Let's start with this- who doesn't want six pack abs? We all want to be able to eat pizza every night and wake up with a rockin' body. The unfortunate secret isn't much of a secret. Eating healthy and working out will get you that body that you want BUT I think there's always a few tricks to make yourself look that much better. So, here's the controversy. Waist trainers. What do you think? 

Back in the day they were known as corsets for women's fashion to decrease the size of the waist and increase the size of the bust. Now, with similar usage, it's not only just for women but men too! Okay, so let's get to it.

Negatives to using a waist trainer: It sucks the life out of you. No but really, it does. Have you ever tried to workout with something constricting your entire abdominal area? It is not an easy task. It is also not an easy task to get on. BUT! As they say, once its on and worn for a few hours a day you're supposed to be able to see a difference. The biggest negative here, being that corsets from back then were shown to cause harm to women in some cases death. The constriction of the corset forces your organs to move which can cause internal problems. Crazy to think what we do for fashion. 

There are so many different types now, some made just to help you sweat and some to enhance curves. So what are the benefits? Well, wearing extra padding in your abdominal area will make you sweat more in that specific area and sweat = weight loss! Does it work like that though? View the picture below, how does that look comfortable?! 

Okay so I gave into the fad and had to see what it was all about. I mean if Kim Kardashian is wearing them then duh I'm going to try it. (Just kidding) But really, for research reasons why not. I'd love to find any short cut like anyone else so I bought one. What I found: it was tight as f**k. Once I was able to zip my stomach into it I wasn't sure how to bend down, but after a few minutes it wasn't so bad. Results? Well I haven't worn it long enough to see any long term results. After taking it off, I did find that I stood taller and felt more sucked in then usual. I'm more of a work hard for your body type girl, so I've thrown mine to the side. But I hear they make them for men now, so don't hesitate fellas! Comment below your opinions and results! I'll leave you with the mens corset in case you want to buy one for your man ;) XO 

Depriving yourself of eating is not the way to the new body you've hoped and dreamed for. While some people may find certain diets to work better for them then others, their is no perfect path to follow. I like to look at eating healthy as a new adventure. Something new I want to try and adapt to my life. By looking at it this way, it's much easier to accept the changes and try new alternatives. Like anyone else, I love my pizza, pasta, cookies and all the other goodies. But! I love my body more! 

When I started my journey I looked at what I loved to eat that wasn't great for me, and how I could make it into a healthy alternative. I love mashed potatoes with broccoli and cheese on top, so instead I made mashed cauliflower with broccoli and low fat cheese. Tastes just as great with half of the amount of calories. 

My favorite creation is kale chips. I could eat potato chips for every meal, but my new healthy alternative kale chips with some sea salt. Tastes great and you can switch out the seasonings to anything that you want!

​This is a short list of some of your new alternatives, print it out, write it down, take note and make the change! 

Heidi Powell and her husband Chris Powell are the ultimate relationship goals. While they are both health and fitness experts, so much of the information they put out is dumbed down for the beginner to the advance to understand. When I first started to understand macros and how to count them, my first learning experience was with them. Counting macros isn't for everyone, but understanding macros and what it means to count them, will most definitely help in your weight loss. Check out Heidi here!