Love handles, muffin top, a spare tire; whatever you choose to call it, that extra weight that accumulates around your midsection is a nuisance for many gym-goers.
But those love handles are not something you have to live with if you’re willing to reduce your calorie intake and do some moderate exercise like jumping rope.
How do you jump rope to exercise love handles? Well, read on.
Losing fat and maintaining proper body weight involves a combination of exercise and reduced calorie intake. Focusing simply on reducing calories is insufficient in dealing with love handles because as soon as you return your calorie intake normal level, they’ll undoubtedly come back.
Likewise, just using exercise alone is insufficient because your body adjusts to the energy output you produce from exercise. You’ll lose weight to start with, but then you’ll plateau and bring the love handles home again.
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How Do I Combine Dieting and Jump Roping to Get Rid of Love Handles?
The first thing you need to deal with is calorie intake.
Reducing calorie intake below what your body needs for normal activity is the key to losing weight, regardless of where those calories come from. Search online for a tool that will help you determine roughly how many calories you need during the course of the average day. Reduce that number by several hundred, but continue to eat the foods you enjoy.
Jumping rope comes into the equation as a means of toning your thighs, glutes, abs, and arms so that the increased muscle fiber burns calories more efficiently. The idea behind this is to create a more efficient metabolism so that when you do return to your normal calorie intake, you don’t put the love handles back on again. Jumping rope is a great cardio exercise that works out many muscle groups.
Is There a Specific Way to Jump Rope to Exercise Love Handles?
Unlike other forms of weight training-based exercise, there is no specific method governing the way you should jump rope. Just do it. Start with a plain old skipping rope long enough for you to clear both head and feet without having to alter your posture. You might want to purchase one at a sporting goods store so that it has handles attached.
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Is It Better to Walk or to Jump Rope to Exercise Love Handles?
While walking is one of the best exercises you can do for your overall health, jumping rope has the added advantage of being more demanding on the cardiovascular system. While a brisk 15-minute walk will do wonders for your health compared to not exercising at all, 15 minutes with the jump rope will provide a more intense workout which will yield results faster.
Your jump roping routine should be a brisk skip that keeps you moving for 15 to 20 minutes. Do this five to six days per week, resting on the other days.
Once your love handles disappear and you return your calorie intake to its recommended level, you may want to reduce your jump roping and supplement with walking. Try a brisk walk three days per week, a brisk jump roping on alternate days, and rest on the seventh day. Combining the two exercises breaks up the monotony and allows some of your muscle groups to rest on walking days.
Love handles are a reality of life for most people as they enter middle age. But for those who want to be rid of these unsightly fat deposits, it’s entirely possible. Just remember the rule of consulting your doctor before beginning any exercise regimen. He or she will know whether you have any health issues that would restrict you from jumping rope.
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