I feel like there should be a better place for this question, but I can't find one specifically, so if there is, let me know.

I am happy with my waist and hip measurements (26 and 33 inches respectively) but what I am unhappy with is the space between. My body just doesn't look right, because the measurement in my love-handle area is 34.5 inches - I am like a reverse hourglass!

I know you can't really "target" certain areas (even though I try, by doing daily ab and back-fat type exercises, and cardio) but I don't seem to be able to do much about that area. Am I just stuck with this funny shape, or is there a way to fix this? Anyone else have seemingly weird measurements in problem areas? I want to feel great in clothes, and I am happy with my weight, but it makes things like fitted tops and dresses look very awkward. My only solution is to try to lose more weight... Any ideas?

I know exactly what you mean. If the line from my waist to hips was straight and just increased gradually from my waist to hip bones I would be happy.

But... it doesn't. It sounds exactly like what you're talking about. It's like it goes in, out, then in a little bit more.

I don't have anything to say to help though

I've always heard you can't spot reduce areas so I'm just hoping it gets better by the time I get to goal and tone up a little more.

It's good to know I'm not some freak of nature! Yeah, I really hope that losing a little more or toning up will reduce that area. I guess it's just the last place where my body stores up its fat, which is the hardest to burn off...

I have made the most changes in the tummy measurement after meeting goal - I've gone from a 34 to a 28 since November. I really started to see differences in that area when I ramped up my strength training and my HIIT. Most recently, I started doing sprint intervals. I also do some kickboxing, which I've discovered is good for the legs and the abs.

As Shannon said, you need to increase you weight training and cardio to really reshape your body. I think it's Mel, a long time member here, who lost a lot of weight and at maintenance wasn't happy with her shape so she started to really throw the weights around so to speak, it was then she went down a few sizes to a 6, but with the scale weight still staying the same.

This is from one of the body building books I have read by Anja Langer, not from personal experience...

Langer says in her book that women should avoid doing abs work involving weights. To continue to do abs work...but not to hold onto weights while doing so because we, as women, do not want to increase muscle size in the external obliques. She advocates the use of crunches just not the use of weights in conjunction with crunches. If we over work muscles, really work them out, we build more muscle, bulk it up per se. This is only a rough paraphrase dragged half out of my memory banks. You may want to do more research on this topic. Maybe it has something to do with what is taking place with you physically...just an idea...

Women do not have the testosterone that men do to "bulk" up, it's just not possible unless we spend several hours in the gym daily and take drugs...

Here are some articles:

Krista's site: Strength without size: How to get stronger without getting bulky

Top 10 Reasons Heavy Weights Don’t Bulk Up the Female Athlete

Hope this helps...

I try to do ab workouts daily (usually end up doing them 5-7 times/week). I do a 15-20 minute series of crunches, sit-ups, leg lifts and other variations of these. I don't use any weights or machines specifically for abs. I do weight train (mostly body weight exercises like push ups, dips, etc) though I also do some with weight for upper and lower body. Are there different weight exercises I should be doing for my abs? I've been doing these ab workouts for about eight weeks, and my abs feel very strong.

I guess the area that worries me more than my abs is the sides of the stomach, and the lower back area, because there really isn't muscle there that can be toned, that I know of. Any suggestions for that? Mostly I guess it's just keeping up with the cardio...

There are a lot of yoga moves that work to strengthen the lower back muscles - cobra & floor bow pop immediately to mind. And half-moon pose for the sides of the stomach.

Try doing work on your obliques and.lower back I started really focusing on them,and doing standing ab work and It has eliminated any sign of love handles.Also Belly dancing really trims the waist,back and love handle area.

More strength training is exactly what I need. My measurements are 34, 27.5, 36 and I wear a size 4. I hate that my shoulders are broad. I know nothing will change that--nothing I could possibly do. I have been told that strength training will really "sleek" my body. I am hoping it will work!

What are examples of standing ab work?

Here are some good examples of standing ab work

Thanks Ilene! Those moves look like they'll be something I can incorporate into my ab routine, and even just do them at home in the morning or during small periods of free time. I hope they help!!