Keshia is a full-time student working toward her degree in Political Science. She'd heard about waist training a long time ago, but she was hesitant to try it, believing the garments were intended more for the slim celebrities she saw promoting them. But when Keshia saw more plus-size women experiencing results, she decided to give it a try.

Keshia admits that her trouble areas are her belly and thighs, where she tends to gain weight. By combining a waist training routine with regular workouts, she started noticing a difference in how her clothes fit in just three weeks—and even her friends started noticed. Beyond the slimming, Keshia gained the confidence to wear more flattering clothes, and people around her started complimenting how "glowing and vibrant" she looked. Here's how she did it:

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m currently attending college, majoring in political science. I’m hoping within the next year, I’ll be done with my Bachelor's and pursuing my Master's. I’m hoping one day to start my own radio station. In my spare time, I love volunteering at the local animal shelters around my home. I have two dogs, Pablo and Diego, so volunteering is very special to me, and my dogs love it as well when I can bring them along.

2. Why did you decide to try waist training?

I heard a lot about waist training via social media, but I was hesitant to try it, because a lot of the women I saw waist training, or advertising it, were already slim. Having more plus-size women come out with results really motivated me to try it. My trouble area has always been my stomach and thigh areas, which is where my weight tends to go. I wanted to waist train to see if I can get results in my stomach area, so I can feel more comfortable in my skin as well as my clothes.

3. What garments did you use, and why?

I used the Hourglass Angel Latex Waist Trainer Vest size 3XL. This was my first time waist training, so I had no idea of the perfect waist trainer to use. just picked what I thought would work based off the overall look. I figured a vest waist trainer would give me more results.

4. What were your first impressions?
   

This was my first time waist training, so I had no idea what to expect. Just seeing the waist trainer vest without putting it on, I was worried. All I thought about was, “Will I be able to breathe?” My first time putting it on was difficult, but luckily, I had help to fasten the vest for me. After a week, I was able to put on the vest myself and fasten it with no trouble. It was all about getting use to wearing it.

5. What was your waist training routine? 

At first, I wore my waist trainer during workouts, because I wasn’t used to wearing it and I wanted to see how it would feel wearing it for a period of time. After a few weeks, I started wearing it not just for workouts, but while I was at work and school, so I was wearing the waist trainer for 9+ hours each day. Wearing my waist trainer was definitely something to get used to, so I figured the more I wear it, the more results I’ll see and comfortable I’ll get wearing it.

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

I saw a lot of before-and-after pictures regarding waist trainers, so I was very hopeful. I was expecting extra sweat here and there, but I sweated a lot throughout my stomach and back area, even when I wasn’t working out. I wasn’t expecting to see results on my back area, but I noticed I was getting results on my back area as well as my stomach, so I was very happy about that.

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

I will admit, I exercised four times a week during my first month. My diet consisted of a lot of fish, chicken, and vegetables. Approaching the holidays, it was hard to stick to healthy eating. Yes, I worked out, but with the food and drinks I was consuming, I was cheating myself out of faster results. Even while I wasn’t making some of the best choices in food, I still was seeing results wearing my trainer. I made sure I was drinking a lot of water as well. Before I started waist training, I was drinking about half a gallon of water a day, but while I was training, I was drinking a gallon or more daily.

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

I’ve struggled with weight loss for a few years. After a leg surgery, I was on bed rest a lot, so being limited in moving around caused a lot of laying around, sleeping and eating that put a lot of weight on me. After physical therapy, I purchased plenty of diet programs, shakes, etc. and saw little to no results. Having a waist trainer made me feel more excited about my workouts, because I sweated a lot and after each week I was excited to measure my waist and see the difference with each passing week.

9. When did you start seeing results?

I noticed results in a little over three weeks. I felt a difference in how I felt in wearing my shirts. While my shirts felt baggy on me, I still was waiting to see the results I felt. A month into wearing my waist trainer, I noticed the area under my breasts started to decrease. I also saw results on the sides of my upper stomach area after a month, which has been hard for me to lose even with certain workouts. Using the waist trainer definitely made results and definition come faster versus doing my regular routine without it.

10. Has anyone else noticed your results?

My close friends noticed a difference because of my clothes. Before I started waist training, I would wear baggy clothes, because I wasn’t accepting of my body. Two months into wearing my waist trainer, I was wearing clothes of my size and wasn’t looking to hide. I get a lot of compliments of how vibrant and glowing I am, and it felt good when I was able to see what everyone was complimenting me on.

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

To anyone that hasn’t tried waist training, I recommend you give it a chance. There’s women of all sizes waist training and seeing results, so there’s no need to be discouraged. My only advice is: go in motivated, remain focused, and use your weight loss goal to motivate you each day.