Fabulous Abs: 4 Diet and Workout Plans for 4 Real Ab Problems

Love Handles

Age: 38
Height: 5'4"

Before
Weight: 132.5 lb.
Waist: 29"
Hips: 39"
Thighs: 22.5"
Body fat: 27%

After
Weight: 127.5 lb.
Waist: 28"
Hips: 38"
Thighs: 21.5"
Body fat: 23%

Frediani put Lisa on a twice-weekly strength program with exercises that worked several muscle groups at once, such as squats and shoulder presses, plus stability ball moves to target her deep abs for a flatter, firmer look. She also did 40 to 60 minutes of fat-blasting cardio four to five times a week, with a mix of steady-paced workouts on the treadmill and Spinning classes.

Because Lisa's job involves dining out, Antonucci suggested she eat small meals like fruit and nonfat cottage cheese every few hours to prevent overeating and also advised consuming less alcohol and drinking more water.

At first, her program went fairly smoothly. She found herself looking forward to her workouts and the "good soreness" that she felt. Then a business trip three weeks into her program sidelined her workout and diet plans. Back home, she hired NuKitchen, a company that delivers meals and snacks daily based on a set amount of calories, to get a handle on portion control. By the following week, her clothes were noticeably looser in the waist and hips.

After two months, Lisa dropped a pant size and lost five pounds, 4 percent body fat and an inch from her waist and hips. "I definitely noticed the changes happening in my body, and I could see my love handles going away," she says. "I'm thrilled at how my clothes look on me now!"

Sit on a stability ball with knees bent 90 degrees, feet on the floor, holding a 10-pound dumbbell in each hand. Curl weights toward shoulders; hold 1 count and release. To increase the intensity, lift one foot off the floor.