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10 Quick Exercises to Firm Up Loose Skin in 10 Days

Here are ten ways to help beat loose skin.

FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Expert-Recommended

We've consulted with our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians to bring you informed recommendations for food products, health aids and nutritional goods to safely and successfully guide you toward making better diet and nutrition choices. We strive to only recommend products that adhere to our philosophy of eating better while still enjoying what you eat.

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FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Expert-Recommended

We've consulted with our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians to bring you informed recommendations for food products, health aids and nutritional goods to safely and successfully guide you toward making better diet and nutrition choices. We strive to only recommend products that adhere to our philosophy of eating better while still enjoying what you eat.

Saggy skin can happen for many reasons—age, weight loss, genetics, pregnancy and childbirth… the list goes on. While severe loose skin can be problematic to deal with, certain exercises can help form up milder loose skin, and make a difference to confidence and appearance. “As we age, the outer layer of our skin—the part we see and feel—gets thicker and drier while the inner layer thins, resulting in flakiness, wrinkling, and sagging,” Stanley Kovak, M.D., founder of Kovak Dermatology and Laser Institute in Illinois, tells Silver Sneakers. Here are 10 ways to help beat loose skin.


Regular Exercise

Citizen in grey sport trousers holding the kettlebell between her legs by the handle with both handsShutterstock

Get moving! Any exercise helps improve skin appearance. “More blood flow to the area allows more oxygen and nutrients to reach the skin, which makes it easier for your body to generate new, healthy skin cells,” dermatologist Neal Schultz, MD, tells Silver Sneakers.

Squats

Fit woman practicing fitness, doing bodyweight squat exercise.Shutterstock

Squats can help firm up thighs and buttocks. “You can find many guided leg workouts online through sites such as YouTube or look into classes at your local gym. Within a few weeks, you may find any sagging or cellulite near your thighs is much less noticeable as you begin to develop muscle and possibly lose fat,” according to LeifRogersMD.com.

Lunges

Sport,And,Healthy,Lifestyle.,Fit,Black,Woman,Doing,Curtsy,LungesShutterstock

Lunges help tighten up legs and glutes. As they help build muscle, lunges may help improve the appearance of sagging skin. “When you regularly squat, you strengthen and build the muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments that make up our joints involved in squats,” says strength and conditioning coach Jake Boly for BarBend.

RELATED: 14 Fruits That Are Secret Weapons for Losing Weight

Bicep Curls

Woman training in gym room ready for fitness biceps exercisesShutterstock

Bicep curls can help firm up upper arms. “Bicep curls are a great way to build muscle tone, improve balance and prevent elbow problems,” according to ASFA. “They can also help you gain extra strength in your arms so that you can easily lift heavy objects.”

Leg Lifts

Fit woman doing hanging leg lifts abs muscles exercise on horisontal bar working out outside.Shutterstock

Leg lifts help firm up the lower abs and inner thighs. Working on strengthening inner thighs, also known as adductor muscles, is extremely important for both men and women, and has many unexpected benefits,” board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Steven Struhl tells NBC News.

Planks

Strong Beautiful Fitness Girl in Athletic Workout Clothes is Doing a Plank Exercise While Using a Stopwatch on Her Phone. She is Training at Home in Her Living Room with Cozy Interior.Shutterstock

Planks work your deep core muscles, which help firm up the skin on top.“ The plank is one of those jack-of-all-trades exercises you can carry in your back pocket to strengthen not only your core but also your chest, arms, back, legs, and booty,” NASM-certified trainer Nicole Blades tells Prevention. “A plank with proper form can help improve your posture, too. The best part is, this dynamic move doesn’t require any equipment. It’s a total bodyweight exercise.”

RELATED: 12 Mistakes to Avoid in When You Want to Lose Weight

Mountain Climbers

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Mountain climbers are a full-body exercise that help tighten up the triceps. “Mountain climbers are a great way to work your core, particularly your hip flexors, and abdominals,” says the ASFA. “This is useful for your posture and back health and for preventing injury.”

Bicycle Crunch

Young sporty woman practicing, doing crisscross exercise, bicycle crunches pose, working out, wearing sportswear, black pants and top, indoor full length, white sport studioShutterstock

Bicycle crunches can help tone and tighten abs and obliques for that six-pack look. “Bicycle crunches are a great exercise to strengthen your abdominal muscles,” says the ASFA. “You can perform them in many different ways, and they will also help you lose weight.”

Reverse Crunch

Cute girl with dark hair wearing pink snickers, dark leggings and black short top doing reverse crunch at gym, fitness, white wall and wooden floor.Shutterstock

Reverse crunches are great for targeting lower ab muscles. “Don’t let your knees move past your hips too quickly,” certified trainer Stephanie Mansour tells TODAY. “Control the movement of your lower body and move purposefully to engage your core more effectively.

RELATED: 7 Benefits of Green Tea in Detoxifying and Fat Loss

Tricep Dips

Woman exercising working out triceps and biceps doing dips with own bodyweightShutterstock

Tricep dips help tone and tighten shoulders and arms. No dumbbells needed! “Triceps dips are a bodyweight exercise that helps to build strength in your arms, shoulders, and chest,” Peloton instructor Tunde Oyeneyin tells Peloton’s The Output. “It calls on stabilizing muscles, which aid in supporting the upper body, which makes this a great exercise to perform not only for aesthetics but also functional purposes.”

💪🔥Body Booster: Lose weight slowly and steadily to avoid excessive loose skin.

More For You

Runner woman stretching legs with lunge hamstring stretch exercise leg stretches. Fitness female athlete relaxing on beach doing a warm-up before her strength training cardio workout.
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FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Expert-Recommended

We've consulted with our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians to bring you informed recommendations for food products, health aids and nutritional goods to safely and successfully guide you toward making better diet and nutrition choices. We strive to only recommend products that adhere to our philosophy of eating better while still enjoying what you eat.

