That's good to know, Cynthia. I guess every little bit does help so maybe I will try that too. I also am very inspired by before and after pictures on the Callanetics and T-Tapp sites. These exercises work the core muscles and as a result, you are able to pull in. I guess doing them may not remove the saggy skin, but you will have a leaner silhouette = smaller size. I don't even want to think about what will happen when my bustline deflates (as I have whined about in another thread)!

Well one thing is for sure, good posture always looks better, and feels better. Back straight, head up, shoulders back, tummy pulled in, and smile....much better.

My grandmother taught me to hold in my stomach so I just always have. As someone else said, I could always do more sit ups then anyone else in school and I was chubbier then most of the other girls. Pissed the athletic girls off lol.

I suck in a lot and don't even notice it.

You must have a good strong core, which I understand is very important. That is my goal...to strengthen my core so that I won't have so many back issues. I am very top-heavy and my lower back and shoulders often hurt from carrying the burden. My doctor thought I might be a good candidate for breast reduction surgery -- my chiropractor even strongly suggested it -- but my insurance company said no, because they want me to try to lose weight and go through physical therapy to strengthen my muscles first. But it hurts to exercise with this burden, so it seems like I will suffer anyway until I can improve something.

For a month prior to this past week, I did not diet at all, and I did not work out except I did vacuums for about 5 minutes on about half of all days in that period. So, there should be no other reason I should lose waist, other than the vacuums.

At the end of that period, I had lost just over an inch. Without diet or any other exercise.


P.S. Please note, I did not lose a single pound during this time. I weighed exactly the same, but my waistline decreased by just over an inch.

Oh, by the way, I do recommend tightening your buttocks while doing this. It is easy for many (including myself) to have a bad posture while doing this, since you're tensing your core muscles on your front more than the back, it can make you want to lean forward or back, most likely forward. Tightening your butt will be a huge help keeping your posture straighter.