Women of Rubies
In Interviews&profile By

MEET CAROLYN SEAMAN, THE FOUNDER OF GIRL VOICES INITIATIVE

Carolyn is an advocate of promoting female involvement in technology. She is the founder of the Girls’ Voices initiative, a non-profit that provides a safe space for girls to connect and share stories of inspiration and motivation with the use of technology and digital media.

Girl Voices Initiative works to educate adolescent girls and women about their rights in law and the platform empowers the girls with the skills to use technology and digital media to lead advocacy for the protection of their rights and welfare in society.

Through Girl Voices Initiative, Carolyn does not just give girls a voices, she also builds girl leaders who build and support other girls.

Girl Voices Initiative builds young girls through training in advocacy, technology, and digital media.

Over 100,000 adolescent girls have been reached directly through Girl Voices Initiative’s girl-centred programs, and with its girl leaders, it has reached over 80 million people through various programs.

Carolyn won the US-based World Pulse Prize in 2016 and is a 2017 TechWomen fellow.

Carolyn, a lawyer, has well over a decade’s experience in management consulting and women and girls advocacy, working at UN Women and Nigeria’s House of Representatives, among others.

We celebrate Carolyn for giving girls a voice and for building girl leaders across Nigeria and the world, and we’re rooting for her!

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DEBBIE LARRY IZAMOJE: ARE YOU CONSIDERING A CAREER CHANGE?

My girls and I were having dinner, and after laughing about everything from fashion to family, the subject of career transitioning came up.

Fola raised the topic—not for the first time—and this time she desperately needed answers from us. We honestly thought she would follow her passion for baking, and “give daddy his law degree” as she had always said she would. Imagine our shock when she told us four years ago that she had decided to work at her uncle’s law firm. I’ll never forget how loudly we laughed when she joked that her child couldn’t live on cookies alone.

Our other friend, Bimpe, had successfully transitioned from owning and running her fashion business for years to becoming one of the best business strategists in the country. Bimpe’s voice was the loudest during this conversation, as it had every right to be. We all watched her handle her transition gracefully, how she sometimes had to delete comments by entitled people who had heard rumours about why she closed down her business. But she was soaring in her career, and that’s all that mattered.

Here are a few lessons on career transitioning that Bimpe shared with us, and will be helpful if you’re in a similar stage in your life.

Keep an open mind
This is a crucial season for you and your loved ones. Before you take that leap into a new career path, be open to the opinion of others, especially those who have transitioned before, or currently work in the industry you seek to join. Be open to asking and answering very tough questions. We didn’t spare Bimpe or Fola these questions, so I doubt your loved ones will. When people give you answers to your questions, ensure you’re not defensive.

Enhance your skills
A career transition can be one of the most humbling experiences ever. You’ll most likely find that some of the skills you have will not come in handy in the future. In order to be very effective in your new industry, ensure that you take a break to enhance all needed skills. Do it at your own pace; there is no rush. You may want to start out with a quick online search, a course, or take on a whole degree if that is needed in your new field. You should also consider an internship position to learn for a few months. Just ensure that you’ve evaluated your past experiences and measured it with what you now seek. Mentorship can also not be over-emphasized. Get a mentor or friend in this field who can help guide you.

Be sure you’re doing it for the right reasons
A career transition is a big deal. It’s important that you do not limit yourself, but it’s also important that the big decisions you take in life are well thought out. You have to look inward and question your motive. Why am I changing careers? Will I look back in five years and regret this decision? Should I seek counsel? The biggest reason for your career change should be fulfillment. Although I understand there are times where life just happens, still, always be fuelled by other desires that are not monetary.

Don’t hold back
Sounds like a contradiction, right? But life is too short to be doing anything that doesn’t give you fulfilment. You just have to take the jump. Do it afraid. There’s only so much analyzing you can do, at some point, you’ll have to just try it and see if it’ll work out. You’ll never know if you don’t try, and if you do try and it doesn’t work out, then at least you can tell the world that you’re great and trying new things and experiences.

