Sends husband article on exercises to get trim (9)
I believe the answer is:
shipshape
'trim' is the definition.
('shipshape' can be a synonym of 'trim')
'sends husband article on exercises' is the wordplay.
'sends' becomes 'ships' ('ship' can be a synonym of 'send'**).
'husband' becomes 'h'.
'article' becomes 'a' (indefinite article).
'on' says to put letters next to each other.
'exercises' becomes 'pe'.
'ships'+'h'+'a'+'pe'='SHIPSHAPE'
'to get' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for shipshape that I've seen before include "Nautically neat" , "fashionable in Bristol" , "In seaworthy condition" , "Neat and well-kept" , "Ordered" .)