femalenetwork.com

Looking lean doesn’t always have to involve endless hours of exercising. We’ve dug up a slew of sly ways to slim down (or fake it!) without lifting a real weight or stepping on a treadmill. So scoop up the following anyone-can-do pointers to find out how you can seem to drop a size today and have more defined muscles tomorrow.

1. Beware of hidden salt and sodium
“Both can cause water retention and swelling. Most people know that foods like pretzels, pop-corn, and olives have lots of salt. But many people don’t realize that sodas, salad dressings, and animal protein in beef, lamb, and pork can have a high sodium content too,” explains California dietician Maureen Perron. Note: These foods don’t need to be eliminated from your diet completely, just before the 24-hour period before the big party or date you want to look as slim as possible for.

2. Get a gazelle-like look with a haircut that’s two to three inches past your ears.
“This way, from a profile point of view, your do will create the illusion of a slimmer neckline,” explains Los Angeles hair pro Richard Marin, who coifs Courtney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, and Lisa Kudrow on the set of Friends.

3. Step into a sexy pair of high-heel shoes at least two inches high.
“That extra lift will seem to ‘spread out’ your weight over your height, making your entire silhouette look more slender,” says Hollywood stylist Phillip Bloch, who dresses such sexy celebs as Salma Hayek and Halle Berry. Go for a thick heel if you want to be comfortable wearing them all day.

4. Carry your groceries in a basket, don’t push them in a cart.
Not only will those tone your arms and get your heart rate up, you’ll also be less likely to throw a box of cookies in your bin when you have to lug it around the supermarket. Calorie burn for 30 minutes of sporty shopping: 80.

5. Make it look as if you’ve lost five pounds by chiseling your cheekbones with a bronze-tone blush.
“Forget that old-fashioned contouring technique that requires two hues of foundation—it looks harsh,” warns New York City makeup artist Nick Barose. Instead, use a sheer powder bronzer (not matte or glittery) for the most natural effect. First, brush it lightly around the perimeter of your face, then a little more heavily under the apples of your cheek to create depth. Nick’s pick? Clinique Sheer Powder Blusher in Brown Berry.

6. Satisfy your sugar cravings with loads of mouth-watering watermelon.
“It’s the sweetest fruit with a minimum of calories. Needless to say, a lot better than munching on cookies or candies,” advises Perron. Two cups of watermelon contains only 90 calories and zero fat.

7. Turn your bedroom into a steam room by taking control during passionate playtime.
Get on top while having sex and you’ll blast off at least 125 calories in less than half an hour, not to mention drive him wild.

8. Reach your hands high to the sky for ten seconds.
“Stretching your ribcage and spine on a daily basis will keep your torso as elongated as possible, maximizing the potential for your body to look lean and lithe,” says New York City personal trainer Tony Ryan. Do this especially when you feel tense to prevent your muscles from cramping up, making you look hunched and heavy.

9. Have your hairstylist soften your face-framing layers for a sleeker silhouette.
“Straight, blunt cuts create harsh horizontal lines that make the face look wider,” warns Marin. “But razoring in soft wispy eyebrow-length bangs—and longer layers at the cheekbones—can elongate the face and make it look thinner,” he says.

10. Cinch the appearance of your middle by jazzing up an all-black outfit with a sequined or beaded belt.
“The flash of color will show off the curve of your waist, while the black clothes makes everything else look smaller,” says Bloch.

11. Squeeze your butt really hard for ten seconds, then release then repeat five times.
Yes, this simple isometric exercise will tone your tush, explains Ryan, but here’s the part we like best: The muscle will hold in a semi-flexed position for up to 20 minutes afterward.

12. Tweeze your brows to fashion a thinner face.
“Giving brows a little arch—think Catherine Zeta-Jones and Cindy Crawford—creates a more defined face shape, which translates into your looking leaner overall,” says Barose. Most salons offer eyebrow shaping for less than P150. But if you’re up for wielding a pair of tweezers, follow Barose’s how-to’s: First, brush your brows up and outward to examine their natural shape. The highest part of the arch should be just above your pupil—use a brow pencil to place a dot there. From that point on, pluck hairs so that the brow slants downwards and its width gradually tapers.

13. Waltz around your workplace for five minutes every hour delivering memos and checking your mailbox.
People who are always on the move continually tap into their fat reserves. Other stroll strategies? Park your car a couple of blocks away from your destination, sneak in a brisk walk during your lunch break, or use a bathroom that’s on a different floor from your office.

14. Get your abs flatter than ever without doing tons of crunches.
“Control-top pantyhose will make you drop a size on the spot,” says Bloch.

15. Tone up while you tune into the tube.
The average commercial is 30 to 60 seconds, which is about the same time it takes to do at least 15 sit-ups, leg lifts, tush tucks, or push-ups. Considering there are 12 commercials in one sitcom, you could easily blast your muscles 180 times without missing a punchline.

16. Dress in dark colors to walk out the door looking 10 pounds thinner.
“Black is the number-1 best color to camouflage unwanted weight,” says Bloch. But if you’re bored with black, don’t worry. Chocolate brown, deep burgundy, navy blue, and olive work almost as well.

17. Spread your bread with mustard instead of mayonnaise when you make a sandwich.
One tablespoon of the yellow sauce is only 15 calories while the equivalent amount of fat-filled mayo is 100, almost seven times more.

18. Slather your skin with self-tanner to mask cellulite.
“The more bronzed you are, the less obvious dimply skin will be,” says Barose. But aim for a medium shade during the winter months.

19. Try a trick of the modeling trade.
Fake a slimmer silhouette by standing slightly sideways with your feet pointing 45 degrees to the right or left of where you’re facing. “That slight twist at the hips will make you look skinnier since others can’t really tell how wide your body is,” explains NYC fashion photographer Coliena Rentmeester.

20. Twiddle your thumbs. Turn your pencil into a drumstick.
Finger-rustle a paper clip. Tap your feet to the beat of your favorite song. One study showed that people who fidget burn up to 800 more calories a day than their more-still counterparts.

21. Slip into an A-line knee-length skirt.
“They’re just all-around flattering because they hide your hips, don’t accentuate a thing, and streamline your whole look,” explains Bloch. Plus, it’s an ideal clothing item to wear to work or to a Saturday-night party.

22. Don’t slouch on the couch when you gab on the phone—get vertical instead.
Standing burns twice as many calories as sitting does. Another stay-upright option: Give up your sweat on the bus or train.