Love handles...STILL!

_lizzie_
_lizzie_ Posts: 130
in Health and Weight Loss
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?

Replies

  • KarenJean91
    KarenJean91 Posts: 283 Member
    I would really like an answer to this too! :(
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    Well... Sounds like you need to do some strength training. :)
  • iWaffle
    iWaffle Posts: 2,208 Member
    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
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    Not sure what kind of work outs you're doing but you might want to try lifting heavy weights and strength training!
  • WillardsMommy1
    WillardsMommy1 Posts: 54
    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
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,988 Member
    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
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • iWaffle
    iWaffle Posts: 2,208 Member
    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
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    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
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    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. :smile:
  • trixiemou
    trixiemou Posts: 554 Member
    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
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    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. :smile:

    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
    whiteheaddg Posts: 325 Member
    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
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    Well... Sounds like you need to do some strength training. :)

    ^^ THIS
  • amandanicoler93
    amandanicoler93 Posts: 9
    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_
    _lizzie_ Posts: 130
    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
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    @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. :wink: 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. :wink:
  • kellicci
    kellicci Posts: 409 Member
    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!

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