Waist-Saving Exercises for Swimsuit Season

Swimsuit season isn’t always forgiving to those us who need to whittle a bit from our middle. When we want to look and feel better, we think about working out. Spending hours at the gym though isn’t an option, especially when we have family and other obligations taking up our time.

Here are 5 easy at-home exercises to whittle your middle in time for swimsuit season for you to try.

Note: Do 2 sets of each move, on nonconsecutive days each week.

Exercise #1: The rowing man.

To do the rowing man, sit with your body in a vee like shape. Your legs should be bent in the air and your back off the ground. Take a medicine ball and move it in the air across your stomach, going from one side to the other. Exercise #2: Ankle touches.

For the ankle touches, lie on your back, knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Pull your shoulder blades off the floor so that facing forward. With your arms straight out and parallel to the floor, reach your left hand to your left ankle, then switch hands. Keep your shoulder blades off the floor the entire time.

Exercise #3: Twisting Knee Lifts

Standing with feet hipwidth apart, hold your arms up in front of your chest in a boxing stance. Twist your upper body to the right using your obliques, then twist to your left. On the third twist of your right arm, raise your left knee to meet your arm. Alternate with opposite arm and leg. Do 12 reps on each leg.

Exercise #4: Side crunch

Sit with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Raise your arms in front of you. Roll back on your spine, one vertebra at a time onto the tailbone, twisting your torso to the left while pulling your left arm back. Return to center and roll up. Repeat on opposite side. Do for 24 reps.

Exercise #5: Jumping rope

Jumping rope isn’t just for kids. Jumping rope is a great aerobic exercise that raises your metabolic rate while forcing you to tighten your core muscles. The aerobic movement and core muscle tightening works your middle to tighten.

You should begin to see results within a few weeks by doing these exercises regularly, just in time for swimsuit season.

Yoga: The Low-Pressure, High Relaxation Form of Exercise that Helps You Lose Weight

Many people believe yoga was developed as a form of meditation. That it has no effect on losing weight. The truth is, however, many people have benefited from using yoga in losing weight in this healthy way.

There are many reasons you should try yoga as a weight loss go-to this summer. And you won’t have to practice the intense Hot Yoga to see results.

Studies have shown that restorative yoga, the practice of a slow pace with long holds and deep breathing help women lose belly fat.

Reason 1: Some think yoga alone won’t promote weight loss.

When it’s combined with healthy eating it has been shown to help you lose weight, as well keeping your mind and body healthy. Yoga helps you learn mindfulness and how you connect with your body helping you opt for healthy food instead of binging on the bad stuff. Reason 2: Yoga boosts weight loss in several other ways. It forces you to burn calories, reduces your stress levels, and enhances any other form of exercise you are doing. And one of the most beneficial effects of yoga is how it helps you feel connected to your body in a way that makes you aware of satiety, which prevents you from overeating. Reason 3: Another reason to try yoga this summer as your goto weight loss plan is that it can be done just about anywhere. Take your yoga mat with you to the beach for a sunrise or sunset workout. Go into your yard for a soothing morning workout. It can be done while vacationing since the only equipment you need is a mat and a little space. Reason 4: Yoga is a great stress management tool. Even during the summer months, stress can take over our lives. Stress has a devastating effect on your mind and your body. It leads to insomnia, stiff muscles, pain, anxiety, and inability to focus. Doing a simple yoga routine when you feel stress coming on. You’re able to relax your mind and body, stretch out any kinks and feel more in tune with your thoughts.

Reason 5: Yoga improves your energy and vitality while balancing your metabolism.

While you are doing yoga, wearing comfy and cute yoga outfits, you are building better strength throughout your body. Your energy levels are improving giving you more vitality to do all the fun things you want to do during the summer. Yoga’s stretching and holding moves boosts your metabolism leading to faster weight loss.

There are many benefits to doing yoga any time of the year. When you look at the reasons to try yoga as your weight loss go-to this summer you’ll realize why.