Is Waist Training the New Juice Cleanse? (2024)

#Realtalk: do waist trainers make you lose weight? Find out if it's more bogus than beneficial.

By

Esther Crain

Esther Crain, currently the editorial director of Health.com, is an author, editor, and content manager/creator based in New York City. She's previously held editorial positions at numerous national publications and websites. In addition to Shape, her work has been published by Women's Health, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Yahoo, and other health/lifestyle brands. She has an MFA in creative writing from Emerson College and a B.A. in English/journalism from the University of Delaware.

Updated on July 5, 2022

Is Waist Training the New Juice Cleanse? (2)

Do Waist Trainers Get Rid of Abdominal Fat?

Will wearing a corset flatten your stomach? Those 19th century-style torture devices are the premise behind "waist training," the latest weight loss fad that involves lacing or Velcroing yourself into a corset-like garment to "train" your waist to be trimmer. Kim Kardashian outed herself as a devotee on Instagram, and Jessica Alba has credited a corset with helping her shed baby weight. There's also been a spike in real women who vouch that waist training for weight loss has scored them an hourglass figure. But, really, do waist trainers make you lose weight?

Experts Weigh In

Curious, we took it to the experts-and it turns out that wearing a corset has zero to do with shedding real weight. It's just the latest gimmick (metabolism-boosting pills, anyone?) that promises to effortlessly peel off pounds. At first glance, it does seem to have promise. "The corset physically restricts your stomach, and that can make it impossible to overeat," says New York City nutritionist Brittany Kohn, R.D. "Cinching your waist also redistributes fat from your middle, so you look slimmer." And since it's so tight, you'll sweat like crazy, and that can make you feel lighter. "But once the corset comes off, your body will quickly return to its usual weight and shape," says Kohn. (So, yeah, this is just another one of those bizarre health fads.)

The Scary Part

Like a lot of fat-melting trends, waist training can even rack up real harm. "Being compressed makes it hard to breathe," says Kohn. "And with so much pressure on your middle, it can lead to bruising and even organ damage." Yeah, we partly wanted to believe this one-wouldn't it be great if there actually was a magical garment that could erase a little belly bloat? But the plain fact is, the only way to really lose weight is through diet and exercise. (Instead, try this flat-belly abs workout and the 30 Greatest Flat-Belly Tips of All Time.)

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Is Waist Training the New Juice Cleanse? (2024)

FAQs

How many pounds can you lose on a 1 day juice cleanse? ›

However, in the short term, people might see a loss of 1 to 2 pounds per day. A 5-8 pound weight loss with a 5 day juice cleanse is often achievable, however, we usually do not recommend long juice cleanses beyond 2-3 days. Remember, much of this weight loss is often due to losing water weight and muscle mass, not fat.

Why didn't I lose weight on juice cleanse? ›

According to Dr. Seltzer, one of the key reasons a juice cleanse may not be a helpful weight-loss method is that it doesn't directly address the issues that caused your weight gain in the first place.

Can you lose body fat on a juice cleanse? ›

Not fat. “When you're doing a juice cleanse, that initial weight loss is very likely to be from water weight,” Sommer says. “And over the long term, you're likely to start losing muscle.”

Do you gain all the weight back after a juice cleanse? ›

Most of the weight loss during a juice cleanse will be temporary until you begin eating solid food again,” says Tara Robbins, MD, a family medicine physician at Scripps Clinic Del Mar. “Moreover, a juice cleanse can slow your metabolism, which may contribute to weight gain when you return to a regular diet.”

How to lose 10 pounds in a week? ›

To lose 10 pounds in one week, you'll need to burn between 3,500 and 5,000 calories more than you consume each day by restricting your diet to small portions of nutritious yet low-calorie foods, and significantly increasing your aerobic exercise with interval training, sports, and other vigorous activities.

Does your stomach shrink on a juice cleanse? ›

Although juicing doesn't actually shrink the stomach, it does temporarily eliminate the possibility to eat for comfort. The upshot of that is that you will feel satiated with less food than usual, immediately after you're done with the cleanse.