Saggy skin can happen for many reasons—age, weight loss, genetics, pregnancy and childbirth… the list goes on. While severe loose skin can be problematic to deal with, certain exercises can help form up milder loose skin, and make a difference to confidence and appearance. “As we age, the outer layer of our skin—the part we see and feel—gets thicker and drier while the inner layer thins, resulting in flakiness, wrinkling, and sagging,” Stanley Kovak, M.D., founder of Kovak Dermatology and Laser Institute in Illinois, tells Silver Sneakers. Here are 10 ways to help beat loose skin.


Regular Exercise

Citizen in grey sport trousers holding the kettlebell between her legs by the handle with both handsShutterstock

Get moving! Any exercise helps improve skin appearance. “More blood flow to the area allows more oxygen and nutrients to reach the skin, which makes it easier for your body to generate new, healthy skin cells,” dermatologist Neal Schultz, MD, tells Silver Sneakers.

Squats

Fit woman practicing fitness, doing bodyweight squat exercise.Shutterstock

Squats can help firm up thighs and buttocks. “You can find many guided leg workouts online through sites such as YouTube or look into classes at your local gym. Within a few weeks, you may find any sagging or cellulite near your thighs is much less noticeable as you begin to develop muscle and possibly lose fat,” according to LeifRogersMD.com.

Lunges

Sport,And,Healthy,Lifestyle.,Fit,Black,Woman,Doing,Curtsy,LungesShutterstock

Lunges help tighten up legs and glutes. As they help build muscle, lunges may help improve the appearance of sagging skin. “When you regularly squat, you strengthen and build the muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments that make up our joints involved in squats,” says strength and conditioning coach Jake Boly for BarBend.

RELATED: 14 Fruits That Are Secret Weapons for Losing Weight

Bicep Curls

Woman training in gym room ready for fitness biceps exercisesShutterstock

Bicep curls can help firm up upper arms. “Bicep curls are a great way to build muscle tone, improve balance and prevent elbow problems,” according to ASFA. “They can also help you gain extra strength in your arms so that you can easily lift heavy objects.”

Leg Lifts

Fit woman doing hanging leg lifts abs muscles exercise on horisontal bar working out outside.Shutterstock

Leg lifts help firm up the lower abs and inner thighs. Working on strengthening inner thighs, also known as adductor muscles, is extremely important for both men and women, and has many unexpected benefits,” board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Steven Struhl tells NBC News.

Planks

Strong Beautiful Fitness Girl in Athletic Workout Clothes is Doing a Plank Exercise While Using a Stopwatch on Her Phone. She is Training at Home in Her Living Room with Cozy Interior.Shutterstock

Planks work your deep core muscles, which help firm up the skin on top.“ The plank is one of those jack-of-all-trades exercises you can carry in your back pocket to strengthen not only your core but also your chest, arms, back, legs, and booty,” NASM-certified trainer Nicole Blades tells Prevention. “A plank with proper form can help improve your posture, too. The best part is, this dynamic move doesn’t require any equipment. It’s a total bodyweight exercise.”

RELATED: 12 Mistakes to Avoid in When You Want to Lose Weight

Mountain Climbers

,,Fitness,Female,,mountain, climber,exercise,workout,healthShutterstock

Mountain climbers are a full-body exercise that help tighten up the triceps. “Mountain climbers are a great way to work your core, particularly your hip flexors, and abdominals,” says the ASFA. “This is useful for your posture and back health and for preventing injury.”

Bicycle Crunch

Young sporty woman practicing, doing crisscross exercise, bicycle crunches pose, working out, wearing sportswear, black pants and top, indoor full length, white sport studioShutterstock

Bicycle crunches can help tone and tighten abs and obliques for that six-pack look. “Bicycle crunches are a great exercise to strengthen your abdominal muscles,” says the ASFA. “You can perform them in many different ways, and they will also help you lose weight.”

Reverse Crunch

Cute girl with dark hair wearing pink snickers, dark leggings and black short top doing reverse crunch at gym, fitness, white wall and wooden floor.Shutterstock

Reverse crunches are great for targeting lower ab muscles. “Don’t let your knees move past your hips too quickly,” certified trainer Stephanie Mansour tells TODAY. “Control the movement of your lower body and move purposefully to engage your core more effectively.

RELATED: 7 Benefits of Green Tea in Detoxifying and Fat Loss

Tricep Dips

Woman exercising working out triceps and biceps doing dips with own bodyweightShutterstock

Tricep dips help tone and tighten shoulders and arms. No dumbbells needed! “Triceps dips are a bodyweight exercise that helps to build strength in your arms, shoulders, and chest,” Peloton instructor Tunde Oyeneyin tells Peloton’s The Output. “It calls on stabilizing muscles, which aid in supporting the upper body, which makes this a great exercise to perform not only for aesthetics but also functional purposes.”

💪🔥Body Booster: Lose weight slowly and steadily to avoid excessive loose skin.

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FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
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Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

Certain facial exercises could really help reduce wrinkles—all you need is a little time and good technique. Research from Northwestern University shows that women aged 40-65 showed improvements in skin appearance after doing facial yoga exercises. “This study was the first to look at facial exercises and the appearance of aging,” dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal, MD, tells the Cleveland Clinic. “In considering the results, keep in mind that it’s a small group of highly motivated participants who were willing to do 30 minutes facial exercises daily.” Read on to learn more about exercises that could help reduce wrinkles.


Facial Massage

Cute mid aged woman receiving a professional therapeutic facial massage and lymphatic drainage, while lying on a towel in a award-winning health massage center, series of various techniquesShutterstock

Even a quick massage can help reduce wrinkles, experts say. “Anytime you bring blood flow into an area, it gets your capillaries (blood vessels) moving, which can promote a relaxation of the muscles and get fluids moving,” massage therapist Vickie Bodner, LMT, tells the Cleveland Clinic. “Sometimes, people get puffy under the eyes or in the sinus area. Practicing self-massage on the face may help you release unwanted fluids.”

