As a new mom, I’ve faced my fair share of ridiculousness, but nothing tops the unsolicited emails from weight-loss companies. In just three years of raising my daughter, I was bombarded with pitches for everything from stretch mark creams to the latest diet pills. The most egregious of all? An email promoting a waist trainer with the cheeky subject line “From Mom to MILF.”
This message claimed, “This three-tier fitness belt instantly sculpts your waist and promotes sweating in the midsection to reduce inches and water weight.” It went on to promise an intense sweating experience without discomfort, and that this product could help moms achieve the coveted MILF body just by going about their day.
As a new parent still grappling with body image issues and remnants of an eating disorder, reading that email was like being thrust into a shame spiral. I had to dig deep to understand the origins of waist trainers. To my astonishment, these modern-day contraptions are merely the latest iteration of corsets, something feminists fought against for centuries.
Researchers from the University of Virginia uncovered a troubling history of corsets, designed to create an unrealistic “hourglass figure.” These garments took a toll on women’s health, contributing to a host of issues like tuberculosis and liver disease, while also hindering muscle development and exercise. After the French Revolution, women began to reject corsets in favor of looser clothing that symbolized newfound freedom.
Why History is Repeating Itself
So why are we seeing history repeat itself with waist trainers? For years, I struggled to keep my stomach as flat as possible, even resorting to diet pills and disordered eating. If waist trainers had existed back then, I would have likely jumped at the chance to use one. Now, as a mother of two, I embrace my body, soft stomach and all, and have worked hard to heal my body image.
You might wonder why I resist the urge to change my appearance. Our society teaches us that a body like mine is a problem. But I’m here to tell you it’s not. The real issue lies with diet culture, which profits off of women feeling inadequate. Waist trainers, like other harmful trends, compress our organs and can lead to digestive issues and hinder our natural bodily functions.
Dr. Linda Harris, a clinical professor at Yale, explains, “It doesn’t make sense that tightly cinching your waist will result in a permanent change. Once you remove it, your body will revert back.” And she’s right—these trainers can be uncomfortable and even dangerous, making breathing difficult and risking rib damage.
In the words of wellness writer Sarah Thompson, “Waist trainers are not much different from corsets, just wrapped in trendy marketing with celebrity endorsements.”
Rejecting Harmful Beauty Standards
Women already face immense societal pressures, and there’s no need for products that encourage us to conform to beauty standards that are both damaging and physically harmful. I’m tired of the media dictating that our bodies should only be flat and thin, a message that has led many down a path of body dysmorphia from a young age. As a mother now, I refuse to accept this narrative. Waist trainers are nothing more than a misguided attempt to conform to diet culture that I want no part of.
Next time you see a celebrity or influencer sporting a waist trainer, ask yourself: is it worth risking your health for a fleeting change in appearance? When self-inflicted harm is seen as self-care, we have a serious problem. We don’t need to succumb to the shame of weight loss culture or believe that our bodies are a constant project requiring fixing. Waist trainers waste our time and protest our natural right to exist in our own skin.
Further Reading
If you’re interested in more insights on this topic, check out this blog post on the harmful effects of diet culture here. For those considering home insemination, Make a Mom is a great resource. Also, you can find valuable information on pregnancy at WomensHealth.gov.
Summary
Waist trainers are a modern-day version of corsets, promoting unrealistic body standards and causing harm to women’s health. Despite societal pressure to conform, it’s essential to reject diet culture and embrace body positivity. Our worth isn’t tied to our appearance, and we should challenge harmful beauty ideals instead of risking our health.
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