With half of all Americans trying to lose weight, the idea of slipping on clothing to drop a few pounds sounds tempting. But are weight loss clothes a real thing?
Yes and no. It is possible to lose weight by wearing certain types of clothing, but you still need to put in some work. Read on to learn about what clothing you can wear that can be your BFF in your quest for a slimmer you.
First, Beware the Scams
If a clothing product sounds too good to be true and claims to help the wearer lose weight without lifting a finger, you may want to give it a pass.
This includes many “cooling” clothing such as vests and pants that claim they boost metabolism by giving the body a cold shock. They supposedly increase your thermogenesis, which is when the body creates heat which in turn burns calories.
The problem with this type of clothing is there’s little evidence to back it up. Clinical research that has been done so far has involved mice and not human subjects.
When it comes to cold clothing that promises to burn away fat without exercise, you may be better off saving your money until real research and results prove otherwise.
Become a Hottie
Instead of cooling technology clothing, you may want to take the opposite route and give the “sauna suit” a try. Even a couple of Kardashians have tried this workout trend and a few studies support its calorie burning claims.
A sauna suit is a neoprene (the same material that scuba divers wear) body suit that will encourage sweating, leading to increased weight loss. Some athletes also opt to wear just tops or bottoms made from neoprene.
According to a study published on the American Council of Exercise (ACE) website, participants who wore a sauna suit experienced greater body weight loss and improved cardiovascular health than the group who did not wear the suits.
Sauna suits need to be worn with caution, however. They can lead to overheating and dehydration, so they should mostly be worn when working out with a certified personal trainer. You’ll need to replenish your fluids when one.
Weigh Yourself Down
Another option that has been proven to help burn more calories is wearing a weighted vest during physical activities such as walking, running, and hiking. Wearing a weighted vest for a half hour of running can help a 140-pound person burn more than twice the amount of calories.
Weighted vests usually range from four pounds to a jaw-dropping 50 pounds (usually only sported by serious athletes). Some of these vests come with several small weights that can be added or removed to adjust the weight.
Two downsides to weighted vests are that they tend to be pricey, and they’re not exactly something you’d wear to work or out on a date. But they do add a little extra oomph to your calorie burning power when doing certain exercises.
Wear Cute Workout Wear
One easy, indirect way of losing weight by what you wear is to choose workout wear that you feel great (and look cute) in. After all, one isn’t exactly motivated to go to the gym if their workout clothing is old, worn, stretched, faded, or doesn’t fit properly.
Workout gear usually doesn’t last forever. If yours has lost its shape or just doesn’t feel right when you wear it, invest in a few new key pieces such as a sports bra or top, leggings, shorts, a jacket, and new footwear. Your new workout wardrobe will feel like a pleasure to put on and encourage you to get active and show it off.
Wear Comfortable Clothing and Footwear
If you want to be motivated to move more in general throughout your work day, choose clothing that feels comfortable. Stilettos and pencil skirts may be sexy but they don’t exactly encourage you to walk up stairs or take a walk during your lunch break to burn more calories.
This doesn’t mean you have to give up cute heels and dresses, but you may want to choose shoes with lower heels and some kind of shock absorbing material for your tootsies. Keep a pair of sneakers or walking shoes in your desk for those days where you’d like to slip out for a few extra steps or to run an errand.
For work clothing, stay away from any material that is too tight and restrictive. Stretchy material just feels better and is forgiving for those days where you ate just a little too much.
Try to also choose clothing that flatters features you may consider unflattering, such as any belly fat.
This also gives you a great excuse to do a little closet cleansing by donating or tossing anything that you’re no longer excited about wearing.
Buy Something in a Size or Two Smaller
If you’re seeking true weight loss motivation, buying a dress, a pair of jeans, or anything else you’ve had your eye on in a size a bit smaller than your current one can help you stay focused on your fitness goals.
The key here is just choosing an article of desired clothing in one or two sizes smaller. Getting overambitious can lead to frustration (and the feeling you’ve lost your money) if you go too small and can’t fit into it.
Weight Loss Clothes are Just One Way to Lose Weight
Weight loss clothes are a real thing, but they do require some effort on your part to make them work to your advantage. At the end of the day, nothing beats exercise and eating right.
You may also want to consider trying an appetite supplement in addition to making some wardrobe changes. Learn more about appetite supplements made with natural ingredients and their benefits.
Drinking water instead of sugary drinks, getting enough sleep, and eating a lot of veggies and lean protein contribute towards weight loss as well.
Read Our Other Posts to Look Your Best
Now you know a bit more about weight loss clothes that exist and how to wear clothing to your advantage to lose pounds.
We have plenty of other posts on how to look and feel your best, from the hottest fashion trends to makeup and beauty news.
Read our latest outfit ideas posts so you’ll always look great in the gym, the office, during dates, and while just relaxing at home.
