More than 2/3 of American adults are overweight or obese, according to the American College of Sports Medicine. Excess body fat can be distributed evenly over your body or may concentrate in one area, such as your abdomen. Abdominal fat can increase your risk of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic disturbances. Wrapping your stomach can improve the appearance of your abdomen, but will not produce permanent change.
Body Wraps
Body wraps are a method of improving the tone and texture of your skin and can also remove excess water from your body. They are a method of short-term body contouring, detoxification, skin tightening, temporary inch loss and skin softening. Depending on where you go, you may first have a skin exfoliation before you are wrapped in elastic cloths. The cloths may be dry or moistened with natural ingredients to promote detoxification. Your neck, torso, legs and arms are wrapped firmly, which creates more heat to help promote the loss of excess fluids. The key is that the results are temporary.
Creating Weight Loss
Creating permanent weight loss requires you to burn more calories on a regular basis than you consume. You burn calories throughout the day and can increase the amount burned by adding in more or increasing the intensity of physical activity. Monitor your food intake, and cut your total calorie consumption to help promote a drop in body weight.
Diet
It is important that you eat to lose weight. If you cut your caloric intake drastically, you may see quick weight loss, but you will have more problems long-term. You can lose lean muscle tissue, slow your metabolism, experience fatigue and overall loss of energy and focus. Instead, focus on cutting calories by 10 to 20 percent. Consume whole grains instead of processed sources of carbohydrates. Include a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables for fiber, vitamins and minerals. Choose lean sources of protein such as poultry, fish and low-fat dairy. Fat is important, but choose heart-healthy unsaturated fats, such as olive oil and avocados.
Exercise
The American College of Sports Medicine recommends accumulating 225 to 420 minutes of moderate to high intensity exercise each week to produce significant weight loss. Include cardiovascular exercise at least five days per week and resistance training two to three days per week. Choose activities that you enjoy as well as those that motivate and challenge your body so that you see continual progress. Start slowly if you are new to exercise, and gradually progress duration and intensity. Keep in mind that exercise can shape your body and in conjunction with diet can produce weight loss in your stomach area.
References
- "ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription"; American College of Sports Medicine; 2010
- "Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook"; Nancy Clark, MS, RD; 2008
- Your Plastic Surgery Guide: Body Wraps
- Harvard Health Publications: Abdominal Fat and What to Do About It
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