5 Ways to Eliminate Back Fat

You won't miss it at all.

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This article was written by Lizzie Fuhr and repurposed with permission from POPSUGAR Fitness.

Back bulge around the bra area or a pesky muffin top aren't fun to deal with. But you can feel more confident in your own skin with just a little extra effort. Sure, targeting specific body parts to burn fat doesn't work, but these healthy tips can help you get the results you want faster!

Turn Up Your Cardio
If you're serious about getting rid of fat, you've got to start getting serious about cardio. According to the USDA, you should perform 60-minute sessions five times a week.

For even more intense cardio, opt for interval training that alternates between periods of pushing your body and recovery, since it offers an "afterburn effect." This means that after exercising, your body can burn more calories—an extra 200 calories throughout the day even at rest or sleep—than you would after completing a steady-paced workout.

Focus on Toning
Add moves that sculpt your back, shoulders, and obliques to reveal the strong muscles that lie beneath. Posture-improving exercises can also do wonders! This five-minute back workout and these body-balancing back exercises are great ones to try!

Practice Yoga
Quality strength training and cardio are key, but yoga can help you take off back fat, too. This heart-pumping yoga routine is just what you need!

Eat Smarter
Choosing healthier foods and cooking up cleaner recipes are essential in your battle against back bulge. Check out the best fat-burning recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even snacks that can support your goals.

Shop Your Shape
Okay, this won't really get rid of fat, but it'll certainly help you feel more comfortable in your skin. If you're concerned about the bulge around your bra or a muffin top, it simply might be time to go up a size in your bra or jeans. Flattering clothes will help you feel more confident so that you feel less stressed while dressing. Instead of getting caught up in the size you're wearing, always focus on how you feel in the clothes you're in.

By by Lizzie Fuhr for POPSUGAR Fitness 

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Lose Your Belly with Just Two Exercise Moves

Seriously!

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 A couple of month's ago, Men's Health asked Alwyn Cosgrove, C.S.C.S.—one of the world's top trainers—to create a cutting-edge fat loss program for Men's Health. And, of course, he obliged. But a curious thing: One of the workouts in the plan featured just two exercises.

That's right: When asked to create a super-effective, calorie-torching routine, Cosgrove gave us a workout that had readers do only a dumbbell swing and a squat thrust. This confused some folks, who wondered, "How can you lose fat with just two exercises?"

Cosgrove's response: "Running is just one exercise, but no one questions that when it comes to burning fat." (Another great way to lose fat: Avoid the 20 worst drinks in America.)

He makes a good point. And in fact, once you understand the philosophy behind Cosgrove's routine, you start to see why it works so well. But first, an explanation of the actual routine itself.

Here's how it works: You do 15 repetitions of the kettlebell swing (you can also use a dumbbell for this), followed immediately by 15 reps of the squat thrust. (See below for descriptions of both exercises.) Then, without resting, do another 14 reps of the swing and another 14 reps of the squat thrust. Continue this pattern until you complete only one rep of each exercise. This is called a countdown workout.

Sure, that's just two exercises, but do the math: If you complete the entire routine—from 15 down to one— you'll do 120 repetitions of each exercise. That's 240 repetitions. And these aren't just any exercises: They're movements that challenge your entire body.

They're also done at a fast pace. On average, it'll only take you about three seconds per rep. So you'll do those 240 reps in just 12 minutes or so. That'll light your muscles on fire and have you gasping for air (in a good way).

If you think that sounds too easy or too fast, I suggest you try it. You may find you can't even finish. But that's OK—you can just start with a lower number of reps, like eight, and work your way up as you improve your fitness. (In fact, I recommend this strategy.) If you want an even greater challenge, you can always take a breather and repeat the routine.

Remember: Whether you're running or lifting, your muscles require energy to help you move. And this workout forces more of your muscles into action than you'd ever use while jogging for the same duration. It'll also boost your metabolism for hours after your workout.

What's more, unlike jogging, these aren't joint-pounding exercises. So this is actually a "low-impact" workout that you can do at a high intensity, making it ideal for overweight folks. The best part: You can do the routine without even leaving your house since all you need is a single kettlebell or dumbbell. (And for another fast way to fight fat, check out this awesome 9-minute kettlebell workout.)

An important note: This isn't a complete workout program, but it is a great routine that you can do almost anywhere, anytime. And it's a fantastic substitute for 15 minutes on the treadmill.

Kettlebell (or Dumbbell) Swing

Bend at your hips, and hold a kettlebell (or dumbbbell) with both hands at arm’s length in front of you. Now, rock back slightly and “hike” the kettlebell between your legs. Then squeeze your glutes, thrust your hips forward forcefully, and swing the weight to shoulder height. Allow momentum to swing the weight—you're not trying to actively lift it with your arms. Reverse the movement, so that you swing the kettlebell between your legs again. Make sure you don't round your lower back at any time; it should stay naturally arched when you bend at your hips. Continue to swing back and forth. Watch the video below to see fitness expert David Jack show you how to do the kettlebell swing with perfect form:

  

 Squat Thrust 

Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Bending at your hips and knees, squat down and lower your body until you can place your hands on the floor. Kick your legs backward—into a pushup position—and then immediately reverse the move and quickly stand up from the squat. That's one rep. To make the exercise even more challenging, you can jump up from the squat instead of simply standing up quickly. Watch the video below to see strength coach David Jack do the squat thrust:

  

By Adam Campbell

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How to Rid Yourself of Belly Pooch Forever

Stomach fat, be gone!

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This article was written by Jenny Sugar and repurposed with permission from POPSUGAR Fitness.

Clean eating and hitting the gym can help you reach your weight-loss goal, but you might find you have a little extra pooch around your midsection. Here are three things you can do to help you achieve a trimmer belly.

When Eating
Take an honest look at your diet and your bathroom schedule. Your belly might not be caused by fat but by air trapped in your digestive system. If you're not getting enough fiber (you need 25 to 30 grams a day), constipation can cause bloating. On the other hand, overdoing it on fiber or eating too many gas-producing foods like broccoli, apples, or beans can also make your belly pooch a bit. Thankfully, there are also foods you can eat—like blueberries—that are proven to diminish belly fat, so sip on this flat-belly smoothie or crunch on this flat-belly salad to keep you regular and help you debloat.

When Doing Cardio
Studies show that including interval training in your cardio sessions is proven to diminish stomach fat. If you find that you normally stick to a consistent pace when running, biking, or swimming, mix it up by adding 10- to 60-second, fast-paced or sprinting intervals—here's a 45-minute treadmill workout that does just that. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) works on the same principle as intervals, where you push to your maximum training for a period of time and follow up with a shorter rest period. Give this type of workout a try with our full-body 10-minute HIIT workout.

When Strength Training
Basic crunches can help tone your abs, but they only target certain abdominal muscles. Incorporate full-body exercises like variations of plank or core moves using a ball. Simply balancing on one leg on a BOSU will target your core, too. Also, try using different types of equipment—this 10-minute abs video features a small hand towel to sculpt your core.

By POPSUGAR Fitness 

Original Post Found Here:

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/lose-belly-pooch?icid=OBtrafficWH_TBD_AR3

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