A slimmer waist?

[Anonymous]

I am an almost 43 year old mom of two kids. I working to get a smaller waist, but don’t know if it is physically possible. I work out 6-7 days a week cardio, strength, do cardio and stretch. I Hydrate a ton, and am mindful of my eating habits (app tracker).
Weight: 128.5
Height: 5’2”
Bust: 36”
Waist: 29.25”
Hips: 37”

When I got my weight down to below 125 I began to look like I had an eating disorder, and I didn’t feel attractive or strong.
So how else does one get a slimmer waist?
What exercises should I be doing?
Or, maybe I just remain content with where I am?

[Anonymous]

I have almost your exact measurements. My waist slims down when I'm deliberately reducing dairy and carbs.

I also have diastasis recti, and haven't been good about doing the exercises for that (not typical core exercises). I'm sure they'd help.

[Anonymous]

Sorry but I don’t think exercise will help you as much as losing weight. I’m 5’2” and weigh 107. 33-27-34. I think we have similar bodies is the only reason I’d encourage you to drop pounds, I bet you don’t look as slight as you feel.

[Anonymous]

I am your age and have dropped several inches from my waist in the last couple of years with the following:

-reducing meat and alcohol
-swimming, skating, and running
-more sleep

[Anonymous]

I have never had a slim waist, but would love to. From what I have observed, women with naturally thick waists like mine need to be super fit to have a small waist. Runners seem to achieve it most consistently. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I don’t think you can. If you lose weight it will be smaller, but so will everything else. Your proportions will likely stay the same no matter what you do. Hormone changes that happen with age also cause more fat to deposit around midsection, plus losing muscle mass from your rear and legs.

Actually I would focus on maintaining/gaining muscle mass on your lower half.

[Anonymous]

Don't do sit ups or crunches. Focus on your transverse abdominals. When you strengthen those muscles, they act as an internal corset. Your posture will improve and your waist will appear slimmer. Losing weight will help, too, as will wearing a well fitted bra.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry but I don’t think exercise will help you as much as losing weight. I’m 5’2” and weigh 107. 33-27-34. I think we have similar bodies is the only reason I’d encourage you to drop pounds, I bet you don’t look as slight as you feel.

Your waist is proportionally larger than OPs. If she drops pounds, she will be smaller overall, but her waist won’t look any more narrow

[Anonymous]

I am nearly exactly your stats except I am 5'6" and my waist is 27.5".

I assure you, I do not look like I have an eating disorder. I'm hourglass. Like a less cut version of Kim K's newest figure. The Pete Era.

[Anonymous]

Working your upper and lower body evenly in addition to working your core will give the illusion of a smaller waistline. I’m pear-shaped but gained more in my midsection as I got older (and also after having a baby). Losing about 22 lb. resulted in me losing about 2 inches from my midsection but also from my boobs, hips, etc. I did it mainly through exercise and cutting back on alcohol. I'm currently 125 lb. (5’6) but wish I could put a little of that fat back into my boobs.

[Anonymous]

[Solidcore] or some other hefty core workout.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, reducing your waist circumference in inches means losing a significant amount of weight. It has nothing to do with muscling various parts of your body more than others. If you choose to do that, you need to accompany your weight loss with weight-lifting, push-ups, etc, to avoid losing too much muscle and definition.

If you don't want to do that, then you can create the illusion of an hourglass figure. Which given your description, is totally possible. Pick clothes that are full around your chest or hips, but have a defined waist exactly where yours is slimmest. For me, since I have a long torso, I do better with high waists.

And never forget that you're beautiful, OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am nearly exactly your stats except I am 5'6" and my waist is 27.5".

I assure you, I do not look like I have an eating disorder. I'm hourglass. Like a less cut version of Kim K's newest figure. The Pete Era.

She didn't say you look like you have an eating disorder. She said that she did when her weight went below 125. Why is it so hard for people on this board to realize that people have different bodies? Everything is not about you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry but I don’t think exercise will help you as much as losing weight. I’m 5’2” and weigh 107. 33-27-34. I think we have similar bodies is the only reason I’d encourage you to drop pounds, I bet you don’t look as slight as you feel.

Agreed, waist size is kinda genetic. I'm also 5'2', 112 pounds, with a 25 inch waist. It has stayed like that through slight ups and downs in weight.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks for the feedback. I concur that we are all different body types and I grateful to be even able bodied, let alone be musing the size of my own waist