Love handles refer to fat deposited on the sides of the waist. These unsightly bulges are also known as a spare tire or a muffin top, which occurs when excess fat hangs over a person's waistband.

Most people agree that having excess fat around the midsection is undesirable. Research shows that abdominal fat leads to higher risks of heart disease, diabetes and even certain types of cancers. But how do you go about getting rid of love handles?

One way to effectively eliminate love handles is to lose weight by following a reduced-calorie diet and by consistently doing cardiovascular exercise.

As you begin your diet and exercise program, you can disguise your love handles by wearing clothes that fit properly. Avoid too-tight clothing, low-rise jeans and midriff-baring shirts. Opt for pants that go around your natural waist and for women, skirts and dresses that sit at your natural waist.

Check out AOL Health's belly-bloating foods to avoid or eat belly-flattening foods. AOL Health also has sections on how to burn ab fat and ab workouts.

This is the third part of my interview with trainer to the stars Gunnar Peterson. He dished about his celebrity clients, gave us tips on working out faster and smarter, and now, we're wrapping up the interview with tips for fitting into that sexy little dress ... by New Year's Eve!

Trying to get ready for a holiday party or hot New Year's Eve date? Gunnar suggests dropping carbs like bread, rice and pasta from your dinner (but don't drop them completely from your diet), getting plenty of sleep, staying hydrated and pushing yourself in your workout with your goal in mind. Fuel yourself for your workouts with some protein a couple of hours beforehand, and stay hydrated throughout your workout -- you'll get more out of it in less time.

If you're going strapless or backless, add some pull-ups into your routine. Gunnar is a big fan of assisted pull-ups using rubber bands, which allow even those who can't do a single pull-up alone to complete several reps. "It gives you a great feeling of accomplishment," he said, "which gets you fired up." Also, throw in some rear shoulder movements, like the reverse fly -- it'll help define muscles and give you better posture.

After watching her weight zig-zag through a range of about 100 pounds over the years, Oprah Winfrey has done it again. Apparently, she's regained the weight she once worked so hard to lose and is stuck at 200 pounds, in a very uncomfortable position.

Oprah reveals that she had envisioned a beautiful dress to wear to President-Elect Obama's inauguration but is now worried she won't be able to fit into it.

"How could this happen again?" she wonders. After losing weight following very public liquid diets, marathons and detox diets, we're all left to wonder: Will Oprah ever keep the weight off for good? Oprah is clearly wondering the same thing.

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American Idol superstar Jordin Sparks is doing more than singing lately. She's also keeping busy designing holiday dresses for Wet Seal. Jordin's line, called Sparks, will hit stores just in time for Thanksgiving and will one day feature casual apparel and accessories too.

Jordin is reportedly thrilled about her new venture. "I am so excited that Wet Seal and I have been able to create a line of clothing that will appeal to more girls than ever before," says the 19-year-old. Why will her dresses appeal to so many girls? Well, because they'll be terrific and trendy, of course, but also because Jordin is no skinny-mini -- and that's a good thing. Girls of all sizes can look at the rising star and realize that it's OK to be something other than a size two, that good things do come to girls of all shapes, that fashion was not intended just for the waify ones.

The holiday season is Jordin's favorite time of year, she says. And she can't wait to see girls -- from XS to XL -- look cute, feel good, and celebrate in style. Check out some of her dresses in the gallery below. And shop online for these finds at wetseal.com.

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Contrary to what fashion magazines and celebrities might lead us to believe, we don't need to cut down on our curves. We just need to dress them up, like this.

• Dress for your true size, not what you want to be or once were.
  
• Dress from the inside out, starting with a well-fitting bra and shapewear to smooth your lumps and bumps.
  
• Skim your body with high-waist, wide trousers and A-line or flared skirts. No clingy stuff.
• Don't cover your curves with big clothes. They make you look, well, big.
  
• End your skirts just before or under the kneecap to lengthen your legs.
• Make your jackets short and fitted to flatter your legs and your waist.
• Avoid elastic waistbands, because while they may be comfortable, they add bulk to your midsection.
• Keep necklines open with a deep V- or scoop-necks.
  
• Use belts to cinch in your waist.
• Counterbalance your wide feet with wide heels, because thin heels draw attention to wide feet.

How do you dress your curves?

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Curious to know how celebrities squeeze fitness into their daily lives? Want to know the secrets of the stars? Bi-weekly our That's Fit fitness expert Fitz sits down with the celebs we want to know more about, and digs out their great and not-so-great methods to staying healthy.

