I saw more noticeable waist slimming when I was eating 100+ grams of protein per day and doing a lot of yoga, kickboxing and body weight work. I think that the weight lifting caused me to actually build mass around my midsection, and I know it made my thighs larger - I have stretch marks from after weight loss.
Sounds like you have done a great job this first quarter, though not exactly what you were looking for. Keep it up.