“Love handles” is a term that refers to the flabby skin that hangs on the sides of your stomach and never seems to disappear irrespective of how many exercises you do in day. But do not worry. Love handles CAN be eliminated provided you follow the steps given. The correct term for this is ‘obliques’ and in spite of the number of abs crunches you do, this part of the body is often neglected. It is very important that you have to begin with long duration aerobic exercises if you want to get rid of any fat around your stomach.

What is needed is to raise your body’s metabolism to an extent where all the fat can be burnt. You need to have total body fitness and lose weight all over if you want to get rid of love handles as spot toning does not do the trick.

You could also do basic stomach crunches as this will remove some, and I mean some, fat around the love handle area. Moreover, try doing the following exercises as these are focused more towards the love handle area. If you follow these exercises diligently, there will be no more handles around your stomach that your love can hang on to!

Leg Flutters

Some people may not realize that in order to get your middle and love handle in shape, you also need to strengthen your back. This ensures that there is a balance in your upper body part and also reduces any fat that can get deposited on your back.

Steps to follow:

1. Lie down with your stomach touching the ground and lift your head up slightly.
2. Now, you have a choice to either stretch out your arms at your sides or fold your arms, but ensure your elbows are touching your body.
3. Now, lift your feet and knees and start fluttering your legs up and down like a butterfly flutters its wings quickly. Continue this for 20 seconds, after which take a break for another 20 seconds and repeat the process again.

Twist Crunches

This exercise is perfect for toning your stomach as it works your internal and external oblique s. These are the two muscle groups that are situated in and around your waist area. Fat is deposited on top of these muscles and this is how the love handles appear on your waist.

Steps to follow:

1. Lie down with your back touching the ground and keep your knees bent.
2. Slowly lift your head and put your hands behind your head. Do not lock your fingers.
3. Now slowly, twist your body to the right while touching your left elbow to your right knee. Make sure your legs are stretched out.
4. Now do the same by twisting to the left while touching your right elbow to your left knee. Again, make sure your legs are stretched out.
5. Repeat this exercise for about 20 to 25 times.

Standing Trunk Twists

This is a complete aerobic exercise that is good for your heart and also lets you lose weight around the middle.

Steps to follow:

1. Stand with your knees relaxed and make sure your feet are a foot apart.
2. Twist the upper part of your body to the left while ensuring your legs and waist do not move too much. While twisting to the left, take your right arm across the front of your upper body almost like you are delivering a punch to someone.
3. Now do the same to the right by twisting to the right and taking your left arm across your body like a punch.
4. Repeat this one hundred times.