By Laurel House for ExerciseTV
Set a goal this holiday season. Maybe you're going to maintain your weight, maybe you're going to allow yourself to gain five pounds. I like to set my standards high. My goal is to fit into my skinny jeans between Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you're also an ambitious gal, read on for tips to squeeze into those skinny jeans!
Squeezing into your skinny jeans isn’t just about downsizing your butt. Your thighs have a lot to do with it too.
Saddlebags (those pockets of fat puffing out from your thighs) have the tendency to stick onto women both fat and thin. The best way to quell the swell is by combining both cardio and target toning. And my favorite way to hone in on that specific spot is with Pilates. Since the movements are so focused, you can really feel the burn. Literally, you will notice the area heat up as you move through the exercises.
One of the queens of Pilates is Lizbeth Garcia, ExerciseTV trainer and founder of Tilcia Studios. Here are a few of her tips on how to look sexy in your jeans now:
1. Find The Right Fit
Wear jeans that emphasize your best assets. Choose jeans that make your butt look tighter, legs look longer, and waist line slimmer. Every brand, cut and style is slightly different so spend some time really which is the best fit for your specific body type.
2. Ooze Confidence
Look confident and you will feel confident. Feel confident and you will look confident. Start the cycle with good posture- abs pulled in and shoulders back and down.
3. Wear Heels
High heels makes everyone look sexier in jeans. Walk tall like a superstar. Work it!
But of course, more than fit, attitude and accessories is the shape and size of your thighs. Lizbeth gave us these 4 Pilates-centric thigh-targeted tips to minimize the overstuffed sausage sensation and start looking sexy in those jeans- stat! Or try her No Buts Butt Blast on ExerciseTV.
4. Side Lying – Scissors Kicks
-Lie on your side, support your head by resting on your arm.
-Top arm supports your torso from moving.
-Exhale, pull abs in towards your spine and lift both legs off the floor.
-Inhale, top leg kick front while lower leg kicks back.
-Exhale, switch legs again.
-Keep switching legs with each inhale and exhale 20 repetitions.
Keep your upper body steady while legs are kicking
5. Bridging – Single Leg Kick
-Lie on your back with both knees bent, arms by your side.
-Exhale, pull your abs in towards your spine then roll your hips and back off the floor.
-Resting on your shoulders, arms pressing into floor, Inhale, extend one leg straight to start position.
-Exhale, kick the leg up (flexed foot)
-Inhale, kick the leg down (pointed foot) 10 repetitions.
-Lower leg, upper back, mid-back, and finally hips down to the floor.
-Repeat on other leg.
Keep your torso steady
Works: abs, butt and sculpts your legs
6. Side Kneeling Leg Circles
-Kneeling on your side, support your upper body with one arm straight directly under your shoulder on the floor.
-Support your lower body with one knee bent resting on the floor.
-Exhale, lift straight leg off floor to hip level.
-Inhale, move the leg front, back, around in a full circle 10 reps in each direction.
Keep your upper body and hips steady
Works: abs, butt and thighs
7. Balance Control Front
-Kneel with all four limbs on floor.
-Exhale, extend one leg straight back (toe tucked under).
-Inhale, extend other leg straight back into a push-up position with straight arms.
That is your starting position
-Inhale twice (through nose) while leg pulses twice.
-Exhale, lower straight leg back to start position.
-Repeat with other leg.
-Alternating between the legs, do 10 repetitions on each leg
Works: abs, legs, butt, arms
You’re still reading? Get to work!
Target your core and lower body with The Skinny Jeans workout DVD. Get it in the ExerciseTV Store and get into your skinny jeans!
