I want a waist!

[SecretMagicThings]

September's resolution is to start exercising again. I would like to:-

Do something about my tummy - need to tone rather than lose fat but the lack of tone is terrible!
Get fitter - can do 5k in about 40 mins so not super unfit but could be better.

I don't want / need to lose any weight

Best options? Am willing to join a gym but not desperate to. Weight training sounds perfect but don't know what I'm doing and can't afford a personal trainer so I think that's out. Am I best just finding a class or DVD that targets abs?

Also wondered about hula hooping but have no idea what I am doing with that either - do I just google?!

Have done the odd plank and will start doing that at home.

Weights would be a good start but I think it's very important to have your form checked otherwise you're likely to injure yourself. Any chance you could have a session with a PT to set you up and maybe revisit once a month for progress?

Body weights also effective- burpees, press ups, triceps dips, squats and lunges, cruches (All with many variations available). Planks good but again, form is essential (I've been seeing my PT for years and still get my form wrong on plank, especially when holding for a while).

Thanks carrie. It does sound as if weights would be good but I just don't think I can pay for even a monthly PT session. Could justify gym membership (just) but no more.

I had thought plank form was pretty easy to get right - obviously I was wrong!

Body weight type stuff sounds achievable. Do I just look for something that targets the tummy? Most stuff seems designed for all over weight loss.

If you go for the gym option and you think you will enjoy group exercise choose a gym that has a good range of classes available. Pilates, body conditioning, any of the Les Mills classes, boot camp, kettlebells etc.
Try them all out and see what you enjoy and what will keep you coming back for more.
If you want to do some stuff at home first try fitness blender

Thanks, I can only afford my local leisure centre really which seems to have a huge weight loss focus and not much focus on strength and toning- not much class variety either . Might be worth a look though.

Will check out fitness blender definitely .

I've had good results with a mixture of fitness blender, hula hooping and kettlebells. I also enjoy the 30 day shred and 3 min belly blitz dvds.

Power hooping. Fab for trimming your waistline.

Ooh 3 minute exercise sounds good .

With hula hooping is there an easy way to get started? Trimming my waist is exactly what I need to do!

FitnessBlender is great!

It has loads of workouts of different types and levels. Try the 'standing abs' one for waist whittling

Just looked at that standing abs - looks great!

Google someHIIT - Kayla its Ines and the body coach have free stuff on you tube.

sky, thanks. I have done HIIT before but find I lose a lot of weight all over and just end up bit too thin. Not sure if I am doing it wrong!

How do you get around? I really recommend a scooter for short distances (up to 5k?) as the balance you need to maintain to keep the scooter upright is really good for your core muscles.

I walk or drive! Would be a laughing stock on a scooter but could borrow DD's sometimes - it's a three wheeler though so not sure how much it needs balancing.

Yeah you'd need a two wheeler. I've only ever had a few funny comments, it's lots of fun and so quick, but I guess not for everyone.

I watched this YouTube video last night And am going to start incorporating these exercises into my routine.

Will think about ta 2 wheeler .

Thanks So, looks good.

Lots of good ideas, thanks everyone.

I've recently bought one of these powerhoop

I'm still at the few minutes a day and building up stage, but notice it in my core muscles when/if I have done it correctly: good form, as PPs say is essential to, well, everything. I have a tendency to use my feet to generate the to and fro motion for the hoop, rather than the actual core muscles. I like it, though, because i know at the latest a day later, whether i have used the core. It's not difficult to do so, i just need to think about it rather than mindlessly keep the hoop going...

Ooh just looked at that and it claims it can give you a more hourglass shape although I am inherently cynical so don't automatically believe that .

Options for getting a waist are pretty limited. You could try to build your shoulders and glutes to give yourself more of an hourglass shape. You can definitely try to build your abs and obliques but your waist will actually become thicker if you do that and you need low body fat to see the definition.

No! I don't want an even thicker waist!! Suspect I could trim my tummy quickly if I put some effort in but my concern is that everywhere else will trim too and I still won't have a waist.

Maybe stuff like hula hooping and scootering really is the way to go.

everywhere else will trim too - yep. It's not possible to spot reduce unfortunately. Genetics also play a huge part in body shape - I'm an apple and even at 18% BF didn't have much of a waist or visible abs. Currently 34 weeks pregnant so nowhere near having either right now

Toning = building muscle and losing fat, which is largely dependent on diet. Are you eating enough protein? Think 1-1.5g per pound of lean body mass per day.

Exercises like squats, lunges and deadlifts all work the core - but as PP have said, correct form is really important. Sounds like it might be worth having a chat with a PT...

Have upped protein as generally trying to eat a bit more healthily but will check.

Will have to wait for that lottery win to afford a PT I think!