"Love handles" or just a little "wiggle around your middle" can be detrimental to your health. Excess belly fat significantly increases the risk for heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer, according to MayoClinic.com. You can fight your belly bulge with exercises to get your waist in shape.
Side Crunch
The side crunch requires a bit of balance. Begin by lying on your left side with your legs extended. Pull your left shoulder out from underneath you slightly. Bend your left arm and position your left hand on top of your right side at your waist. Bend your right arm and place your hand behind your right ear. On an inhale, bend at the waist and lift your legs and torso toward the ceiling. Aim to get your left shoulder a few inches off the floor and your feet at least 1 foot off the floor. Hold for two or three seconds, then lower back to the floor as you exhale. Repeat 15 to 20 times on the left side before switching to the right side. Make the move more difficult by crunching more at the waist and drawing your torso and legs as close to one another as possible.
Diagonal Chop
The diagonal chop is an oblique exercise that you can modify depending on the level of difficulty you desire. Begin by standing with your feet wider than hips-width and knees slightly bent. With both hands, hold a dumbbell or medicine ball in the air above your right shoulder. Swing the weight across your body in a diagonal motion until you reach your left hip. Pause for a second, then lift the weight above your left shoulder. Swing the weight across your body until it reaches the right hip. Continue this chopping motion until you have completed 10 to 15 swings on both sides. To make the move easier, use lighter weights. To make the exercise more difficult, bring the weight to your knee on each swing.
Fingers to Heels
Add variety to your workout with a simple modification of the traditional crunch. Begin by lying on your back with your arms relaxed by your side. Bend your knees and place your feet on the ground. Contract your abdominals slightly as you bring your left hand to your left heel. Hold for a second, then return to a neutral position. Bring your right hand to your right heel. Continue this finger-to-heel motion from side to side for as many repetitions as you can handle. As you move through the exercise, your middle and lower back should stay on the ground.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Belly Fat In Men: Why Weight Loss Matters
- Fitness Training At Home: 7 Secret Oblique Exercises For A Jaw-Dropping Core
- ShapeFit: Abs Exercises - Fingers To Heel Oblique Touchers For Six-Pack Abs
- Best-Abs-Exercises.com: Learn the Best Oblique Crunch Exercises to Tone Your Oblique Muscle
- Exercises For Abdominals: Abdominal Training
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