Getting a slim, shapely waist requires that you do more than just crunches. While it is important to work your abdominals, you'll also need to exercise your inner core and oblique muscles on the sides of your abs. Keep in mind that exercise alone won't always lead to dramatic results. Especially if you need to lose weight, it might also be necessary to reduce your daily caloric consumption before you can see that extra belly fat disappear.
Step 1
Work up to doing more cardio exercise than you currently do. If you don't have a regular workout schedule, starting one can make a huge difference. To lose belly fat and slim down, the American Council on Exercise recommends performing at least 225 minutes of cardio per week, ideally spread out over five or six days. Mild to moderate activities will yield gradual results, but you can also do intense cardio for quicker results. For example, the Mayo Clinic notes that an hour's worth of tae kwon do, rollerblading or running all burn more than 700 calories per hour for a 160-lb. person.
Step 2
Put in regular core exercise sessions, especially as you begin to lose weight. Ab and core exercises don't burn off enough calories on their own to spur weight loss, but they're more effective than cardio at strengthening, tightening and toning your stomach and waist muscles. In addition to doing crunches and situps, try isometric poses, like the plank, which strengthen your inner core muscles.
Step 3
Add exercises that target your obliques, or the side abdominal muscles. Obliques help define your waist; giving them a full workout can help you develop a better figure. Perform twisting crunches, which involve turning to your left or right as you crunch upward, as well as standing side crunches and knee crunches. Bicycle crunches and Russian twists with weighted resistance are also effective.
Step 4
Measure your results so that you can gauge progress even when it happens slowly. Before you begin your new exercise regimen, take your waist and hip measurements, weigh yourself and snap a photo of your midsection. Repeat the procedure every two to three weeks, stopping to evaluate your change after four to six weeks have passed. Keep in mind that body changes happen slowly, so it may take a couple of months for you to be able to notice a difference. If you don't see positive results within about eight weeks after beginning your fitness program, speak with your physician.
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