Face Yoga

The girl performs facial yoga-doing exercises to smooth out the nasolabial folds and strengthen the facial muscles. The concept of anti-aging and self-care. Close up, soft focus.Shutterstock

A recent study shows 30 minutes of facial yoga exercises can make participants look three years younger. “Now there is some evidence that facial exercises may improve facial appearance and reduce some visible signs of aging,” says Murad Alam, MD, who worked with Gary Sikorski of Happy Face Yoga. “The exercises enlarge and strengthen the facial muscles, so the face becomes firmer and more toned and shaped like a younger face.”

Stimulate Lymphatic System

Young woman practicing breathing yoga pranayama outdoors in moss forest on background of waterfall. Unity with nature conceptShutterstock

Bodner shares a lymphatic system stimulation to help possibly drain toxins from the skin:

“Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths — in through your nose, out through your mouth — to relax your face and your body.

Place your hands at the base of your neck.

Using light pressure, sweep your hands between your neck and your collarbone, slowly swooping them down toward your midline.

Repeat three times.”

RELATED:5 Foods That Reduce Belly Fat

The Cheek Lifter

Mature woman in pajamas doing face building exercise on blue background, closeupShutterstock

Here is one of the wrinkle-reducing exercises from Happy Face Yoga: “Open your mouth to form an ‘O,’ and fold your upper lip over your teeth. Smile to lift cheek muscles up, then put your fingers on the top part of the cheek before releasing the cheek muscles to lower them. Lift the cheeks back up, and repeat by lowering and lifting 10 times.”

Related: This Is Exactly How to Lose Body Fat This Year

Use Sunscreen!

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Whether you try facial exercises or not, one method is a tried and tested way of preserving skin health and appearance: SPF. “For those who are still skeptical but wish to try something more evidence-based to maintain youthfulness, I have one simple suggestion: use sunscreen,” Kristina Liu, MD, MHS, tells Harvard Health. “You may roll your eyes at the suggestion of sunscreen from a dermatologist, but there is an enormous body of research that demonstrates the sun's role in prematurely aging our skin.”

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This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

We've all been there—wanting to transform our bodies but feeling overwhelmed by complicated workout routines and restrictive diets. As a fitness trainer with over 15 years of experience and as the Founder & CEO of GYMGUYZ, I've seen this struggle firsthand. The good news? You don't need fancy equipment or hours in the gym to see real changes in your body. These five exercises can deliver noticeable results in just 30 days if you're consistent. Ready to transform your body with exercises you can do anywhere? Let's get started.

The Challenges of Quick Body Transformation

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There are a handful of challenges typically faced by people trying to transform their bodies quickly. It breaks down into three categories – dietary changes, exercise and fitness, and other. Under the dietary changes, it is common to struggle with cravings and restriction, time constraints with meal prepping, and seeking healthy alternatives. Exercise and fitness challenges include time constraints, motivation, consistency, injury risk, and overtraining. While these are the challenges that most people typically are cognizant of, most people also find themselves comparing themselves to others, having a lack of knowledge, and maintaining long-term changes. With all of these challenges piled on top of each other, it can be a frightening experience to seek body transformation quickly. Below are five exercises that work.

RELATED:5-Minute Walking Workouts for Women Over 40 to Burn Fat at Home

1. Planks: Your Core's Best Friend

Working,Her,Core,Muscles,To,The,Max,With,Some,Planks.Shutterstock

Simple steps to do it right: Lie flat on your stomach. Raise into a push-up position. Keep your back aligned with your hands directly under your shoulders. Hold that position.

How many times to do it each week: Perform planks three to four times per week, increasing the time each session as you get stronger.

Why it works so well: This exercise utilizes multiple muscle groups, with an emphasis on the core, and promotes isometric strength. It helps to improve your stability and posture, too.

How to make it easier or harder: Make planks easier simply by lowering the time of the hold. Another way is to perform the exercise on your knees or forearms.

Planks can be more difficult by challenging yourself to longer holds. You can also place your hands or feet on elevated surfaces. A final challenge would be to place a weight on your back to hold more than just your bodyweight.

Common mistakes to avoid: It is critical to avoid dipping your hips or raising them too high. Keep your body in a straight line throughout the hold for the best results.

2. Push-Ups: Full Body Power

African sportswoman doing push-ups on the bridge. Strong exercise.Shutterstock

Simple steps to do it right: Lie flat on your stomach. Place your hands directly under your shoulders. Push off the ground to a plank position. Lower yourself back down, then return up to the starting position.

How many times to do it each week: Push-up focus will depend on your fitness level, but you still want to perform this exercise three to five days a week. As a beginner, the goal is two to three sets of eight to 12 push-ups. An intermediate level would be three to four sets of 15-20, and an advanced level is four to five sets of 20-30.

Why it works so well: As an adaptable, compound exercise, push-ups engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously – upper body, core, and glutes. Push-ups stimulate muscle growth in the targeted area, but they also increase heart rate and blood flow for cardiovascular benefits.

How to make it easier or harder: This exercise can be made easier by performing it on your knees or standing up against a wall.

Challenge yourself by adding weight on your back to make this more than a bodyweight workout. Similarly to planks, elevate your arms or feet on a surface to increase the difficulty.

Common mistakes to avoid: Similar to lunges, keep your body in a straight line during the exercise. Focus on not flaring your elbows out as you lower to the ground.

3. Squats

Photo of attractive concentrated woman 20s in tracksuit squatting near sport mat during workout on boardwalk at seasideShutterstock

Simple steps to do it right: Place your feet shoulder-width apart. Hold your arms straight in front of you. Bend at the knees until you reach 90 degrees. Stand back up.

How many times to do it each week: The goal for squats should be three to five days a week, ultimately completing three to five sets of eight to 12 repetitions within each workout.

Why it works so well: Like push-ups, squats are also a compound exercise that focuses on the glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, and core. This helps to improve both strength and endurance for better performance in daily activities.

