Trim your waistline, ban metabolic syndrome AND the girdle

PROOF: Once a body shaper wearer, not ALWAYS a body shaper wearer!

 I was in the gym not long ago and saw, in the locker room, a young woman with a girdle on. Or, maybe it was a “body shaper.” I didn’t want to stare, but it’s been a while since I’ve seen one of these things in use.

She wasn’t obese, just a bit overweight. Still, what a downer having to wear one of these. I’ve been there–in my late teens. So I know what it’s like.

Apparently, there’s a big business in body-shaping garments. And people are more “out there” about wearing them and enjoying their slimming, smoothing benefits.

You can find body shapers in everything from swim suit styles, to tank tops, long-sleeved tops meant to slim your arms and leggings that trim your thighs and hips.

You can even go to eBay and buy vintage girdles. Hmm, lots of questions come to mind there!

A body shaper is not the answer

If you need a body shaper, you most definitely need to eat better and exercise more.

And you may need to check with your doctor, too, to determine your health risks.

A waistline greater than 35 inches for women is one symptom of metabolic syndrome. If you have genetic risk factors for the condition, such a family history of diabetes, then a waistline of even 31 to 35 inches could indicate an elevated risk.

High blood pressure, insulin resistance and abnormal cholesterol levels (including high triglyceride levels) are other symptoms of metabolic syndrome.

Having one symptom alone does not mean you have metabolic syndrome. But having a few of these symptoms could.

Why the concern?

Because being diagnosed with metabolic syndrome means you have a higher risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes.

Don’t go there!

If your waistline has been getting larger over the years, don’t shrug it off as a sign of aging or going through menopause.

Take action!

Working out with weights (my favorite form of exercise) can change the composition of your body–increasing your lean muscle mass and decreasing your fat mass.

Lose bodyfat and your waistline will shrink.

And the items your doctor checks–like blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels–will improve!

No doubt about it. Weight loss just before, during or after menopause is difficult!

You can improve your results if you perform some strength work.

Add some intensity and you’ll also condition your cardiovascular system, further cutting your risks for heart attack and stroke.  

So if you’ve been in the market for a body shaper lately, think about what would REALLY help you.