If you've been in tune with national sporting news this week, you're probably aware of the big hub-bub created by Mike Nadel, a cranky reporter of the Peoria Journal Star, who wrote a venomous article about the both young and beautiful sideline reporter for ESPN, Erin Andrews. The "big news" and "big deal" was that Erin wore a dress that hit right above her knee (the outrage!), and her dress was not a turtleneck (hussy)! Nadel even noted that Erin went so far as to grope Alfonso Soriano's bicep at a gathering (she was just looking at his scar from a recent surgery).

Here is the truth about Erin. She's a college educated, ambitious, down-to-earth woman who started on a small network and proved her reporting worthy of a high profile on-air position at ESPN. She loves sports and is great at delivering the news we want to know about our favorite athletes, coaches and teams. Erin and I relaxed on a sunny afternoon in both of our alma mater's football stadium, the University of Florida's SWAMP, to chat. She's funny, sarcastic, and truly grateful to have the job she's dreamed of. She often travels with a band of brothers, the mostly male ESPN GameDay crew, and has had to learn the hard way that she really isn't a guy. Some fans with cell phone cameras taught her that.

Fitz: You are pretty great shape! What do you do?

Erin: Traveling for my job makes staying in shape really hard. We're on the road so much, and for me ... it's tough cause I'm one of the only girls on site. I'm really close with the other talent and the broadcasters, so we go out to eat all the time. Today we had hamburgers! Eating on the road is the worst way to eat. Not only that, but I'm surrounded by guys! When you're surrounded by men, you eat and drink like a guy.

Fitz: Not good news for a slender woman like you!

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We know the standards when it comes to weight loss -- less calories, more exercise, lots of water, not a lot of junk food. Now check these out -- some unconventional ideas for losing a few pounds.

Go Blue. The color blue functions as an appetite suppressant. So serve up dinner on blue plates, wear blue while you eat, and cover your table with a blue tablecloth. Then avoid all visions of red, yellow, and orange while you eat. Studies find these colors encourage eating.

Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall. Hang a mirror across from your seat at the table and you may eat one-third less than normal. Looking at yourself while you chow down will remind you of why you're trying to lose weight.

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FitSpirit explores the mind-body connection and the intangible benefits we gain from our efforts to stay physically fit.

Aside from a wedding here and there, I haven't really dressed up in seven years -- ever since I had my first baby and decided to trade a professional job for a mommy job. No need for dress pants and tops or suits and fancy shoes.

For all these years, my office attire has been hanging in my closet because all I wear nowadays is fitness gear. Track pants and shorts, short and long-sleeved t-shirts, fleece pull-overs, a ski jacket, and tennis shoes make up most of my wardrobe. I don't even care much for jeans. I prefer comfy clothes for my at-home ventures. They suit me well. My suits? Not so fitting anymore.

My suits are fitting for some homeless folks in my area, says a mommy friend who works with this population. So I'm donating them all. Just packed them up and loaded them in my car in fact. I plan to transfer them tomorrow morning when I see this mommy in our kids' school parking lot.

I feel fit in most areas of my life. I feel physically fit, emotionally fit, and pretty financially fit. Not everyone enjoys my luxury. Some people are busy simply surviving and don't even have physical fitness on their radars. Many are depressed, deep in despair over their life conditions. Most have no money at all. Some live outdoors and spend their hours seeking warmth and nourishment. Not much chance for a fit lifestyle. Yet, despite their misfortune, some are trying to come back to life. That's where my suits come into play.

My friend told me some of the homeless people she serves are trying really hard to get jobs. But they don't have the proper clothing for interviews. That's why I'm donating mine. And why my husband will go through his closet tonight so can donate too. It's the least we can do, in celebration of our fitness and in hopes others find theirs.

Okay, so I admit that this post is purely for fun -- it's a dress that looks like a hamburger! We all love hamburgers (they're one of the most popular foods ever) but we also know how unhealthy most of them are, so why eat one when you can wear one instead?

Of course it's not really that fashionable (it is clothing that looks like food, after all) but it could make a cute Halloween costume or something. And the single best part about this particular hamburger? It comes off your hips just as fast as it goes on.

Oh, and don't forget to check out "The Sundae Dress" and "The Ice Cream Cone Dress" too. You know, in case you're in the mood for dessert.


Via Slashfood

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If you think you have to be skinny and perfect to pull off the latest fashion trends, you are so wrong. All you need to pull off are these few tricks for dressing thin. If you like them, thank E! for calling them to my attention so I can share them with you.

• Get tops that fit. Don't squeeze yourself into anything.
  
  

• Avoid light colors. They show every bump and bulge.
  
  

• Choose black. It really is slimming.
  
  

• Dress one size bigger.
  
  

• Go with long cardigans to create vertical, taller, skinnier lines.
  
  

• Try little jackets too. Cinch around the waist.
  
