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What is the best way to lose inches?

MrsSmith2012
MrsSmith2012 Posts: 12 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I can stand to lose about 10 lbs or so....but what I REALLY need to lose is inches. Specifically in my waist, hips and bust. What are the best exercises for this?

Replies

  • JBApplebee
    JBApplebee Posts: 481 Member
    You aren't going to spot reduce. You need to watch what you eat, and exercise. Cardio exercise & strength training will show you the way.
  • bizco
    bizco Posts: 1,949 Member
    Lift heavy weights. No other exercise will transform your body like weight lifting.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    Lift heavy weights. No other exercise will transform your body like weight lifting.

    ^ This, for exercise and just ensure you are in a caloric deficit.
  • dlwyatt82
    dlwyatt82 Posts: 1,077 Member
    Liposuction.

    *ducks* :laugh:
  • MrsSmith2012
    MrsSmith2012 Posts: 12 Member
    Liposuction.

    *ducks* :laugh:

    LOL! After watching my mother go through all of that...noooo thank you! Ha Ha!!
  • mhankosk
    mhankosk Posts: 513 Member
    Lift heavy weights. No other exercise will transform your body like weight lifting.

    ^ This, for exercise and just ensure you are in a caloric deficit.

    Yup... they got it! :)
  • MrsSmith2012
    MrsSmith2012 Posts: 12 Member
    Lift heavy weights. No other exercise will transform your body like weight lifting.

    ^ This, for exercise and just ensure you are in a caloric deficit.

    This won't build TOO much muscle?
  • dhakiyya
    dhakiyya Posts: 481 Member
    Lift heavy weights. No other exercise will transform your body like weight lifting.

    ^ This, for exercise and just ensure you are in a caloric deficit.

    This ^^^

    and eating enough protein.

    Basically:

    - lift heavy
    - eat enough protein
    - be in a moderate calorie deficit (around 20% of TDEE) and stay within your calorie allowance, to lose fat without losing muscle
    - cardio will help too but don't overdo it
    - eat regular healthy meals
    - healthy carbs and healthy fat in moderation, staying within your calorie allowances
    - if you are carb sensitive (e.g. you have insulin resistance, PCOS or generally don't do well eating a lot of carbs) then eat fewer carbs and more healthy fat to compensate
    - measure your portions carefully, don't just guess, to make sure you are eating the right amount of calories to keep on losing fat
  • raiderrodney
    raiderrodney Posts: 617 Member
    Lift heavy weights. No other exercise will transform your body like weight lifting.

    ^ This, for exercise and just ensure you are in a caloric deficit.

    This won't build TOO much muscle?

    Nope ;)
  • fittiephd
    fittiephd Posts: 608 Member
    The best way to lose inches is to do strength training and heavy lifting. Don't be afraid of it! I was at first but it is not scary and is way more fun than cardio. Check out New Rules of Lifting for Women -- even if you dont' decide to do the 6 month training program it has, it explains a lot about how muscles work, how nutrition works, how many calories you should be eating, and has a ton of recipes too! Don't worry you will not bulk up, just slim down!

    Strength training and lifting heavy builds muscle which takes up less space than fat does, making you lose inches. Especially around your core, where your core will pull in tighter like a corset and bring down those inches :)

    Although around your hips it is not really muscle and mostly fat deposits, so for that you will have to lose it in the kitchen! Eat clean and take your time and it will stay off forever!

    Good luck!
  • _Bob_
    _Bob_ Posts: 1,487 Member
    Lift heavy weights. No other exercise will transform your body like weight lifting.

    ^ This, for exercise and just ensure you are in a caloric deficit.

    This won't build TOO much muscle?

    Nope ;)

    I'll second that, finally got my wife to do it. she went from size 6 pants to size 3 while maintaining her weight and getting all toned and sexy.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    1) Eat better
    2) Lift heavy
    3) Be patient
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    Lift heavy weights. No other exercise will transform your body like weight lifting.

    ^ This, for exercise and just ensure you are in a caloric deficit.

    This won't build TOO much muscle?

    It will build very little to none if you are in a caloric deficit, it will help maintain the muscle you already have, instead of you losing it as you lose fat.
  • MrsSmith2012
    MrsSmith2012 Posts: 12 Member
    Lift heavy weights. No other exercise will transform your body like weight lifting.

    ^ This, for exercise and just ensure you are in a caloric deficit.

    This won't build TOO much muscle?

    It will build very little to none if you are in a caloric deficit, it will help maintain the muscle you already have, instead of you losing it as you lose fat.

    OK - I'm probably gonna sound like a total moron....but what exactly is a caloric deficit? I have an idea of what I THINK it means, but I don't want to assume....
  • dlwyatt82
    dlwyatt82 Posts: 1,077 Member
    Lift heavy weights. No other exercise will transform your body like weight lifting.

    ^ This, for exercise and just ensure you are in a caloric deficit.

    This won't build TOO much muscle?

    It will build very little to none if you are in a caloric deficit, it will help maintain the muscle you already have, instead of you losing it as you lose fat.

    OK - I'm probably gonna sound like a total moron....but what exactly is a caloric deficit? I have an idea of what I THINK it means, but I don't want to assume....

    It means you're eating fewer calories than you're burning. If you're losing weight over time, you're definitely averaging some amount of caloric deficit.
  • EthanJeremiahsMama
    EthanJeremiahsMama Posts: 534 Member
    The best way to lose inches is to do strength training and heavy lifting. Don't be afraid of it! I was at first but it is not scary and is way more fun than cardio. Check out New Rules of Lifting for Women -- even if you dont' decide to do the 6 month training program it has, it explains a lot about how muscles work, how nutrition works, how many calories you should be eating, and has a ton of recipes too! Don't worry you will not bulk up, just slim down!

    Strength training and lifting heavy builds muscle which takes up less space than fat does, making you lose inches. Especially around your core, where your core will pull in tighter like a corset and bring down those inches :)

    Although around your hips it is not really muscle and mostly fat deposits, so for that you will have to lose it in the kitchen! Eat clean and take your time and it will stay off forever!

    Good luck!


    ^^ Agree! :)
  • fittiephd
    fittiephd Posts: 608 Member
    Lift heavy weights. No other exercise will transform your body like weight lifting.

    ^ This, for exercise and just ensure you are in a caloric deficit.

    This won't build TOO much muscle?

    It will build very little to none if you are in a caloric deficit, it will help maintain the muscle you already have, instead of you losing it as you lose fat.

    OK - I'm probably gonna sound like a total moron....but what exactly is a caloric deficit? I have an idea of what I THINK it means, but I don't want to assume....

    It means you're eating fewer calories than you're burning. If you're losing weight over time, you're definitely averaging some amount of caloric deficit.

    Exactly, MFP builds in a caloric deficit for you but they often put you at too low of a calorie goal. You want to calculate your TDEE and then subtract 15-20%. TDEE is Total Daily Energy Expenditure. Unless you have a HRM, it will be an estimate, but it is the amount of calories you burn ALL DAY. Including walking sitting breathing eating digesting exercising cleaning everything :)

    Eat more to lose!!
    Check out my thread about calculating calories if you're interested:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/538943-how-to-calculate-calorie-goals-according-to-nrolfw?hl=how+to+calculate+calories+NROLFW
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