best exercise for making waist smaller?

Lovestoscrapbook
Lovestoscrapbook Posts: 295 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am within 10-15 pounds of my eventual goal weight and one of the things I'd like to get back is a smaller waist. I am not familiar with weight lifting so when people recommend things like "do lats" I have no idea what that means.

Are there specific exercises that I can do to help strengthen the muscles but assist in reducing my waist size versus getting a "boxy" look? (And yes, I know you can't spot reduce, read that many times on these forums so please don't respond with that). Looking for advice on if there are specific exercise that can be used...yup, also understand that genetics and body shape come into play as well. When I was younger I had more of an hourglass figure so I know that I fit into that category.

Thanks...
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Replies

  • hellraisedfire
    hellraisedfire Posts: 403 Member
    p90x ab ripper. ;)

    if you youtube it, there's free videos of it.
  • pullipgirl
    pullipgirl Posts: 767 Member
    hula hoop
  • StrongerThanThor
    StrongerThanThor Posts: 544 Member
    Calorie deficit.
  • jamesmom5082
    jamesmom5082 Posts: 1
    Get to a Zumba class! There is a lot of movement involving your hips and waist - all the ab muscles. If you love to dance but hate to do aerobic exercises, Zumba is for you. It is also good for the heart and lungs. My breathing has improved so much along with the disappearance of the love handles (why do they call them that - there is nothing lovable about them!). If you get a good instructor, she will show you both high and low impact versions of the moves she is using so you can be as aggressive or easy as you wish. Good luck!
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    Google dead lifts
  • sandradev1
    sandradev1 Posts: 786 Member
    30 Day shred. On YouTube so you don't have to buy DVD.

    There are 3 levels and you do each for 10 days. I have only done 11 days of it and my stomach measurement has decreased by 3 in. There is cardio on there, but also ab crunches etc. They do use dumb bell weights, but if you haven't got any you can use tins or water filled bottles etc.
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    childbirth, its an almost instant 10 inches off your waist.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    Calorie deficit.

    And the trolling starts.



    You can also youtube Jillian Michaels six week six pack. It focuses on the core, which is what you're aming for.

    What is wrong with this answer? The best way to reduce weight and body fat is with A calorie deficit.
  • TrailRunner61
    TrailRunner61 Posts: 2,505 Member
    I walked, ran and biked all summer and my waist shrank by several inches without dropping one pound. For me it's all about losing more fat. That is all I have to lose there!
  • Jerodhold
    Jerodhold Posts: 87
    When people tell you to work lats, they are talking about the muscles on your back kinda under your armpits, a good way to work your lats is by doing pullups/chinups, the reason they tell you to work your lats is cuz if you have bigger/wider lats, it makes your waist look smaller in comparison.

    But as for exercises that make your waist smaller, I don't really think there is one. If you want a smaller waist you got to get a lower bodyfat %. What I would reccomend is to do weight lifting 3 times a week and some cardio exercises, 5 times a week, 2 of those cardio exercises being High Intensity Intervals, exp - 30 secs running at a high speed then 1 min jogging or walking, and do that 5-10 times. The weight training will help you build more muscle, the more muscle you have the more caloires your body burns. Hope I was at least a little helpful.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,332 Member
    Calorie deficit.

    THIS!

    You cannot spot reduce with exercise.
  • iplayoutside19
    iplayoutside19 Posts: 2,304 Member
    Calorie deficit.

    And the trolling starts.



    You can also youtube Jillian Michaels six week six pack. It focuses on the core, which is what you're aming for.

    What is wrong with this answer? The best way to reduce weight and body fat is with A calorie deficit.

    Seconded, Best way to get a smaller waist is to lose fat, you lose fat by a calorie deficit.

    Is it trolling if I said 6 pack abs are made in the kitchen?
  • BurtHuttz
    BurtHuttz Posts: 3,653 Member
    Try russian twists http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_twist
  • Enigmatica
    Enigmatica Posts: 879 Member
    I've read about studies showing that people who walk a lot usually have smaller waists. May be part of why I have a 25" waist at 50 years old, even after having 3 kids and spending a decade in the obese range. I used to have a big belly. It's gone. But I don't think it was the only factor. I also changed my diet considerably, have been pretty disciplined about calorie balance for over 4 years now, learned a lot of stress management techniques, and my hormonal balance has changed. All of those have been cited as likely factors in what triggers your body to store or burn "visceral fat" from the abdominal area. So while I can't say exactly what worked and why, obviously something, or some combination of things has worked out phenomenally well for me. Good luck to you!
  • grassette
    grassette Posts: 976 Member
    Pull in your pot belly by sucking it in. Do intervals for several minutes throughout the day. When those muscles get strong, they will suck it in automatically.

