Can I Lose My Midsection & Gain Weight In My Butt At The Same Time?

Although plenty of options are available to either gain or lose weight, you'll be hard-pressed to find one that's able to do both. For the most part, body weight is shaped by a person's caloric intake. If you consume more calories than you use each day, you're going to gain weight, and the reverse is true for weight loss. So you can't lose weight in one area of the body, while gaining it in another, unless this weight gain is a result of muscle. Certain athletic pursuits can increase muscle mass along the buttocks as they burn additional calories that may help trim your midsection.

Genetics

While calories may influence body weight, the pattern of weight loss or weight gain is often guided by genetics. Adam Drewnowski, director of the Center for Public Health Nutrition at the University of Washington, explains that there's no way of controlling where body fat goes when gaining weight. The same is true for weight loss. You've inherited this pattern from your parents.

Spot Reduction

Since there's no way of dictating where fat is distributed, you're not able to target certain areas to burn this fat. Crunches, situps and other abdominal exercise can help strengthen and tone your core, but they don't do much to help you lose weight around your midsection. Instead, focus on aerobic activities that elevate your heart rate. This causes an increase in energy expenditure, forcing the body to burn additional calories to fuel the activity. As you burn more calories, you're more likely to create the caloric deficit needed to reduce fat stores and lose weight.

Caloric Deficit

The caloric deficit needed to lose weight is exactly the same for everyone, regardless of weight, height, age or gender. It takes a deficit of 3,500 calories to shed a pound of fat. Exercise helps, but making dietary changes to reduce your caloric intake each day is even more effective, explains Donald Hensrud, preventive medicine specialist writing for MayoClinic.com. So cut down the size of your meals and eat healthier food options.

Exercise

Despite the fact that genetics plays a significant role in where you lose or gain weight, you shouldn't be deterred in trying to achieve the body shape you're looking for. In fact, certain athletic pursuits are more apt to work the glutes and provide a rounder butt than others. According to fitness and exercise expert Joanna Hall, focus on walking, biking and swimming. These activities engage the hip flexor or hip extensor muscles, promoting a pert derriere. Plus, these activities burn additional calories, which can help you achieve the caloric deficit necessary to lose weight and shed the belly fat at the same time as improving the shape of your butt.