Those pesky love handles can make it embarrassing to put on your favorite bikini or make it hard to fit into that slim black dress you bought for the company party. If you've decided it's time to be rid of the love handles for good, there are certain things you can do to make sure they go away---and stay away.
Don't Forget to Do Cardio
Doing exercises like crunches that target the love-handle area is great, but the real culprit is the fat stored in your mid-section, not your muscles. To get rid of the fat that's covering up your body, you'll have to put in some time on the treadmill or an elliptical machine. Incorporate cardiovascular exercise into your love-handle routine and you'll shed fat faster, which will help your body look slimmer all over, not just around your waist.
Use a Stability Ball
A stability ball for exercise gives you a unique opportunity to target your obliques, the muscles in your love-handle area. Try a twisting exercise like the stability ball twist. Sit on top of the stability ball and lean back, with your feet on the floor for support. Grab a medicine ball or another weighted object and hold it up above your stomach. Twist your upper body to the side so you're facing all the way to the left, and hold for five seconds. Return to the starting position, then twist to the right and hold for fivce seconds. Repeat both twists 10 to 12 times as part of your workout routine.
Try Bicycle Kicks
If you want a killer ab workout that's sure to work your love handles, try bicycle kicks. Lie on the ground on your back and lift your upper back and head off the floor at least six inches. Put your hands behind your head so your elbows are sticking out to the sides. Bring your feet off the floor and pull your right knee up toward your body. At the same time, twist your upper body so your left elbow is pointing toward your right knee. Return to the starting position without letting your back or feet touch the floor, then repeat in the opposite direction, with your left knee pointing toward your right elbow. Repeat this motion over and over again until your feet are moving as if you were pedaling a bicycle. Do the exercise for one full minute, then rest.
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