How Do You Lose Arm Fat Fast?

  • Medical Reviewer: Dany Paul Baby, MD
Medically Reviewed on 9/2/2022

Spot reduction doesn't work 

Arm fat can be tricky. With healthy eating and exercise, you should be able to tighten stubborn arm fat and boost your confidence in just a couple of weeks.
Arm fat can be tricky. With healthy eating and exercise, you should be able to tighten stubborn arm fat and boost your confidence in just a couple of weeks.

Keeping weight off can be difficult, and while most of us would like to shed a few pounds, body fat just seems to accumulate in the most inconvenient places. Shedding stubborn fat can be tricky, and the arms are considered by most to be the peskiest yet. All body types are beautiful, but if you've ever felt a moment of hesitation when wearing a sleeveless dress, the following tips can help you reduce flabby arm muscles.  

Understanding what leads to the accumulation of arm fat in the first place will help keep your arms slim and toned. There is no way to focus on losing weight in a specific place; however, with healthy eating and exercise, you should be able to tighten stubborn arm fat and boost your confidence in just a couple of weeks. If you have concerns about flabby arms that are hard to conceal, keep reading to find out how you can obtain tight, shapely arms soon. 

Spot reduction is an ineffective weight loss method, and when trying to address pesky arm fat, the focus of your workout should be on weight loss overall.  Focusing on burning fat in your arms is ineffective, and it is best to concentrate on muscle toning rather than fat loss. Improving your diet and doing cardio will have a significant impact on the way your arms look. 

Adding strength training to your workout and focusing on your upper body can tighten your arms and add definition. Tightening up the muscles on the underside of your arm will not impact the amount of fat on your arm but will help that area wobble less. 

Incorporate resistance training 

Some of the sagginess in flabby arms comes from weak muscles. Skin and fat hang from the upper arms when the underlying muscle is unsupported. Lifting weights is not only a great way to increase strength: It can also help your arms look slimmer by promoting fat loss.

 Building muscle doesn't happen overnight, of course, but bodyweight exercises like pushups and tricep dips can help tone your arms, and including weights in your next workout is one of the best methods for losing arm fat. Instead of letting a machine do all the heavy lifting for you, opt for free weights, which will more efficiently target your muscles. Some excellent examples of exercises you can do for upper body strength include bicep curls, tricep dips, and upright rows. 

Eat more fiber

Fiber takes longer to get through your digestive system, which means you’ll feel fuller longer and have fewer cravings throughout the day. A great way to jumpstart weight loss and curb your appetite is by adding a few servings of fiber to your next meal. Some examples of high-fiber foods you can try include fruits, seeds, vegetables, and nuts. Another way you can avoid overindulging in food throughout the day is by eating a nutritious breakfast.

Increase your protein intake

Eating more protein is not only a great way to build muscle; it can also help you limit your snack and food intake. Keeping your appetite under control can help you reduce excess body fat. Lose arm fat fast by adding foods high in protein like eggs, seafood, dairy products, meat, and poultry. High protein intake can help decrease feelings of hunger and help you feel full longer. You should be cautious when taking protein supplements if you're focused on losing weight, though. These supplements are aimed at those trying to build muscle and can be counter-productive to your goals. Instead, try to get the majority of your protein intake from your diet. Fish, beans, and lean meats are excellent sources of protein. Be sure to incorporate leafy greens into your diet as well, and don't make the mistake of limiting your diet to just protein. 

Add cardio to your exercise routine

Losing arm fat through dieting alone is almost impossible. Including cardio in your next workout could help you reach your goals sooner. Jogging, swimming, and dancing are all examples of activities that can help you burn excess fat and increase lean body mass. If you want to trim down fat on your arms quickly, try increasing your activity level by doing up to 30 minutes of cardio daily. You can increase this amount depending on the intensity of the workout you're doing. 

Looking to increase strength in your arms? Add exercises in between sets that keep your heart rate up and help you burn fat. These filler workouts are a great way to maximize training time. Some examples of great exercises that you can do in between sets to get your blood pumping include kettlebell swings, burpees, and jump rope routines.