    Also, walking on all fours like a camel also works the same set of muscles. When you stand up, your pot will be tucked in. (Got this from Seventeen magazine 53 years ago.)
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,332 Member
    Try russian twists http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_twist

    Also a great way to destroy your back.
  • BurtHuttz
    BurtHuttz Posts: 3,653 Member
    Also a great way to destroy your back.

    Really? I'm curious to see your evidence that a slow, gentle oscillating exercise destroys the back.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Stronglifts 5x5 made my waist smaller. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/820899-12-weeks-of-stronglifts-still-a-woman-lotsa-pics
  • nc805397
    nc805397 Posts: 223 Member
    I've noticed my waist has gotten smaller by doing hot yoga ~4 days/week. I imagine regular yoga has the same effects. Also, yoga is so relaxing so another plus!
  • Yogi_Carl
    Yogi_Carl Posts: 1,906 Member
    Calorie deficit.

    THIS!

    You cannot spot reduce with exercise.

    SECONDED. the person who posted "Calorie deficit" wasn't trolling - they were telling you how it is.
  • Yogi_Carl
    Yogi_Carl Posts: 1,906 Member
    I've noticed my waist has gotten smaller by doing hot yoga ~4 days/week. I imagine regular yoga has the same effects. Also, yoga is so relaxing so another plus!

    Sorry - yoga won't help you reduce anything, unless you are also eating at a CALORIE DEFICIT and I love yoga so I must be telling you TRUE!
  • Lovestoscrapbook
    Lovestoscrapbook Posts: 295 Member
    Thank you! My calories are set at 1200 so I try to stay at or just below that and do walking and Zumba so maybe that is what has caused the reduction of 3 inches I've seen so far. I haven't heard of some of these exercises (the Russian twist?) so I will definitely look into that.

    Thank you everybody for the advice and insight.
  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    Calorie deficit.

    And the trolling starts.



    since when is the correct answer trolling?
  • mlunav67
    mlunav67 Posts: 1 Member
    One of the most effective I've found is using a weighted hula hoop.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    I am within 10-15 pounds of my eventual goal weight and one of the things I'd like to get back is a smaller waist. I am not familiar with weight lifting so when people recommend things like "do lats" I have no idea what that means.

    Are there specific exercises that I can do to help strengthen the muscles but assist in reducing my waist size versus getting a "boxy" look? (And yes, I know you can't spot reduce, read that many times on these forums so please don't respond with that). Looking for advice on if there are specific exercise that can be used...yup, also understand that genetics and body shape come into play as well. When I was younger I had more of an hourglass figure so I know that I fit into that category.

    Thanks...
    If your natural shape is hourglass, then when you are a healthy weight, you will have an hourglass figure. You can't exercise yourself into that.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    Calorie deficit.
    Or in exercise terms, "table pushaways" and "fork putdowns".

    There's no such thing as spot reducing. Your body will lose fat in the pattern defined by your genetics. You can't "exercise" fat, so while workouts or exercises targeting a certain part of your body may improve the muscles beneath the fat, they'll do absolutely nothing to get rid of the fat itself....at least not in that particular area in preference to anywhere else on your body.
  • StrongerThanThor
    StrongerThanThor Posts: 544 Member
    Calorie deficit.

    And the trolling starts.



    You can also youtube Jillian Michaels six week six pack. It focuses on the core, which is what you're aming for.

    So you are giving advices without even understanding what is calorie deficit? :smokin:
  • BondBomb
    BondBomb Posts: 1,781 Member
    Calorie deficit.

    And the trolling starts.



    You can also youtube Jillian Michaels six week six pack. It focuses on the core, which is what you're aming for.
    Actually calorie deficit is the right answer. Its rude to call someone a troll for that.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    Calorie deficit.

    And the trolling starts.



    You can also youtube Jillian Michaels six week six pack. It focuses on the core, which is what you're aming for.
    Actually calorie deficit is the right answer. Its rude to call someone a troll for that.

    I reported the post. That felt good.
  • SanDiegoCasey
    SanDiegoCasey Posts: 130 Member
    Are there specific exercises that I can do to assist in reducing my waist size

    (And yes, I know you can't spot reduce).

    ummm..... .don't mean to be sarcastic, but you answered your own question.. the best excersize you can do to reduce your waist is the wisk move, and the veggie chop ;) It's all about the Kitchen!

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