Spot Reducing Does Not Always Work. Articles | Nutrition

By: Darren Williger

We all have problem areas of our bodies.  Trying to only work that one area typically does not work and the entire body needs to be involved, not just one particular body part.  There are some different ideas and reasons in this article on why spot reducing typically does not work.

No matter how much we work out we all feel at times that there are still areas that need to be improved or worked on.  These problem areas may be real or imagined, however trying to only fix that one area typically does not work.  Our entire body needs to be involved and usually will be involved when working out and exercising.  Focusing on one area could also lead to problems in other parts of our body and too much strain and exertion in one spot.

There are some different reasons why spot reducing does not work and better ways to get in shape and target the areas you are looking at while getting the rest of your body in shape also.

First, having a healthy and balanced diet is important.  Trying to lose weight say from your stomach probably will not work by just not eating.  When you work out you will work your stomach but you will other parts too.  Resulting in weight loss in other parts of your body as well.  Eating right will get you farther than just starving yourself to get the results you want.

Second, spot reduction is more of a myth than an actual way to get in shape.  Ignoring one part of the body and only working on another does not work and can lead to strain, injuries, and a lack of fitness in other parts.  The body needs and does work as a whole.  Looking at achieving an all over body fitness will work better and get you the results you are looking for.  Excess weight and fat cannot just fall off on its own, you do need to work out and targeting one section is never a good idea.

Third, there really is no healthy short cuts.  That is why they are short cuts.  They typically will make you sick, could injure you, and the weight will not stay off.  Short cuts cause a lot of wasted time and energy for results that are only temporary and in the long run are not healthy for you and your body.  If you spent half the energy on working out, eating right and getting in shape the right way as you do on the short cuts, you would see that the results would be more permanent and long lasting.  Developing a life time of good habits and health.

Lastly, staying in shape and eating right does require a commitment to one’s self and body.  However, as already stated doing this will actually result in a life time of good habits.

Trying to reduce particular areas of our body while ignoring the rest does not work and usually is not even a healthy idea.  Losing weight in getting in shape the healthy and proper way will take you farther and you will receive the results you want.  You will have to work at it but it will be worth the time effort and you will see that spot reduction and other types of exercises that will supposedly only target one area do not work and will make you tired and exhausted more than actually making you look and feel better.