Squats, lunges, and deadlifts...explain please!

Ok I see these 3 exercises thrown around this forum ALL the time. What are they? How do I execute them in proper form? What muscles am I targeting and what will it help do for my body. I'm trying to lose fat in my lower stomach. I know cardio is the only way to lose fat and I do a TON of it, but then I see everyone saying that you lose more fat if you do weight training and cardio and that lunges, squats, and dead lifts are the best for it. Help me please! I just want to get my body bathing suit ready!

Ok, I think I get it. If I were to diet without resistance training then would I lose muscle and not so much fat then?

I'd be really grateful if you guys would check my post as linked bleow and give your views. I am working pretty hard with this plan and would like to know if it'll work efficiently. Having read the article on testosterone nation, I think I am somewhere near being correct.

http://caloriecount.about.com/forums/post/978 45.html

thanks

If you are looking to lose fat in your lower stomach the ball is the best thing to use. If you get your core in shape than the rest falls into place. I recommend Core Secrets. It is a great way of targeting all those areas, and it really helps strengthen your core muscle. In order to do proper form you need to go to a gym or ask someone to show you. You have to be careful because you can really hurt yourself. All of those exercises are mainly for your lower body. Squats are good for your butt; as well as lounges dead lifts also helps strengthen your core too.

Did we totally get away from lafoutloud01's question. You guys are talking pretty technical. If I was a beginner and never even heard of squats and lunges, you might be a little overwhelming.

Just a thought!!!

Original Post by joyful04:

If you are looking to lose fat in your lower stomach the ball is the best thing to use. If you get your core in shape than the rest falls into place.

 False, building muscle in a certain area will not cause fat to decrease in that area.

Original Post by andybarc:

I am confused. If you can't gain muscle on a calorie deficit, what is the point of resistance training whilst dieting? Am I right in thinking that it is just a better way of burning calories than cardio?

 you DO gain muscle, its just not a considerable amount, but it does happen...just scroll up and read between the lines.  and READ FOR YOURSELF.  the blanket answers in this forum hardly touch the surface of what muscles are actually doing -- and its a diservice to beginners to suggest all their hard effort is useless if they are in a caloric deficit.  its simply not true.  though melkor has good links, as he supplied regarding how muscles attain strengh (motor units being used and fine tuning your brain)...just read for yourself, watch your own body change and grow and dont take the dogmatic view that is spewed out in this forum frequently.  a gain is a gain, and i don't care if its one lb in my caloric deficit to a 3lb gain if i were in a caloric surplus. 

Original Post by floggingsully:

Original Post by joyful04:

If you are looking to lose fat in your lower stomach the ball is the best thing to use. If you get your core in shape than the rest falls into place.

 False, building muscle in a certain area will not cause fat to decrease in that area.

...they simply said that strengthing the CORE muscles would lead to better results...all over.  and thats a very, very true statement. :)  you improve your balance, form, you improve your ability to execute alot of moves you'd not normally be able to do every effectively.

i know how much you like to jump in and educate, but, geez, read a little will ya? ;)