A smaller waist doesn't only look better in clothes, it's also healthier for your body. Excess weight around your belly puts pressure on your vital organs as well as heightens risk for heart disease and stroke. While a bevy of faddish exercise machines and diets promise to help you get rid of a spare tire, belly fat is actually some of the easiest fat on your body to get rid of, according to CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta. With simple lifestyle changes, you can slim your waist and protect your health.
Core Exercises
To enjoy a slimmer waist, you'll need to add core exercises to your typical exercise routine. A stronger core means tighter abs, which will, in turn, help hold in your belly better for a slimming effect. While crunches are usually the gold standard for ab exercises, you can try anything from a plank to pelvic tilts and ab-related yoga.
One exercise to try is an ab circle. Lie on an exercise mat with your hands behind your head and your knees bent at a 45-degree angle. Instead of crunching forward, swing your torso to the side and then upward, as though you were drawing a circle with the top of your head. Complete the circle to come back to start and repeat 12 to 15 times.
Diet
The right foods will go a long way in helping you to achieve a slimmer waist fast. Eating foods that are high in sodium can cause water retention, making you look bloated. Instead, stick with lean protein, which can help you develop muscles in the ab area while keeping you full so you're less likely to graze on unhealthier fare throughout the day. When hungry, reach for nutritionally-dense foods like fruits and vegetables that can fill you up without adding a lot of calories and fat to your waistline.
Cardio
While doing 100 crunches a day will surely help to firm your belly, your hard work will go unnoticed without the addition of cardiovascular exercise. While strength training tones your muscles, cardio helps burn excess fat around the belly to show off your tauter abs. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate- to high-intensity exercise, remembering that you get what you give when it comes to cardio exercise. Exercise vigorously, and you'll get faster, better results overall.
Posture
One of your daily habits could be contributing to a droopy, loose belly. To make your belly look firmer and slimmer, simply sit up. When you slouch or round your shoulders, you immediately create a pouched effect around your midsection. By sitting up tall and adopting the Pilates method of pulling your belly button to your spine, your waist will look slimmer almost instantly and you'll keep your ab muscles toned throughout the day.
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