How do I lose fat in my upper body?

According to CNN and Women's Health Magazine, it is impossible to target one specific area of the body when attempting to lose fat. Further, according to James Hill of the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center, how you lose weight depends on where your body stores fat and also may depend on your genetics. Instead of attempting to lose fat in the upper body, attempt to lose weight in general. Follow these simple steps to get started.

1. Eat a balanced diet

   Cut back or eliminate refined sugars and refined carbohydrates from your diet. Refraining from processed foods is a good place to start. Avoid eating things like white bread, white rice, cakes and chips. Focus on increasing protein intake, as protein helps keep you fuller and helps your body recover from workouts, which allows you to hit the gym more often.

2. Lift weights and do cardiovascular exercise

   Training the muscles of the upper body improves posture and changes your body's proportions, which helps to improve your body's appearance. Further, increasing muscle mass speeds up your body's metabolism and allows you to shed fat more quickly. As for cardiovascular exercise, look into high-intensity interval training, which focuses on short sets of high-intensity and low-intensity interval training.

3. Maintain a consistent schedule

   The final step is to be consistent. Losing fat effectively requires a long-term commitment; you have to be willing to eat well and exercise regularly.