About Debbie

Debbie Larry-Izamoje also known as The Entrepreneur’s Best-Friend is a Nigerian Entrepreneur. With Certificates in Innovation and strategy from Harvard University and user innovation from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Debbie is passionate about assisting entrepreneurs which is why she founded Image Boosters , a digital agency that specializes in Digital Marketing, Social Media Management, PR & Communications. She is an author of 2 business books and was for 25 under 25 SME and recently recognized as by Trek Africa as outstanding entrepreneurship personality of the year. www.debbielarrryizamoje.com www.imageboosters.com.ng Twitter and Instagram: @dee_larry @imageboosters_ Email: contactus@imageboosters.com.ng

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FARIDA YAHAYA: HEY STARTUPS, DON’T MAKE THESE MISTAKES IF YOU ARE TRYING TO ATTRACT INVESTORS

Discussing too many ideas is a red flag. For example, saying that your company intends to land one major customer, and then saying that you intend to land ten bigger ones at the same time shows you lack focus. Why? Because investors would rather have you record a huge success on the first one before hopping onto others.

Getting early stage investment can help new and existing startups worry less about short-term issues such as overhead costs, and help to focus on areas such as gaining competitive advantage, customer retention rates and expansion.

However, for entrepreneurs who aren’t savvy at the game, they could make mistakes that could prevent them from getting funds to expand their businesses. As the founder of a growing hair care solutions brand, I have made some of these mistakes in the last 6 years, and I learned these lessons the hard way. So let’s get into those mistakes and how to avoid them in the future.

Lack of Focus
Investors don’t like to waste their time and money. Therefore, when pitching to them to get funding, pass your message across clearly and keep it short and sweet. Additionally, since their main focus is to get returns on their investments, make sure that you explain the strategic plans you’ve put in place that would help you generate leads and bring in revenue. However, don’t make unrealistic claims or say things that aren’t related to the topic.

Likewise, discussing too many ideas is a red flag. For example, saying that your company intends to land one major customer, and then saying that you intend to land ten bigger ones at the same time shows you lack focus. Why? Because investors would rather have you record a huge success on the first one before hopping onto others.

Underestimating Your Competitors
Don’t make the mistake of telling potential investors that your business has no competitors. Saying that automatically translates to telling them that a market for your business doesn’t exist.

No matter the type of products or services you offer, your business has either direct or indirect competitors. For instance, if you intend to produce luxury cutlery and kitchen appliances when no one has, it’s safe to say that you don’t have direct competitors since there isn’t any other business offering the same product. However, your indirect competitors are other companies also producing affordable cutlery and kitchen appliances.

Additionally, don’t say horrible things about your competitors. Don’t make them look like they aren’t doing anything right, because the truth is if they aren’t doing it right, they won’t remain in business.

A Long/Boring Business Plan
When pitching your business to investors, one of the major items they’d ask for is your business plan. Don’t go to presentations submitting a 70 to 100-page business plan. Those are too many words, and most investors just want to see how your solution can guarantee a return on their investment. Likewise, your revenue model shouldn’t be shallow, It should adequately convey your plans for your business’ success.

Based on my experience, I’d recommend that your business plan shouldn’t exceed 10 to 15 pages. If it’s a pitch, it shouldn’t be more than 10 slides.

Not Understanding Your Metrics
Want to scare off investors? Don’t understand your metrics and you’re good to go. You should be able to know how much it would cost you to acquire a customer or cost of delivering the product and marketing. Knowing these metrics would give you an idea of the amount of money needed to fund or expand your business. Additionally, understanding your metrics would help you and your team work purposefully towards setting and achieving your business’ growth goals.

Being Overconfident
Investors have experienced successes and failures; and they can sniff a lie from miles away. While investors expect you to be an expert in your business, they don’t expect you to be a Jack of all trades. Instead of touting yourself as a know-it-all, acknowledge your investors’ experience and let them know that while you are knowledgeable about your business, you welcome their suggestions and ideas about other areas of your business.

Excess Focus on Product Features
Strictly focusing on your products and their features when raising funds for your business isn’t a great idea. Sure, while you need to sell your products and their features to potential investors, you also have to clearly communicate that you aren’t just selling a product or offering a service. Let them know and show them that you’re building a customer-centric brand.

Without strategic marketing, a great team, financial literacy, emotional intelligence and efficient operations, your business won’t survive, even if your products or services are gems.