Why am I not pooping on a juice cleanse? ›

The average juice cleanse provides you about 14 g of fiber per day—way less than the recommended 25+. We know that getting adequate amounts of fiber is key to staying regular, so skimping could leave you with a bad case of constipation. Oddly, juice cleanses can also cause the exact opposite problem: diarrhea.

What are the cons of a 3 day juice cleanse? ›

According to Beaver, there are major downsides to juice cleansing:
  • The resulting nutrient deficiencies. ...
  • Fiber is stripped out of fruits and vegetables during the juicing process. ...
  • It causes undesirable side effects. ...
  • It may lead to muscle and bone loss.
Jan 6, 2020

How to slim down belly fat? ›

8 Ways to Lose Belly Fat and Live a Healthier Life
  1. Try curbing carbs instead of fats. ...
  2. Think eating plan, not diet. ...
  3. Keep moving. ...
  4. Lift weights. ...
  5. Become a label reader. ...
  6. Move away from processed foods. ...
  7. Focus on the way your clothes fit more than reading a scale. ...
  8. Hang out with health-focused friends.

Will you lose muscle on a juice cleanse? ›

Will I lose muscle during a juice cleanse? Despite the caloric deficit, it is unlikely that you will lose more than 1-2 pounds of muscle mass during a two to three-day cleanse.

Are you starving on a juice cleanse? ›

Despite what “cleanse gurus” say, it is totally normal to feel hungry when not eating solid foods. Many detox diet cleanses on the market are low-calorie and lack proper nutrition, which can trigger cravings and feelings of deprivation. Feeling deprived often leads to binge eating and weight gain.

Do you go to the bathroom a lot on a juice cleanse? ›

Be prepared for a few extra trips to the bathroom on day two. Without fiber or protein to slow absorption, the sugar in each juice draws fluid into your digestive tract, resulting in softer, more frequent bowel movements, says Carson. This literally gives your body a "cleansing" feeling.

Why am I gaining weight while juicing? ›

Juice makes us feel full quickly and the excess calories from juice can cause weight gain. Also, 100% juice from stores can have sugar added to improve its taste. Consumption of added sugar is unhealthy as it provides empty calories without any other nutrients and can lead to weight gain.

Why am I not losing weight on a juice fast? ›

While a calorie deficit is necessary for weight loss, it appears that low calorie diets, including juice fasts, may be counterproductive due to their negative effects on metabolism. Juice diets are typically severely calorie-restricted and may not be filling. They may also affect your metabolism.

Is it okay to do a 1 day juice cleanse? ›

A one day juice cleanse is just enough time to allow your body to remove these disruptors and focus on resting. Since your body is getting the vitamins and minerals it needs from the juices, you might find that you are completely satisfied with just drinking juices for the whole day.

Does juicing once a day help lose weight? ›

Other people try short-term diets that consist only of juices made from fresh fruits and vegetables. These are called juice cleanses or fasts. Some of these diets may claim to help remove toxins, aid digestion or lead to weight loss. But no strong scientific proof supports their use for any of these reasons.

Will I lose weight on 2 day juice cleanse? ›

Do you actually lose weight on a juice cleanse? It's possible to lose weight on a juice cleanse. However, this is likely to be water weight, rather than fat. It's important to note that after a few days of juice cleansing, you may also start to lose muscle mass.

How to lose 30 pounds quickly? ›

Now, let's move to the 12 steps to help you lose 30 pounds safely!
  1. Set a Realistic Goal. ...
  2. Add Protein to Your Diet. ...
  3. Calculate Your Caloric Needs. ...
  4. Design a Balanced & Nutritious Meal Plan. ...
  5. Stay Hydrated. ...
  6. Incorporate Regular Exercise. ...
  7. Practice Mindful Eating. ...
  8. Monitor Your Progress.
Oct 23, 2023

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