Posts by doubletime

Well, the tough answer is, you gotta burn off the fat.  That's what they are.  Whether it's jumping jacks, running, swimming, aerobics, doesn't matter.  You can't spot reduce fat.  Your body has to metabolize it to energy.  No matter what anyone else may tell you, there is no other way.  If you burn more than you consume, the love handles will go away.  Good luck, and don't be in a hurry.  It takes time...............but it's worth it!!

Remember, weight management is a marathon, not a sprint.  Calories in need to be only a little less than calories burned, and the weight will come off.  If you starve yourself, your body will react by shutting down your metabolism, because it is still evolved to paleolithic times, when we had to store fat during good times and use it during lean times.  Just keep a steady, slight caloric deficit, and you will get results.  Forget the plateaus, as hard as that may be.  Good luck!

To make the treadmill closer simulate outside, you may want to add about .5% elevation.  Keep in mind, too, that if you've never entered a race before, you won't come in first......or last.  Just get there and enjoy it.  If there's a school around somewhere close, you can run on the running track.  That gives you a controlled environment without traffic (or dog) worries.  If you're on a track, you can run with an I-pod or similar device.  That helps me, generally.  Get a good bunch of high-tempo songs and hit the track.