Love handles may come off as a sweet thing according to their name, but they are far from that. Love handles are the excess fat accumulated near the waist region that makes you uncomfortable while wearing your favorite jeans. It can be tough to lose the fat accumulated on the stomach sides but follow these simple exercises to get rid of love handles. And you can do them at home too. All you required are the yoga mat and dumbbells if you wish to have them.
Exercises To Get Rid Of Love Handles
1. Twister Jumps
Stand on the ground with your legs close to each other. Hold your hand in front of your chest. Now, twist your upper body on the right side while keeping your hands on the left. Start jumping fast in this position side by side. Do 25 repetitions on each side and two sets.
2. Windmill Pose
Stand feet apart. Spread your hands outwards. Start bending on your right side first until you touch your ankles. Then bend on the left side. Do 20 repetitions on each side and two sets. For making it more challenging, you can use cattle bells or dumbbells.
3. Seated Oblique Crunches (Gate Pose)
Sit on the knees. Spread your right leg on the right side. Stretch your left hand upwards above your head. Now, bend your body on the right side while touching your right ankle with the right hand. It is one repetition—complete 20 on the right side and then on the left side. Complete two sets of 20 repetitions on each side.
4. Leg Raises
Stand near a wall with closed legs. Keep your right hand on your waist. Now, spread your right leg in front of your body without bending forward. Do 20 repetitions. With the same leg, spread leg on the right side of your body. Do 20 reps. And with the same leg, extend your leg backward as much you can without bending forwards. Do 20 reps. Repeat the same on the left side.
5. Russian Twists
Sit on the ground with your back straight. Extend your feet in front of your chest. Fold your knees. Bend backward slightly less than 90 degrees. Hold your hands in front of the chest. Now twist your body from side to side. You can use dumbells to make it more challenging. Do two sets of 10 repetitions. Increase repetitions and sets gradually.
6. Hip Bridge Exercise
Lie on the back on a yoga mat. The feet should be hip apart. Hands rested on respective sides of the body with palm facing down. Fold your knees. Now, exhale and lift the hip off the floor. Hold the position for 3 secs. Repeat the position without touching the floor. Do 15 repetitions and two sets.
7. Side Plank Hip Dips
Lie on the right side on the yoga mat hips and legs should be in a straight line. Place right forearm on the floor. The elbow should come under the shoulder. Now, lift hips forming a straight line from head to heels with the right forearm’s power. It is the starting position. Now, lift the hips above the straight line and come back to the starting position. Do ten repetitions on each side.
Track Your Progress
To see that you right track, write down your initial measurements. Use measuring tape for measurement.
1. Take The Measurements
Take 2 inches upper and lower side of naval as well as on the navel. It is a good method for tracking progress. The use of only a weighing scale can give a false result as muscles are heavier than fat.
2. Check Your Weight
Check your weight every week on the same day. Losing love handles means losing extra fat and weight. Any weight changes should be noted down to make desirable changes in diet and exercise regime.
3. Maintain A Diet Diary
It is the most important part. By monitoring your own diet, you can easily find out what is making you fat. It will help you to control food intake and to change faulty food habits.
4. Make A Fitness Buddy
A fitness buddy serves as a reminder for you. Your buddy will inspire you to lose weight. It will create a healthy competition between you two.