Q: I am a 17 years old girl and my weight is 50 kg and height is 5.6 ft. All other parts of my body are thin and have a correct shape except my waist which looks very awkward. I look very fat in my school uniform due to which my friends tease me. For this I have tried many exercises - daily skipping and sit ups and have also controlled my diet - stopped taking oily food. I have been doing this for five months but with no result. Please help me to get rid of this problem.

A:First of all, please do not get worried about this and see it as a problem. Yes, there may be times when you will be very upset, but take heart and follow the tips here, and you will see the light of day. Brisk walking, jogging, cycling or swimming 30-40 minutes 5-6 times a week should help you take care of some of the weight around your tummy area. You could also gradually include some abdominal crunches, some back extension exercises and maybe some push-ups (for the upper body) and squats or lunges (for the lower body) to make you feel stronger and help with the toning of the muscle groups. All in all, this can help you keep your muscles toned. DO NOT OVER DO IT, for it will backfire. Keep it to only 2-3 times a week and within 6-7 weeks you will notice the difference. Couple that with a low calorie diet and regular eating habits. You can consult a nutritionist who can help you with your intake so that you lose weight sensibly.