Want to get rid of your love handles? Do this!

It's not as easy as you'd imagine.

Almost every fitness professional recommends improvement in diet and regular exercise to lose those love handles, but according to various researchers it requires even more time and effort.

Love handles, the pinchable fat on both sides of the stomach, are especially stubborn and hard to lose.

They do not respond quickly to diet and exercise changes.

If you are a woman and your waist is larger than 35 inches or a man with a waist size greater than 40 inches, you will lose the deep belly fat first. This is actually better for your health, as visceral fat has been linked to numerous medical issues, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pre-diabetes, and inflammation. 

In terms of specific exercise recommendations, trainers shared their advice to CNN. 

Gunnar Peterson, who trains Hollywood actors and professional athletes, explained a comprehensive lifestyle approach that includes clean eating, adequate sleep, stress management, plenty of hydration, and sprint work mixed with cardio on alternate days.

Sprint work, also known as high-intensity interval training, involves alternating periods of maximum effort with periods of recovery.

Ami Jampolis, another trainer, recommended high-intensity training techniques for several times a week to maintain calorie-burning muscle, along with several days of cardiovascular training.

High-intensity circuit training involves alternating strength training exercises with minimal rest in between.

This type of training is gaining popularity among the youth and can be done at home or at a gym.

Although their approaches may vary, professionals agree with the popular saying 'abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym.'