Likewise, let investors know if your products have a special feature, and make sure that you communicate clearly how you’ll ensure it isn’t copied or reproduced, such as patent protection or copyright.

Poor Forecasting
Nothing puts off investors more than an unrealistic goal. When you aren’t authentic, you lose credibility. Most business owners make the mistake of exaggerating their financial projections, metrics and market size.

Don’t say it would take competitors five years or more before they can reproduce your products; because when investors carry out an investigation and discover that your claims are far from the truth, you’ve blown your chances. Period!

Instead of falling into this, sell your execution and your value proposition.

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Potty Training Consultant
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TEMI OLAJIDE: THE BUSINESS OF PARENTING

Raising children in this digital age is different from our days where we were raised with restrictions. In the digital age, there are no restrictions. Everything is out there , whether you like it or not. This makes it challenging for parents to raise their children, if they don’t become deliberate and intentional about it.

Recently, I was having a conversation with a client, and as we continued the conversation, I said “parenting is a business and it must be treated as such”. Immediately, I said this, I looked at her and I could see that it took some self control for her not to roll her eyes at me. In that moment, I realised that there were probably a lot of mums out there who would probably not agree with this statement.

I could understand why this lady thought this way. We know that a business is the act of making, buying or selling products or services in exchange for money; so, classifying parenting as a business sounded absurd to her.

If you take a minute to think about it, you’ll realise that God placed the business of parenting in your hands. He also gave clear instructions when He blessed you with that child which is to train him up the way he should go!

In this digital age, everything you thought you knew about parenting has probably changed. However, our role as parents remain the same . Therefore, you cannot continue to use the ancient method you were brought up with, with your children and expect to get great results.

I have come to realize that when things are practicable, we understand it, because we can visualize it better. So, let’s relate it to real life business. As parents, you will do everything you can to grow in your business or career. You will pay business coaches, take professional courses, write qualifying exams, travel for days or months, if necessary, to progress in your field. However, when it comes to raising your child, you prefer to figure it out, make mistakes and wait for God to sort it out for you.

Can you progress in your business or career, if the knowledge you use is outdated? Imagine using the knowledge of 5,10, 20 years ago to operate in 2019? You would be out of a job if you had a career, or out of business if you were an entrepreneur as your competition must have taken over . In fact, it’s no news that if you want to succeed in business in this day and age, you must continuously innovate.

Now, if you must continuously innovate yourself or business to stay ahead of your competitors, why do you think it is okay to parent your kids in the same way you were brought up 20, 30 years ago? Why are you not seeking new ways to raise your digitized babies?

We have left raising our children to chance, the internet, gadgets, schools, teachers and religious organisations. We don’t do this to our businesses/careers? Why do that to your children? Your children are given to you to nurture, teach, guide and train and it is a role you shouldn’t take lightly.

Raising children in this digital age is different from our days where we were raised with restrictions. In the digital age, there are no restrictions. Everything is out there , whether you like it or not. This makes it challenging for parents to raise their children, if they don’t become deliberate and intentional about it. The days of trial and error are long gone. We need to start to seek help where necessary, because in this day and age it is so easy to lose a child.

Why?

Because the world is moving too fast and children are easily carried away if they aren’t brought up the right way.

Want to learn how to parent right and excel in this business of raising your child? Here are a few helpful tips:

Be a role model
Your kids are watching. 80% of your parenting is made easier if you practice what you preach to your children.

Speak positively
Rather than label your child in the negative light, use a positive approach. For example, rather than say you’re a liar, say, you know you’re not a liar, so why did you have to lie?

Create and spend quality time with them
Spending as little as 30 minutes a day, intentionally, will have more impact on them than not spending any time at all. Your children will also appreciate spending this time with you.

Invest in your kids’ talents and gifts
If they’re particularly skilled at something say singing, be their number one cheerleader. Gone are the days you have to be a medical doctor to be rich and famous.

Involve them in your day to day activities
Even if you run a tight schedule, you can bond with them through routine activities like ironing, cooking and cleaning.

Listen to them and don’t be too quick to judge
Your kids are human beings too, ask for their opinion on issues concerning them and listen to them.

Be quick to apologize when you’re wrong
Some of our parents are guilty for always wanting to be right and never apologising when they’re wrong. Don’t be that parent. In fact, don’t be too surprised if your little one calls you out for not apologising. We are in 2019 after all.

