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Hits the Spot!
Dr. Sheldon Levine's Seven Minute Miracle
By Carma Haley Shoemaker
Many women look in the mirror and think, "I have my mother's hips." Truth is – they do! There is a reason why family members often have the same shape and size, as well as the same problem areas. It is the same reason why women may also have their mother's eyes, smile or hair color. It runs in the family.
We all have our "problem areas," but have dealt with them in a package – exercising our whole bodies in hopes of reducing them. According to Dr. Sheldon Levine, author of The Seven Minute Miracle (LifeLine Press, 2003), we've all been living a major misconception. "There has always been talk about how spot fat reduction doesn't work," Dr. Levine says. "Well, in reality, it does – and very well. We can exercise one area of our bodies, our so-called 'problem area,' and get real results in a real amount of time. There is no need for fancy equipment that 'targets' the area or for any type of procedure to assist your body along. All you need is seven minutes, the right exercises and to know the concept behind spot reduction."
Dr. Levine shares that our problem areas are not just ours; they belong to our entire family. Just as your genes will give you your mother's hair color, your father's eyes and your grandmother's smile, they will also give you your family problem areas. "When a person talks about how they have a 'problem area,' you can almost guarantee that one – if not both – of his/her parents has this same problem area," Dr. Levine says. "That's where you get the concept of a woman having 'her mother's bottom' or 'her family thighs.' This is not just by chance. Your genes act like magnets that attract muscle-covering fat to the fat cells of the five hot spots, ultimately expanding your hips, thighs, belly, tush and arms. Even if you feel that you weren't blessed with the greatest genetics, don't curse your heredity. Work with it."
