Did you see Khloe Kardashian's microscopic waistover the weekend? No, you didn't, because it was too small to see with the naked eye. Well, it almost was. Thankfully it's not the result of an insane starvation diet that somehow leaves all your junk in the trunk. Khloe credits a "waist-training" corset created by Premadonna that claims to slim your midsection by up to seven inches. SEVEN!!! Is that how Human Barbie gets her tiny waist, too? What is waist training, exactly, and is it even safe? Here are 4 things you should know about this non-surgical way to get a simmer midsection.
1. Waist training is wearing shapewear to alter the dimensions of your torso. It's a demanding practice that goes beyond occasional use. The idea is that you reduce the circumference of your waist by wearing a corset every day, supported by diet and exercise. One woman says she got a 16-inch waist this way!
2. It works, but not the way you think it does. A quick Internet search will turn up dozens of testimonials claiming waist training dramatically changes your shape when done "properly." Plastic surgeon Dr. Alexander Sinclair says that corsets work by compressing the bottom ribs up and in. But Dr. Sunil Sharma, Director of Bariatric Surgery at the University of Florida Health, told Ebony magazine, "All you’re doing is compressing your stomach and pushing the fat around instead of getting rid of it. It’s a very temporary thing."
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3. It's uncomfortable.Common complains of corset-wearing include rib ache, elevated blood pressure, and hyperventilation. You may need to change your diet to avoid painful bloating and indigestion.
4. It could be harmful to your health. Some corset experts recommend wearing your shaper nearly 24/7 for dramatic results, but doctors say that could damage your organs. Plus, restricting your oxygen intake could damage your metabolism. And as we learned earlier this year, shapewear can lead to heartburn, acid reflux, and indigestion.
Sure there are pro-corset advocates out there who claim to have the secret to safe and effective waist training. But with corsets costing hundreds of dollars, plus my great fondness for breathing easily, I think I'll skip this trend.
Are you tempted by waist training, or does it sound too painful and dangerous to be worth the results?
Image via Khloe Kardashian/Instagram