Invest in getting knowledge
Some of us need more help than others when it comes to parenting. If you think you need more knowledge to raise your child(ren), get it.

Teach them through life stories
Children often connect better with stories, so ensure you teach them valuable life lessons in the same way. In addition, it is okay to be vulnerable with your children.

Teach them the power of choice and consequences of decisions
Help them to understand that the choices they make can make or mar them for life.

Pray for them and with them
Prayer is key when raising kids in this day and age. But, remember you have a part to play before God can do His. Some parents are quick to hide under the umbrella of prayers and forget their responsibility.

While it takes a village to raise a child, being an intentional parent, who puts in some work and thought, will surely help in the long run.

Source: Bellanaija

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MEET THE WOMAN BEHIND KENYA’S FIRST RUNNING SHOES

Kenya has the best runners in the world. Isn’t it ironic, then, that a country with such a record didn’t have its own running shoe till now?

For years, Kenyan athletes have had to purchase running shoes from foreign brands because there was no local option. That has now changed, thanks to Navalayo Osembo-Ombati, founder and CEO of Enda Sportswear. Navalayo saw an opening, went in, and delivered. Kenya now has it’s first running shoe, it’s first sneaker.

Enda

Navalayo is an accountant and an advocate of the High Court of Kenya. She is also a mother of two and an entrepreneur. After travelling the world, she went back home to Bungoma, Kenya. She had seen how sports could transform lives, so she started a project that she envisioned would make a difference in her home town. The project was a sports academy.

Navalayo poured herself into her project. She gave everything she had to it. Unfortunately, it failed.

Though she was devastated, it ended up working out—just not in the way she had expected. “Starting a sports academy that doesn’t take off can be the foundation of taking you to a place where you meet like-minded people and end up on a totally different business path. This is a true story – it’s how I ended up starting Enda,” she says in an interview about lessons learned from failure.

In 2015, Navalayo met Weldon Kennedy “over a mutual interest in dramatically increasing the amount Kenya benefits from its well-earned reputation in running”. Together, they co-founded the company Enda Sportswear, “Enda” meaning go in Kiswahili. The first shoe rolled off of production two years later.

Navalayo and Weldon approached New York-based design studio Birdhaus to create a running shoe. Birdhaus has worked with Under Armour and Reebok. Navalayo and Weldon were very clear about wanting to work with Kenyan athletes; they wanted the running shoe to be “based on the advice, skills, and experiences of great Kenyan athletes”, they told CNN.

After 10-13 prototypes, the Enda Iten shoe was released. Iten is a small town in Rift Valley, Kenya, famous for being one of the world’s capitals of running. Many of Kenya’s elite runners come from and/or train in Iten – the high altitude gives them a lung capacity advantageous for long-distance running.

The Enda Iten features a light upper wide toe box and a 4mm “drop” which is the sole to floor spacing. According to Enda Sportswear, the 4mm drop can make a big difference in the way you run. The shoe comes in the colors of the Kenyan flag – red, black, and green sneakers with a white outsole – and has twelve grooves to represent the day the country gained independence, December 12, 1963. The company’s logo is based on a spear which is also found on the Kenyan flag.

The shoes were at first produced in China and later in Kenya. “We’re not quite yet at 100% made in Kenya for our current product lines but we are working hard to getting there. For now, we add sufficient value to qualify for the made in Kenya label as we work towards the 100%,” Navalayo explains.

The company has raised money through Kickstarter crowdfunding campaigns and they have had support from the UK, the U.S., Australia, Myanmar, and the Netherlands.

By March 2019, the Enda Iten had sold more than 4000 pairs worldwide.

Navalayo and Weldon with the Enda Iten running shoe

The company currently has two running shoes: the Enda Iten and the Lapatet. “Lapatet” is Kalenjin for running. The Lapatet shoe was launched early this year. The company reportedly spent 18 months designing and testing the Lapatet with elite Kenyan athletes. 91 runners around the world backed the company in creating the Lapatet in a crowdfunding campaign. Enda Sportswear raised Sh1.2 million ($12,000) within 2 hours of the product launch.

