There are many terms to describe the roll of fat that accumulates around our tummy or hip region; muffin top, love handles, spare tyre, beer belly etc.
Regardless of what we call it, it can be extremely hard to lose.
The difficulty is that we all share a problem when it comes to losing fat from a particular area of our body.
We can only lose fat from our body in a predetermined order.
We are hard wired, physiologically speaking, to lose fat in a particular order which cannot be altered.
Think of it like this.
If you want to empty a swimming pool, you have to drain the shallow end first.
Fat loss follows a similar principal For most of us, that means that the last place we lose fat will be the deepest part of the deep end, specifically our tummy or hip area.
That's just the way it is.
Therefore, what we must understand, is that to get rid of fat from one specific part of our body (muffin top) we must burn fat from all over our body.
We can only get rid of our muffin top as part of an overall weight loss program.
Generally, that means a program that includes exercise and diet.
By exercise I mean, at least, half an hour a day of aerobic exercise and some weight resistance training.
The more exercise you can include, the better.
By diet, I mean cutting down on fatty, processed foods and making more sensible, healthier food choices.
You can drastically reduce your calorie count by making simple changes to your normal diet.
Additionally, as a rule of thumb, the more exercise you do, the more flexibility you can have with your diet.
Don't be fooled into thinking that you can do specific exercises to target this stubborn area of fat.
No matter how many sit ups, crunches, side reaches or ab circles you do, you will not lose fat from that area.
What you will do is tone the various muscle groups which are hidden under the rolls of fat.
This will improve the look of the muffin top area by pulling in and tightening the muscles but the very same amount of fat will remain.
However, what you will have as a result of these exercises, will be a great set of six pack abs..
..
...
provided you eventually lose the fat form around this area.
You see, we all have a six pack; it's just that it is nearly always hidden under a layer of fat.
A word of caution.
Don't be fooled into thinking that there is a short cut to getting rid of our muffin top.
I know that there are many experts and exercise gurus who will tell you that a certain piece of exercise equipment will give you a great six pack with five minutes use every day.
That is a lie.
It is impossible.
Every single one of the people who advertise and promote these products will be using them as a SMALL part of a comprehensive nutrition and fitness program.
You will see, if you look carefully at the small print on the advertisements you see on TV and magazines, the words, "used as part of a weight loss program.
" So be prepared.
Losing weight is not easy and there are few shortcuts or quick fixes.
It will take time, effort and sacrifice.
But with the right attitude, it can be great fun and ultimately hugely rewarding.