Dear Dr. Diet:

After my first baby, I gained some weight.  I started jogging with my husband to firm-up.

Its’ hard enough keeping up with him and now he tells that if I run backwards it will help tighten up my buttocks. Could this be true?

Running Backwards

Dear Pain-in-the-Assets:

Body fat distribution has to do with genes. Trying to spot-reduce in an area like the buttocks has little to do with a specific type of exercise.  We recommend exercising your right to be in charge of your own body. (There must be more important family tasks to which your husband can to devote his expertise.)  Butt, to answer your question, tell the man behind the behind that retro-running (running backwards) is not going to firm your derriere. Only overall weight-reduction, which you may or may not want or need, can reduce overall fat distribution.  Exercise alone cannot change your body’s genetic blueprint.   End of story.