Success

Enda Sportswear has been well-received by Kenyan athletes and other people as well. Kenyan marathon runner Justin Lagat, who has been using the shoes for training, noted that they are very comfortable. He told CNN, “They feel comfortable in training and are light and durable. They also look stylish and are the kind of shoes that you can wear to any occasion without raising eye-brows. I used to hate wearing sports shoes to church, but it is not the same with Enda.”

Enda has been endorsed by Academy Award-winning Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o. “I was really impressed….It’s about time that we had a home-grown sneaker. So I like the innovation behind it, and decided to support it,” Lupita said in an interview with Complex Media.

Lupita wearing the Enda Iten shoe

Last month, Enda Sportswear signed its first deal with a rugby team and club players. The Stanbic Mwamba team will be wearing Enda Sportswear during the 2019/2020 season campaign. The men’s 7s team was provided with 25 pairs of the Enda Iten. Though rugby players compete in rugby boots, they spend 80% of general preparations, training, and drills in flats – running shoes.

Mwamba coach Jeff Onyango says that their speed development, acceleration, plyometrics and agility runs must be done in trainers. Training in boots leads to injuries of the lower extremities.

“It is crafted for a natural mid-foot strike and faster training runs. Great ground-feel and flexibility help build foot-strength and let you get the most from your workouts,” he said of the Enda Iten.

Lessons learned

Navalayo has started numerous business ventures before which failed. She tried sugarcane farming, wedding consultancy, a children’s sports academy, and retailing clothes. In her own words, she “failed her way to success”.

“Success and failure are not linear. That is, you don’t fail, overcome, use the lessons learned to turn things around and become a success. It doesn’t always go that way. Success is part opportunity, part preparation,” she says.

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EVA ALORDIAH: HOW TO GET OVER AN EX

Rapper and writer, Eva Alordiah shared a post on her Instagram page on how to get over an ex after breakup.

In the post, she talked about how moving on from a breakup is very important even though it seems hard to deal with especially when one has invested so much time in the relationship.

She wrote:

Why is it so Hard for you to Get over your #Ex? Have you thought about this at all or are you simply just deciding that you cannot get over them?
Breakups are hard, especially when you have spent time connecting and building with someone.
Unfortunately, sometimes, things end.
They just do.
But it’s up to you to realize when it is time to let go and stop fighting to hold on to things.

Do understand that the #Universe will always, always, bring to you that which is good for the nourishing and full evolution of your Soul.
If someone is meant to be in your Life, they will always circle back to you. No matter how long it takes.

But right now, you cannot continue to fight, and to grapple and hold on to people especially when they aren’t holding on to you.
All you’ll be doing is picking at the wounds, making the pain worse and delaying your own emotional healing.

As bad as Breakups are, they are in fact good for us.
They help us reflect on who we were in the past relationship, and who we want to be moving forward.
Breakups introduce us to a whole new Self that we never before knew existed.

So I challenge you today to face yourself, to get back into the sweet rhythm of your life and to Live again.

And stop telling yourself that you cannot get over them, for this is a Lie and Time will prove you wrong.

Stop holding on to the past, stop wishing them back. Because you doing so you cut yourself off from the present moment which is where Life is really happening. In the Now.

Let Time glide you slowly through the stream of Life.
Let time help you Heal.

No matter how painful it feels right now, you are going to get over them ❤

Watch video below:

 

View this post on Instagram

Why is it so Hard for you to Get over your #Ex? Have you thought about this at all or are you simply just deciding that you cannot get over them? _Follow @evaxalordiah _Follow @evaxalordiah _ BREAKUPS ARE HARD, especially when you have spent time connecting and building with someone. Unfortunately sometimes, things end. They just do. But it's up to you to realize when it is time to let go and stop fighting to hold on to things. Do understand that the #Universe will always, always, bring to you that which is good for the nourishing and full evolution of your Soul. If someone is meant to be in your Life, they will always circle back to you. No matter how long it takes. But right now, you cannot continue to fight, and to grapple and hold on to people especially when they aren't holding on to you. All you'll be doing is picking at the wounds, making the pain worse and delaying your own emotional healing. As bad as Breakups are, they are in fact good for us. They help us reflect on who we were in the past relationship, and who we want to be moving forward. Breakups introduce us to a whole new Self that we never before knew existed. So I challenge you today to face yourself, to get back into the sweet rhythm of your life and to Live again. And stop telling yourself that you cannot get over them, for this is a Lie and Time will prove you wrong. Stop holding on to the past, stop wishing them back. Because you doing so you cut yourself off from the present moment which is where Life is really happening. In the Now. Let Time glide you slowly through the stream of Life. Let time help you Heal. No matter how painful it feels right now, you are going to get over them ❤ _ #TheTruthonTuesday #Throwback #EvaAlordiah #EnergyGiver #WaterWomanEvaAlordiah _ ♡ ♡ ♡ PLEASE SHARE THIS to your WhatsApp and #InstaStories to keep the good energy flowing. Tag me 💥 ♡ Wanna talk to someone? GET A PHONE CALL with me to talk about anything. DM to Request Access.❤

