How to Get Rid of the Hip Saddle Bags

Many women have extra fat on their hips called "saddlebags." Saddlebags can make a woman very self-conscious, especially when she wears a bathing suit. The right amount of exercise and a healthy diet can help reduce pockets of fat all over the body. Exercise also has benefits besides controlling your weight. It builds muscle tissue and helps reduce inches, making your body look firmer, according to the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition.

Instructions

• 1

  Fitness Magazine recommends this exercise: Stand with a band tied around your ankles while keeping your feet hip-width apart. Working against the resistance of the band, step to the left side as far as possible. While keeping your torso upright and your toes pointed slightly downward, bring your right foot to meet your left, then lift your left leg out to the side as high as you can. Repeat 12 to 15 times on each side.

• 2

  Go for a nice jog every day for 30 minutes. Jogging will work all the muscles in your body, including your hips, while burning fat.

• 3

  Do strength training exercises to tone all your muscles. Exercises like lunges and squats target your hip area. To do a squat, stand straight with knees relaxed, feet hip-width apart and toes slightly turned out. Fold your hands and inhale. Bend your knees while tilting your hips back, and slowly lower yourself. Try to squat down until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Lift up slowly by pushing with your heels, exhaling as you rise. Do three sets of 10. To do a lunge, choose one leg and step forward about 1 to 2 feet. Bend your front knee until it's over the top of the foot. As you bend this knee, lift the heel of the opposite leg. Hold for five seconds. Repeat with your other leg. Do three sets of 10 for each leg.

• 4

  Eat a healthy diet. According to Workouts for Women, exercise alone will not get rid of saddlebags. You also need to plan a low-calorie diet. Fill your meals with fruits, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains. Avoid foods that are high in fat, such as pizza and hamburgers.