I want my waist back!

[Tigermoth]

I want to lose about 2 inches off the middle bit of me that I laughingly call my waist. PDQ. I also want to tighten up the area from the end of my rib cage to my hip bones.

I'm of average height, average size - not model perfect, but roughtly the same as I've always been. I don't think a diet alone will help me get back my pre-pregnancy shape.

I'm lazy (hate exercise), busy (not free till till after 9.00pm in the evening)mean (not prepared to spend hundreds of pounds on some magic exercise equipment or regime) and old (early 40's).

I lead a very seditary life - I drive to work (can't walk or cycle, its 40 miles each way) and sit at a computer screen all day. There are no exercise facilites within reach in my lunch hour.

Any tried and tested, quick and surefire ways of firming up around the middle?

Yes they could definitely be described as multi-tasking. The leaflet that came with mine has about 8 exercises which cover most of the 'problem' areas and they're also good for sitting on cos they improve your posture and reduce back strain.
And if you still need convincing, every toddler that has entered our house has found some use for it too !

Thanks Twink! I think the toddler aspect is really persuading me- do you think my 2yr old would like one from Santa? Also the posture benefits sound good, I have such bad posture and its getting worse as I get older. I'm trying to make concerted effort to sit up straight but any advice on good exercises for improving this would be greatly accepted...?

Hi - hope nobody minds me re-opening this message... did anyone have success with getting their waist back?

Ds is 11mths and my waist is getting larger I swear - I try and walk (with ds in the pushchair) at least 3 days a week and I have been trying sit-ups which are very unsuccessful as I can barely pull myself up!

I hope someone can give me some ideas - for a busy mum with zero time till 9pm-ish and zero money!

Still swear by my gymball ! According to the TV ad I saw tonight there's some sort of offer on them if you buy 2 packs of Special K; I was only half watching but I think you could get one for 7.99.

Sorry I can't be of any help. My waist was last seen in Glasgow sometime around 1995.

I can't realy help with exercises, I have to do some phisio exercises( I broke my arm at the elbow a few months ago), but I'm so lazy I lay on the bed to do them and fall asleep !!!

Hi Tigermoth - you are lucky if it is just your waist that is of concern. I've got post-pregnancy weight all over, particularly in my face - can't hide that. The only surefire way of firming up the middle, in my opinion, is sit-ups. The good thing about it is that you can do it lying on the floor (carpetted hopefully), while watching television. If you do just 20 each day, you will immediately notice a difference and can increase from there (there was a time when I did 100, but takes some building up to). The easiest (but still effective) way of doing them is to stretch your arms out over your head, knees bent, and then raise yourself until your chest meets your thighs - your arms will be outstretched the entire time. It is much harder to do "crunches" which is with your hands locked behind your head, elbows out. The other thing, I think which helps a lot is to drink lots and lots of water (not tea or coffee). Good luck!

MUM2J - sorry - didn't realize that this was an old thread. See my message below - on sit-ups. I know many mums who swear by the sit-ups - but done efficiently, not "crunches." Good luck to you!

Arms stretched out above your head and raise yourself until your chest meets your thighs? I can only get a few inches off the ground.....

Before beginning this post I should just say that I am not any expert in this field (you should see my belly ). I had understood that crunches as opposed to full sit-ups were better for your back, I also understood that with sit-ups some of the energy is wasted as after you come up so far you are not effectively working the abs anymore. Definately agree about doing a little every day, this is what I should be doing but do not, and when you are doing abdominal exercises pull in your belly button, imagine there is string going through it being pulled from underneath. I believe the reverse curl exercises where you have your legs in the air are very good for the lower abdominals that generally have seen better days after a couple of babies. I however wish I had the self discipline to do these everyday but do at least go to a couple of exercise classes a week and get shouted at to do it, the only thing that works for me.

Boy you'all gonna hate me... my sure fire way to get your waist back is lots & lots of walking, esp. pushing a double buggy. Sell the car. Keeping good posture whilst walking strengthens the abdominals (fact). Most of my jeans hang loosely off me and I have finally bit the bullet (lots of Scottish blood so hate to spend money??) and bought some trousers 1-2 sizes smaller than pre-pregnancy. It's a nuisance being skinny !

zebra, ok I hate you

As for me, in answer to mum2j's question. I have had partial success: I have been doing abdominal exercises two or three times a week plus some running somtimes, and weights. Nothing really athletic. Due to this combination of exercise (certainly not due to reduced eating) I have tightened up a little - the bulge of fat above my waist, which made it diffucult to wear tight-ish t shirts has definitely diminished. I don't have a teenage looking flat tummy or an hourglass shape, but I reckon I've lost an inch or so round my waist.

BTW Twink - I think you are a great advert for the gymball's success

sounds like perseverence is the key!!!! I don't want my pre-baby tum back so much just a firmer unflabby tum!!! Better get on and do some "crunches" - thanks for all your advice!!

Zebra - when you say lots of walking - exactly how much do you mean? I average 4 miles a day, 5 days a week, have been doing this for the last two years (only a single buggy though)- but am still 3 stone overweight!