Kim Kardashian didn’t invent the waist trainer, but she definitely brought back the fitness trend from the dead — and that’s after little sis Khloe was already seen wearing one!
But now that more celebs are getting on board and following in their footsteps, we have to wonder just how healthy it is to whittle down your waist this way.
[ Related: Kim Kardashian Follows Khloe’s Lead & Starts Waist Training ]
So before you go out to pick one up, we thought we’d EXCLUSIVELY chat with celebrity plastic surgeon, Dr. Alessi, of the Alessi Institute and Face Forward Foundation to get his medical opinion on the practice plaguing Instagram.
He brings up some really great points!
Q: Is waist training healthy and safe?
A: “Women have been using corsets to change their waistline for centuries, this is just a much more extreme version. It absolutely has an effect on your health, but like anything there is a possibility some women will not experience negative effects.”
Q: What are some short-term or long-term health problems that can be caused by waist training?
A: “It has several potential complications. These can include causing or worsening acid reflux and, in severe cases, causing herniation of the stomach into the chest. There is also compression of other abdominal viscera including the liver, intestines, and spleen. Even the kidneys can suffer compression trauma. They also will constrict lung capacity that can be permanent.”
While these problems may not happen to everyone, it sounds like quite the risk, especially considering how the waist trainer works! Dr. Alessi shared:
“It can enhance the waist by permanently collapsing 1-4 of the lower ribs but the results are highly variable. It does nothing to the stomach area itself other than a temporary effect that reverses after a day. In fact, it will weaken the back, abdominal muscles and core. This is because these muscles are constantly being used and strengthened in everyday activities and the corset will prevent that. Everyone is interested in a quick easy fix, but this isn’t it.”
Um, ouch! The waist trainer has even been “designed to wear nearly continuously for several months”, so if you want to keep that hourglass figure, you’re going to have to continue wearing it!
Read on for the rest of the HIGHlights from our interview:
Q: Why do you think this has become such a trend recently, especially amongst celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Snooki?
A: “This shape has always been favorable, to have a small waist and a flat stomach. I think because of Kim’s curvy body type, her pictures are much more exaggerated especially when wearing the waist trainer. As I said, it is an easy fix to put on under your clothes and help enhance the hourglass shape.”
Q: What are some healthier, alternative methods to waist training?
A: “Nothing works better than exercise and a balanced diet. If these alone are not enough, surgical liposuction is safe and is only uncomfortable for a couple weeks instead of months.”
Considering the stress new mamas put on their bodies to bounce back into shape, like in Kim and Snooki’s cases, it’s not impossible to see why they’d want to jump on board with more drastic measures.
But we really wish they’d see how beautiful they are and that there’s no problem in taking as much time as they need so they can be healthy!
Do U think the waist training trend will be ending any time soon???
[Image via Kim Kardashian/Instagram.]