How to make it easier or harder: Focus on form and engaging your core at the start. This can be done by placing a chair under you to create a natural pause in your motion and giving you guidance on when you are low enough.

Add in variations of squats such as split squats, Bulgarian split squats, or pistol squats to feel an extra burn.

Common mistakes to avoid: A common mistake to avoid is leaning your weight forward. Remember to keep your weight back on your heels by sitting down as you squat. It is also important to keep your back straight during the exercise to avoid potential injury.

RELATED:Tone Sagging Arms in 2 Weeks With These 5 Exercises

4. Lunges

Sport,And,Healthy,Lifestyle.,Fit,Black,Woman,Doing,Curtsy,LungesShutterstock

Simple steps to do it right: Stand straight up with your feet shoulder-width apart. Place your hands on your hips. Step forward with one foot. Squat down until you are at 90 degrees. Stand back up and bring the front foot back to the start position. Repeat with the opposite leg.

How many times to do it each week: Focus on doing lunges three to four times a week with two to three sets of eight to 12 repetitions per set.

Why it works so well: Lunges activate your core and stabilizer muscles to improve strength, balance, and stability. As an exercise, it is meant to focus on your quads, glutes, and hamstrings.

How to make it easier or harder: Try starting with reverse lunges to focus on your balance and form before moving to a regular lunge. Proper form is key to maintaining balance throughout the exercise for it to be easier.

Make lunges harder by adding plyometrics like jumping, doing a deficit lunge, or elevated lunge.

Common mistakes to avoid: Two common mistakes are the size of the step forward – too big or too small – and leaning the front knee over your toes. These will lead to a less effective workout that limits your results.

5. Glute Bridges

Attractive blonde woman in sports beige leggings and tank top, practicing yoga, doing Glute bridge exercise, dvi pada pithasana pose, home workout.Shutterstock

Simple steps to do it right: Lie on your back with your knees up and feet flat on the ground. Place your arms straight by your side. Raise your hips up, then slowly lower back to the ground.

How many times to do it each week: Perform glute bridges three to four times a week with three to four sets each day of 15-25 repetitions.

Why it works so well: While glute bridges primarily target the glutes and hamstrings, they also work the core to improve hip and lower back stability. This leads to a toned lower body and improved posture.

How to make it easier or harder: Glute bridges can be made easier by bringing your feet closer to your body and reducing your range of motion.

This exercise can be made harder by adding weight over your hips or a resistance band. You can also add a pause at the top to hold the position longer.

Common mistakes to avoid: Remember to engage your glutes to target the intended muscle group. You also want to avoid hyperextending your back to avoid injury or pain in your lower back.

Beyond Exercise: Keys to Success

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Proper nutrition, sleep, and recovery are critical complements to seeing results with this program. The right nutrition will continue to fuel your body, provide protein, and hydration. Sleep improves your cognitive function while repairing and growing your muscles. Having the right recovery routine helps muscles to recover and rebuild. Try implementing active recovery to improve blood flow and reduce muscle soreness.

What to Expect After 30 Days

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After 30 days, you will see improvements in strength, endurance, and muscle tone. The muscle tone will primarily be in the core, legs, and upper body.

RELATED:I Got My Best Body After 50 and Here’s How You Can, Too

How to Stay Motivated

Happy muscular build woman listening music over earphones while running in nature. Copy space.

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Set realistic goals that can lead to progression. While the results will show through the work, set rep goals that you want to aim to reach each week. This will show immediate gratification and allow you to celebrate the little wins along the way.

Stay motivated and consistent. Be disciplined in sticking with the plan that got you through your 30-day transformation to see continued results. Pair that with proper form and progression to reach your full potential

Start Your Transformation Today

Athletic woman tying shoelaces on her sneakers in locker room at the gym. Copy space.

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These five simple exercises might not seem revolutionary, but their power lies in their simplicity and effectiveness. Give this program a solid 30 days of consistent effort, and you'll be amazed at what your body can achieve. Remember, transformation isn't just about the exercises—it's about showing up for yourself each day and celebrating every small victory along the way. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster.

Liz Hilliard
​Bodyweight Squats for Better Balance
Copyright Liz Hilliard
Expert-Recommended

We've consulted with our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians to bring you informed recommendations for food products, health aids and nutritional goods to safely and successfully guide you toward making better diet and nutrition choices. We strive to only recommend products that adhere to our philosophy of eating better while still enjoying what you eat.

Summer is approaching fast, and many of us are looking for ways to feel stronger and more confident in our bodies. As a fitness expert and founder of Hilliard Studio Method, I've helped thousands of people transform their bodies with effective, sustainable routines. My 8-week guide will help you build strength, increase energy, and feel your best this summer season.

Time to Pump Up Your Walks

Liz_Hilliard19I’m 70 but Look 40 Thanks to These 7 At-Home ExercisesCopyright Liz Hilliard

For the next two weeks we will focus on increasing the intensity of your walks and introduce 5 new exercises. The point of the daily walk is to keep your body moving, focus on yourself and your mental health and help you feel more creative and energized.

  • Increase your walks this week by 5-10 minutes and next week another 5-10 minutes.
  • Walk with a friend so you can chat and walk at a pace that makes you slightly breathless.

Your Daily Exercise Routine Starts Now

Liz Hilliard​Keep Moving Your BodyCopyright Liz Hilliard

Here are the 5 exercises to complete daily with one day of rest each week. Focus on improving your form and increasing the number of repetitions by the end of the next two weeks. Remember to record your reps/timing and try to increase your totals at the end of each week.

1. Squats – Build Your Lower Body Foundation

Liz Hilliard

Copyright Liz Hilliard

Stand with feet slightly wider than your hips. Keep heels heavy and toes light. Lock in your core muscles and stand tall through your spine, keeping shoulders away from ears. Sit your tailbone back and down and hinge your chest forward while swinging your arms forward in front of your chest. Drive through the heels and squeeze through the glutes to raise back to standing, lowering arms by hips. Do not thrust the hips forward when coming to standing.

