It seems as if the waistline is one of the first areas we notice when we put on a little extra weight. It’s harder to zip up the pants, you feel a bulge when you sit down, or you can see flab hanging over the top of your pants when you least expect it. Several exercises that focus on the waist area can help you get rid of inches around the middle fairly quickly and can be done every day. A few simple moves can help shed those inches quickly by pulling in and tightening the muscles lining the waist, sides and abdomen.
Obliques
The oblique muscles are those found along the side of the waist. You can work the obliques using a variety of exercises, one of which is the bent-knee lying twist, according to EXRX.net. Lie on your back on the floor, arms stretched out to the side at shoulder level. Bend the knees, keeping knees and feet together and lift the knees over your hips.
Suck in the lower abs toward the spine for additional lower back support, and drop your knees to your right. You don’t have to touch the floor, but do try to lower your legs until you feel the pull in your left side. Lift the knees back to the center above the hips and drop them to the left side, this time feeling the pull in the right side. Try to do five to 10 on each side, more as you grow stronger for fast trimming of the sides of the waist.
Full Sit-Ups
Sit-ups offer a workout for all the abdominal muscles but target the rectus abdominus, the large abdominal muscle at the front of the abdomen. You can do this exercise by lying on your back on the floor, knees bent. Cross the arms over the chest, and, then on the exhale, lift your upper body from the floor, trying to bring your chest toward your knees. If you need additional support for this move, try placing your toes under a weighted bar or piece of furniture. Repeat 10 to 20 times one to three times a day for fast results.
Crunches
Avoid the middle-aged spread by performing crunches, suggests fitness instructor Russ Meglar. Lie on your back on the floor, knees bent. Suck in the lower abs toward the floor, so that your lower back is on the floor. Lift just the head and shoulder blades off the floor, hold and then lower. On the lift, raise the chin toward the ceiling. Start with three sets of eight, and work your way up to two to five sets a day for effective and fast waist-slimming benefits.
Cardiovascular Exercise
Cardiovascular exercise or aerobics is an effective fat burner, according to the Mayo Clinic. High-intensity aerobics or those that get your heart rate elevated for a period of time will burn calories fast, offering the benefits of an all-around body workout and a chance to get rid of excess weight around the waistline at the same time. Jogging, step aerobics, kickboxing, tennis and handball as well as other high-impact activities that force you to work harder are most effective in reducing body fat and calories quickly. Engage in such activities at least 30 to 45 minutes a day three to five days a week for effective cardiovascular exercise that burns calories at a higher rate than lower-impact exercise, such as walking or casual bicycling.
