jessica low resWomen that engage in the practice of corset training or waist training are known as “tight lacers.” Tight lacers wear their tightly laced corsets or waist cinchers in an effort to achieve a slim waist and sometimes the shape of the ribcage may be altered as well.  Tight lacers wear their corsets for a minimum of 12 hours a day and up to 20 to 23 hours a day, only taking them off to shower and exercise. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner and Beyoncé speak loudly of waist training.  As a result, many women and even teen girls have begun to join in on the trend of “waist training” without knowing the negative affects it can have on their body or the proper way to wear a corset.

So here are a few tips to help you to achieve your hourglass body shape. Let’s start with the corset purchase- quality matters! A good, quality corset has multiple layers and panels for strength and durability. STAY AWAY from lingerie designs like Fredrick’s or Victoria’s secret. Go with a shop that specializes in waist training. Otherwise you will waste your money and not get the results you want. Now to the fun part…Wearing it. The key to corset training is to get professional advice before you start to wear it on a daily basis, and getting fitted to find something that fits your body shape well and is not too tight.

Can’t get professional advice? A good corset will shape to your natural body type with wear and then your body will shape to the corset. The key point that most women do not know it’s that it should not be extremely tight to the point where you can’t breathe; it should just be snug enough so it’s comfortable to wear. Also, if you find yourself feeling that it is time to take it off, then do so.

Start with short sessions. A general rule, begin with one hour daily then gradually increase your duration. Most important, DO NOT SLEEP IN IT! A lot of women believe that by sleeping in the corset they will have faster results. That is incorrect; in fact, the corset is not at all effective while you’re asleep because you need to be moving around in it for it to do its work. It actually is important to wear a corset or waist cincher appropriately to avoid any harm to your body. For instance, wearing it excessively will squish your lungs and ribs, which makes it hard to breathe. Some women have actually passed out from wearing one for too long, says Christopher Ochner, Ph.D. And if you keep wearing it for an extended period of time, it’s not pretty- think crushed organs, compressed lungs, and fractured ribs.  According to Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., “Medically, it doesn’t make sense that cinching your waist tightly will make it permanently smaller.  Once you take the garment off, your body will return to its usual shape.”  The efficacy of this waist training trend is clearly debatable.  Here are a few positive and negatives to consider before trying a corset:

PROS:

  • Waist training can help create a small waist and an hourglass shape
  • Can help with posture and back support
  • Can help tighten skin after pregnancy or extreme weight loss

 

CONS:

  • Could create trouble breathing
  • If done in excess and improperly could cause your muscles to weaken leading to muscle atrophy
  • Could possibly reshape the bones
  • Uncomfortable
  • Restricts movements

The information provided is for general interest only and should not be misconstrued as a diagnosis, prognosis or treatment recommendation. This information does not in any way constitute the practice of medicine, or any other health care profession. Readers are directed to consult their health care provider regarding their specific health situation. Marque Medical is not liable for any action taken by a reader based upon this information.

Source: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/waist-training