Spot Reducing: Does it Really Work?

by Donna Theo

Some people believe that if they have a bulge of fat in one area they can exercise that one area and the fat will disappear. But spot-reducing is a myth.

Men who store fat in their stomachs can not reduce it by spending an hour on the AB machine. Nor can women spot reduce their saddlebags by spending hours on the total hip machine.

All exercises can strengthen and tighten the muscles, but all muscles are underneath a 'sub-cutaneous' layer of fat that gives it the appearance of cellulite or flab. The only way to lose that layer of fat is by losing weight.

Where you lose the weight depends on your genes. Some women will always have larger hips or thighs than others even after they are as thin as they can get. Losing weight around the waist is easier than losing it at the hips. And while losing weight, many people find that the fat comes off in places they wished it would have stayed on (women and their chest for example)! Weight usually peels off from the top down!

Your exercise program should include a variety of strength training and aerobics. And pay attention to your diet: eating right is a key to losing weight.

Creating strength and muscles in the upper body of women can draw the eye to the upper body and draw attention away from a problem hip area.

By no means, should you stop doing exercises for one area of your body. What we all need to do in our exercise program is make sure we are hitting all areas of our body. Do not stop doing sit ups, just make sure that sit ups are not the only exercise you are doing. Diet, strength training and aerobics are the key to over all body shaping!

Donna Theo is an AFAA certified aerobics instructor who teaches many classes ranging from senior chair classes to high impact and water aerobics. Her whole family loves fitness! On any given day you will find her with her four children running, biking, hiking or doing a myriad of other activities together. Donna also substitute teaches in the public schools. In her spare time, she enjoys writing.