There is no such thing as "spot slimming" and anyone who tries to sell you a product or program that supposedly does is either lying or uninformed. "Muffin top" is nothing but excess adipose tisse (fat) on the hips. Women naturally tend to deposit fat based on predisposed genetic patterns - hence "apple" and "pear" figures.

That doesn't mean you can't do somthing about it though... since it's a fat deposit you have to demand that your body draw on fat reserves for the work you ask it to do. That means increasing activity and decreasing caloric intake. It's simple arithemtic when it comes to calories - if you use more than you ate that day, you will have to start to use fat reserves. If you ate more than you used then it has to be stored (as fat).

The recommended approach from exercise literature and professionals is sustained cardiovascular activity for fat burning, which is at a lower intensity - about 70% of max or so. That is the range where people generally burn more fat than glucose to fuel activity. Higher intensity activity demands quicker delivery than fat can produce because it has to be broken down before use - it's a less complex process to access glucose so rapid demand uses more glucose. The reserves are withdrawn according to the same genetic patterns so you will see fat loss from more than one body area at a time - and probably in a different order than the next person. It is unique to you. Wrapping with plastic, sweat inducing suits and saunas can't affect fat deposits either.

Short version of the story... to reduce "muffin top" exercise and eat to reduce body fat. No easy outs...

Mahin
B.S. Exercise Science
www.shes-got-hips.com

yup! =)

Everything the above post says but I also wanted to add that the best diet you can do is SMALL portions of food & cut back on your carbs. Sad but true! If you're not a vegetarian eat lean, non-red meats. Of course don't cut out carbs completely. Just cut back & any that you do eat try to make them whole grain or multi grain. Stay away from the bleached white stuff =)

everything that was already said, and...... if you're within the healthy range of body fat percentage and you still have a muffin top, you just need to buy bigger pants ^_~ even thin people will get this if their pants are too small. going up a size in your jeans (and costumes) can make it look like you lost 10 lbs because things aren't overflowing. assuming you're healthy, then size is just an arbitrary number. ^_^
if you check out the BDSS "group drum solo" from the paris show on youtube (or the dvd ^_~) Dondi's patchwork costume has a gimick at the belt that makes the muffin from the tightness of the skirt dissapear. i think that costume piece is the best thing EVER.

Another option is to just embrace it. If you're healthy and fit, there's nothing wrong with being a little softer in some areas. Most women naturally carry a little extra in that area. There's no need to fight that if it's not affecting your health. Make sure you're making appropriate costuming choices for your body type and enjoy your curves. I, personally, find dancers with a little extra in that area more enjoyable to watch.