Has any of you ladies used these? I have noticed that I stick my stomach out a bit and I must have been doing this while I was pregnant. I also feel like I don't hold my stomach muscles in like I used to. Do they help your posture at all? I'm close to my pre-pregnancy weight, but this little belly is holding me back! Thanks in advance!
I would look into PT before using a waist trainer. From what I've read, they can be dangerous if used incorrectly and aren't proven to do anything. If they do help you to lose weight, it is typically because they physically restrict how much you can eat. If you're concerned about diastasis recti, talk to your doc and go from there. If not, I'd lean towards old fashioned core exercise to get those muscles back in shape, but that's just my opinion. I don't think waist trainers have any effect on muscle tone or strength.
I got one because I heard they were good for c sections and It was soo uncomfortable to wear that I gave it away. I think they work best if they are used quite soon after baby is born, I'm not sure if 5,6 months pp would have the same effect.
I've read some really poor reviews from medical professionals about how they restrict your organs and cause them to move around in your body...i don't know, it sounds terrible. And I trust exactly zero weight loss/toning tools that require no effort. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.
I'll suggest finding a pilates studio..a good one, and doing whatever training you can afford. Pilates is all about core strength and posture. I've been doing it for years and it really really helps. Though I still have a small pouch post birth, I assume the completely flat belly of my past will never revisit after having DD, and that's ok. I'm primarily concerned with the strength of my muscles underneath the newly flabby skin than anything else.
I wear a control tank top if that counts. Its not so tight I can't breath but it helps hide that flab from pregnancy. I'm not sure that will ever go away but I was overweight anyway.
Re: Waist trainer/similar contraptions
I'll suggest finding a pilates studio..a good one, and doing whatever training you can afford. Pilates is all about core strength and posture. I've been doing it for years and it really really helps. Though I still have a small pouch post birth, I assume the completely flat belly of my past will never revisit after having DD, and that's ok. I'm primarily concerned with the strength of my muscles underneath the newly flabby skin than anything else.