Make your Waist and Hips Look Smaller

If you want to make your waist and hips look smaller, build the muscles in your shoulders. My favorite shoulder lifts are the seated shoulder press with a twist and lateral raises.

I had frequently done standing shoulder presses with dumbbells to tone my shoulders, but they weren't really working.  When I added the twist, the changes were pretty dramatic.

Seated Overhead Shoulder Press with a Twist:   Sit on the edge of a bench or chair. Make sure you are sitting up straight and holding in your abs.  Hold dumbbell in each hand, palms facing your sides and raise to shoulder level. Press to head level, then twist arms so palms are facing forward.  Press arms straight above head.  Lower arms to head, twist again, palms facing sides and return to shoulder level. If you are just starting, 5-8 lb. weights should be enough. Once that weight is too easy, continue to up weight to build muscle. Try to do 12 reps building to 3 sets of 12 reps.

Lateral Raises: Standing, hold dumbbells down  at your sides. Raise arms simultaneously to shoulder level, keeping arms straight. Lower back to sides. Start with 5 lb. dumbbells.  Work up to 3 sets of 12 reps.

My husband said I should have "pumped up" before I took pictures. Maybe next time.