3 Tips to Tighten & Tone Your Waist for Summer 

Ah, summer – a time filled with warm weather, sunny days, and of course, less clothing. With swimsuit season fast approaching, you might find yourself looking for ways to slim down your waist and tone your abs before you hit the beach. 

Well, we have some good news and some bad news. 

The bad news? Anyone or anything that promises you abs in just a few days is probably lying to you. The good news? We got fitness coach and weight loss specialist Taylor Matheny Murphy to share her insights on how you can tighten and tone your waist as we approach the summertime – without any crash diets, detox teas, or programs that promise “instant abs.”  

And hey, if you’re not on that “bikini body” train right now, that’s cool, too! These tips can be used year-round to make sure you’re building a strong, stable core and overall healthy body. So whether you’re here purely for aesthetics or you’re just looking for a way to boost your physical fitness, let’s get into it. ‍

1. Focus on deep core exercises

If a shredded six-pack is your goal for summer, Murphy advises you to “focus on core-strengthening and tightening moves that draw in the stomach, especially the lower abdomen, or “the pooch.” By working the transverse abdominals, it helps to pull [the stomach] in like a corset, and create a smaller waistline.”

Examples of deep core exercises include: 

• Bicycle knee tucks
• Knee/toe taps
• Planks
• Weighted pull-throughs
• Bird dogs 
• Side plank crunches

And if you have no idea what any of these mean, Murphy’s got you covered with tutorials of all these ab-destroying exercises. ‍

2. Clean up your diet

Everyone has likely heard the saying that abs are made in the kitchen, and as cliche as that sounds, it’s true. 

Murphy advises anyone looking to tighten and tone their midsection to remember that “diet is key. I always avoid artificial sweeteners and seed oils at all costs. These are found in most sugar-free items, salad dressings, diet sodas, and flavored waters. They can cause bloating and inflammation in the gut, which leads to major distending in the midsection,” she warns. 

The weight loss coach also notes that “cleaning up your diet” doesn’t just mean counting calories. “I always tell my clients to read the ingredients, not just the calories,” she says. To really support your body in slimming down, reach for leafy greens, lean proteins, and healthy fats like nuts and avocados. As Murphy stresses, just because something is labeled as low-calorie or sugar-free doesn’t mean it’s going to help you lose weight and tone your stomach. 

3. Drink Up

Water, that is. Staying hydrated is a key component to slimming down. Science has proven that time and time again, so it’s no surprise that this is also one of Murphy’s top tips. “Drinking plenty of water is key, first and foremost,” she says. 

Not only can water help you drop the pounds, but it can also help you reduce bloat, detox your body, and boost your metabolism. As we mentioned earlier, even if you’re not hellbent on getting a six-pack for summer, staying hydrated is still a great way to support your overall physical health, abs or not. 

With summer right around the corner, utilizing these three tips will help you slim down, and tighten and tone your waist in no time. Just remember, abs don’t happen overnight, and consistency is key, so make sure to continue to incorporate these items into your daily routine for best results. 

Want more tips for strengthening your abs and slimming down? Follow Murphy on Instagram and TikTok, and check out her fitness coaching app, Taylor Gang Life, for personalized workout programs, meal plans, and motivation at your fingertips.