Flat stomach: Can wearing a girdle tighten abdominal muscles?

Can wearing a girdle help tighten stomach muscles?

- Bobbie / Florida

Answer

A girdle compresses and redistributes fat and skin around the abdomen. You may appear thinner when you wear a girdle, but the girdle doesn't strengthen or tone your abdominal muscles. When it comes to a flat stomach, diet and exercise — not undergarments — are what count.

Although you can't "spot reduce" abdominal fat for a flat stomach, you can lose weight overall with dietary changes and aerobic exercise. Core exercises — which target the muscles in the abdomen, back and pelvis — can help, too. Any exercise that uses the trunk of your body without support counts, including Pilates exercises. You can even do core exercises with a fitness ball. In fact, strong core muscles may be the best corset you can give yourself.

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