Could Massage Be the Key to Your Summer Body? The Untapped Benefits of Massage
Summer is here — yay! But are you summer body ready? Groan! Summer is a wonderful time of year, but if the thought of wearing swimming outfits, shorts, and skimpy tops makes you break out in a cold sweat, we’re here to help.
The quest for the perfect summer body can be laborious — intense exercise regimes, rigid diets, and slow results can get even the most devoted advocate down. But what if there was a secret weight loss hack that helped you shed the pounds, just by lying down and relaxing? Pretty tempting, right? Well, you’re in luck. Massage has proven weight-loss benefits, and the best part? It’s non-invasive and fun! In this post, we’ll show you how massage can help you achieve your weight loss goals.
If you’re on a weight loss mission, or you’re just looking to get rid of some of that excess winter padding, read on to find out how you can harness this untapped benefit of massage.
The Benefits of Massage for Weight Loss
When was the last time you had a massage? Do you remember that glorious feeling of total relaxation and, at the same time, complete re-energization? Massages feel great because they’re great for our bodies. From busting stress to improving immunity, there are countless ways a massage can improve our lives. But just how does it work for weight loss?
Massage Gets You Pumping
One of the greatest benefits of massage is that it stimulates blood circulation. This increases the exchange of vital substances between your blood and tissue cells, which helps to optimize your nutrient supply. But how does this help shed fat? Well, the better your circulation and flow of nutrients, the faster and more efficient your metabolism. This allows you to burn more calories even when your body is in a resting state. Losing weight while watching TV? That sounds good to us.
Not only does massage increase your metabolism, but that same flow of blood and nutrients around the body can also help to restore your muscles. When you exercise, your muscles need vital nutrients and oxygen to rebuild and heal — and it’s this same flow of nutrients that works overtime during a massage. If you’re following an intense exercise regime, a good massage will help revive sore muscles so that you can keep up your routine. Sit back in one of our massage chairs and feel the aches and pains melt away.
Massage Fights Sluggishness
Did you know that massage stimulates your digestive organs? When your digestive system is in tip-top condition, bloating and sluggishness become a thing of the past. No more acrobatic twists and turns to get in your favourite pair of jeans; no more feeling heavy and slow. A massage can work wonders on your digestive system, priming your body for those washboard abs you’ve always dreamed of.
Massage Gets You Toned
Muscles — we all want them, but, unfortunately, they elude many of us. Thankfully, research now shows that massages have a positive effect on muscle-building. A massage actively stretches your connective tissues to break down any build-up of scar tissue, which can inhibit muscle growth.
Having strong muscles is key to weight loss. The higher your muscle mass, the more calories you can burn, and that’s without mentioning the various effects muscle has on your strength and agility. Building tone while relaxing — what could be better?
Fat-Melting Massage Techniques
So, now you know the benefits of massage for weight loss. But what type of massage should you go for? Not all massages are made equal when it comes to the fat-melting game — here are our top three types of massage to get if you’re looking to achieve a summer-ready body.
Lymphatic Massage
The lymphatic massage is the king of fat-busting massage techniques. Designed to increase your metabolism, this massage drains your lymphatic system — the system of tubes which transport fatty acids around the body — to reduce swelling and puffiness. Flushing out the toxins in your system, a lymphatic massage helps to right the wrongs of any indulgent treats. While we’re not recommending that you eat a McDonald’s or Papa John’s daily, this type of massage will restore your body’s balance and get you back on track, should you give into temptation (as we are all wont to do!)
A variation on the classic lymphatic massage, and another great fat-fighting massage technique, is the abdominal massage. With this massage, the goal is the same — getting rid of the toxins in your body. The difference? This massage focuses on your abs, helping to improve the digestive system and make you feel less lethargic. You should feel revived and rejuvenated, and it may even make those hidden ab muscles start to show.
Aromatherapy Massage
For many of us, sticking to a diet is the hardest part of living a healthy life. If every day is a battle to avoid the treats cupboard, help is here in the form of aromatherapy. An aromatherapy massage is specifically designed to stop the urge to eat unhealthily in its tracks. Using oils extracted from flowers, fruits, seeds and leaves, this kind of massage stimulates your senses to make you feel more relaxed and in control.
A lot of the time, our eating habits are closely linked to our emotions. When we feel stressed, anxious or depressed, we’re far more likely to reach for that snickers or pizza. Unfortunately, the result is that we become sluggish and, often, more upset or anxious. On the flip side, when we feel relaxed and rejuvenated, we’re more in tune with our bodies, which allows us to give it the foods and nutrients it really needs and craves. When aromatherapy is used in massage, the overpowering scents of the oils work to restore an order and peace in our minds and help us address some of the factors that lead us to break our diets in the first place.
Essential oils are cheap to buy and easy to use. Try incorporating your favourite scents while using one of our neck and back massagers for total relaxation from the comfort of your own home.
Anti-Cellulite Massage
For many women, cellulite is a curse. Although completely natural and healthy, it can have a huge effect on confidence. And while there’s no known way to completely get rid of it, a vigorous anti-cellulite massage can certainly help.
Cellulite, or orange-peel skin, is fat that forms beneath the skin, creating dimples over the thighs, abdomen, and glutes. The uneven texture appears when fat cells build up in the fibrous tissues that connect your muscles to your skin. When these fat cells are pushed between the two, dimples emerge. An anti-cellulite massage helps to improve the blood circulation in these areas and disperse any built-up fat cells. This can help drastically reduce the appearance of cellulite. While the results of an anti-cellulite massage won’t last forever, up to six-months of improved skin texture will certainly get you through the summer months — allowing you to dress for the warm weather without worrying about your skin.
Our handheld massager uses gentle vibrations to help break up stubborn cellulite and is the perfect alternative to a costly trip to a massage therapist.
Will a Massage Get You Your Dream Body?
A massage may be the missing ingredient in your weight loss program, but is it a complete solution in itself? The short answer is no. While we’d all agree it would be great to shed fat and get ripped in one short trip to a massage therapist, weight loss is not that simple. To really drop those pounds and get into the best shape of your life, you need to combine the benefits of massage with a healthy diet and a good exercise regimen.
It’s the golden trinity: exercise, diet, and massage. Diet and exercise ensure that you maintain a calorie deficit — where you expend more calories than you consume. That, we’re afraid, is the only way to consistently lose fat and build muscle. However, the benefits of massage for losing weight are clear. Not only can they build tone and flush the body of toxins, but they can greatly impact mood. Diet and exercise can often feel like a punishment, but a massage is all about self-love and giving yourself the permission to relax. Adding regular massages to your workout routine can help make the whole process of losing weight more enjoyable, not to mention give you something to look forward to after a day of slogging it out at the gym.
Are you looking to take advantage of massage to help you on your weight loss journey? As with anything, consistency is key and one massage a year, although a lovely treat, will not help you achieve your long-term weight loss goals. Check out our range of home massagers for all the benefits of massage in the comfort of your own home.