Slim Down By -- Getting Dressed
Technology and design have combined to provide women with a kind of miracle clothing -- garments whose manufacturers say can slim you down, or certainly appear to slim you down, simply by wearing them -- in essence giving you a workout without your ever stepping foot in a gym.
More magazine keeps on top of trends that make women's lives easier. Editor Judy Goss visited The Saturday Early Show to discuss what those companies say about their offerings:
Skineez have a patented technology called "Skintex," a combination of cellulite fighters such as retinol, caffeine and red algae extract, and moisturizers such as shea butter and Vitamin E. They're contained in "microcapsules" woven into the fabric of the items, and they release as you move. They can be worn under any garments, and are like a constant massage. After washing, you can spray the "Skineez" slimming spray onto the garment, and that refreshes it. The thigh slimmers sell for $68, and the spray goes for $20
Sculptz shorts don't so much make you look slimmer as they make you look smoother. So, you would wear Sculptz shorts if you have a particular problem area that you want to smooth out. They retail for $22.
Spanx don't make you thinner, they just make you appear thinner. Spanx is the most familiar product of its kind. And the company keeps coming up with new products to add to its line. One such new garment is the "Bra-llelujah" under-wire bra. It's designed to hide "back fat," because the back isn't elastic, but "hosiery." It's smooth, so it ends VBL (visible bra lines). And it closes in the front, so there are no metal hooks to dig into your back. The Bra-llelujah will be in stores next month and sell for $62.
Spanx now has high-waisted tight-end tights. As we get older, we begin to see that horrible "muffin top," those unsightly lumps of fat that spill out over our jeans or skirts. The Spanx tights jave a high waist that hides "muffin top," and they're control-top tights that suck your tummy in. The tights retail for $38.
Fit-Flops are designed to help your feet, and give your legs a workout. They have a cushioned heel that absorbs 36 percent more shock than conventional shoes. The mid-section is made of what the manufacturer calls "micro wobbleboard and, because of the design, it requires 15 percent more energy to walk, so you're getting a workout. Plus, the firmer toe means you push off more quickly when you're taking steps, so it pushes you to walk more quickly, so it builds muscles in your legs, and ups your cardio. Fit-Flops sell for $49.99.
MBT shoes and boots are really hard and strange to walk in and take a lot of getting used to. It's almost like you're rolling as you walk. The company says they mimic walking barefoot in sand, and engages your core muscles just by standing in them. They are said to improve posture, increase your buttock muscle activity and thigh muscle activity while decreasing stress on your hips and knee joints. They're backed up by scientific studies as alleviating the painful impact of shoes on the body. And you pay a price for them: $234 for the shoes, $394 for the boots.