Oblique Exercises

You're what's called "skinny fat." At 120lbs, even at 5'5", you shouldn't have love handles. You need to start strength training immediately. After reading up on various 5x5 programs, Stronglifts 5x5 is the way to go....google it, and do it.

EDIT: Sorry, missed the part where you said you were strength training. Please don't do some random exercises you found on an app, do some research. No strength training program worth its salt will last 10 minutes.

EDIT #2: Also, why are you trying to lose weight at such a low weight anyways? Bodybuilder Franco Columbu was 5'5" and 185, you should at least shoot for 5'5" and 160lbs.

I think you severely underestimate the amount of work and correct diet it would take to become "big and muscley". A good core strength program would lead to you filling out and having a healthy defined shape.

You dont get weird big muscles unless you are seriously going for it.

I hear what you are saying about not wanting to be too bulky but the advice below is still excellent.

After reading up on various 5x5 programs, Stronglifts 5x5 is the way to go....google it, and do it.

You will not bulk up significantly without massive commitment, massive work in the gym and eating big. You will not get big by accident. If use one of the recommended training schedules you will see benefits and will be able to control your muscle mass with diet, but at the same time your will become stronger and will develop your core muscles.

Your original question was would Oblique exercises help with your "Love Handles"? The answer to that is probably not, or at least to such a small extent that you won't notice. If you are carrying some fat in that area you will need to remove the fat by calorie deficit; you simply can not pick and choose where the fat will stay and where it will come from, this is largely determined by genetics.

In your position I'd be getting my gym staff to take me through the moves for 5x5 programs, Stronglifts 5x5 or Rippetoe's Starting Strength and gradually increase my cals by about 200 cals per week (Since I know you are looking to slow your rate of loss form your recent posting on your homepage), all the time monitoring your progress by weight, measurements and visually. I would also stick with the protein amount you have previously calculated and ensure that you are getting 0.4g fat per lb of current body weight.

Best wishes.

I think I might have wrongly used the term strength training. I don't know the full definition of strength training, but have just done a bit of a search for it and I don't know if that is what I meant. I'm seeing big men lifting weights that are most likely the same weight or heavier than them lol.

I don't want to be lifting weights like that and turn out looking big, muscly and bulky, if those are the correct terms. It just wouldn't suit me lol. I'm mainly looking for something where I can build a bit of muscle, definition or not. That Stronglift 5x5 sounds quite intense and seems like something that would done by people that are looking to get big and muscly.

Have a look at this - I can't post the picture as it is too big, but it will show you what people mean by gaining muscle.

http://nerdfitness.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Screen-Shot-2011-07-21-at-9.23.11-AM.jpg

The picture on the right is the result of strength training.

http://nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

Why do you want to do Oblique Exercises? I never understand people who do them myself. Build up your obliques, you will look wider.

Most people would do much better for themselves if they hit the lower ab's the most and a little on the upper. Captains chair leg raises and hanging leg raises are great for lower ab's. Everyone knows how to hit upper.

intake of 1860kcal, with carb, protein and fat intake at 40/35/25 (186g/163g/52g) looks good to me. But remember it's just a target, some days you'll hit it just right, some days things will be a little off. you don;t need to stress about that too much as long as you are close more often than not.

Also, track what goes into your mouth, what energy you think you are expending as best you can. Measure progress with the scales and a tape measure and if you are not hitting your goals, tweak and carry on.

best wishes