4 Ways to Beat Post-Vacation Pudge

Summer's nearly over, and while that means we no longer have to worry about looking hot in that adorable swimsuit, it also means that our bikini bods may be a little worse for the summer wear. We're talking vacation weight, put on while snacking on chips at the beach house or indulging in a few too many barbecues.

We caught up with Michelle Lovitt (trainer extraordinaire of Courteney Cox), who gave us four tips melt away about 2 percent of body fat in two to three (very active) weeks. In other words, before the tan lines fade.

1. Interval train five days a week for a half hour with a heart-rate monitor — working 80 percent of maximum heart rate during sprints and never dip-ping below 60 percent during "rest." Find your target heart rate.

2. Do all your resistance training — squats, planks, sit-ups, reverse lunges — on a BOSU ball. "It forces you to use more muscle to keep stable," Lovitt says. Alternate between 15 to 30 minutes of upper- and lower-body exercises every day.

3. Incorporate 5- to 10-pound hand weights into all lower-body exercises to maximize muscle use and boostcalorie burn.

4. Mix up your routine by playing a high-intensity sport at least once a week. Cox, for instance, hits the tennis courts on weekends. Or, you might find pole dancing is for you.


Want more? Try these 10-Minute Fat Burning Exercises

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