No better way to start our Monday than to talk about the dreaded muffin top! The changes in our waistline seem to be a huge concern for women as they age. Thankfully, there are some easy ways to camouflage this area. (Actually women of all ages who struggle with added weight in this area can use this!)
To be honest, I weigh about the same thing that I’ve always weighed but I have noticed a difference in my waistline. Clothes that once looked good on me, look “different” on me now. So here are 8 Ways to Hide (or help) That Muffin Top:
1. Exercise~Okay, I can’t talk about extra weight without talking about the importance of exercise. I’m preaching to myself, here. If we want to feel and look our best, exercise is going to have to be apart of our weekly routine.
2. Wear higher rise pants and jeans~If you have a muffin top, low rise pants are NOT your friend. We’ve all seen someone who is wearing low rise jeans and a tight t-shirt with a muffin top, it’s not appealing. So opt for a mid rise jean. I recently did a post for Liverpool jeans. They are jeans that flatter a woman’s body and help with hiding the muffin top.
3. Wear a Camisole~This offers a similar effect to shapewear and 90% of the time, I’m wearing a camisole. It helps smooth and I need all the smoothing I can get!
4. Layer your clothing~This is one of the most effective ways to hide the muffin top, especially during the cooler months. It’s easy to conceal a midsection by layering a structured jacket, cardigan, or a loose top over a collared shirt because it draws attention away from the midriff.
Okay, four down and four more to go! Join me tomorrow as I share more ways to hide that muffin top.
Do you struggle with your waist line? Have you noticed it changing as you age?
Beauty For the Heart~~ I found this quote and Pinterest and I love it. “True beauty emantes from a woman who boldly and unabashedly knows who she is in Christ.” Amen!
Have a blessed day!
I would like to add to your exercise advice… I have discovered that Pilates is the best exercise I can do for my middle! I have a DVD that I try to do 3 times a week, and can always tell a difference in how I’m better able to sit upright and hold my belly in. It is the simplest exercise I’ve found for my 40′s – no coordination needed, not hard on joints, lots of good stretching… It’s mostly done laying down on my living room floor, and the slower you go, the better results!
Kerrye That’s the exercise I do! I have a DVD too and I love it!
Thanks for stopping by!
Cyndi
Kerrye That’s the exercise I do! I have a DVD too and I love it!
Thansk for stopping by!
Cyndi
So what is the favorite DVD you ladies like? I have been looking for awhile at a good one to do at home to alternate with gym days.
Would you mind sharing the name of the DVD you use. I have one but it doesn’t seem relaxing or good for stretching. Thanks!
Kathie
My DVD is called “Pilates Conditioning for Weight Loss with Suzanne Deason” (GAIAM) I bought it several years ago at Sports Authority, but you may can find it online. It is long (nearly 40 mins), but shows 3 ladies doing the same moves at 3 different levels.
This article is so timely as I’m struggling with the first affects of menopause. My middle has changed so much and I NEED to get back into the habit of exercising again. When I am working out, I like Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred – it’s a little intense, but really works. I can’t stand listening to it (don’t really like Jillian), so I watched once, counting the reps she did and wrote the exercises and reps down and now do the Shred to my own music or tv and I can do it anywhere. In fact, this morning I plan to do it in my hotel room as I hang out while my hubby is working in CA
Can’t wait for the rest of the list!
Sue
Great idea! I have 30 day Shred but I also do not like Jillian yelling out instructions. I got it thinking it would be good for those days at home but it just isn’t working for me with her yelling. I might try writing it down as well. It would make it travel friendly!
It really does make it travel friendly. I just did it… and want to collapse now – ha ha.
OH….why can’t muffin tops be in style rather than tattoos???? I would be all about that!!! Thankfully high rise jeans aren’t as hard to come by as they were for a while. Have a happy Monday!
Love these tips. I highly agree with the exercise. I have lost almost 25 pounds this past year. It has been a slow process but I am hoping that since it has taken this long that it will stick this time. I first started out with 10 Minute Trainer by Beachbody. It is 5 different workouts. They are all just each 10 min. a workout. I was not in any shape to workout for 45 min. to an hour. But I could do 10 min. After several months of doing the different workouts, I ordered Turbo Jam from Beachbody. It is more kick boxing but to music. I LOVE it. Thanks for all your advice.
Just wanted to let you know I profiled you on my blog today!!! Hope you don’t mind: http://www.southernsomedays.com/2013/02/one-of-my-favorite-blogs-walking-in.html
I don’t mind at all, thank you so much!! I’m so glad you enjoy my blog!!
Blessings,
Cyndi
Hi Cyndi.
I am one of the regular exercisers that is well over 40. I am a Team Beachbody Coach because I love Beachbody’s products so much. 10 Minute Trainer is amazing, as is P90X, Les Mills Pump and Les Mills Combat. On the days my daughter has preschool, I go to the local Y and usually do 30-45 minutes of cardio and then strength training. Exercise is a must as we age. Variety in exercise is also important. I put on a significant amount of weight when I was pregnant in 2009, possibly because I was 43? and on house rest? Anyway, I have lost the weight and 16 pounds less that I started out. My point is that it is possible to lose weight and get in shape as we age; however, it is a lot more difficult. You will find yourself working twice as hard for half the results, but our quality of life is so much better. If you know of anyone looking for a “free” coach, I’m your contact!
I hope you have an amazing week. I’d like to note that you certainly do not look like you have a “muffin top.”
Gina
I love talking muffin tops with you!
I don’t think there was ever such a thing as muffin tops before pants, (jeans in particular) went to the 4 inch rise!
[...] I shared four of the 8 Ways To Hide That Muffin Top. We all have parts of our bodies that we don’t quite like. The key is learning to dress in a [...]
I saw the two Jenner girls (half sisters to the Kardashians) on GMA last week. They have a clothing line coming out. There was a pair of jeans and one of them said “I love anything high waisted.” Of course, they weren’t high waisted as we used to wear, but it does give me hope that we will soon have alternatives to the low slung jeans which, honestly, an awful lot of us should not be wearing.
Cyndi, since you mentioned them on here, I ordered SNUG camis, and seldom is there a day I don’t wear one now.
Cyndi, you are a light in this world. I love the way you can talk about just about anything and make it fun and engaging and full of good information AND godly wisdom!
I’m going to say what another reader said – you don’t look like you have a muffin top, but your tips are good and I DO HAVE A MUFFIN TOP and I’m also not 40 something, but 60 something. Camis are definitely our friend and so are Spanx, but you still need to wear the right size and style pants! I love your blog.
[...] Make sure you have a comfortable fit with a high-enough rise to cover up the dreaded muffin top. Wearing low rise at our age doesn’t work (actually it doesn’t really work at any [...]