Waist Training – Is It Safe?

The latest trend to achieve a slimmer waist is inspired by a practice that is over 500 years old.

ThinkstockPhotos-503762193Waist training is a practice that requires women to wear a corset, similar to the ones worn in the Victorian era, for extended periods of time in an attempt to achieve an hour glass figure. Endorsed by celebrities, waist training is popping up all over social media, with many women trying to reduce or contour their midsection, but does it work?

Proponents of waist training believe that wearing a corset for hours at a time will permanently mold their waist into a desired, slimmer shape. Medical experts disagree, however, stating that after the constricting garment is removed, your body will eventually return to its natural form. Believers of waist training also say that garment increases sweating, which results in weight loss, but doctors claim it is not possible to perspire so much that it will shed inches off of your waist line.

Regardless of whether or not waist training is effective, there is no debate that it can cause serious damage to a woman’s health. Wearing these cinching devices can move or squeeze internal organs, causing serious damage, including compressed lungs, crushed or displaced organs, or fractured ribs. These problems can result in difficulty breathing, digestive issues, and general pain.

While waist training is certainly appealing because it seems like a quick fix to shrink your waist,  doctors encourage maintaining a healthy diet and incorporating a fitness regime focused on strengthening your core as a much safer and healthier alternative.

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