I figured this was the place to ask: what, if anything, are we wearing to hold in the “just past middle age jiggly tummy”? I am otherwise fit, but hoo boy, menopause has added a fun roll of fat around my middle. While I’m working on it, I need some shaping for the showring so my coat fits smoothly over my muffin top(s).
My thighs are fine, buns are good, it’s just that pesky doughnut of doughy fun wrapped round my middle. Is there anything you all recommend? Or what to avoid? Thanks!
Can’t help on the Shapeware question but did find that high waisted breeches are a better look for me than the low riders.
For many years I had the “spare tire” around the top of my hips and belly and figured at my age (mid 70s) it was forever due to having three kids. Losing weight did not affect the spare tire at all.
Then COVID hit and with nothing to do and no place to go, I decided to exercise using my husband’s spin bike. That $100 bike took me to buying a Peloton Bike after I did 100 days on the cheap one. That bike came with their whole fitness program (yeah, I drank the Kool-aide) Eventually I found my way to their strength programs and added first 10 min, then began to follow a monthly calendar from Facebook called HardCoreOnTheFloor. There are various exercises recommended daily after or before the stationery bike, adding up to about 30 to 40 min of exercise a day plus the bike riding.
My weight dropped about 20-30 pounds over two years, but best of all, the spare tire gradually disappeared. The weight has stayed consistent.
I have moved on to more demanding weight-lifting programs offered through Peloton (Ben’s Stronger You and Andy’s Density Training). I have dropped a couple of sizes even though the weight is the same. My arms are bigger and my butt smaller.
My motivation for working out is my horse Bob. I expect him to work for about an hour a day --sometimes more --rarely less. He gets one day a week off. As his owner, how can I expect him to do that unless I do my part? When I don’t feel like working out, I think about Bob and maybe he doesn’t always feel like working on his lead transitions --but he does it anyway because I ask him to. How can I do less?
Caveat: I am retired. There is absolutely no way I could swing 90 min a day of exercise daily (30 cardio on the bike, 60 weights --using various muscle groups) --two rest days from weights, but always do cardio –if I were still working --and if I still had kids at home.
I am fit. That makes me a better rider.
I hear you! I am still working full time, commute 50+ minutes one way to ride, three days a week. I am a hiker, trail runner by inclination, getting 10K steps per day on average. But I am hampered a bit by a very fragile lower back (ruptured disc surgery, stenosis, arthritis galore) and two shoulders with different issues (4 part humeral fracture on the L, torn labrum on R) so riding a bike is no longer an option for me, which is sad as I used to mountain bike quite seriously, road bike, too. But those are limitations, not excuses. I work around them, or with them, but need to use caution with many movements so I don’t exacerbate them and leave me in agony for days until it passes.
Anyway-- we are getting back to the gym this next week, as DH has really packed on the late middle age pounds as well. My SIL has recommended Barre classes which I am interested in if I can fit them into my schedule.
But, frankly, I need a bit of quick appearance fix while all this is being attended to.
I’ve used mid-thigh Spanx under breeches to fit into a pair of breeches that have become a size too small. While not fun to put on, once dressed I had no issues riding with them. Since they extend quite far up the ribcage, I expect they would help with a show jacket as well.
After proudly showing my 91 year old video of my horse and I, my Mum’s dementia riddled mind uttered ~you need a tighter bra!!! I messaged my lovely coach mums comment and she choked on her coffee:stuck_out_tongue_closed_eyes:
So any suggestions for a good bra for a dressage rider?
The Enell bra. it looks like a medical device and it has two thick and ridiculous arch seams across the front that I can only conclude are there to enhance my general self consciousness and sense of body shame, but it’s also the only thing that works for riding.
I don’t think shapewear is fooling anyone, so I don’t bother with that.
Something like this maybe?
Panache sports bras are great and you can get decent sports bras on Amazon with sewn in cups that are life changing. I hate those stupid pads.
For shapewear, target and kohls both sell the high waisted underwear that keeps all the things sleek.
Years ago when I read that Stormy Daniels was an equestrian, I searched and downloaded a video of her riding in a horse trial. The next day I showed the video to my trainer (man) and my vet (woman). Trainer watched and said “she’s a pretty good rider.” My vet watched and said “I’d love to get her suggestions for sports bras.”
Size up your jacket one size and make sure it’s long enough, and then don’t worry about it because no one else is noticing. It’s one thing to wear shapewear at a party in a dress… do you really want to exercise in it?
Second the recommendation for Panache! The underwire versions, not the non-wired. I wear a UK 30J and while there’s some jiggle, it’s not as bad as my smaller cup friends in the struggle-to-get-it-over-your-head nike bras that stretch out quickly. Bonus, the profile is more like a regular bra and not a uniboob.
I know SheFit and Ennell get talked up but I’m too petite with too much of a band-cup difference to make them work (too long of straps, have to size up the band too much, etc) and I just don’t love compression style bras, too much sweat going on to mash it all in.
Ah yes! Me and the dressage mirrors in the indoor have a love/hate relationship. There are a few companies that are now offering “sculpt” versions of breeches. Pomme and TKEQ come to mind, but I know there are others. Someone on TikTok jus posted about compression breeches, I’ll see if I can find that post again.
Maya Delorez are the other brand I have heard about via TikTok.
I got a forme bra and shorts and find the shorts work really well for smoothing out my waist! They’re meant for athletics too so I don’t feel restricted
I usually where a shapewear tank when I show. Nothing expensive, I got it on Amazon (EUYZOU) a couple years ago. If I do make it to the gym (not nearly often enough) I often wear it to keep things from jiggling when I walk. I may not be fooling anyone, but I feel like I look better.
Bolded for emphasis. I think StormyDay hit the nail on the head. A long enough jacket will hide that little part you don’t want to draw attention too, and should be big enough it doesn’t cling.
If going up a size makes the outfit too loose in the chest and shoulders, there’s always the option to get it tailored to be more fitting. I know that’s not a cheap easy answer (especially for those who have more than one jacket!), but might be an alternative to riding in shape wear.
On the flip side, I’ve shown in shapewear. It was just cheap Amazon stuff so didn’t really “hold” anything in, but it kept my showshirt from looking too see through, which was nice!
I put this as a note in my phone and it autocorrected to ‘smell bra’ 
It depends on the Amazon cheap stuff. The stuff I have is pretty tough for $12/ea.
My coats fit fine, breeches too. It’s just the look under the coat-- not a smooth line. It bothers me but it’s not a “oh no, can’t go out in public looking like that” feeling. I’m pretty proud of still doing this at my age, against all those svelte, stick figure kids. Like I said, I’m fit, strong and able. Could I be in better shape? Sure, most of us could.
I’ll look at a few options-- the cami or tank makes the most sense or the long line undies, but I worry about the dreaded ‘roll down’ effect.
I am going to be wearing an air vest this summer, so that might conceal some of the wiggly bits, too.
I have several of these, https://www.honeylove.com/products/crossover-cami?Color=Sand, they are great for smoothing the midsection and super comfortable. I’m not sure if it would ride up while you are jumping a big course but it stays nicely in place throughout my work day and exercising on the treadmill and exercise bike. So comfortable I have given up regular bras.
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