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Develop healthier eating habits

When trying to trim down flabby arms, you should first be mindful of your daily calorie intake. Keeping track of your consumption is as simple as jotting down everything you eat in a journal. Cut down on refined carbs and foods with high sugar, like pastries and soda.

Reducing your sugar intake is as simple as cutting back on the amount of sugar you put into your coffee or trading bottled juices for fresh fruit juice. Pasta, breakfast cereals, and other pre-packaged foods are all examples of refined carbs that lack essential nutrients. On your next grocery run, try choosing quinoa, barley, and oats as healthy alternatives. 

Get a good sleep each night

Setting a regular sleep schedule is just as important when it comes to achieving weight loss as your diet and exercise routine. Going to bed at the same time every day can help you lose stubborn body fat in a healthy way. Before crawling under the covers, minimize your exposure to distractions and avoid consuming stimulants like caffeine

Exercising causes little tears in your muscle tissue, and when those tissues are repaired, you build new muscle. These repairs are carried out during rest periods when you give your muscles a chance to recover. Getting a healthy amount of sleep means your body can burn more calories. 

When you aren't resting enough, though, your metabolism slows down in an effort to preserve calories during your waking hours. Because energy doesn't get burned as one sleeps, you should avoid eating or snacking before bed. 

Drink plenty of water

When it comes to losing arm fat, staying hydrated each day is incredibly important. Regularly consuming water with meals can help you feel fuller longer, which is important, since cutting out excess calories is the only way to achieve slimmer arms and keep the extra pounds off over time.

Improving your diet doesn't mean you have to cut out all your favorite foods; you can still indulge in an ice cream bar, but be sure to only do so after eating something nutritious. Next time you are snacking on a candy bar, try adding fresh fruit to your ice cream for dessert instead. 

Exercises that target arm fat

Eating right is only half the battle to reduce arm fat. While controlling your diet may be essential to achieving this goal, exercising is equally important. For desired results, incorporate more cardio into your workout routine. Jogging, yoga, or cycling are great exercises for burning calories and helping you lose excess fat. 

Another great way to tone your arms is by playing sports like tennis or swimming. Meanwhile, using your body as a primary form of resistance by incorporating bodyweight exercises into your exercise routine is a great way to add muscle tone and definition and to keep your arms looking slim. Some examples of convenient, budget-friendly bodyweight exercises that you can try in the comfort of your harm include arm rotations, pushups, and tricep dips.

High-intensity interval training can help you lose arm fat faster because it makes it easier to pack a variety of exercises into a shorter amount of time. This type of training can also temporarily increase your metabolism in the hours after your workout, which will help you continue shedding extra weight throughout your day. Try alternating more intense exercises with more moderate activities for your next workout. Adding more activity to your life doesn't have to stop once you leave the gym. Try going on regular walks after dinner and make small changes like taking the stairs instead of the elevator. 

Stretching may not have the same calorie-burning benefits as jogging, but it is a great way to loosen up your muscles, get warm before exercising, and increase your heart and respiration rate. There are plenty of ways you can lose arm fat, and the time it may take for you to see a difference will depend on your level of dedication to your exercise regimen and diet. Results will vary from person to person, but if you are consistent in your routine, you should be able to make significant progress toward your goals by simply maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Shed unwanted arm fat by hitting the gym and adding some of the other mentioned changes to your daily habits.

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Medically Reviewed on 9/2/2022
References
Sources:

Cleveland Clinic: "10 Ways to Get Rid of Belly Fat for Good.," "Good vs. Bad Carbs: What Should You Eat?"

Harvard Health Publishing: "Making one change — getting more fiber — can help with weight loss."

Mayo Clinic: "Is body-weight training effective as a strength training exercise?"

National Academy of Sports Medicine: "Weight lifting for Weight Loss: Which Exercises & Workouts Are Best?"

National Library of Medicine: "Effects of Protein Supplementation on Performance and Recovery in Resistance and Endurance Training," "High-Intensity Intermittent Exercise and Fat Loss,” “Increased Hydration Can Be Associated with Weight Loss," "Role of Physical Activity for Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance."