The answer to this question is a no… and a yes! Shapewear is amazing for transforming your silhouette. From your bustline to your thighs, the right shapewear pieces can make your look. By providing just the right level of control, your figure can be nipped in and exaggerated exactly where you need it.
When it comes to your waistline, shapewear crafted from lycra or spandex can provide excellent shaping, with items such as control briefs and shaping shorts providing superb contouring. These garments will not only minimise your waist but they’ll also smooth the curves of your hips and lift your butt. However, the soft, supple materials used will only provide temporary results. If you want to permanently reduce belly fat then there’s only one type of shapewear that can help, and that’s a waist trainer.
What is waist training?
Waist training is the A-list craze that hit the mainstream in approximately 2014-2015. Beloved by the Kardashians in particular, a waist trainer (also known as a waist cincher) is essentially a wide elasticated belt that ‘trains’ your tummy to shrink down in size. If sized and worn correctly, they can achieve amazing results, trimming around 4-6 inches from your belly.
What does a waist trainer look like?
Waist trainers are the modern day incarnation of the Victorian era corset. Made of supple material, they’re far more comfortable to wear than their whalebone predecessor. They’re meant to be worn far tighter than other shapewear, and while they provide instant aesthetic results, you’ll need to wear a waist trainer practically every day for a period of months before you see long-term benefits. The idea is that over time your waist will be ‘trained’ to the new shape. Some are even designed to be worn for exercise, to maximise their effect.
How exactly does waist training work?
How waist trainers work is mired in controversy. The theory is that wearing one creates thermogenesis (heat production) and that this has a dual slimming effect. Firstly, it break down fats; and secondly, it helps eliminate toxins from the body, via perspiration. However, there’s little science to support this ideology, and you’ll probably also lose weight because you’ll eat less, due to the compression on your stomach.
How long do you need to wear a waist trainer to see results?
Waist trainers should be worn for 6-8 hours a day, 5-6 days a week. However, you need to build up your use, to allow your body to get used to the feeling. Start with an hour or two a day, then build up your hours over the first couple of weeks. After a month of this regime you should start to see results, with more permanent changes seen after 3-6 months of wear.
Are waist trainers safe?
There are health risks associated with waist training. So in order to maximise your chances of waist training working, it’s important to follow some simple rules. Choose the right waist trainer for you, make sure it’s the right size, and fitted properly. If your waist trainer is too tight, it can lead to unwanted side effects, including:
- Acid reflux and heartburn – the compression can displace your internal organs, impacting digestion.
- Difficulty breathing – this is particularly worrying if you’re wearing the waist trainer while exercising, and it can make you light-headed.
- Skin irritation – excessive sweating and restriction can lead to extreme discomfort and skin rashes.
As already mentioned, it’s also important to build up your use over time and not start at 10 hours a day, 7 days a week. Finally, don’t rely on waist training alone to achieve your physical transformation. The body modification technique should be part of a healthy lifestyle. This includes a healthy diet, exercise and the right amount of sleep. Also, and this is a massive no-no, never be tempted to sleep in your waist trainer.
Plus size shapewear for trimming your waistline
So there you have it, our lowdown on the best way to use shapewear to reduce belly fat. Opinion may be divided, but for some, waist training provides amazing results. However, if this is step too far for you, then you can achieve superb results (albeit temporary) with plus size shapewear. You may not technically be reducing body fat, but the right pieces can provide incredible results, slimming you down in all the right places and helping you achieve today’s revered hourglass figure.
For your pick of the best shapewear, consult our collection today. We only stock the best products and can help you showcase your curves. We celebrate every body, but understand that for self-confidence sometimes you might need a little extra support from your foundation garments. So check out our shapewear selection today and start honing those curves!
