Is your bra making you fat?

Is your Bra making you fat?

I stopped wearing tight, uncomfortable bras a long time ago and the result? Well, within 3 months I noticed my “back fat” had disappeared – that’s because most of it was not “fat” it was trapped lymphatic fluid. Astonishingly, approximately 56% of the body’s fluid is lymph and it takes 24 to 48 hours to pass through the liver, thereafter it leaves the body through the eliminatory system when you go to the loo. Lymph moves 15 times slower than blood and stagnant lymph can become toxic to the surrounding tissues, eventually affecting the entire body, causing:

• Lethargy/Lack of Energy
• Inability to Concentrate
• Slow to no Weight Loss
• Ear Popping and Ear Wringing
• Low Immunity
• Respiratory Issues
• Recurrent sore throat
• Mucous Build-up
• Sinusitis
• Headaches
• Cellulite
• Swelling of Limbs
• Digestive Problems
• Tingling in Extremities (Fingers and Toes)
• Breast Tenderness
• Itchy Skin
• Breakouts and Skin Eruptions
• Premature Ageing
• Muscular Stiffness
• Joint Aches & Pains
• Water Retention (A build-up of fluid)

… and that’s just a brief summary!

The lymphatic system is a delicate, complex purification network, which works in synergy with the immune system to clean up cellular debris, metabolic waste and foreign particles. This sophisticated garbage removal system is located superficially under the skin; therefore, lymphatic massage involves the lightest touch and strategic palpitation movements to assist lymph drainage.

Lymph (fluid) is pumped around the body through muscle contractions, similar to the way your heart pumps blood through the body. Lymphatic fluid starts out as a clear, watery fluid and as it passes through the lymphatic channels in the body, the clear liquid becomes slightly viscous or milky as it picks up waste products, protein and lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are cells that protect your system from infection, also known as B Cells and T Cells. The lymphatic transportation circuit is made up of lymph nodes and lymph vessels *imagine a network of pipes and filters *

When the lymphatic system functions optimally, you will enjoy better health, more vitality, clearer skin and accelerated weight loss. There is really no point in trying to “destroy fat cells” with the right diet and exercise if the very waste removal system which is designed to collect the garbage is all backed up.

The lymphatic system responds well to herbal teas/tonics, exfoliation, light massage, water, green plant-based foods, topical stimulants such as body wraps with circulatory boosting ingredients and air compression systems. Not all air compression systems are created equal, so we have put together a list of hacks to help your lymphatic system, including the best body compression system on the market today.

 

Helpful Lymphatic Hacks – What to do?

• Deep Breathing
  • Breathe through your nose and expand the abdomen as you do this, then breathe out through the mouth as you pull the abdomen in. 10 Repetitions 1 to 2 x per day.
• Exfoliation – recommended 1 x per day
  • Use loofa gloves
  • Dry Brush or
  • Body Scrub
• Topical Stimulants
  • Apply liberally to the legs, arms, buttocks, lower back and abdomen 1 to 2 times per day. We love “Total Fit” by Germaine De Capuccini, which firms the skin, while inhibiting the formation of cellulite. The active ingredients also assist lymphatic drainage with anti-inflammatory extracts like Pomegranate, Green Coffee and Grape Extract, as well as Butchers Broom and Lemon to increase circulation and flush out toxins.

Proven Results: Used in conjunction with a sensible diet and exercise over a 5-week period, clients aged 29 to 54 reported 100% improvement of cellulite, 96% reduction of “love handles” and 92% flatter abdomen.

• Legs Up the Wall. Once you’ve applied the topical stimulant, lie flat on your back for a few minutes and put your feet up against the wall to facilitate drainage. Lie there blissfully and reclaim 5 minutes of your day – just for you! – Combine with your breathing technique.
• 20 to 30 minutes Daily Movement (Yoga/Pilates, walk, run or whatever you enjoy!)
• Saunas and Steam Rooms
  Sweat baby sweat! When we perspire additional elimination of toxins take place, alleviating the load on the lymphatic system.
• Rebounding or Bouncing

Trampolines and Exercise balls a re a great wat to use gravitational pull to activate the lymphatic system and get the sludgy lymphatic fluid to make its way up an out of the body.

• Massage – Book a lymph drainage massage as often as you can! You will feel amazing and can notice a reduction in water retention almost immediately.

 

Body Compression

• Contact Temple Skincare to book your Dr Wraps body contour session, which offers a proven combination of herbal extracts to promote elimination of toxins and excess fluid, by penetration through the skin. These benefits are further combined with an air compression suit which pulsates and uses a rhythmic process to activate and drain the lymphatic system.

Raw Foods/Anti-inflammatory Diet

• Eat Fresh. Eat Green, Limit Dairy and Avoid Sugar.
  Chlorophyll from green vegies purifies the lymph and blood. Eat natural fats such as nuts, seed, avocados, olive oil, coconut oil or coconut cream and butter. You should follow a balanced diet and include protein with each meal or at least two meals per day.

 

Hormones & Chemicals

• Be aware of the effect of chemicals found in cosmetics which may disrupt the natural hormone balance of the body. These are usually foaming agents. You can look up the potential side-effects and functions of ingredients on the INCI Directory. One that I specifically try to avoid is Sodium Lauryl Sulphate. Found in most toothpastes, body wash and shampoos!
• Try to avoid processed, commercial and bulk derived foods to ensure that you are not ingesting growth hormones, pesticides and chemicals.

  Wear clothes that fit

• Restrictive clothing plays a large role in restricting the rate of lymphatic drainage in particular areas. Take note of your problem areas and consider if the garments you wear might be aggravating the situation.

Reduce Stress

• Stress leads to the release of the hormone cortisol. Cortisol, although necessary to balance the adrenal system after stress, also results in tissue thinning and therefore excess levels of cellular debris and free-radicals, which are destructive molecules that cause cellular “rust” to put it simply.
• Stress also leads to processes which cause heightened levels of uric acid and lactic acid, which may therefore directly lead to muscle and joint stiffness.

Hydrate

• If the body is dehydrated, lymph becomes sludgy and stagnant. You’ve heard it before, so here it is again – Drink plenty of water and room temperature is best, unless it’s first thing in the morning then luke-warm preferable to activate the digestive system. Adding a few slices of cucumber, strawberries or apple and mint to the water will help mineralise the body and make getting used to the water intake a pleasure.

 

Tonics, Teas & Tinctures

• 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar on 1 L of water – drink throughout the day

Herbs that help:

• Red Clover, Astragalus, Mullein, goldenseal, fenugreek, ginger, wild indigo rood, sarsaparilla, golden seal, paprika and olive leaf tea.

It’s never about implementing all the tips at once. Its about adding one thing to your routine every few days until it becomes a way of life. That is how a good friend of mine has lost 30kg in 4 months. If you have made the decision to regain control of your health, life and body, don’t let anything stand in your way. With more than 20 years’ experience, we’re here to help you every step of the way.

 

Love The Temple Team xx

PS- this is my favourite treatment at The Temple, I swear I feel lighter after my Dr Wrap sessions.