The area on the lower side of the external oblique abdominal muscles is where many people would like to lose fat. The excess storage of fat in this area is often referred to as "love handles", and is caused mainly through the build up of excess fat. The size may also be exacerbated as gravity pulls fat from the sides down to create a more bulging area. The bulge can often be visible even when light clothes are worn. This can give rise to the illusion that there is much more fat around that specific area than there actually is.
The same process occurs at the front, lower region of the stomach, there should generally be an even spread of stored fat over the front abs however, as fat builds up from gaining weight gravity pulls most of it down to form a bulge or the common "beer belly". To illustrate this point, how many times have you lay on the floor and the fat disperses back to its natural position with the effect of a slimmer stomach?
What exercises help lose love handles Fat stored around the love handles or stomach area can only be lost through proper diet and aerobic exercise. This type of exercise will help burn the fat directly and, over the course of time fat levels will reduce around the love handles as well as many other areas. In fact its quite possible to lose fat from the love handles and the general abdominal area without any exercise that directly stresses the abdominal muscles, fat may be stored around these areas but it does not mean we need to exercise those specific areas in order to lose it.
Apart from losing fat from the love handles it is important to tone and firm the area so the abdominal muscles show through clearly. The best exercise to help tone the love handles are side bends. These place direct stress on the external oblique muscles forcing them to tone and shape up. Side bends are done by standing straight with knees slightly bent and feet apart, then slowly lower the trunk a few inches to the left side then back again to do the right side. Try to keep the body and legs in line by not bending forwards or backwards.
Another great exercise to lose love handles is torso twists. The abdominals are composed of 3 layers of muscles which slide over each other, torso twists help tone the transverse abdominis muscle tightening the love handles. While standing firmly with feet shoulder width apart, the torso twists gently to the left side then to the right while at the same time trying to limit the movement from the hips. During the movements the torso should always remain upright, there should be no bending involved. Care should also be taken not to twist too far as its easy to pull a muscle when exercising the love handles!
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