But do body wraps really work?
Are body wraps just another weight loss gimmick or can bodywraps help you achieve weight loss and fitness goals?
Whether you are considering bodywrapping for weight loss, instead of or in addition to weight loss supplements, exercise or dieting, there are important factors to look at in making your decision.
Four popular types of body wraps are mineral wraps, herbal body wraps, detoxing clay wraps and enzyme wraps.
Regardless of type chosen, one of the strongest tips I can share is to scrutinize the ingredients carefully. Look for organic ingredients. Ask questions about safety. Ask questions about allergic reactions.
In my mind, these sorts of questions should come before questions about results. Then, of course, they should also be able to provide "realistic" results. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
It is my hope that you use bodywrapping and any other tools for weight loss in addition to healthy living and not instead of making positive changes that would support a better weight for you.
Featured Article on Bodywrapping:Weight Loss and Herbal Wrap - Myth or Reality?
Detox FAQ's * Body Wrap Tips
...Are body wraps just a fad
or can wrapping help you lose weight?
Question on weight loss and natural fitness: What about body wraps? I ordered an herbal body wrap online and it didn't do anything that I could tell. I wanted to lose a lot of inches quickly. Can they do that? Do body wraps really work?
Healing Facilitation Response: The answer to that question depends on what you think work means and it also has a great deal to do with the wrap itself, as well as the commitment of the person getting the wrap.
All body-wraps are not created equal but even the best body wrap will only provide temporary weight loss in a single wrapping, and can contribute to yo-yo dieting tendencies unless combined with healthy lifestyle changes.
The wraps that I personally like are the ones that, over time, produce permanent skin- firming results and improvements in skin quality, suppleness and beauty. The ones that just result in water loss, which comes back in three days, just make me mad.
For example, I did a wrap, (I won't mention the name but it's a popular mineral wrap that is advertised online) and it was not a pleasant experience. I had to be wrapped so tightly I had trouble breathing and then keep moving, constantly, for an hour. Not my idea of a good time.
However, I lost 19 inches in that hour. My clothes fit more loosely than when I walked in. The next two days proved that all I had really lost was water. I wouldn't really add that to my list of body wraps that work because I did all the work and for only temporary result. I'm not implying that all mineral body wraps are that way, but this one was definitely just a water loss situation.
This is the most common reason women seem to wrap, and it appeals to those who would love to lose a few inches to fit into that wedding dress or a hot outfit for their high school reunion, or the first swimsuit of summer. They aren't really looking at the longterm.
Although occasionally doing a wrap for water loss won't hurt the otherwise healthy person, it is not the type of body-wrap to trust if you are interested in longterm results such as body-sculpting and weight loss. You may lose enough water weight to actually look smaller but what you've really done is temporarily dehydrate your body and, if you do not drink sufficient fluids following such a wrap, the state of dehydration could actually affect your body in negative ways.
What Body-Wrapping Can Do For You:
In addition to temporary inch loss,body wraps can also help clear up skin problems, detox the internal system and help tone the skin, resulting in younger looking, more muscular skin condition over time. A lot of body wraps also include ingredients to help reduce cellulite over time.
However, and this is important, the key to getting the benefits of wrapping is consistency. The biggest misperception about bodywrapping is that you can do one and be done with it. You will not get great results with one or two wraps. It takes integrating body wraps into your exercise, fitness and weight loss schedule, just like any other aspect of the program you design for yourself.
One of the best, most basic benefits of getting body wraps on a regular basis is that body wrapping helps tone at each level of inch loss, so there is better looking skin without the flab that can accompany weight loss. In fact, most people report better looking skin, period, with body wrapping in a healthy, well-constructed body wrap solution.
Quality body-wraps can help you reach your weight loss goals more quickly by detoxing the body too, particularly if combined with infrared heat. Those who are under a doctors care or taking medications must check with their doctor before doing an infrared heat session, to make sure there are no contraindications to infrared heat.
The most important reason to do therapeutic body wraps: Although weight loss is the most common reason that people do wraps, I believe the most beneficial property of a really good body wrap is detoxing. I am of the firm belief that a toxic body cannot function well on any level, including the absorption of nutrients and the maintaining of ideal weight. Most good wrap solutions will contain something to detox. Detoxing the body is a first step in successful weight loss, whether or not you achieve that detox through a body wrap, a detoxing cleanse, juicing, or some other way.
Doctor Releases and Body Wraps:
In many body wrap salons, and specifically those that offer infrared body wraps, you will be asked to sign a release saying you have checked with your doctor so get that out of the way before you make your appointment.The goal of a qualified body wrap technician should be inch loss and weight loss along with better health, not disregarding better health.
Most healthy people can do body wraps unless pregnant. However, if under a doctor's care for any known condition, it is always best to talk with your doctor.
What Body Wraps Cannot Do:
Getting regular wraps can definitely augment your weight loss and fitness regimen but you have to do the most important work all on your own, to create the body you really want and deserve.
Before you make that body wrap appointment, have a good look at your eating and exercise habits and decide if you are willing to make all the changes necessary to achieve YOUR PERFECT BODY. If not, don't waste your time on these or any other body wraps.
Compare wraps beforehand. All wraps are not created equal so ask lots of questions, ask to see testimonials, ask about the ingredients, any science behind the use of particular ingredients, etc. Compare not only price but quality of service and ease of experience. If it's torture, you are not likely to keep doing it so don't kind yourself.
Expect to do a series of wraps, in conjunction with other lifetstyle changes, to see the results you seek. Most body-wrap salons offer discounts for packages so ask about that when you call. Most salons recommend at least 10 body-wraps for best results. I personally feel that a maintenance wrap at least twice a month is terrific longterm if you can swing it financially, but at least commit to as many as you can during any weight loss period, to maximize your appearance from your weight loss and exercise efforts.
To sum up, body wraps help but alone, they are not enough: Even the best body wrap will not give you the results you seek if you do not also alter the lifestyle and habits that have resulted in the extra weight. Used intelligently, as part of a weight loss and fitness program, the right body-wrap can help a great deal. A really good body wrap will tone and help reduce cellulite. A superior body-wrap will also detoxify the body.
Part Two: How to get the best results from your body-wrap
Healthy Weight Loss Information * Detoxification Questions * More on healthy weight loss
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Weight Loss and Fitness Disclaimer: Most body wraps are generally considered safe for the person who is overweight but otherwise healthy. However, if you are under a doctor's care for any known medical condition, you should always check with your doctor before doing a wrap, especially where heat is involved and especially in cases of diabetes and heart disease.
Body wraps are not for those who are pregnant or nursing, unless your doctor approves.
Making a decision on whether to have a bodywrap or not, based on the contents found in this educational health article is at the sole discretion of the reader. Please consult with a qualified fitness coach, dietician, weight loss specialist and nutritionist to help you develop the overall lifestyle changes that result in permanent weight loss. Also, compare the ingredients and carefully read the testimonials of those who have used a particular wrap, to help you find body wraps that work.