Exercises to Lose Your Love Handles

The Side Bends:

Although this is a simple exercise, don’t doubt its effectiveness in helping to lose those love handles fast.

To start, stand tall and straight with the feet shoulder width apart.

Bend the knees slightly then lower the upper body to one side and then to the other side.

Do not lean forward or backwards, only side to side.

The Torso Twist:

This is an excellent exercise to follow the side bend as you are already in the standing position. The torso twist is also quite effectual at eliminating those ‘love handles’.

From the standing position, with feet still shoulder width apart, twist the torso in a slow motion from one side to the other side.

Be sure to use the torso to twist, not the hips or the exercise won’t work. Keep the upper body straight and don’t bend. Focus on using the oblique muscles to do the twisting.

Plank Exercise Pose:

Lie on your stomach, feet together.

Now place your hands under your shoulders and extend your arms into push-up position.

Contract your abs.

Keep your body straight and elongated, from your feet through your head.

Hold for 10 breaths.

Plank Exercise with Knee Touch Oblique Exercise:

Begin in push-up position, fully extending your arms to lift your body off the floor.

Elbows and knees should be straight, body elongated, with your weight resting only on your palms and the balls of your feet.

Keep your abs tight. Very slowly touch your left knee to the floor, then slowly with control return it to starting position.

Don’t let your lower back sag when your knee drops to the floor; this is trickier than it sounds. Repeat on opposite side.

Continue alternating sides. Each alternating side equals one rep.

Forearm Plank Exercise Pose:

Lie on your stomach, feet together.

Clasp your hands in front of you so your forearms are on the floor.

Now flex your feet so your toes are braced against the floor and your heels are pointing toward the ceiling.

Lift your torso and legs off the floor so you’re supporting your weight with only your forearms and toes.

Don’t let your back arch, and don’t raise your butt toward the ceiling; keep your body long and straight.

Hold for 10 breaths

Side Stomach Plank Exercise:

Sit on your right hip with your legs straight, your left leg stacked atop your right leg. Place your right hand on the floor beneath your shoulder.

You can balance yourself by placing your left hand on the floor. Now fully extend your right arm so your hip and thighs come off the floor. Place your left arm on your left hip. All your weight is being supported on your outer right foot and right hand. Lengthen your body into one long diagonal line from your heels through your head.

Hold for 10 breaths.

For more of a challenge doing this exercise, stretch your right arm straight upward, which will work the side stomach and abdominal obliques even more.