The science (?) behind Jessica Alba's Double-Corset weight loss method
In an interview with Net-A-Porter, the pregnant reporter asked Jessica Alba how she regained her pre-pregnancy figure after giving birth for the second time. Interestingly, Jessica cited corset layering, rather than clean eating or a crazy workout regimen, like the answers we usually hear to this question. After looking at her abs in the photo-shoot, I have a feeling crunches played a role a well. Then ABC News weighed in with their medical consultant's opinion on it.
From Net-A-Porter:
It’s almost time to go, a sofa date beckoning for Alba and Warren but, before I leave, as an expectant mother I have to ask how she got her toned body back so quickly after two births. The secret, it turns out, is a girdle. Two, in fact. “It was brutal; it’s not for everyone,” she qualifies. “I wore a double corset day and night for three months. It was sweaty, but worth it.”
ABC News offers a little perspective on the science of this method…
Stars like Gwyneth Paltrow, Kourtney Kardashian and Jennifer Garner have all been rumored to sport the tight-fitting tops after delivering their children.
“The concept behind abdominal binders is very common after surgery and after the delivery of a baby to help support abdominal muscles, help with posture and reduce the feeling of bloating,” said Dr. Jennifer Ashton, senior medical contributor for ABC News.
Brooke Burke-Charvet, a mother of four and co-host of “Dancing With the Stars,” even created her own version of the corset, the “Tauts” post-pregnancy wrap she sells on her website, Babooshbaby.com, for around $60. “It supports that baggy baby skin,” said Burke-Charvet, 41. “It helps you with water retention and it just makes you feel like you have some support around your belly because everything is changing. Everything is stretched out.”
In her book The Honest Life, Jessica recommends Fredericks of Hollywood corsets for this purpose. She calls the double-corset method her “snap back secret” and says it was recommended by her friend. Of course, the media doesn’t pick up the other 205 pages of her book discuss truly healthy living, including healthy eating, and no “quick fixes.” She writes, “To be to clear: This isn’t for everyone. But if you’ve ever wondered how some people get their bodies back so quickly after pregnancy? Well, here’s some insight.”
It was interesting to read the perspective from the medical contributor at ABC. I wonder if the corset method doesn’t also help because it would make you constantly aware of your figure - like how wearing tight clothes helps you to eat less. I know she's not an ONTD favorite but I'm kind in love with some of the non-toxic, natural beauty products from The Honest Company (which she co-founded). Like the leave-in-conditioner is amazing and smells great, and the prices aren't too bad.
Sources are ABC News and Net-A-Porter and her book The Honest Life (2013). Photos are originally from Net-A-Porter.