Exercises to Slim Hips, Thighs & Stomach

No matter what your starting size or shape, you can lose fat and tone up, if you're willing to stick to a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and lean meats, and put enough hours into your workouts. You need a combination of fat-burning cardio and muscle-building resistance exercises to transform your problem areas.

Cardio Is King, but Don't Forget to Stretch

Cardio exercise is one of the more effective methods for burning fat, so you can lose those layers of fat covering up the muscle underneath 2. You can't spot reduce from one specific area because fat is lost or gained throughout the body as a whole. Jumping rope, swimming, crossovers, twists and mountain climbers are a few ideas for cardio exercises to help you achieve a more toned appearance. Maintain proper form with each exercise, and fit in some stretching time after each workout. Stick to static stretches post-workout. These stretches relax your muscles by lengthening them, helping you cool down after a workout and preventing next-day muscle stiffness and soreness.

Slim Your Hips and Tone Your Thighs

How to Tighten Up the Thighs and Calves

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To work your hip muscles, try the barbell rear lunge, dumbbell squat, dumbbell lying hip abduction and step-up exercises 3. Your thighs are made up primarily of the quadriceps and hamstrings muscles 3. Lunges and squats work both muscle groups. Leg extensions strengthen the quads, while the standing leg curl targets the hamstrings.

Sculpt Your Stomach

The abdomen is made up of the rectus abdominis, the internal and external obliques, and the transverse abdominis muscles 3. Include crunches, side bends and "push sit-ups" as part of your workout routine for these muscles.