What kind of exercise do you recommend to make me thin again, especially around my stomach?

Hi there,

Well, it's hard to claim that certain exercises by themselves will make you thin. In order to lose weight you need to combine a healthy diet with regular exercise.

While cardiovascular exercise (activities like jogging, biking, stairclimbing, or swimming) burns calories and fat, strength training builds muscles that aid the body in losing fat. Sculpted muscles also improve the overall appearance, so a good exercise program for gettting thinner should involve both cardio and strength training.

As far as toning the midsection, crunches and leg lifts will strengthen and tone the waistline, but the visible results come from actual fat burning.

Pilates and Core training is getting a lot of attention right now. Core training classes involve balancing on a board while doing different kinds of abdominal exercises. Pilates is a training method that not only strengthens and tones the abs and back but also brings more flexiblity and builds long, thin muscles.

So for best results, try doing a cardiovascular activity most days of the week and add some resistance training in the gym, with crunches towards the end of your workout.

Good luck!

Therese Brewitz

-- Therese Brewitz, M.S., is a certified fitness and aerobics trainer, who also has extensive training in ballet and Pilates instruction.

First published April 7, 2005
Copyright © 2005 Consumer Health Interactive