HOW TO GET RID OF SADDLEBAGS

If you’re like most of us, the only saddlebags you want to see are purses… not unwanted bulges on the side of your legs.  Unfortunately, as we age, it gets harder to keep those pesky saddlebags from creeping up around our hips, belly, butt, and thighs.  If you’d like to lose extra padding around your hips, today’s episode of CCtv is for you.  In it, I’ll show you how to get rid of saddlebags and the best exercises that target your hips.

If you’re trying to tighten up the extra padding around your hips and slim down your saddlebags, you’re not alone. This area is a problematic spot for a lot of women, and there’s no single cure to change things overnight.  While your first instinct might be to hit the gym, you’ll never see results as long as you’re carrying extra fat over your muscles.

If you’re trying to tighten up the extra padding around your hips and slim down your saddlebags, you’re not alone. This area is a problematic spot for a lot of women, and there’s no single cure to change things overnight.  While your first instinct might be to hit the gym, you’ll never see results as long as you’re carrying extra fat over your muscles.

Doing 500 leg raises without changing your diet and doing cardio won’t put a dent in your saddlebags… It’s just not going to happen. So stick to a healthy eating plan, add plenty of cardio to your workout routine, and try out these effective – yet easy-to-do-hip exercises to help you feel more confident the next time you slip into something slinky.  Pair this with my thigh workout for a complete lower body workout.

THE BEST HIP EXERCISES TO GET RID OF SADDLEBAGS

SINGLE LEG HIP LIFTS

Lie faceup on the floor with your left knee bent and your right leg straight. Place your arms out to your sides at 45-degree angles, your palms facing up. Raise your right leg until it’s in line with your left thigh. Squeeze your core tightly —as if you’re about to be punched in the gut—and hold it that way.

SIDE (OBLIQUE) PLANK HIP LIFTS

Lay down on your side so that only your forearm and the side of your foot are touching the ground. Make your body into a straight line (side plank position). Bend at the waist and lower your hip towards the ground and then back up again. Repeat for the desired amount of repetitions and then switch sides.

LATERAL LEG LIFTS

Stand upright and squeeze your core in tight. Without moving your upper body, flex your foot and lift one leg to the side. Lower and repeat, alternating sides. Hold a chair for balance if you need to.

FIRE HYDRANTS

It looks very similar to a male dog “marking his territory” on a fire hydrant, hence the name. : ) Get down on your hands and knees with your palms flat on the floor and shoulder-width apart. Your knees should be hip-width apart and bent 90 degrees. Relax your core so that your lower back and abdomen are in their natural positions. Without allowing your lower-back posture to change, raise your right knee as close as you can to your chest. (Your knee may not move forward much.)

STANDING FIRE HYDRANTS

You can take this basic move, making it more complex. By standing with the Fire Hydrant you add a component of hip mobility and core stabilization while attempting to balance on one leg. You still get the benefit of working your hip and glute muscles but it’s taken to a higher difficulty level. Stand and use a chair for balance if you need to. Standing up straight, lift your knee up and to the side as far as you can. You can also add resistance if you want.  Hold a dumbbell or ball in the back of your knees, or use ankle weights.  Check it out and give them a try!

SIDE LUNGE

Side lunges offer a new take on regular lunges. They allow you to work your hips, glutes, and thighs a bit differently than traditional squats and lunges while still targeting the major muscles of the lower body. They offer a really good workout and are friendly on the knees, reducing the risk of injury. First, start with your body weight. Once you get the movement down, add dumbbells for more of a challenge. Here is how to do them… Holding a pair of dumbbells (optional), stand with your feet and knees together. Take a large step with your right foot to the right side and lunge toward the floor. Make sure your right knee does not extend past your toes and keep your left leg relatively straight. Push off through your right foot to return to the start to complete one.

As always, this workout works… if YOU work it.  So work it!  You’re worth it!  If you think this workout would help someone else.  Please share it.