all the responses everyone! Sorry I took a while to respond, had to go to class..I do actually lift weights. I do a 5x5 program and its made my legs and butt look lean and great but has yet to budge my hip fat! Maybe eventually? I hope so anyway...

@Lorina It is me in the pic but that bottom is a bit big on me so you cant see what I'm talking about really, when I wear a bikini that's tight enough to not fall off in the waves it also gives me love handles :sad:

LorinaLynn

@Lorina It is me in the pic but that bottom is a bit big on me so you cant see what I'm talking about really, when I wear a bikini that's tight enough to not fall off in the waves it also gives me love handles :sad:

That's why I like ones that tie on the sides. I can get them tight enough to stay put without being too tight. Don't let an ill-fitting piece of clothing make you feel bad about your body.

kellicci

This^^^^

Honey every one has that problem when the suit isn't quite the right one for them...even underwear cause this when they are too snug...keep trying till you find one that is just right...It's not you it's the suit!