As waist training has surged in popularity, there's been a term going around that has left a few people confused and possibly disappointed: a weight-loss method called the "corset diet." Is it an actual diet? Does it work? Is it healthy?

Let's take a moment and dispel some of the rumors about what's realistic when it comes to weight loss and waist-training.

Waist Training and Your Appetite

Will wearing a corset daily really help you lose weight? Maybe. Maybe not. If you are trying to eat while wearing a corset, your appetite may be reduced simply because your gastrointestinal tract is compressed. You may eat smaller portions when you sit down for a meal.

So, if you're someone who naturally has difficulty with portion control, you may very well lose some weight because you're taking in fewer calories.

However, not everyone will necessarily have these results.

If the corset diet is your one and only strategy for weight loss, you are probably going to be disappointed with the results in the long run. Just because you are eating smaller courses when you are wearing the corset doesn't mean that you'll be making healthy eating choices. Furthermore, you may be more susceptible to binge eating when you take the corset off; or you might just take in more calories by snacking a lot.

You might experience temporary weight loss with the corset diet, but without sustainable lifestyle changes, it will probably bounce back. The last thing you want when you're trying to become healthier is for your weight to bounce up and down like a yoyo.

Waist Training with a Healthy Lifestyle

Remember that wearing a corset or other waist trainer will reshape your waist the way women have been doing for hundreds of years, but it will not necessarily help you lose weight.

The way to drop the pounds and keep them off is to alter your lifestyle. The truth is, there's no magic bullet when it comes to weight loss. If you want to get serious about waist training, we strongly recommend that you do it while making healthy food choices and exercising regularly. Not only will this combination produce the best results, but you'll feel more energetic and confident about your body, no matter how many inches you drop from your waistline.