Jessica Alba Wore a Double Corset for 3 Months to Shed Her Baby Weight

As a staff member at SHAPE magazine, I've encountered numerous peculiar and sometimes offbeat weight loss strategies. Almost every strange diet you could think of has crossed my path (and I've probably given most of them a try), but nothing surprised me quite like Jessica Alba's revelation to Net-a-Porter that she used a corset to regain her pre-pregnancy figure after her two pregnancies, including her last one in 2011.

"For three months, I wore a double corset night and day," she disclosed to the magazine. "It was a rough journey; it's not meant for everyone." But she added it was "sweaty but worthwhile."

In addition to doubling up on the corsets for support, she also exercised, consumed a heavily nutritious diet, and drank plenty of water until she hit her target weight, according to Alba's spokesperson. She didn't start her diet and workout regimen until three months after giving birth to her first child and two months after the second.

The thought of using a corset as a weight-loss tool might seem antiquated and almost charming, yet the principle behind "waist-training" continues to be popular. Several celebrities such as Kourtney Kardashian, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jennifer Garner are all speculated to have used abdominal binders or similar tools to get back into their skinny jeans quickly. Post-partum binders or girdles are commonly recommended to women who've just had a C-section as they can aid in reducing discomfort during recovery.

However, while some experts concur that wearing a corset could potentially deter you from overeating and hence help you lose weight, merely wearing one will not alter your body composition. Furthermore, there are concerns among some experts that using corsets as a long-term weight loss strategy can cause irreversible damage.

"Wearing a corset around the clock can have several effects on your body," Sara Gottfried, M.D., cautioned on ABC News last October. "Primarily, it can compress your ribs to such an extent that you can't take a full breath. Corsets can reduce your lung capacity by 30 to 60 percent, causing you to breathe like a frightened rabbit. They can also disrupt your organs and lead to constipation."

Despite the potential drawbacks, there's no denying that Alba looks stunning. We'd love to know your thoughts. Would you ever consider wearing a corset as part of your weight loss strategy? Share your opinions in the comments below!