Alright, so why are love handles SO FREAKING DIFFICULT to get rid of?
You crunch, you plank, you walk, power walk, jog, and run at every incline setting your treadmill offers, but the pesky fat along each side of your waist is not really going anywhere.
What gives?
Because love handles rest on the sides of the abdominal area, many people believe that a traditional ab exercise regimen will melt them away. But unfortunately that’s not really accurate.
Love handles typically build up atop the obliques, which are a very specific muscle group that must be carefully targeted for proper toning.
I’ve said this before in this very blog, but here it bears repeating: it is not possible to reduce fat in a specific portion of your body by targeting that body part with exercise. Losing your love handles must be accomplished with a one-two combination of diet AND a precise oblique toning regimen.
When that all comes together, you will likely see success!
So, just what is that oblique toning regimen? Read on!
This 10 minute love handle workout was first published on Health Magazine’s website and provides a great strategy for toning the muscle groups along the sides of your waistline:
A 10-Minute Love Handle Workout
Repeat the following circuit 3 times, moving as quickly as possible from exercise to exercise. Do this routine 3 times a week.
40 Woodchoppers (20 on each side). Using one hand weight, stand with your feet hip-width apart with your weight on your left leg. Start by holding the weight in both hands up by your left shoulder. Next, twist to make a chopping motion down towards your right hip. Allow your feet and knees to pivot with the twist. Raise the weight back up to your left shoulder and repeat for 20 reps. Next work your right side.
50 Russian Twists. Sit on your butt with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground. Your torso should be leaning back at a 45 angle to the floor. Hold a dumbbell with both hands. Lift your feet from the ground, crossing them at the ankles and balancing on your butt. From this position, twist your torso to the right and touch your dumbbell to the ground next to your body. Next, twist back over to the left touching the weight to the left side of your body. Repeat back and forth, all while balancing with your legs and torso raised off of the ground.
30 Side Plank Hip Lifts (15 on each side). Get into side plank position with your elbow on the ground and your legs and hips resting on the ground. Engaging your abs and keeping your body in a straight line, raise the lower half of your body up off the ground into a straight plank position. Lower again and repeat. Do 15 on your right side, and then 15 on your left side.
30 Bicycle Crunches. Lie on your back with your knees bent and your hands behind your head. Do not clasp your hands together. Engage your abs, lifting your shoulders and upper back off of the ground. At the same time, move your right elbow toward your left knee so that they meet in the middle of your body. Next, switch your position by bringing your left elbow to your right knee. Continue as quickly as possible while still keeping your torso raised up off the ground.
Remember this key point: this muscle toning exercise will provide best results when incorporated into an efficient, fat-burning aerobic exercise plan. Ready to lose your love handles? Call a specialist here at Mediplan Diet Center and let’s chat about a healthy diet and exercise plan for your lifestyle.