Work up to 20 consecutive reps. If this is too challenging or you feel unstable, practice sitting down and standing up from a chair without using your hands. When you are ready to add-on, place light weights in your hands.

On the final squat, stay low and press into the balls of the feet to raise the heels and try to balance for 10 seconds at a time. You should feel this in your calves, thighs and core.

2. Reach to Plank - Your Full-Body Energizer

Liz Hilliard​3. Side Plank - Sculpt Your WaistlineCopyright Liz Hilliard

After your last squat, return to standing. Reach arms to the ceiling overhead, squat and place hands on the floor under shoulders. Step one leg back at a time into a plank position. Make sure to keep your neck long, back flat and abdominals pulled in throughout. Step back up one leg at a time, press to standing and reach arms overhead. Think very safe, controlled, and low-impact burpee.

Work up to 10 consecutive reps. Take this as slowly or as quickly as you need without losing your form. The point is to energize the arms at the top and engage in a straight line with a strong plank at the bottom. If this is easy, keep adding one more rep at a time.

3. Side Plank - Sculpt Your Waistline

Liz Hilliard

Copyright Liz Hilliard

From tabletop all fours, there are three positions to start and work up to. Begin by keeping your Left hand under your shoulder and kickstand your Left leg shin to the side so your Left knee is directly under your hip. Pull your Right shoulder and hip back so they are stacked; shoulder over wrist, hip over knee, and top hip stacked over bottom hip. Raise Right outer thigh in the air until it's in line with your hip.

If this feels stable, take your Right foot in front of your body and press it into the floor and extend the body Left leg straight out of the hip on the floor with the blade of your Left foot on the floor so your head and heels are in one long line and you can use your front Right foot to help lift your Left hip higher to engage your obliques.

If this feels stable, float your top Right leg up to the sky for a full side plank. To keep your core fully engaged keep hips stacked.

Time how long you can hold this plank. Repeat on the other side and take slow deep breaths while you continue to pull your center core and waistband in. Try to hold a little bit longer each day.

4. Glute Bridge - Strengthen Your Backside

Liz Hilliard​2. Reach to Plank - Your Full-Body EnergizerCopyright Liz Hilliard

From side plank, flip over and lie on your back, head and shoulders on the mat, knees bent, feet flat. Squeeze your glute muscles and tuck your hip bones up toward your ribs. It is important to tuck tailbone and curl abdominals in to protect your back and activate your core. Press your feet into the floor and slowly raise glutes up into a bridge. Always keep your mid-back on the mat. You want to feel your hamstrings and glute, not your back.

Roll one vertebrae up and down at a time slowly for 10 reps. On the last one, hold at the top, bring Right knee to chest and extend leg straight to the ceiling and repeat the curl bridge up and down 10 more times. Repeat on the Left leg. Take breaks as needed but try to do this all consecutively. If it is too challenging to do one leg at a time, keep both feet down until you are able.

5. Bicycle Curls - Define Your Abs

Liz Hilliard

Copyright Liz Hilliard

After glute bridge, lower the hips to the floor and place your hands behind your head, elbows wide. You will be curling your chest up off the floor, not pulling your neck up, so the hands here are just to help you support your neck and gently tuck your chin to your chest.

Bend your Right knee and bring it up to your chest as you extend your Left long, hovering it off the floor. Curl up your chest up and twist your torso to your Right knee trying to keep your Right shoulder off the mat. Begin to bicycle the legs in and out and twist your torso to the opposite knee.
To modify, keep your head and shoulders on the mat and focus on your abs. Fully extend your legs with energy and pointed toes. Try to rotate side - to - side for 30 seconds, breaking as needed.
If you can easily do this, add on at the end of 30 seconds by extending your legs together in a straight line out to 45 degrees in the air with your head, shoulders and low back on the mat. Hold this for 8-20 seconds. When ready, you can lift your head and shoulders off the mat and hold the outer thighs or release arms to the ceiling for a hollow body hold from 8-20 seconds.
Make sure to record your time and progress daily!

Feed Your Body Right With Fiber

Liz Hilliard​Deadlifts: The Ultimate Functional ExerciseCopyright Liz Hilliard

Foods high in fiber are important because they keep your blood sugar levels even and give you a feeling of satiation. High fiber foods can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke and aid in digestion.

High fiber foods include:

  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Apples
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Chickpeas
  • Black beans
  • Chia seeds
  • Oatmeal
  • Popcorn
  • Quinoa
  • Berries

And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

About the Author: Liz Hilliard is an author, motivational speaker, podcast co-host, and the founder & CEO of Hilliard Studio Method (HSM).


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​Keep Moving Your Body
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Expert-Recommended

We've consulted with our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians to bring you informed recommendations for food products, health aids and nutritional goods to safely and successfully guide you toward making better diet and nutrition choices. We strive to only recommend products that adhere to our philosophy of eating better while still enjoying what you eat.

Summer is approaching, and if you're like me, you're thinking about feeling confident and strong when the weather heats up. The good news? It's never too late to start. We're now approaching the halfway point of my 10-week "Building a Summer Body" series, and I'm thrilled you're still with me. This isn't just about looking good for a season—it's about setting yourself up for long-term success and health through daily habits that keep you feeling refreshed and strong.

We all hit walls sometimes. The key is recognizing the methods that keep you going and the triggers that get in the way. I've found that accountability is truly the best way to stay on track. Maybe you need an actual sticker chart! We use these for in-studio class challenges, and my clients love earning their workout stickers and having a visual representation of their success. Plus, it keeps things fun!

Ready to transform your body in just 6 weeks? These five simple daily moves will sculpt and strengthen your body while building healthy habits that last.

Your Two-Week Movement Plan

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For the next two weeks, aim for 45-60 minutes of walking 5 days a week. If you haven't increased your time or pace yet, now's the time to commit. If your walks feel easy, try a weighted vest to improve the cardiovascular, muscular, and skeletal benefits. Struggling to get your walks in? Try 20-30 minute quicker walks several times throughout your day.

Get Moving All Day Long

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What other ways can you incorporate more movement?

  • If you live in a walkable community, walk to stores and restaurants
  • Park further from your destination
  • Take the stairs
  • Pace while on the phone
  • During sedentary parts of your day, set an alarm for every 30 minutes and try to crank out some squats or pushups or just pace to get your blood flowing

Your Daily Sculpting Routine

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Complete these 5 exercises in a row on one side/leg, then repeat the entire sequence on the other side/leg. Perform each move 10 times and quickly flow to the next exercise to keep your heart rate up. You can take a 30-60 second break between sides.

Remember to record your reps/timing and try to increase your totals at the end of each week. Allow yourself one rest day each week.

1. Lateral Lunge

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Stand with feet as wide as you can with toes facing forward. Deeply bend your Left knee, send your tailbone back, and hinge your torso forward. Press through Left foot to return to standing, shoulders stacked over hips. Repeat 10 times. Hands can be on hips, at chest in prayer position or swing forward and back as you move.

On the last rep, stay low in the lunge, keeping back flat and core engaged. Begin to raise your Left heel up and down, firing into the calf and thigh muscles. After 10 reps, hold the heel elevated and pulse the hips back and down 10 times. Hold onto a chair or solid surface if you need some balance support.

2. Parallel Railroad Track

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After lateral lunge, stand up and slide your feet in until they are parallel like railroad tracks beneath your knees. Gently rest your hands on a counter until you can balance on your own. Begin to raise your heels up and down pressing into the balls of your feet.

It's important to keep from bobbing up and down. Keep your shoulders still and stacked over your hips and lift the heels by bending the knees. Repeat 10 times.

On the last rep, keep heels lifted and find balance by engaging core and squeezing through quad (thigh) muscles. From here deeply bend your knees traveling low but do not lean. Move slowly down and then slowly all the way up until your legs are straight. You're not trying to sit in a chair at the bottom; never go lower than knees. After 10 reps, hold low at the bottom for 10 seconds.

3. Forward Fold Leg Lifts

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From parallel railroad tracks, place heels back on floor and hinge at the torso over a countertop. Bend at the elbows and stack forearms on top of each other. Rest forehead on arms and pull in your core.

Keep Left standing leg gently bent rather than locked out. Take your Right leg straight back and with a pointed toe lift your leg up to hip level squeezing through glute (bottom) muscles and then tap back to the floor for 10 reps.

On the last lift, hold the Right leg in the air at hip level. Draw 10 circles about the size of a golf ball moving first up then slightly out, down and around. Next, lift the leg up an inch and down an inch slowly for 10 reps.

4. 1 Leg Pushups

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Come down to the floor on a mat or soft surface. Get in pushup position with hands in line with shoulders and wider than shoulders. Legs are zipped up and can be extended straight pushing through the heels or modified with knees on the mat.

Float Right foot in the air with pointed toes and engaged leg muscles. Pull core muscles in and up. Bend at the elbows and lower the chest to elbow level, not lower. Push back up and exhale to return to start to complete 1 rep.

Try to keep Right leg in the air throughout but make sure your left leg and knee feel strong. You can always place the Left knee on the floor for support or do these pushups inclined on a wall or countertop.

5. Plank Runs

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After pushups, bring hands directly under shoulders and with legs extended begin to draw knees one at a time deeply into your chest. Keep your gaze forward, hips low and upper back flat.

If this is comfortable, begin to pick up the pace into a jog or run of the knees in one at a time. To modify, keep the pace slow or hold a plank for as long as you can. Rather than just 10 plank runs, try to run for about 30 seconds.

You will now repeat the entire series exercises 1-5 with the Right leg leading the work. Take breaks and modifications as needed. Listen to your body and enjoy getting stronger each day. Continue to record your time/reps and progress—and give yourself a pat on the back!

Fuel Your Progress: Focus on Omega-3s and Healthy Fats

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Continue finding ways to incorporate protein and fiber into each meal. For the next two weeks, see where you can get more heart-healthy fats into your diet.

Foods high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and omega-3s provide a multitude of benefits for your body including: brain, muscle, joint, and heart health. Certain omega-3s improve eye health, skin and hair health and are anti-inflammatory. Make sure to avoid saturated fats and trans fats.

Green (Go) Fats:

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Extra virgin olive oil, olives, avocado, almonds, cashews, walnuts, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, salmon, sardines, trout

Red (Stop) Fats:

French fries in hot fat in a deep fryer​3. Deep-Fried ItemsShutterstock

Margarine, fried foods, processed baked goods, hydrogenated oils, processed and fatty meats and cheese

Ready to feel stronger, healthier, and more confident? Follow this routine daily, track your progress, and watch your summer body emerge in just 6 weeks! And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster.

Denise Hamdan denisehamdan
I Lost 30 Pounds While Eating These High-Protein Foods
Copyright denisehamdan/TikTok
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Denise Hamdan (@denisehamdan) is a food and fitness influencer on TikTok who regularly shares her tricks and tips on weight loss with her 71,000 followers. Hamdan lost a whopping 30 pounds by following a healthy diet and exercising. In a recent clip, she reveals her diet. “Hey y'all, here's everything I ate in one day to stay lean as someone who lost 30 pounds,” she says, revealing that she eats 1829 calories and 147 g of protein per day. Body Network’s Resident RDN, The Diet Diva, Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, ACSM-CPT, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian, co-author of the Flat Belly Cookbook for Dummies, also weighs in.

Breakfast

“I started my morning with my breakfast cocktail of oxygen and creatine. I just added the products to my showcase. So go check them out. I have my cocktail with Greek yogurt with strawberries and blueberries and a drizzle of granola,” she says. The total calories equal 157 and 14 g protein.

Lunch

“I'm in this phase where I eat nearly the same thing every day, and that's been scrambled eggs with cheese and spinach and some turkey bacon on the side,” she says about her lunch. “And honestly, I'm not complaining because it hits every time. Her total calories are 562 and 52 g protein.

Green Smoothie

Sometimes she will have a smoothie instead. “I made a cute little green smoothie and it was a little messy, but it was good regardless,” she says.

Pre-Workout Snack

“Later, for a pre-workout snack, I made some cute little tuna crackers with the green onion and bell pepper,” she says about the snack totaling 430 calories and 28 g protein.

OxyShred and Pre-Workout

“Then I got to the gym and made my OxyShred and pre-workout combo before hitting cardio and abs,” she continued. “It had me sweating.”

Protein Bar

“Right after my workout I had my favorite dark chocolate pretzel protein bar,” she continued.

Dinner

“And finally for dinner I made this super easy teriyaki chicken bowl over brown rice,” she said, adding that the 560 calorie and 52 gram protein meal is “so delicious and the macros forward are amazing.”

Dessert

“Lastly, for dessert, I had some chocolate 'cause I cannot end the day without a little sweet treat,” she said about the 120 calorie sweet treat.

RDN Weighs in

tara collingwoodI'm a Nutritionist and These 9 High-Protein Snacks Keep My Clients Full While Losing 50 Pounds

Copyright Tara Collingwood

“1800-1900 calories seems like a good amount for her, but I don’t know her exact age, height, weight, or exercise level,” says Collingwood. “147 grams of protein is probably more than she needs, but it is not dangerously high.”

Try Eating More Vegetables, Expert Says

“I see a little bit of fruit on the yogurt and a tiny bit of spinach in eggs and peppers in tuna but overall not much veggie intake (green smoothie was green powder and not real whole veggies) which is proven with only 16 grams of fiber for her overall day,” Collingwood continues. “I would recommend increasing veggies to aim for 25 grams of fiber each day.” She also likes how often she is eating with the meals and snacks in between. “I do worry about the OxyShred. I couldn’t find on their website anywhere exactly how much caffeine is in it and having it later in the day could definitely impact sleep since caffeine has a 5 hour half-life,” she points out.

💪🔥Body Booster: How much protein should you consume per day? Aim for 0.8 to one gram per pound of bodyweight. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week

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20 Things to Avoid While on Ozempic
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Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Ozempic can be highly effective for weight loss, but there are definitely some unpleasant side effects to contend with, as the makers of the drug, Novo Nordisk, warn about. Nausea, constipation, and stomach pain are common, but avoiding certain foods and behaviors can make a difference. Here are 20 things to avoid while on Ozempic, to make the most of the medication and encourage healthy weight loss.

Too Much Sugar

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Added sugars, and sugary sodas, can spike blood sugar. Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, recommends that people avoid sugary foods while on the drug. “If you are taking medication to lower your sugar levels, it is advisable to avoid excess sugar consumption,” Dr. Dina Peralta-Reich, MD, FAAP, FOMA, tells Parade. “Failure to watch what you eat and keep your sugar levels elevated may prevent you from seeing the intended results of the medication,” she shares.”

Ultra-Processed Foods

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Ultra-processed foods can make side effects of Ozempic worse. “This medication slows down gastric emptying and the dense food will move much slower through your intestines, which can make you feel sick [and experience] nausea, vomiting, reflux and abdominal pain,” says Dr. Peralta-Reich. “Someone may not see the results they're looking for either.”

High-Fat Foods

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Foods high in saturated and trans fats can make side effects of Ozempic worse. Some people complain of diarrhea and stomach pains. “I’ve seen an almost dumping syndrome-like response in people taking GLP-1s when they eat simple carbohydrates and high-fat foods,” Dr. Shauna Levy, a specialist in obesity medicine and medical director of the Tulane Bariatric and Weight Loss Center in New Orleans, tells TODAY.

Sitting All Day

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Staying active is important while on Ozempic. Regular exercise is not only important for health, it can prevent muscle loss. The goal should be fat loss, and getting strong.

Not Hydrating

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Don’t forget to drink your water and stay hydrated. Drinking water can help with side effects of Ozempic, especially nausea. Ozempic.com recommends drinking clear or ice-cold drinks to combat any nausea and discomfort.

Too Much Alcohol

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Avoid alcohol on Ozempic, experts advice. “One, it’s just empty calories. Two, it tends to make people make decisions that they otherwise might not make,” says Dr. Levy. “It could increase hunger, and the whole point of GLP-1s, or at least one of the points, is to decrease hunger. So it sort of negates their purpose.”

Be Mindful of Portions

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Ozempic keeps food in the stomach longer, so bigger portions can cause discomfort. “Understanding that overall portions are smaller on these medications, we want to optimize nutritional intake and consume the ‘best’ calories available,” obesity medicine physician Dr. Christopher McGowan tells TODAY. “The focus should be on lean protein, healthy fruits and vegetables, adequate fiber and adequate fluid intake.”

Be Mindful of Coffee

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“Overall, coffee is perfectly fine to consume, but for some individuals can lead to stomach irritation,” says Dr. McGowan. “Therefore, I recommend drinking coffee in moderation, such as one to two cups a day. Patients should also be mindful of calorie-dense additives, like cream and sugar.”

Don’t Skip Meals

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It’s easy to skip meals when on Ozempic, but make sure you’re getting enough nutrition. Some people have even become malnourished as a result of not eating. “It’s never healthy to not eat,” Dr. Hwang said. Dr. Janice Jin Hwang, the division chief of endocrinology and metabolism at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine tells the New York Times.

Don’t Consider It a Quick Fix

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Ozempic should be part of a long-term health plan. “It’s important to note that if you start taking either of these drugs for weight loss, your body may get used to it, establishing a new normal,” says UC Davis Health. This can cause your weight to plateau. Research has shown that if you stop taking Ozempic (or Wegovy), it's likely that you will gain back the weight you lost.”

