Shapewear

What is it about spring that can make you forget (almost) that we’re still in the midst of a pandemic? The weather gets warmer, the birds start singing and everything is green again. Except spring isn’t exactly the “skipping through a meadow” time of year for everyone. And that’s because of what you’d wear while you’re skipping. Whether it’s a summer dress, skinny jeans and a t-shirt, or a sporty pair of shorts, not all of us are ready to make the transition from being totally covered up under a parka to, well, being a little more exposed. This year, it's time to take a stand and not give up so easily on enjoying the warmer weather as you should. And figure-sculpting shapewear can make it happen. 3 Shapewear Fashions to Help You Enjoy the Springading  The shapewear styles listed below are all perfect for being part of your spring and summer wardrobe. They all feature light, breathable biometric fabric that wicks away sweat and offer firm, yet comfortable support to give you the shaping you want, all day long. Active Slim Compression Leggings - This might become your go-to outfit for the spring and summer. Whether you’re taking care of things at home, or getting outside for some exercise, you can wear Active Slim Leggings underneath your favourite jeans, or all on their own, paired with a blouse, t-shirt or both.  Mass & Slim Anti-Cellulite Waist Shaper - By smoothing and gently flattening your tummy and shaping your waist and hips, the waist shaper puts everything in the right proportion to accentuate your overall figure. And, with tiny ceramics beads interwoven into the fabric, the waist shaper delivers a micro-massaging effect as you wear it. The result? Its clinically-proven to improve the appearance of your cellulite in the areas it covers. Secret Slim Compression Shorts - Made with an innovative Smart Fabric that lets you say goodbye to inner thigh rub, chafing and sweat, you’re going to look forward to slipping the compression shorts on in the morning. The snug, comfortable compression makes them the perfect choice to look your shapely best in your favourite summer dress or skirt. If you enjoyed this post and want to learn more about the benefits of compression wear, check out our article “Need Leggings? Why You Should Always Choose Compression Leggings”.

Even if your life’s an “open book”, there are parts of the story that are best kept under the cover. We all do a lot every day to present our best selves to the world and, well, the world doesn’t need to know all your secrets for looking fabulous.  That’s why great shapewear for under dresses is such an important part of your wardrobe. Perhaps no garments have ever done so much for a flattering figure, so invisibly. You don’t even have to worry about panty lines! The benefits of wearing shapewear don’t stop there either. If you assemble the right combination of shapewear pieces, you can enjoy more tummy control, minimize your muffin top and simply be more well-proportioned, every day. 3 Styles of Shapewear for Under Dresses In addition to the benefits we just mentioned, the following styles of anti-cellulite shapewear feature all-day and night comfort, eliminate thigh chafing, and their micro-massaging effect helps improve the appearance of your cellulite. Mass & Slim Shapewear Shorts - This high-waisted style gives you firm control designed to smooth your shape from the top of your waist to just above your knees.  Perfect for longer, tight-fitting dresses, shapewear shorts help you cut a clean figure everywhere you go. Mass & Slim Waist Shaper - Popularized by Hollywood celebrities like Kim Kardashian West, waist shapers are the smallest and most versatile shapewear style. They give you shape from just below your bust to just above your butt, and can be used under dresses, a skirt and top, jeans and top, or just about anything you wear. All with “you-won’t-know-it’s-there” comfort and ease.     Secret Slim Compression Shorts - Ready to rock a bodycon dress like never before? Here’s your chance. Perfect for shorter dress styles, but with the same seamless, body-sculpting effect, Secret Slim compression shorts round out your entire shapewear wardrobe. To learn more about the benefits of anti-cellulite shapewear, check out our article “How Effective Are Cellulite Pants”.

