Does it seem like every bite of your favorite food zooms right past your lips and parks itself firmly on your hips?
Well today's your lucky day then because we are targeting the hips... the problem area that so unflatteringly spreads from the buttocks to the top of the thighs.
We probably don't have to tell you that the hips are the region most females store their fat. The good news: it only seems that the pounds you pack on there are there to stay.
We've got the expert advice you need to whittle away a few inches fast. Just imagine how great you'll look and feel in your flesh-baring summer fashions?
Personal trainer and author Michael Stefano insists that whether you're petite or "big-boned" you can get the shapely hips you've been longing for.
Here, pulled from the pages of Stefano's Firefighter's Workout (HarperCollins), is a hot hip routine that packs a one-two punch. Not only will you build muscle to replace your fat, but you'll also kick your metabolism up a notch -- when you combine it with a regular cardiovascular regimen.
According to Stefano, many women aren't aware that you can swivel those hips back into tip-top shape.
"Women know something can be done about the abs and thighs," Stefano tells eDiets. "But most women think if they're born with certain hips, they're stuck with them. That's not the case. This routine will balance out that tendency to store fat on the hips. While you might still store fat, you're going to build muscle."
Stefano stresses that his hip-slimming regimen must be combined with a cardiovascular workout and a healthy eating plan like eDiets for best results.
"Strengthening and resistance exercises are not going to tighten up the hips. They may help you get smaller, but you won't get shapelier without eating right and doing cardio," he says.
Stefano suggests doing two sets of 15 to 20 reps of each of the exercises below with a minute rest between each move. An added bonus for those of you who are tight on money and on time: you don't need any exercise equipment or machines at all. These low-impact exercises can be done anywhere... anytime.
STANDING KICKBACK
Stand holding the back of a chair or bench for balance. With your feet together rotate your right foot to the right with all the rotation coming from your hip joint. Exhale and in a very slow and controlled motion with the right foot rotated out, without bending your knee, lift the right leg (with all motion at the hip joint) behind you. The actual movement will only be a slight lift. Inhale and slowly lower leg to starting position. Repeat to muscle fatigue.
REAR RAISE
Lie on your stomach on a mat or padded carpet, head straight. Hands can be used to form a pillow for your face. Inhale as you slowly raise your right leg without bending the knee, holding briefly at the top of the movement. Exhale and lower the leg to starting position. Repeat with the left leg. Repeat to muscle fatigue.
SIDE RAISE
Lie on your left side on a mat or padded carpet, head and legs straight. Exhale as you slowly raise your right leg as high as it will comfortably go and pause briefly. All movement comes from the hip joint. Inhale, lower top leg to starting position and repeat. Repeat on the opposite side. Repeat to muscle fatigue.
