Getting Waisted: Waist Training - Is It Worth It?

So you may have seen or heard of the trend called "waist training" and I was intrigued by it, that coupled with the fact that my best friend is currently trying it, made me want to do some further research.

I don't see how this can work, especially for a long term effect. I can see you wanting to wear a corset for an evening out or some special event to have you appear smaller, but I am skeptical that you can get permanent results. Especially weight loss results.

 The only way I see that claim being accurate is because your body is constricted and this corset may be pushing on your stomach, so when you do eat, you won't eat much. Similar to experiencing a shrunken stomach. But it certainly won't trim fat off your body. You need to exercise for that.

Also, if it is too tight, you may experience issues with your breathing. So you definitely shouldn't attempt to wear one of these while working out because you need to be able to breathe freely. Proper breathing is important during any physical exertion.

While a few celebs claim it's greatness, and thank it for their slim midsections––doctors say there are risks associated with corset waist training.

 Kim Kardashian via Instagram

A doctor interviewed by Women's Health says:

“Medically, it doesn’t make sense that cinching your waist tightly will make it permanently smaller,” says Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., clinical professor of ob-gyn at Yale School of Medicine. "Once you take the garment off, your body will return to its usual shape. It’s also uncomfortable, restricts your movements, and if you wear it really tight, it can even make it difficult to breathe and theoretically could cause rib damage.”

Other than the obvious discomfort from wearing a corset for long periods of time, according to another doctor from Health News:

"it could interfere with breathing, or contribute to heartburn. Your stomach might get pushed up beyond the diaphragm, which could cause reflux,” says Dr. Apovian. “If you’re wearing one and you experience those symptoms, that’s a definite sign that you need to loosen it or take it off. Plus, I would worry about back acne from the tight apparatus and extra sweat.”

 The bottom line: it won't beat a good diet and exercise. It may aid in combination with the two, but do not use waist training as your only means of fitness. The only way to really get slimmer, cardio and strength training, and ideally HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workouts. If you just want a temporary or quick fix, go for it––just be safe about it. Start off wearing the corset for only an hour or two and slowly increase wear time day by day. Don't make it too tight that you can't breathe properly or feel crushed.