Nobody wants embarassing "love handles"! But will exercise really take them away?

Well... not entirely. You can't really reduce fat in any one specific area. So, even though spot reducing may not disappear your love handles, you can tone and tighten up the area quite a bit.

Of course, you'll have to cut down on calories, eat a healthier diet and start exercising regularly — preferably with a good cardiovascular exercise routine.

...Because if you don't lose some weight, even if you tighten and strengthen the muscles underneath, you won't see your newly buff muscle under those blubbering love handles!

Be patient and consistent — it takes a few weeks to start seeing results... and a few months for others to see results in your love handles. But if you're diligent in doing your love handle exercises along with other aerobic exercise and staying on a healthy diet you're sure to see improvement.

Love Handle Exercise #1

Side Stretch:

• Stand tall with your feet slightly apart.

• Raise your left hand over your head and bend to the right (sideways), stretching your oblique muscles (the muscles on the side of your body) on the left side. Go slowly and feel the stretch in the "love handle" area.

• Straighten up and repeat.

• After 6 to 8 stretches on the left side, reverse sides and stretch the right side.

• Repeat.

• Gradually increase to 10 to 12 stretches on each side (repeated) or more.

Love Handle Exercise #2

Crunch Your Love Handle Away!

This exercise is considered an excellent love handle exercise because it targets your oblique muscles better than other positions.

• Lie flat on your back with your knees up. Lower your knees to one side without straightening your legs (i.e. keep your heels up near your derrière, almost touching it). Rest your knees to one side on the floor.

• Clasp your hands behind your head and raise your head and shoulders up about 30 degrees. Go up and down 6 to 8 times on each side in the beginning, repeating the set. Be sure to move from the midriff and feel the stretch in the "love handle" area.

• Gradually increase to 10 to 12 lifts per set on each side or more.

Love Handle Exercise #3

Crossover Crunch (Alternate Hand-Knee Sit-up):

• Lie flat on your back with your knees up.

• Keeping the knees up, place the ankle of your right leg on the knee of your left leg.

• Clasp your right hand behind your head.

• Raise your head and shoulders up about 30 degrees while reaching your left hand across to touch just above your right knee. Be sure to keep your chin off your chest and avoid pulling on your neck.

• Go only as far as comfortable as this exercise can strain the back. Do not force.

• Do 6 to 8 crunches on each side in the beginning, repeating the set.

• Gradually increase to 10 to 12 crunches per set on each side or more.

Remember: If you LOVE your love handle exercises and do them every day (or every other day), you'll get a handle on 'em!

For information on losing tummy fat, see: Lose Tummy Fat...

Need to fit into a smaller dress size right away? See: Lose Inches Overnight...

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