The question: Can you target specific body parts (say, stomach pooch) while losing weight? And if so, how do you do it?
The expert: James O. Hill, Ph.D., executive director of the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center at the University of Colorado and author of State of Slim
The answer: Sadly, you can't decide you want to drop pounds around just your waist or create a gap between your thighs. "Lots of studies have looked at that, and you can’t target loss of fat from specific places," says Hill. In general, when women put on weight it's mostly in their hips and lower body—whereas men tend to accumulate excess poundage on their upper body. "It comes off in different places, too," says Hill. Where you lose weight depends on where your body stores fat and also likely on genetics.
What to do if you're trying to lose belly or thigh fat? Focus on dropping pounds in general—not just in one spot. "The more weight you lose, the more you’re likely going to lose it from the specific place you want," says Hill. Exercising is also key: While it won't help you spot reduce, it will help you lose more fat and less muscle—which will help your trouble spot look as lean and toned as possible.
source: www.womenshealthmag.com
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