How do I lose these love handles through dietary means? Do fat burning supplements work?

I am 34 and trying to get back in shape. I look good all around but I just cant get rid of these love handles.
Currently, I am running, playing tennis, jump rope, dieting, drinking 2-3 glasses of water a day.
Are there certain foods that destroy fat?

I appreciate your tips.

First, I'm glad to read that you're taking positive steps to improve your health. Secondly, please note that spot reducing doesn't work. Your body loses fat 'all over' rather than in sections. Finally, losing weight requires both exercise and caloric restriction. Since you're going to be doing both, keep the following in mind (it's what I've told people for over 2 decades in my practice):

1) Check with your physician to be certain that you are physically able to reduce your calories and increase your exercise habits safely.

2) Make certain that the calories you are eating are as balanced as possible. Finding out how much protein, carbs, and fats your body needs on a daily basis can really help keep your energy levels high all day long. The #1 reason my clients tell me that they've stopped dieting or exercising in the past is because of low energy ebbs. Also remember that you may need supplements to help things along.

3) While exercising (before, during, and after) be sure to consume enough water. The key is not to be 'thirsty' (overtly) during this time of exercise.

4) Adding weight bearing exercise (i.e., lifting weights) will help to tone your body and the thermogenic (fat burning) effect will last long after you've stopped working out -- even if your workout is simply walking).

5) Remember that you'll probably hit plateaus (times when you'll stop losing weight) several times during your weight loss progress. This is completely normal and is only temporary but it can last for a couple of weeks at a time. It is very important to remember that even if your scale isn't showing progress, your entire body is being positively effected by your efforts.

6) Measure different parts of your body (neck, upper arms, lower arms, chest, abs, waist, belly, butt, thighs, etc.) and do it accurately. Write these measurements down and check them once every 2 weeks. This will help you remember that your body is 'reducing' all over -- not just in one particular area. If you're weight training you may actually notice a slight increase in some areas of your body (don't worry -- if you're a woman you won't start looking like a bodybuilder).

7) Keep focused on your end goal and concentrate on losing maybe 1 pound a week -- sometimes you'll lose more, sometimes less. As long as it's an average, it's okay.

8) Lastly, remember that you're doing a WONDERFUL thing for your body.

Keep up the good work. I've worked with hundreds of people in the past 20 years (mostly women) who have lost (individually) HUNDREDS of pounds safely. Better still, they've kept it off -- Kay lost over 350 pounds and has been at her goal weight for 7 years now.

As for what to take, that depends entirely on what your body needs. Anyone who suggests that you take something that 'works for everyone' is either confused or deluded. For example, if you had a twin brother or sister your bodies could react completely different to certain supplements or foods on a metabolic level.

There are supplements and foods that help to counter the production and absorption of fat (chitosan, certain Omega's) but you may or may not need them to be successful.

If you want to learn more about what you might want to take you can visit my site (below).

Any questions, don't hesitate to write and ask.

Lonnie Honeycutt, C.N.C.
Your Health Is My Concern
http://www.betterlifetoday.com

exercise, lyposuction, and a low fat diet, you can find exercises for that body area. i think all of the fat burners are a load of bull hocky, the exercises for a six pack should help, weights, rowing you need 8 glasses of water a day.

I'm 22 and I have them too, they say that if you put 5-10 weight in your hand, stand sideways and lean over to the side with the weight in the hand that you're leaning toward, it will make them go away. Also walking will make them go away, but I have found out that most guys don't mind them and why should we work harder if they don't really care. Good Luck!

I have always had problems with love handles myself and I have worked out regularly for years. I also recently gave in and tried a well known fat burner, Hydroxcut. I watched my diet closely and focused on cardio but did not get any results but I have been told it works for others. The only thing I can say is that you should drink 8-10 glasses of water per day but that won't help you lose weight-Good Luck

Actually, it sounds like you're doing alright. Just keep doing what you're doing on a regular basis, drink about 4-6 more glasses of water a day, do not eat a lot of pasta, hamburgers, hotdogs, rice, only eat wheat bread not white bread. Uhh.. forgot what else.... Oh yes, and besides those excercises, try to do swimming, and do plenty of crunches. By the way, don't get one of those little machines or something for help on situps. The best thing you can do is to lay down on your carpet, tighten your stomach muscles (throughout the whole thing), breathe out when going up in your crunches, and breathe in when going down. So basically breathe out whenever you're straining or really using your muscle, and breathe in when your not, always keep your stomach muscles tight when you're working out, trust me, it helps.

You are doing all the right things. Remember you are 34 and the love handles did not just appear one day. They will come off(slowly)if you continue doing what you are doing. My doc told me that most fat burners work only as long as you take them. When you stop the fat comes back. I wish you very good luck with your weight loss.

Please be careful of fat burning supplements. They have not been tested highly rigorously in clincal trials and may have undesirable side effects. Keep up your exercise regime!! :-)
Vegetables are good for health. Eat plenty of them without the salad dressing. have a nice day!

Read the recommendations below. Also, go to the book store and locate the book "Weight Training for Dummies". In chapter 15 you will find excellent information on how to perform abdominal exercises correctly. Page 218 of the book dispels all the myths surrounding abdominal training.

The following healthy living recommendations will help you if you鈥檙e trying to lose weight, tone up your muscles, have aspirations of building lean muscle mass, are attempting to get a wash board stomach, or just want to feel better:

*1) Burn more calories then you're consuming everyday and measure your results using the following formula: Calories Consumed minus Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) minus Physical Activity. Get a diet and fitness calculator that you can put on your computer or cell phone. This will allow you to easily calculate this formula, set goals, log your daily calorie consumption, and register your physical activities.

*2) Eat natural and organic foods found on earth versus something created by a corporation to make money. Eat meals in small portions throughout the day and take a good multi-vitamin supplement.

Avoid 鈥淗igh Glycemic Load Carbs鈥?(sugar, pastries, desserts, refined starches such as breads, pasta, refined grains like white rice; high starch vegetables such as potatoes) and drink lots of water. Read this article for more information on high GL Carbs:
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsou...

Do not try fad diets or diet pills. Here is an excellent food pyramid that anyone can follow: http://www.rayandterry.com/html/images/P...

*3) Exercise on most days by doing cardiovascular training and/or resistance training activities.

Read a book or find a certified trainer to make sure your doing all resistance training exercises correctly. A great book to buy that teaches you the resistance training basics is 鈥淲eight Training for Dummies鈥? A superb magazine to buy with resistance training routines that will not get you bored is "Muscle and Fitness". Signup for the free newsletter. An excellent free online resource is at http://www.exrx.net/

A good book to buy that teaches you the cardiovascular training basics is 鈥淔itness for Dummies鈥?

*4) Get plenty of sleep. Sleep experts say most adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night for optimum performance, health, and safety.

*5) Educate yourself continually on health issues and make a life long commitment to good health. A great free publication is 鈥淒ietary Guidelines for Americans 2005鈥? A superb book to read is 鈥淵ou The Owner鈥檚 Manual鈥? An excellent periodic publication is the 鈥淣utrition Action Health Letter鈥? A reputable test you can take to measure your biological age is at http://realage.com

Look at all areas where you can enhance your health. For example, make improvements in the quality of the air you breathe. Review outdoor air quality forecasts where you live and get an indoor air purifier. Email me if you want a good indoor air purifier recommendation and if you have other questions.

*Click on all the source links below to get the full benefit of the recommendations. The answers presented to your health questions are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.