LADIES! 8 WAYS TO GET RID OF YOUR LOVE HANDLES

First off I have to apologize in advance to anybody who wants to get in shape in time for Valentine’s Day. These tips are coming way too late to be of help on February 14^th. You are just going to rely on your charm, wit and internal beauty to be in shape for your loved ones. However don’t fret we still have over 300 days for you to be in your best shape and feel like the star you are in 2014.

Today I am giving you 8 special exercises that you can incorporate in your daily workout to help you get rid of the ironically named love handles. If you don’t know what love handles are then we both have a long way to go. For those of you still wondering, Love handles are those rolls of fat on the waist. Ubiquitous, unsightly and annoying they ruin the fit of your clothes and make you look unhealthy. If you want to banish your love handles, then I recommend these exercises for you.

These exercises are not just for the ladies alone but for the guys also because love handles do not discriminate against either sex! So in the spirit of love and sharing I present my Valentine’s Day gift to you all.

For inspirational purposes I am also attaching some awesome transformational pictures of everyday people who decided to take charge of their bodies and get rid of their love handles. Hope they motivate you to achieve your true potential.

Do have a lovely day!

BICYCLE CRUNCH:

Lay flat on your back with your hands behind your ears, raise your legs to a 90 degree angle then pull up your left knee to your chest and at the same time twist your right elbow to meet it. Do the same for your right knee also as you bring in one knee straighten the other. Start out slow until you get the movement right. The fitter you become, the faster you will be able to do it (need help? Check out the video).

RUSSIAN TWIST:

Begin in a seated position with bended knees and flat feet.   Lean back slightly with a strong straight back and get into a comfortable position, contracting your ab muscles. Stretch your arms out in front of you and twist your torso from side to side. For more intensity tap the floor to the left side of your hip and then to the right. (See video)

PLANK KNEE DRIVE:

In either the low (elbows touching the floor) or high plank, bring your right knee out and try to touch your right elbow. Try doing 10 to 15 reps per leg as a start, and always remember to bring your body back to its original position before the next drive. (See video).

SIDE PLANK HIP DIPS:

A variant of the plank exercise, start in a side plank position with your elbows touching the ground. Drop your hips to touch the floor as you inhale and exhale while bringing them back up. Try to do 10 t0 15 reps per side. (See video).

SIDE PLANK:

Using one arm, either your forearm or your hand, line it up beneath your armpit and stack your feet on top of one another. Ideally you want to create a “T” shape with your body. (See video).

STABILITY BALL PLANK:

Using a stability ball, place your elbows and forearms on the ball. After you regain your balance, try to hold a plank position for 2 to 4 minutes.(see video)

HIGH PLANK FROM THE HANDS:

Get your body into a push up position but hold it up. Place your hands directly beneath your armpits and keep your legs straight. Try to suck your belly button up into your spine to have a straight strong back. (see video)

LOW PLANK FROM THE ELBOWS:

This is the classic plank position. Place your elbows and forearms on the floor beneath your armpits and lift your body off the floor with your legs straight. Hold this position for as long as you can.(see video)

Bonus: body transformations to inspire you!