5 ways to lose those love handles

 

Red bell peppers: "This beautifully colored vegetable is bursting with antioxidants (especially vitamin C and beta-carotene) to help your body fight off infections," says Margaux J. Rathbun, a certified nutritional therapy practitioner and creator of nutrition website Authentic Self Wellness. "They are also stimulating for the digestive system and have been shown to be metabolism-boosters, helping you to lose unwanted pounds. They are perfect for dieters when eaten raw or prepared in a juice concoction.

 

 Peppermint: "Peppermint works to reduce bloating and indigestion and soothe the GI tract all around," says Rachel Berman, registered dietitian and Director of Nutrition for CalorieCount.com. Try mixing up some iced peppermint tea or add a few mint leaves to your water

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   Leafy greens: "Not only are leafy greens a great way to add volume to your meals without the calories, but they are chock full of nutrients (vitamins A, C, K, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and fiber) and easy to incorporate into your day," says Mary Dinehart-Perry, a registered dietitian and clinical trials director for Zone Labs, Inc. She recommends swapping out iceberg for spinach in your salads, adding mustard greens or collards to your soups, or dishing up a side of sautéed kale to fill up, fight disease, and look fab in your bikini.
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  Switch to whole grain. The body shows a decreased insulin response to whole grain as compared to refined carbohydrate like rice and white bread. So replace those meals of white rice and milk bread with whole grains like lentils, brown rice, and whole wheat bread for a trimmer waistline.
  
  

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Stock up on cruciferous veggies like broccoli, brussels sprouts, asparagus, peppers, and yellow beans. They contain folate, beta-carotene, calcium, magnesium, and fiber, and are rich in vitamins A, C, and K.

 
                         
                          
Almonds provide the body with minerals like magnesium, and regulate blood sugar levels. A stable blood sugar level is key to prevent cravings that can lead to overeating.

                         

Salmon, tuna and mackerel, in addition to being a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, also improve metabolism and help burn fat faster by improving the body’s glucose-insulin response.

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  Eggs are a great source of protein and contain essential amino acids that the body needs to build everything from muscle fibres to brain chemicals. It is the perfect breakfast food, and ensures you feel less hungry during the day and reduces that urge to snack.

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Apples are one of the most popular negative calorie foods. This means that an apple burns more calories that it adds to the body, while being digested, making for a great, tasty snack that does nothing to add to body fat.

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  Green tea contains certain chemicals called polyphenols and catechins that boost metabolism and help burn fat. Including 2-3 cups of green tea in your diet will help reduce that waistline, as well as provide a host of other health benefits.

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    Apple cider vinegar: New research indicates that 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (ideally mixed with a glass of water), consumed daily over a period of 12 weeks, works to lower body weight and reduce belly fat. This is attributed to vinegar's acetic acid, which is believed to pump out proteins that break down fat.
     
     

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      Switch to whole grain. The body shows a decreased insulin response to whole grain as compared to refined carbohydrate like rice and white bread. So replace those meals of white rice and milk bread with whole grains like lentils, brown rice, and whole wheat bread for a trimmer waistline.
       

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         Leafy greens: "Not only are leafy greens a great way to add volume to your meals without the calories, but they are chock full of nutrients (vitamins A, C, K, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and fiber) and easy to incorporate into your day," says Mary Dinehart-Perry, a registered dietitian and clinical trials director for Zone Labs, Inc. She recommends swapping out iceberg for spinach in your salads, adding mustard greens or collards to your soups, or dishing up a side of sautéed kale to fill up, fight disease, and look fab in your bikini
         
         

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          Peppermint: "Peppermint works to reduce bloating and indigestion and soothe the GI tract all around," says Rachel Berman, registered dietitian and Director of Nutrition for CalorieCount.com. Try mixing up some iced peppermint tea or add a few mint leaves to your water.
           

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             Yogurt is magic for the tum. Nutritionist Rania Batayneh recommends yogurt, “The probiotic bacteria in most yogurts help keep your digestive system healthy, which translates into a lower incidence of gas, bloating, and constipation, which can keep your tummy looking flat." Ideally go for the plain-flavoured yogurts, that don’t contain added sugars.
             
             

            
               Twist dancing
            
            Aao twist karein…quite literally! This song comes to our mind while talking about this exercise. It is more of a dance than a workout. Just play your favourite number and dance off those love handles with this twisting exercise. The trick is to incorporate as many twists as possible.
            
            You do not have to be calorie-phobic to live in a perfect body. Just some tricks with a little discipline is the key to a healthy living!
             
             
           

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             Oblique sit ups
            
            Though, quite similar to the traditional sit up, the oblique one is more challenging to do. Just lay straight on your back. Make your knees bend towards one side of your body. Now, perform the exercise by bringing your chest up towards the sky. Repeat this in two sets of 10. This exercise basically puts pressure on the sides of your belly. 
             

            
             Yoga twists
            
            Doing crunches for your abs do not always melt those stubborn love handles. Learn and practice yoga, especially the side twists. These side twists not only tone the muscles but also tuck in the bulging fat from the sides. Poses that you must try are Parivritti trikonasana (Twisted triangle) and Kati Chakrasana (Standing spinal twist) along with Kapalbhati pranayam (quick exhalations).
             

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             You are what you eat
            
            When trying to get rid of love handles, altering your diet can do wonders. Avoid white foods such as rice, milk, sugar and salt, as they are empty calories. Substitute it with coloured foods like spinach, carrot, grapes and tomatoes etc. Also include lemon water with honey in your diet, preferably replacing the aerated drinks and canned juices.

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              Perfect that posture

              Maintaining the right posture goes a long way in helping you trim down your belly, especially that excessive fat around the abdomen. Always stand straight with your weight distributed on both feet. Do not forget to pull your belly button close to your spine, while keeping the shoulders relaxed. The head and neck have to be in one line.
              
              
              
               You already have a bulging tummy, but cannot resist licking your fingers at a food stall? The mere sight of hot samosas makes you forget all your weight loss resolutions? With all your love for aaloo tikkis and chole bhature, what tends to get often neglected is our body. We usually start complaining of an unsexy body, belly bulge and love handles, but never work towards reducing it. So, follow our simple tricks and get ready to embark on a stomach crunch marathon.
              
              
              
              
               
              Olive Oil: Mono-unsaturated fats like those found in olive oil, work to reduce belly fat and don’t increase calorie intake
               
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