I work out at a gym about 3 times a week. Mainly cardio, but some weight work. I've remained quite slim over the years and haven't developed a muscular body. The place I go to has personal trainers and every 6 weeks or so they give a free assessment and suggest some knew exercises, if you wish. I realise gyms can be relatively expensive but if you can afford them they can be great motivators as well. To a very great extent I've also 'come out' during my membership and that has been a very positive experience, everyone has been super nice. Once a new member made some disparaging remark to me and two very muscular guys went straight to him and said something. I've never seen him again

But yes a good diet, healthy sleep and exercise are my suggestions.

Cindy

Quote from: jdinatale on February 12, 2012, 06:02:17 PM
There is no such exercise that reduces the size of a waist. The only way to lose inches around your waist is to either reduce the fat or muscle around your waist.

Now you're just being kinda negative and unhelpful.

Quote from: Beverley on February 13, 2012, 05:20:07 AM
The bodybuilding community might disagree

http://www.iron-dolls.com/articles/the-stomach-vacuum.html

Arnold Schwarznegger used to swear by it... (or maybe at it...)



Beverley

That's completely different than suggesting that crunches or sit-ups burns fat, which they don't.

If you want a smaller waist, get in a caloric deficit through your diet and exercise, it's as simple as that.

Quote from: jdinatale on February 13, 2012, 02:10:03 PM
That's completely different than suggesting that crunches or sit-ups burns fat, which they don't.

If you want a smaller waist, get in a caloric deficit through your diet and exercise, it's as simple as that.

You're misunderstanding: no one's saying that you can target burning fat in the belly, and especially not through crunches. The claim is that one can reduce one's waist size through core tightening exercises. And this is clearly true.

Quote from: Skyanne on February 11, 2012, 06:27:08 PM
I'm having some good luck with body fat redistributing to my butt and thighs, unfortunately my stomach is still bigger than I would like. I'm not really fat or anything, but I know there's still lots of room for improvement.

Anyone have any good tips for reducing this annoyingly masculinising feature, or is it really just a case of eat less, excercise more and hope for the best?

Exercise like crazy! especially the stomach muscles. HRT helped me put all the fat on my belly and not where I wanted it.

Make sure you don't do exercises that will hurt you, for example, my physical therapist and primary care physician told me not to do sit-ups, that they'd hurt my back, but to do crunches instead. Pilates is quite the workout.

  I'm into reducing the portions I eat.  It worked before and for a long period.  Again, I am in the process of losing weight.  I could not reach my feet from a sitting position to tie or untie my shoelaces after Xmas.  I had to exhale, it was an ooff-ooff situation.  Standing, I couldn't reach far down enough for one my feet to clear the waistband of my pants or underwear.  It was the belly, my 36" inseam didn't help either.  My arms and legs did gain muscle mass, but little fat.  It's just the belly.  Bad belly!  Bad, bad belly!
  Joelene

Ive always found a combination of leg raises, stomach crunches and press-ups (not at the same time obv ) are good ways to lose weight and/or tone up your stomach. Also if you combine that with cardio 2/3 times a week (I run and occasionally play football *still* ) then you'll get in shape quite quickly and should notice the benefits.

  Im not an expert or anything, but thats what helps for me.

Quote from: Naturally Blonde on February 14, 2012, 04:27:51 PM
Exercise like crazy! especially the stomach muscles. HRT helped me put all the fat on my belly and not where I wanted it.

Hello

It is not a matter of eating less and more exercise it is a matter of discipline.
I myself do not eat Macca's, KFC, Pizza's or any other rubbish.
One of the first things I would suggest is buy yourself a steamer to steam all your vegetables, this locks
all the nutrients in instead of boiling them, you lose most of the nutrient's this way(boiling).
If you can cut out potato chips and so on as I have and eat healthy you should be on your way.
Regarding exercise if you don't want to ride a push-bike(highly recommended) you can exercise at home.
You can find a program that suits you but you really should devote at least 60 minutes a day 3 times a week
if doing high intensity workout which I do myself(no rest between sets).
Do not do High intensity workouts if you have not done serious exercise before.
But if I were you I would just eat well and ride a push-bike.

Namaste'

Atomic Kitten

2 bits to add..wanted to double back to the biking idea. During the warm months i ride my bicycle nearly five times a week, an avg of 10-15mi, the support that you need to keep your body up and balanced goes along way to get your stomach flatter.  A few weeks off the bike and the a little tummy can pop back on there.  If you can stay fit even by running a few miles a week that could help.  Just a thought.

Quote from: Jenny_B_Good on February 12, 2012, 04:14:33 AM
Unfortunately, it will also be a case of first in first out. Meaning- you will lose the butt before you lose the belly.

I have found this to be true, whenever I lose weight it comes off everywhere I don't want it to and the muffin top is still there...