  

• Ditch the chunky jewelry. It adds volume to your body.
  
  

• Nix the short skirts unless you have very thin legs.
  
  

• Invest in pencil skirts to elongate the body.
  
  

• Add high heels to gain length.

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Those of you who have been in a wedding--in any part--know that there is a lot of pressure associated with 'the big day.' With the astounding amount of time and money that goes into a wedding, it's not surprising that brides-to-be are going to another extreme to have their perfect wedding--namely, they're starving themselves to look their best.

It's called Brideorexia, and according to this article from Newsweek, it affects an alarming number of women. Consider these statistics from a recent study of engaged women:

• 20% were closely monitoring their weight to make sure they didn't gain an ounce (which is understandable because when you spend that much on a dress, you want it to fit. But;)
• 70% were trying to lose 20 pounds or more before the wedding
• 20% engaged in 'extreme' dieting behaviour, such as skipping meals, going on liquid diets and using laxatives.
  

That's not all--A small percentage of the women started smoking to lose weight, and some went as far as to purge after meals. Want to know more? Click here.

The bottom line? It's one day, and it's not worth jeopardizing your health for.

(Via Aisledash)

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National Wear Red Day is February 1, 2008 -- mark your calendars! -- and that means you simply must make a red fashion statement on this day. Not only will you look dashing in your vibrant hues, you'll be sending a heart-healthy message too. So pull out your favorite red dress, laugh until you're red in the face, or eat a red apple. It's up to you. You get to choose exactly how you'll go red.

Going red is about finding a personal way to take part in the fight against the number one killer of American women: heart disease.

Go Red For Women is the American Heart Association's nationwide movement that urges millions of people across the country to help make a difference. The color red, and the red dress, have become symbols for the ability all women have to improve their heart health and live stronger, longer lives.

While heart disease is a force to be reckoned with, the good news is that the disease can largely be prevented. And so the mission of this Go Red movement is to arm women with tips and information on healthy eating, exercise, and risk factor management.

To learn more about all things red, visit this site. It's sure to inspire you to love that heart of yours.

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It's something that's probably decades overdue, but doctors in England will soon have those neckties, wristwatches, long sleeves and even those long white coats banished from the workplace.

You see, all that garb can make deadly infections spread all over a hospital, since a normal doctor may visit several patients and other areas each day (or each hour). All those items are potential carriers of disease.

This move should be a requirement for any modern hospital, yes? It's odd to think that a doctor be outfitted like a clean-room computer technician, but that is exactly what is needed. Let's hope hospitals in the U.S. get with this soon.

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Celebrities seem to look different every day -- whether it's a new hairdo, a new fashion or what looks like a few less pounds padding their hips. How do they slim down almost instantaneously? Unhealthy crash diets might be at fault, but their wardrobe might also play a role.

Celebs can certainly afford the latest fashions, not to mention personal stylists, so it should not come as a surprise that they dress themselves to appear slimmer. Jessica Simpson wears skinny jeans with heels, Jordin Sparks goes for waist-hugging outfits and Jessica Alba apparently wears slimming body suits and a padded bra under all her red-carpet dresses.

Myself, I'm partial to long t-shirts that cover up that muffin top, and I choose outfits that draw attention to what I consider my best features: My collarbone and my skinny ankles. How about you?

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Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answer. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose two per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Hi Fitz. I am a 23-year-old female and I struggle with my legs. My issue is the upper area: thighs, hamstrings and glutes. I have a desk job and sit most of the day, but I go to the gym every evening right after work. I read tons about fitness and have tried everything. It just seems as though my glutes and thighs never tone. I do cardio (run & elliptical) three days a week and I weight train two days a week alternating muscles groups: upper body with lower body. I eat well, five small healthy meals a day. Please help. Jasmine

A. Hey Jasmine. Sorry you're struggling. Sounds like you're on the right track, but we can change things up a bit to get you closer to where you'd like to be physically. First of all, I'd like to change the type of cardio you're doing. I absolutely love running and the elliptical trainer, but those activities don't really make the best use of the power in your glutes and thighs. Start engaging in activities that take your legs through a large range of motion and utilize their power. Kickboxing, climbing stadium bleachers, and mountain biking are great choices. These activities require you to lift your legs, extend/flex at the hips and knees and create both endurance and strength in the areas your eager to enhance. Make sense? This way you'll be burning major calories and creating strong hard thigh muscles simultaneously.

Continue a well rounded strength training routine, but add some extra moves to target those glutes and thighs. Walking lunges and squat jumps (squat real low, jump real high) are my favorites. Make these changes, Jasmine, and you'll start seeing the results you've been dreaming about. Keep me posted!

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