A post shared by #EnergyGiver |11:11 Lightwork (@evaxalordiah) on

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LOUISIANA WOMAN BECOMES POLICE DEPARTMENT’S FIRST BLACK FEMALE MOUNTED PATROL OFFICER

Black women are out here diversifying the #BlackExcellence portfolio! 25-year-old Catari Jackson just became the Shreveport Police Department’s (SPD) first Black woman in Mounted Patrol, the Shreveport Times reports.

 Jackson has been a patrol officer with the SPD for four years. When she transitioned departments to Shreveport’s downtown area, she was informed that she would be going to “horse school” as a training requirement for officers in that area.

Jackson didn’t know she was literally blazing a new trail. While completing her four-week course to get certified in Mounted Patrol someone told Jackson, “Um, have you noticed you’re the first?” The thought never crossed her mind. Jackson spoke to the press saying, “It’s a great feeling…God placed me here to be an example for other young women.”

Photo courtesy of Emily Enfinger/The Times

The image of Jackson in uniform and with her horse is a welcomed one. After a Shreveport Police group on Facebook shared photos of the new members of the Mounted Patrol, the ones featuring her received a plethora of likes and shares. 

We’re excited for young kids and other women in Shreveport and beyond to see this type of representation. Congratulations Catari! We wish you and your horse, Rock, the best in your new endeavors!

Source: BOTWC

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AVA DUVERNAY’S “WHEN THEY SEE US” WINS CREATIVE ARTS EMMY

Over the weekend the riveting Netflix series When They See Us, took home their first Emmy at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards for Outstanding Movie/Limited Series Casting.

The series tells the story of The Exonerated Five, formerly known as The Central Park Five, a group of teenage boys wrongly convicted for sexually assaulting a woman who was jogging in Central Park in 1989. When They See Us is based on the true story of Antron McCray (Caleel Harris/Jovan Adepo), Kevin Richardson (Asante Blackk/Justin Cunningham), Korey Wise (Jharrel Jerome), Raymond Santana Jr. (Marquis Rodriguez/Freddy Miyares) and Yusef Salaam (Ethan Herisse/Chris Chalk).

Ava DuVernay, who directed the series congratulated Aisha Coley, the film’s casting director on Instagram saying  “So happy for this wonderful woman! First nomination. First win. Aisha Coley has won the Emmy for her work in casting WHEN THEY SEE US, along with the great Billy Hopkins and Ashley Ingram. Overjoyed! BTW: She hates taking pictures so this is the best I have. A humble lady. Shy. And spectacular in her talent.”

The series earned 16 Emmy nominations in total. We’ll be tuning in to the Primetime Emmys to root for everyone on September 22nd at 8pm on FOX!

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ARE WAIST TRAINERS REALLY BAD FOR YOU?

Waist trainers are worn to reshape the waistline and shrink the stomach. Waist-shaping corsets aren’t new – in fact, tightlacing (also known as corset training) was quite common in the late Victorian era and came into existence in around 16th century.

However, the Kardashians and other celebrities popularized the trend with pictures of their tightly-cinched tiny waists and the body-shaping movement kicked off. People nowadays wear it for a quick fix. Unfortunately, a waist trainer isn’t going to magically give a naturally thinner woman a curvy body, that’s for sure. Some women also wear it during workouts. It might make you slim at the waist and lead to temporary weightloss, but it doesn’t get rid of body fat in the long run.

