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So you finally get the chance to go shopping with your closest friends, eagerly scanning the mall for a new bathing suit when it hits you like a strike of lightening. Your eyes meet with a stunning cranberry colored bikini and you must have it. As you approach the fitting room, suit in hand, you rip off your clothes and slap on the gorgeous two piece. As soon as you open the door, you glance at the mirror in horror. After all that exercising, all the dieting and hard work, your efforts have been minimal. Everything looks great except for one small detail; your love handles. Your overbearing, hip-hugging, giggling love handles that extend from your mid-back area all the way down to your buttocks. So what exactly causes this particular area of the body to expand? And how do you finally say good bye to the lower back fat curse that's been haunting you for years? Here are some helpful tips to rid of your problem area.

Before you start running to the treadmill in a panic, first assess your body type and your genetics. We all know bodies come in a wide range of sizes from large, petite, athletic, tall, short and everything in between. The most important factor here, is how your individual body reacts to diet and exercise and how it stores fat. There are three main body types; the ectomorph, which is typically thin framed, with a natural tendency for low body fat; the one we all secretly envy. The endomorph (known as the apple body type) is naturally made to be muscular, stronger but with more body fat due to larger amount of fat cells. The mesomorph is the more athletic type with good muscle growth and lower fat levels (sometimes known as the hourglass.) Generally speaking, you should fall into one of the three categories. Of course, there are always exceptions and you may find yourself borderline mesomorph or in between the mesomorphic and endomorphic body types. Now, take a closer look at your family and how your close relatives store body fat. Do you have a pot-bellied Uncle Jimmy or a slender grandmother? Did your once petite mother gain weight around her hips and thighs or is she top heavy? These are things to consider, especially if you're a woman. Women and men are designed very differently; women should have a healthy 21-33% body fat, whereas men should have 8-19% body fat. Women, due to female hormones, are made to store fat primarily around their hips, thighs, buttocks and stomach. Men store mostly in their midsection. With this in mind, try to remember

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