Veronica is a stay-at-home mom and a self-proclaimed "army wife" who wanted to surprise her husband while he was away on training. Her goal was to slim her waistline enough to fit into a bikini that was one size smaller than her current measurements.

Veronica says she has always had trouble losing weight. But by wearing a waist trainer, she became more conscious of how much she was eating—and more motivated by the garment's instant slimming effect. She started seeing results within two weeks, and when her husband finally returned home, he had a big reaction. Read this one-on-one interview with Veronica to see what happened.

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a stay at home army wife, currently living in Hawaii. I babysit a 3-month-old baby girl, so I’m usually on my toes most days. I enjoy hiking and grilling on the beach.

2. Why did you decide to try waist training?

My sister told me about your waist trainers actually. My husband was training in Louisiana back in February, and I wanted to see if he would see a difference in my body after using the waist trainer. Which he did! My goal was to look good in a bikini that I had bought one size smaller than my current measurements.

3. What garments did you use, and why?

I used the waist trainer Best Waist Trainer by Hourglass Angel HA102, specifically because that’s the one my sister had gotten for herself. Once she let me try hers on, I knew that was the one I wanted, just by how my body came together. It was perfect.

4. What were your first impressions?
   

My first time putting it on was a hassle. I didn’t think I was going to be able to clasp it together at all! I told my sister “I should’ve got a large because I can’t breathe!” We were both visiting at my mom's house when she helped me put it on. My back was facing the mirror as we pinned it, but once I turned around I couldn’t stop laughing only because I looked so funny. Literally like an actual hourglass!  

5. What was your waist training routine?

I would wear my waist trainer every day for a few hours, except on weekends. My usage did increase a lot! Day one, I barely lasted an hour in it. But now I can put it on from the second I wake up until it’s time for bed. Which caught me by surprise, big time, so I know I’m doing something right.

6. Did the garment meet your expectations? How so?

In a way, yes. It made my love handles more obvious—so I wish it would have pulled them in just a little bit more than what it did. I believe it only did so much because I got more comfortable wearing it, so not much difference was happening anymore.

7. What were your diet and fitness habits during your waist training journey?

Honestly, not much. I ate regular unhealthy food. My metabolism did change though. So my routine would be that I had to fast for as long as I had my waist trainer on. Which helped a lot in the end because the longer I wore it, the longer I was fasting. So when it was time to eat I wouldn’t eat much at all. In the mornings I do an at-home workout in my living room, shower, then put on my waist trainer. So I would say I was actively working out but definitely not eating healthy.

8. In the past, have you faced any challenges with weight-loss and/or fitness?

Yes, challenges in weight-loss most definitely! About two months ago I was weighing at my heaviest of 179. I finally got myself to 170 but could never break it. Now I’m at 165, but it’s so hard to go lower than that, and I don’t know why. If I put better work into it, then I know I could do it! I believe my waist trainer did help with pulling my body together and keeping my weight down. My weight goal is 145-150 so we’ll see!

9. When did you start seeing results?

About two weeks in. I was surprised with how fast I saw a difference. Now that I’m at my finishing point, I’m so obsessed with how my body looks. It may look the same, but in my own body I feel better and different.

10. Has anyone else noticed your results?

My husband most definitely can! When he got home from training, he hugged me and couldn’t believe that it was my waist he was holding. He asked me if I was hungry because I didn’t look like I’d been eating.

11. What would you say to others who are thinking about trying waist training?

Do it even if you’re having second thoughts about it. You’d be surprised what you can get out of it. Even a small change can make a big difference. Patience and time is all you need.