Exercises to Get Rid of a Muffin Top

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar!

The snow has finally melted, but are you ready to embrace your favorite short shorts? If a newfound muffin top is making you wary of ditching your cozy Winter layers, rest assured, there are plenty of ways to whittle away those extra pounds without hitting the gym seven days a week.

"Muffin tops are a problem spot for everyone who overeats," says celebrity trainer Barry Jay, founder of Barry's Bootcamp, the bicoastal workout that's attracted everyone from Katie Holmes to Alanis Morissette to Kim Kardashian. "That part of our body catches excess easily, and it seems like it's the last to change."

To reverse the damage you did this Winter, try asking a doctor or nutritionist how many calories you should be eating for your age, height, and ideal body weight. "Cardio helps, but food is 85 percent of the results we see," says Jay.

Once your diet is back on track, add these three waist-whittling moves to your regular workout once a week to keep love handles at bay.

Get the moves after the break.

Side Bends
Stand with your feet hip distance apart, arms at your sides. As you reach down toward your toes with one arm, lift the other one up toward your waist, placing your hand on your hip (above). Alternate sides with one arm up, one arm down. Do 100 reps.

Standing Twists
Place your hands behind your head, elbows out wide and knees slightly bent. Isolate your core, making sure your hips don't move. Twist to one side then the other, alternating sides (above). Do 100 reps.

Jackknives
Lay on the floor or a bench with your legs straight out, arms stretched above your head, toes pointed toward the ceiling. Raise your arms toward your toes as you raise your legs  to a 45- to 90-degree angle, keeping your shoulders off the floor (above). You should bring your arms way up over your belly button so your body looks just like a jackknife. Then return back to the floor or bench with your legs and arms stretched out. Do 40 reps.

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