So what exactly is waist training and what are the implications? Here’s everything you need to know.

1. Skin irritation

One of the most common effects of waist training is skin irritation. Having something so tightly fastened to your skin for a prolonged amount of time will cause chafing that can cause serious discomfort. You may think a rash is a cheap price to pay for the ‘perfect’ hourglass figure, but you may not feel the same way if it leads to infection and your shape is the same as it always was.

Dr. Galyna, an aesthetics specialist says: “Tightness and repeated use of your waist trainer can cause cramps, discomfort and pinching if it is too tight. This restriction and tightness around the waist could interfere with the appearance and general health of your skin.”

2. Organ shifting

“With waist training, the upper organs move upwards, and the lower organs shift downwards. This can then put a similar pressure on the abdomen – which has been known to cause constipation,” says Dr. Galyna.

3. Acid reflux

“The shifting of organs can also increase the chances of heartburn as your stomach shifts up beyond your diaphragm causing acid reflux,” says Dr. Galyna.

By compressing your mid-section, the waist trainer is also pressing on your stomach up higher increasing your chance of heartburn and indigestion. Not only can it cause pain, but recurring acid reflux can cause long-term damage by eroding the walls of the esophagus.

4. Causes Dehydration

“You might see an increase in body temperature and excessive sweating whilst ‘waist training’ during exercise, which can cause dehydration,” says Dr Galyna. “To minimise any symptoms, we would advise people to stay fully hydrated.”

5. Breathing

As well as putting pressure on your stomach, your entire internal network is being pushed to fit the shape of the cincher. By restricting your diaphragm, you’re reducing the amount of oxygen you can take it. This can leave you feeling short of breath, light-headedness and even cause you to faint. To this, Dr. Galyna says that “the quality and depth of your breathing, particularly if wearing your ‘waist trainer’ while exercising, is also impacted.”

6. Bruising

Unlike traditional corsets, modern waist trainers don’t have the same strength to affect the shape of your bones. This will means you will be left with bone bruises as the trainer compresses your body. You may not think this sounds that bad but bone bruises are significantly more painful and long lasting than regular bruises. With social media users getting younger and younger, there is a far greater risk to children whose bones have not formed fully as cinchers could actually affect the development of their bone structure. Hence it is not advised to be used by people who are still growing.

7. Numbness

Not only will your blood flow be limited by the compression, your nerves may also be affected. This could cause you to experience pins and needles or numbness in your legs.

8. Affects back muscles

Prolonged waist training means your abdominal muscles aren’t as active, even if you are exercising regularly. Dr. Galyna points out that the waist trainer has a potential to weaken the abdominal muscles as one isn’t using the muscles for support when the trainer is on.

“The corset provides the support, not the muscles, and if the muscles are not used they will waste.”

9. Restricts eating

Waist trainers are designed to cinch at the waist, which can lead to an unhealthy, unsafe decrease in the amount of food you eat because you’ll feel fuller, faster.

10. Psychological addiction

Although a waist cincher will make your waist appear slimmer while you’re wearing it, every time you take it off your unhappiness with your shape will be perpetuated through comparison. Your brain associates the perfect figure with the waist trainer. This false hope can even leave you with the belief that diet and exercise is no longer necessary, as well as becoming addicted to the wearing the cincher. In the long-run, you’ll most find the whole experience rather distressing when the desired results are not met.

“There is anecdotal evidence wearing a corset can be addictive to those people with an obsessive personality,” says Lemon.

 

 

 

Credit: pulse.ng

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BIODUN FATOYINBO ASKS COURT TO DISMISS BUSOLA DAKOLO’S SUIT, DEMANDS N50M DAMAGES

Channels News reports that in the application filed through his lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, he demanded for the dismissal of the suit on the grounds that it is incompetent & frivolous, a sum of N50 million as damages and a clearly worded apology on the front page of at least two national newspapers and two national television stations for seven days running consecutively.

This is coming about two weeks after Busola Dakolo demanded that Fatoyinbo apologises for allegedly defiling her and the cost of action estimated at the sum of N10,000,000 (ten million naira) be paid.

See the court papers below:

Photo Credit: Channels News

 

 

Credit: Bella Naija

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