Whittle the Waistline?

[jansherman]

This question is for Cathe, or anyone else who might have some valid suggestions. I'm looking for exercises that will focus on making my waistline appear smaller than my hips. I'm tall and slender (kind of a "boy" build). I'm fortunate in that I don't have much body fat and can gain muscle fairly easily, and my waist really is smaller than my hips, but because I'm not very curvy it doesn't look like it.

I've heard that building my shoulders and upper back will give more emphasis to the waist area, as well as not doing any type of oblique exercises. I've heard that oblique exercises tend to build the muscles that I'm trying to de-emphasize.

Would appreciate suggestions.

 

[maddiesmum]

You have the answers right here. Yes, working the shoulders more with weights will balance out the upper and lower body and make your waist look more defined. Some oblique work is good for defining the waist but avoid weighted oblique work as this can definitely make a waist thicker.

Dress cleverly. I don't have much waist definition either and I share your boy build, so I try and wear fitted upper body styles that make it look as if I have a waist!

Clare

 

[melimcn]

Not Cathe here...
But "stomach twisties" will do it every time!
This is simply twisting from side to side while keeping your lower body stationary. Try doing 100/day.

The other poster is correct, weighting your ab work, particularly obliques, may cause them to become bigger. But sans weight, you should see some nice results.

 

[Lynn M.]

Hi-

I like kickboxing workouts for leaning out my waist... you get alot of the twisting moves the other posters suggested to define the obliques. Also, you are using your core to keep yourself stable during kicks, which also helps work that area.

Also, planks are good for whittling the waistline. Try incorporating those into your workout more frequently.

Take care, Lynn M.