Can You Lose Weight Without Hitting The Gym? Possibly, With These Belly Busting Beauty Buys
Signing up for a £60 a month gym membership isn’t feasible for everyone - but what if you could lose your belly without getting all sweaty? [Photo: Getty]
If you’ve over-indulged in festival partying and Magnums this summer then chances are your waistband is feeling slightly snugger than usual. But that doesn’t mean you’re any more inclined to hit the gym than usual. They tend to be expensive and not a place everyone wants to spend time at, but when it comes to losing a couple of pounds is there any other choice?
Fortunately, the beauty world is bursting with belly blitzing products that are designed to help you slim down without getting all hot and bothered. Here’s what we make of the top buys out there…
Carve Yourself Some Abs
Ab Crew is a range of high-performance body care and fitness products that do some of the hard work for you. This triple-active ABCREW Ab Carving Gel £28 contains a marine and plant complex to fight fat directly under the skin. The ingredients work to increase the temperature below the skin to target stubborn fat deposits and reduce them.
By getting rid of fatty deposits, your abs will be more defined and your exercise efforts will be visible faster. Used best in conjunction with core exercise, it’s aimed at the male market but we actually really like the desert sand scent. Ideal for those who prefer woody scents to fruity ones.
Jumpstart Your System
If it’s good enough for J-Lo, it’s good enough for us. BodyLab launched in the UK earlier this year and is already followed by hundreds of thousands of women in America. Developed by a team of leading female nutritionists and dieticians, the range addresses the physiological differences between men and women to specifically work with women’s bodies. With no added creatine and no ingredients that wreak havoc on your hormones, the unique blend of plant-based compounds is designed to help you get lean and feel amazing at the same time.
The BodyLab Jumpstart Kit (£22.99) is a complete three-part system that cleanses, metabolises and replenishes your system. For the first week, you take the Part 1 Cleanse tablets, which support liver function and reduce tiredness and fatigue. The Metabolise and Replenish phases combine live bacteria with a host of natural goodies like chicory root, peppermint leaf and fennel seed to help replenish your digestive tract. This kit is great for when you’ve come back from holiday or festival and are ready to restart your normal lifestyle.
Muscle Workout From Your Mobile
Slendertone has been around for decades, but it’s come a long way since the 80’s. The new Slendertone Connect Abs Belt (£179.99) is the world’s first and only toning device to be controlled and monitored by an app. You can control the belt from your phone or tablet and track your progress on the app.
During exercise, your muscles naturally respond to signals sent by your brain and the electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) technology in this belt works in the same way. EMS has been used in hospitals and physiotherapy clinics around the world to strengthen muscles and you can now use it in the comfort of your own home.
The best part about the belt is that you can wear it whilst getting ready in the morning, or as part of your exercise routine. 30 minutes is apparently the equivalent of 202 sit-ups and Slendertone recommends 4-5 sessions per week for firmer, flatter abs in just 4 weeks.
A Fat-Draining Drink
Although Caudalie is more commonly known for their skincare products, the Caudalie Draining Organic Herbal tea (£10) is described as a contouring aid and is designed to treat you from the inside out. Originally created for the Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa, this delicious, fruity tea contains extracts of red vine, cinnamon and orange zest to promote circulation and drainage.
The health-promoting ingredients are safe and natural, unlike many of the dietary aids on the market. If you needed evidence that they were just as effective, Caudalie claims to have seen results of almost 4cm lost from the thigh measurement during clinical trials.
Wear Yourself Slim
Proskins is a range of intelligent fashion that has been specially designed to optimise and re-sculpt our bodies. Using a special fabric and compression method, these ProSkins Slim Leggings (£25) claim to reduce cellulite whilst smoothing skin, as well as improving muscle alignment during exercise.
The controlled pressure promotes drainage of toxins and the special fabric contains micro-capsules of caffeine and retinol that are slow-released into the skin during wear. As well as improving the surface of the skin, the fabric also helps to maintain a constant optimum temperature for fat burning whilst exercising. Available in a range of designs, wear them daily or as part of your fitness routine - in our opinion, you can never have enough black leggings.
Freeze Your Fat Off
Despite it’s name, Venus Freeze is a new, non-invasive technology that uses heat for body contouring and cellulite reduction. Fast and (more importantly) pain free, this treatment uses pulsed magnetic fields combined with a radio frequency to gently heat the skin from within. The heat then disperses fat cells into the body where it is then sweated out with high intensity activity straight after the treatment. The end result is a more contoured silhouette, tighter skin and a more youthful appearance.
We tried Venus Freeze Treatments (from £60) at Eden Skin Clinic in Kensington, where a conducting gel was applied before the warming treatment. It was actually very relaxing for a fat-busting treatment, so much so that we almost fell asleep. Venus Freeze is suitable for both face and body, and is commonly used on loose jowls and cellulite as well as on post-pregnancy bumps. It’s even a favourite of Cara Delevigne, who apparently uses it to rejuvenate her skin before Fashion Week.
Balance The Bloating
If you’re doing everything possible but still struggling to lose inches around your middle, it might not actually be fat, but gas. Imbalances in your digestive system can cause bloating which is often mistaken for fat. These Bioglan Balance Capsules (£14.99) contain 20 billion live bacteria, equivalent of five tubs of yoghurt without the fat, sugar or calories.
Our digestive system is super sensitive, so if you’ve not been eating (or drinking!) as healthily as you should be, or if you’re going through a stressful phase, these one-a-day capsules are easy to take and can help regulate your digestive tract within days. The good bacteria helps to move excess gas through your system, getting rid of stubborn bloated areas for a slimmer silhouette.
Would you try anything to avoid the gym? Do you believe that beauty products can help here? Tweet us your thoughts @YahooStyleUK.
