Is Spot Reduction the Key to Losing Stomach Fat?

If you're like most people you want to lose fat in a certain area of your body. Many people believe that by working on a certain area of the body they can target fat lose in that area this concept is called spot reduction. Well, to answer the question is spot reduction the key to lose stomach fat? A yes and no is appropriate. Yes, if you do stomach crunches your stomach may appear to have less fat. The fact is that by gaining abdominal and oblique muscles the fat in your stomach is held better by the new muscles so it has the effect of appearing to look like you have less fat. If your goal is to have nice abdominal and oblique muscles you must lose the fat for them to be visible. You will burn calories from any physical activity including exercises to gain muscle. The calories burned during any physical activity come from a combination of sources including carbohydrates, fats and proteins. In general more carbohydrates are used for high intensity activities and more fat is burned from low intensity activity. So it might sound logical to do low intensity activity to lose the fat, but to burn more calories which is more important in losing fat a higher intensity activity burns calories quicker than a low intensity activity will. Most people haven't build up their functional capacity enough to do high intensity activity. A low or moderate activity would be more suitable.

My suggestion is that if you want your stomach to look better you should do abdominal and oblique exercises. A rule I follow is lower abs first such as exercises involving leg lifting. Secondly, oblique exercises involving a twisting motion. Finally, for upper abdominals I suggest doing exercises such as crunches or sit ups. The exercises will cause you to burn calories and gain muscle so you have two benefits for doing these exercises. I also suggest doing activates such as running/walking or an elliptical because these activities allow you to use your whole body which will result in burning more calories than a bike that only involves your legs. You will most likely burn more calories doing these activities than you would by just doing abdominal and oblique exercises. You also use your abdominals and obliques when running/walking and using the elliptical. To full answer the question initially asked no valid research has indicated the spot reduction is possible. You metabolize and sweat off calories when you do activities the fat does not come from one specific area. The great thing about exercise is that it improves your metabolism this is great because you will still be burning more calories than normal after you have finished your workout. Once you get in the routine of working out you will feel great after you are finished.

Some important things to consider when wanting to get in shape are first of all do an activity that you like. Find a friend to enjoy the experience with. A good work out buddy is one of the best motivators you can have. The most important thing to remember is that being consistent is the key to success.