Considering that cellulite isn’t a bad thing; it's not a sign of anything wrong with you and just about everyone has it (over 85% of adult women have it), there are still lots of people who want to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Actually, they would love to get rid of cellulite, and it’s the orange-peel effect on their skin. But, despite what you might read on the web, there’s no way to eliminate cellulite. Cellulite is produced by the layer of fat that lies just below everyone’s skin. When that layer pushes against your skin, dimples will appear on your skin’s surface where fibrous bands of connective tissue attach to the underside of your skin. How to Reduce the Appearance of Cellulite What works for one person, may not work for another. Or you might prefer one technique over another. In any case, try one or more of the following tips to help improve the appearance of your cellulite. Lose WeightEasy, eh? But, considering that cellulite is the product of fatty tissue, one of the best ways to treat cellulite is to healthily lose weight. Weight loss will reduce the fat cells beneath your skin and make the cellulite dimples smaller. Exercise In addition to helping you lose weight, exercise can also help build muscle and tone your skin. We’re not talking about bulking up, but more muscle underneath your skin can mean less fat. And stronger skin won’t show the dimpling as much. Bioactive Collagen Peptides - If you’ve never heard of collagen peptides, the name can be a little intimidating. But collagen is the most common protein in your body. It helps to strengthen skin and improve its elasticity.  That strength and flexibility can help minimize the appearance of cellulite. Massage Therapy - You’ve been looking for another excuse to get a massage, right! One of the benefits of massage is to stimulate blood circulation and lymphatic drainage under your skin. Blood brings healthy oxygen to your skin and lymph fluid removes bacteria, waste materials and fat cells. The combination is like a one-two punch to help tone your skin. Drink More WaterYour skin loves water. It gets weaker and more dimpled when it doesn’t get enough water. Even worse, fat cells retain water, which, in combination with dehydration, can make your cellulite look worse than ever. So stay hydrated and help your skin look better. It can take some time for your cellulite to show signs of improvement. You can start treating it today and enjoy a more flattering shape, with anti-cellulite shapewear, like Mass & Slim anti-cellulite leggings. They are clinically proven to reduce the appearance of cellulite.   Want to learn more about anti-cellulite leggings? Check out our article “How Effective are Cellulite Pants?”.  

While tummy tuck surgical procedures are generally considered a form of cosmetic surgery, they can deliver far more benefits than other cosmetic procedures.  In addition to a slimmer, firmer waistline, patients may also see improvements like less back pain, reduced urinary incontinence, easier weight loss, and better posture. But, all those added benefits of a tummy tuck over other plastic surgery will only happen if you properly take care of yourself during the healing process.In addition to strictly following your doctor’s guidelines, one of the best ways to support your abdominal muscles following surgery is to wear a tummy tuck compression garment, like a Mass & Slim Waist Shaper slimming belt.      4 Benefits of Tummy Tuck Compression Garments Post Surgery Just like tummy tucks offer lots of added benefits, waist shapers help your post-surgery recovery in many ways. Reduces Swelling & Fluid Buildup - By gently compressing the affected areas, compression wear can help reduce fluid build and swelling in two ways. First, the compression can keep excess fluid out of the affected areas. Second, it helps your lymph and blood circulation to reduce any fluid that does build up. Better Shape - Left unsupported, your skin and muscles of your abdominal area, which have just gone through the stress of surgery, may not fall back into shape as well as possible. But a compression garment supports your abdominal wall, muscles and skin so that everything keeps a proper body contour as it heals. More Comfort - Recovering from any surgical procedure can pose a few challenges. With the support of a compression garment as you recover, you will have fewer aches and pains due to simple movement, stretching or straining damaged tissue. Faster Recovery - Generally speaking, with less swelling and fluid buildup; more support for while your body heals; and less chance of aches and pains, it all adds up less potential for complications and faster recovery times. To find out more about how compression wear reduces swelling, check out our article “3 More Benefits of Compression Leggings for Reducing Lymphedema”.

Unlike many other types of activewear, quality compression clothing is more than just a fashion statement. Indeed, some compression wear, like Secret-Slim Compression Shorts, are designed to be worn under your regular clothing to discreetly deliver its benefits. That’s the big difference between compression wear and regular athletic wear. Do your regular yoga pants deliver actual, tangible benefits?     The Benefits of Compression Shorts We’ve already let you know about one big benefit of compression shorts. Their ability to be worn under your existing clothing, including jeans, dress pants, and even dresses, coupled with their long-lasting comfort, meaning you can take advantage of their benefits all day, every day. Tone, Shape & Support - Here’s a benefit you can see and feel as soon as you slip on your compression shorts. They instantly give you firming support and a flatteringly slim tone and shape to your waist, hips and thighs. Helps You Keep Going - The support you get from compression shorts help take some of the strain of everyday activities from your muscles and joints. In other words, you won’t feel tired as quickly. So you can walk further and do more shopping! Soothes Muscle Soreness - Do your legs hurt after a particularly long shopping spree or jog? Compression shorts not only help you stay active longer, but they will reduce the muscle soreness you feel afterward. Tones Your Skin - As you move, Secret Slim’s compression fabric, with micro-encapsulated active ingredients and bio-ceramic crystal fibre, helps to boost blood circulation.The increased blood flow brings more oxygen to your skin. Oxygen makes your skin healthier and stronger. The result overall better skin tone and a reduction in the orange-peel effect of cellulite. All-Day Comfort - Yes, we already mentioned this! But we didn’t say how you get all-day comfort. The innovative smart fabric on Secret Slim seamlessly moves with you, and it’s breathable and moisture-wicking. So you can wear them throughout the day without worrying about inner-thigh rub, chafing or sweat making you feel uncomfortable. Want to learn more about compression wear? Check out our article “How Compression wear Improves Your Running”.

