Advice please for abs and obliques..

christopherpm

OK, I'm 5 lbs from the goal weight that I set myself. I can now fit back into medium t-shirts (I was XXL) and regular sized trousers.

Overall, I think I look OK with the weight that I am at. When I lose the last 5 lbs, I'll be a couple of lbs inside of the "healthy" BMI range.

BUT (and there's always a but) - I don't like my "love handles" and I'd like to lose them AND tone up my stomach - I'm not after a Mr Universe look - just nicely toned, and if there's a hint of a 6 pack, I wouldn't be upset at that!

Although I run regularly, swim and cycle less regularly, I've not done any exercise for stomach / core. So, my question is - apart from sit-ups / crunches, are there any other exercises I could or should be doing, and how many reps should I be aiming for (including for the sit-ups and crunches)? Which are more beneficial?

I'm going on holiday with my Wife and kids in a couple of months, and I'd like to be in good enough shape to feel happy in just a pair of shorts!

wellbert

Just keep losing weight. There is no non-surgical way to do spot reduction.

robin52077

what wellbert said...your abs are there, but they are hiding under fat...all over fat loss is the only way to uncover them...eat right. There is no exercise that will make your love handles go away.:flowerforyou:

kierstin1976

Deadlifts, squats and planks will help. Love handles are usually the last to go and they are hard to get rid of. Getting down to a lower body fat % will help your abs become more visible.

whiteheaddg

I hear you! I'm weighing less than HS or college, but sporting a bigger waist size due to some stubborn love handles. Like the other posters suggested, my plan is to get down a few more pounds, stabilize there for a little bit, then start a slow build (.5 lb/wk) of (hopefully) lean mass. My goal is also some ab definition - and whole body muscle building and lowering BF is the way to get there.

slsky

The above are correct to an extent, but you should still work on your core. Try the plank, start at 30 secs for 3 sets and build from there, I have the exact same problem as you, just those stubborn love handles to go but I`m getting good results from core work I also do 3 sets of 15 each side cable twists, this is standing side on to the cable machine, hold the handle out in front of you with both hands and twist your trunk away from the machine, return to the starting position using your stomach to hold against the weight. Let me know how you get off with these.