Same Unhealthy Lifestyle

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Don’t continue an unhealthy diet and assume it’s ok because of Ozempic. “You can likely lose weight on semaglutide medications without changing your diet and activity behaviors, but these lifestyle changes will make the treatment more effective,” Richard Siegel, MD, tells the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. “Also, we don’t know if weight loss will have the same health benefits if one does not change their behaviors.”

Protect Your Health

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Some doctors warn that taking Ozempic can make people complacent about their health. “It is important to remember that obesity is heterogenous, chronic and complex,” Vijaya Surampudi, MD, physician nutrition specialist and assistant director of the UCLA Weight Management Program (RFO), tells UCLA Health. “There is no cure for obesity. It requires lifelong treatment that’s not one size fits all.”

Carbonated Beverages

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Ozempic slows down digestion, keeping food in your stomach for longer. This causes a feeling of fullness and some unpleasant side effects for some people like belching. Stick to still water as carbonated beverages can make stomach issues worse.

Long-Term Goals

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If you plan on only taking Ozempic or Wegovy for a short while, it’s likely your weight will come back on. “In one trial of Wegovy, people regained about two-thirds of the weight lost within a year of stopping the drug,” Dr. Siegel explains. “Lifestyle changes can help maintain weight loss, but it’s unusual to maintain all weight loss once you stop any weight loss medication.”

Refined Carbohydrates

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Refined carbohydrates tend to spike blood sugar, which is exactly what Ozempic is meant to treat. You don’t have to cut these foods out entirely, but be aware it makes it harder for Ozempic to do its job. “Foods like white bread, white rice, crackers, or even cereals may seem like better choices than foods with added sugar, but refined carbohydrates still metabolize as glucose in the body,” Christine Fallabel, MPH, tells Diabetes Strong.

Watch Out For High Fiber

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While many green vegetables are low GI, be careful about the fiber. “If you’re not used to eating a lot of vegetables, you may experience side effects such as bloating and gas, until your body has acclimated to eating a more fiber-filled diet,” Fallabel says.

Junk Food

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Junk food—which you should be avoiding either way for weight loss purposes—often contains high levels of sodium. “Ultra-processed foods are high in sodium, saturated fats and added sugars, which contribute to a range of health problems,” Elizabeth Ko, MD, and Eve Glazier, MD, tell UCLA Health. These include an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, lowered immune response, certain cancers, dementia and early death.”

Spicy Foods

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Ozempic can cause acid reflux due to slow digestion. Spicy foods can make acid reflux worse, experts warn. However, if acid reflux is not an issue, people can probably enjoy spicy foods if they wish.

Always See a Medical Professional

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Ozempic should only be prescribed by a medical professional. “Typically, I prescribe Ozempic for diabetes and have more often prescribed Wegovy for weight loss,” endocrinologist Alyssa Dominguez, MD, tells Keck Medicine. “I have used Ozempic, sometimes, off-label for weight loss, though getting insurance approval for that can be challenging.”

Fried Foods

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Fried, greasy foods can make Ozempic stomach issues worse. “Foods high in fat can make digestive side effects worse. Since food hangs around longer in the stomach, it has more time to cause problems,” Sarah Bullard, MS, RD, LD, tells Signos. “Some studies have shown that consuming too much fat can increase symptoms of fullness, nausea, and bloating in individuals with digestive issues and heartburn. Reducing fat intake resolved symptoms.”

💪🔥Body Booster: A whole foods Mediterranean diet is ideal while taking Ozempic.

Sophie van Oostenbrugg gainsbybrains
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Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Do you want to get your glutes sculpted for summer? Sophie van Oostenbrugg is a fitness trainer and the founder of the Gains with Brains app. She regularly shares workouts with her 2.4 million Instagram followers on how to burn fat and build muscle. “I grew up hearing that women should be as small as possible. That’s why I loved being able to share my bulking journey on social. I’ve done 2 bulks so far.. and I was thinking about starting and sharing a 3rd one,” she wrote in a recent post. She also revealed her “medium leg day” workout, which will help you tone up fast.

She Does Multiple Leg Days a Week

“I have good news today..it’s a medium leg day!!!🫣🤭sooo I split my leg workouts & currently have lighter, medium and heavier days. this helps me with recovery, train through a variety of rep ranges and make it more enjoyable,” she explains in the post.

She Does 8 to 12 Reps of Each Exercise

In the video she explains that she has “multiple leg days per week.” She goes onto reveal all of the exercises she does with “rep ranges from 8 to 12.”

RDLS

“I started with RDLs, four sets of eight,” Sophie reveals. To do Romanian deadlifts, start with both legs pressed evenly on the floor. “Slightly bend knees while bending over,” says The Body Network’s Resident RDN, The Diet Diva, Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, ACSM-CPT, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian. “Keep your arms pointing down toward the floor and lower with you almost touching the floor. Keep hips and shoulders square facing forward throughout the exercise. Return to standing.” She suggests repeating 10 to 12 times with the right leg and repeating on the left side. “Progression includes holding a weight in the arm pointing toward the floor,” she adds.

Sumo Squat with Kettlebell

“Then I moved on to a sumo squat with kettlebell. You know the deal, form over everything, so go slow and control the weight,” she says. Sumo squats are similar to regular squats, only you point your toes outward.

Glute Bridges

“Then I did glute bridges,” Sophie continues. You can do glute bridges with or without weights.

Cable Step Up

Next up? Cable step ups, using an exercise block. “These are great as they help with balance and therefore they're easier to overload,” she says.

Seated Leg Curl

She sits down at a machine. “Then I did a seated leg curl,” she says.

Core Exercise

“I finished with some core exercises,” Sophie concludes. “I want to get my core as strong as humanly possible so I can keep recording more intense ab workouts.”

💪🔥Body Booster: Try splitting up your workouts into light, medium, and intense days to allow your body ample time needed to recover.