The FastDay Forum

Hi,
I am hoping someone can help? I have just completed my 4th week and am feeling great and doing well, but I have a thick waist and wondered the best exercises to try to trim it? Currently I am a size 18, my starting measurements were bust: 45 waist : 42.5 and hips : 49. After 4 weeks they are now bust: 43 waist : 38.5 hips: 45.5. As you can see my waist in relation to my hips is quite thick and although I fit size 16 hips I can never fit the waist. I am a typical apple shape and this is why the diet interested me as it seemed to be the answer to losing my dangerous middle fat But I would love to be able to trim my waist. Currently I do zumba once a week (love love love it) and walk the dog 2.5 miles almost every day and have been swimming too. I haven't done any muscle exercise for years though (sit ups etc) and wondered how I can target my waist at home? I don't really have the time or money for gym membership!

Great forum and I love reading all the inspirational posts

[janeg]

Hello Margalot
I've been 5:2ing since October and have a very slow loss. I was looking at old photies of me yesterday in my gym gear (not a pretty sight) to try and compare how I was to how I am. And I have got a bit of a waist! I was straight up and down but with a reasonably toned tummy (it doesn't bulge out even when I'm really hefty)
Seems that specific waist exercises are not particularly effective but toning up the whole core and abdomen pulls everything in and accentuates the waist.
I've been rowing previously and that tightens everything up especially with HITT included. Now I'm doing the shred thing and it's tough but all the plank type exercises really pull things in- and I can feel it while I'm doing it (and then collapse on the floor in a greasy puddle)
There are loads of fitness things on youtube and vimeo.
Maybe someone else can recommend something going for different fitness levels?
Keep at it cos it will make a difference!

I have a DVD called 10 Minute Solution Target Toning for Beginners. It cost about £5 as I recall,it essentially does what it says in the title and has sections for Abs, Thighs, Arms and Shoulders. The instructor is a bit annoying but you only need to listen to her for 10 mins at a time.
Hope that helps