If you want to reduce the width of your hips, exercise and diet may offer you your best options. Combined with a low-fat diet, a number of exercises and activities will have you burning fat in no time. When focusing on your hips, don't forget to engage in all-around body exercise, which will help boost your metabolism and burn fat and calories faster.
Speed Skating
You don't have to get onto the ice to benefit from speed-skating exercises, which are a way to tone and trim the hips, buttocks and thighs. Start with a wide stance, and lunge forward with your right foot, allowing your left foot to swing behind you as you leap. Bring your left foot forward and take another large lunging step, this time allowing your right leg to fold behind you. Continue this forward motion for five to 10 lunging steps. You can also perform this exercise standing in place, hopping from your right to left foot and folding the non-working leg behind you as you hop.
Fire Hydrants
Fire hydrants work the muscles of the outer thighs and buttocks. Get down on all fours, knees directly under your hips and arms beneath your shoulders. Lift your bent right leg outward until your knee is level with your hip. Lower and then repeat 10 to 20 times. Switch sides and repeat with your left leg. Add to the challenge by wearing ankle weights. You can also extend your leg outward from the body, lift and lower for even more fat-burning benefits.
Lying Side Leg Lift
The lying side leg lift focuses attention on the upper portion of the thigh and side of your hip. Lie on the floor on your left side, bracing your upper torso weight on your left elbow. Extend your legs away from your body, staying aligned with your torso. Lift your right leg, then let it down, repeating 10 to 20 times. You'll feel a burn on the outside of your hip when you're about halfway through. You may also perform the exercise with your head down and resting on your left arm.
Standing Extensions
Stand holding onto a chair back or counter, feet close together, legs straight. Lift your right leg, knee straight but not locked in place. Don't swing, but use the strength of your hip joint to lift the leg. Lower and repeat 10 to 20 times, then switch sides. You may also perform this move by standing on your left leg, bending your right leg to a 45-degree angle and then lifting out to the side, keeping your thigh, knee and lower leg in a stable position as you lift.
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