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4 Ab Exercises to Help You Lose the Love Handles

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Though it can at times seem impossible, with a little hard work you will be able to lose your love handles. The official name of your "love handles" is your obliques, which are a component of your abdominal muscles that run along the sides of your ribcage.

1. Sit Ups

The sit up is a great exercise that can be done by almost anyone, regardless of their experience or fitness level. To perform this exercise properly, start by laying flat on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Bring your hands together behind your neck, supporting your head. Look up to the sky. As you exhale your breath, use the muscles in your abdomen to lift your chest towards the sky. Inhale your breath, and lower your body back to the starting position. Do two sets of 10 repetitions of the exercise.

2. Oblique Sit Ups

The oblique sit up is a slightly more challenging ab exercise that is similar to the traditional sit up. Start by positioning your body in the manner described above. This time, however, allow your knees to fall towards one side of your body. Perform the sit up by raising your chest towards the sky, similarly to the method described in the previous exercise. Do two sets of 10 repetitions of the oblique sit up.

3. Side Plank

The side plank is another great exercise that can be used to lose the "love handles." To perform this exercise, start by laying on your right side on an exercise or yoga mat. Make sure your legs are extended completely out to the side. Rest your right elbow on the ground, with your forearm on the ground. Look straight in front of you. As you exhale your breath, use the muscles in your abdomen and obliques to lift your torso and upper legs off the ground. Keep your hips and core elevated.

At this point, your body should be in a straight line from your shoulders to your feet. Hold this pose for at least 20 seconds, then relax. Perform another 20 second interval of the side plank for best results.

4. Bicycle

Finally, the bicycle ab exercise is a great oblique exercise that can definitely help in the loss of troublesome love handles. To perform this exercise, lay flat on your back with your feet flat on the ground. Bring your hands behind your neck, supporting your head. Exhale your breath deeply, and raise your chest towards the sky while at the same time twisting your torso slightly to one side.

Bring your right elbow to your left knee, and then lower your body back to the ground. Next, lift your chest towards the sky, bringing your left elbow to your right knee. Repeat this exercise until you have performed two sets of 10 repetitions of the exercise.

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