We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Spot weightloss

Buildingit3157
Buildingit3157 Posts: 145 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Does anyone know if you work out a muscle group such as the abs, if the muscle then burns fat in that specific area? Or does it work out the muscle and burn all around fat throughout the body?

Replies

  • kk_inprogress
    kk_inprogress Posts: 3,077 Member
    edited March 2016
    Nope. You can't spot reduce. It comes off where it wants to.

    ETA: or where your genetics dictate.
  • Buildingit3157
    Buildingit3157 Posts: 145 Member
    That's what I thought. So then its good to work the muscle groups for the sole purpose of strengthening and burning cals and cross your fingers for good genetics and luck.
  • kk_inprogress
    kk_inprogress Posts: 3,077 Member
    That's what I thought. So then its good to work the muscle groups for the sole purpose of strengthening and burning cals and cross your fingers for good genetics and luck.

    I mean, overall you're likely to see losses just about everywhere and not end up completely disproportionate, but yes.

    For example, I'm a runner and do TONS of lower body strengthening and quad exercises. Despite reaching my goal weight, my thighs remain slightly larger than I would have liked. I could probably recomp and work on it, but it is what it is. My weight came off in my stomach and arms first.
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    That's what I thought. So then its good to work the muscle groups for the sole purpose of strengthening and burning cals and cross your fingers for good genetics and luck.

    No matter what your genetics and luck are, if you lift and continue to diet you will get lean. Having the toned look is all about the hard work and patience, not luck and genetics.
  • kk_inprogress
    kk_inprogress Posts: 3,077 Member
    usmcmp wrote: »
    That's what I thought. So then its good to work the muscle groups for the sole purpose of strengthening and burning cals and cross your fingers for good genetics and luck.

    No matter what your genetics and luck are, if you lift and continue to diet you will get lean. Having the toned look is all about the hard work and patience, not luck and genetics.

    You make a good point, because persistence has gotten me further than I thought my body was capable. I still feel it's important to not discount genetics though because there are some things it is physically impossible to achieve for some people. Generally I agree with your premise that it's about persistence and hard work.
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    kkenseth wrote: »
    usmcmp wrote: »
    That's what I thought. So then its good to work the muscle groups for the sole purpose of strengthening and burning cals and cross your fingers for good genetics and luck.

    No matter what your genetics and luck are, if you lift and continue to diet you will get lean. Having the toned look is all about the hard work and patience, not luck and genetics.

    You make a good point, because persistence has gotten me further than I thought my body was capable. I still feel it's important to not discount genetics though because there are some things it is physically impossible to achieve for some people. Generally I agree with your premise that it's about persistence and hard work.

    As far as fat loss and having a lean body, genetics can be ruled out once body fat gets low enough. Where you lose first or last is genetics. Having a 6 pack versus a 2 pack or flat abs is genetics. Having large shoulder muscles or small calves or a large perky butt is genetic. Muscular goals are definitely due to genetics and sometimes even years of hard work results in little progress (my delts have that issue).
  • Buildingit3157
    Buildingit3157 Posts: 145 Member
    edited March 2016
    kkenseth wrote: »
    usmcmp wrote: »
    That's what I thought. So then its good to work the muscle groups for the sole purpose of strengthening and burning cals and cross your fingers for good genetics and luck.

    No matter what your genetics and luck are, if you lift and continue to diet you will get lean. Having the toned look is all about the hard work and patience, not luck and genetics.

    You make a good point, because persistence has gotten me further than I thought my body was capable. I still feel it's important to not discount genetics though because there are some things it is physically impossible to achieve for some people. Generally I agree with your premise that it's about persistence and hard work.

    Great. I'm lean and toned in my lower portion. I've had a child and my family carries weight in stomach. Looking to rid excess. It's going wonderful so far. Ive seen huge changes recently. I will get there. No luck needed. Play on words.
  • kk_inprogress
    kk_inprogress Posts: 3,077 Member
    kkenseth wrote: »
    usmcmp wrote: »
    That's what I thought. So then its good to work the muscle groups for the sole purpose of strengthening and burning cals and cross your fingers for good genetics and luck.

    No matter what your genetics and luck are, if you lift and continue to diet you will get lean. Having the toned look is all about the hard work and patience, not luck and genetics.

    You make a good point, because persistence has gotten me further than I thought my body was capable. I still feel it's important to not discount genetics though because there are some things it is physically impossible to achieve for some people. Generally I agree with your premise that it's about persistence and hard work.

    Great. I'm lean and toned in my lower portion. I've had a child and my family carries weight in stomach. Looking to rid excess. It's going wonderful so far. Ive seen huge changes recently. I will get there.

    Yup. Keep up the deficit and you'll be good.
This discussion has been closed.