The answer to whether cellulite waist shapers works is: “yes”. And “maybe not”. More specifically, just like with any other shapewear, compression wear or activewear, the results you get can depend on the particular garment you choose. Pick the right waist shaper and you will get the results promised.  But how do you know which one will deliver on the promises it makes? Before we find out, it helps to know a little more about the different waist shapers and waist trainers out there. Many celebrities have touted the benefits of waist trainers, which are really modern corsets. Made of thick, uncomfortable fabric and metal supports, they are designed to “train” your waist into a more desirable figure.  Unfortunately, the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) says that waist trainers will not significantly change the shape of your waist.  And that’s your first clue to choosing a waist shaper that actually will work for you. Look for one with scientific proof that it produces real results. How The Mass & Slim Waist Shaper Works for You Getting straight to the point, the anti-cellulite Mass & Slim Waist Shaper proved in an independent clinical study, of 30 women between the ages of 18 and 55 years, to reduce waist circumference by up to 4.5 cm, and hip circumference by up to 3.5cm. Here’s how it works. Massaging Effect - The Mass & Slim Waist shaper is made with a revolutionary fabric that is infused with thousands of tiny Tourmaline® ceramic beads. They exert a micro-massaging effect on your waist as you wear the waist shaper, which triggers a number of benefits. Increased blood and lymph circulation in the area More oxygen delivered to the skin and muscles, which helps strengthen your skin to reduce the appearance of cellulite, and rescue fatigue in your muscles. Increased lymph flow helps to flush away bacteria, toxins and other harmful agents that can lead to fluid and weight retention.  Bamboo Viscose Fabric - The massaging ceramic beads are integrated into a unique Bamboo Viscose, which makes the garment remarkably comfortable. The combination of the massaging effect of the ceramic beads and the all-day comfort of the bamboo viscose helps to maximize the length of time your skin and shape are “treated” each day, which also maximizes your results. Learn more about how to get the benefits of Mass & Slim shapewear in our article “3 Different Styles of Shapewear & When to Wear Them”.

Cellulite pants, like Mass & Slim’s anti-cellulite leggings, are often confused with other leggings and shapewear, including regular leggings, yoga pants and control-top leggings. But, if you’re concerned about how effective cellulite pants are at reducing the appearance of your cellulite, only anti-cellulite leggings will do.  Regular leggings are mainly a fashion item, chosen for their different colours and styles. Proper yoga pants can offer a little more support, but not the specific support to maintain anti-cellulite properties. And control top leggings are literally that. They have a stronger band around your waist and hips.    How to Choose the Most Effective Cellulite Pants Even if you’re “in the know” about anti-cellulite leggings, there’s still more to find out before you choose the ones that are most effective at addressing your cellulite. Before you choose your anti-cellulite leggings, look for the following factors to make a more informed decision. Independent Clinical Proof of Anti-Cellulite Claims - Any garment manufacturer can brand any leggings as “anti-cellulite”. Unfortunately, there is no regulating organization to certify that any leggings are anti-cellulite. So you have to be your own source of “certifying” that the leggings you buy are designed to treat the orange-peel effect of cellulite.The only way you have of doing that is by finding an anti-cellulite shapewear manufacturer with clinical proof, supported by the results of an independent clinical study, of the effectiveness of their garments at improving the appearance of cellulite. The “Must-Have” Features of High-Quality Anti-Cellulite Shapewear - Better skin tone doesn’t happen by magic. The leggings you choose must be made with the features needed to improve skin tone and reduce the appearance of cellulite.Look for leggings infused with tiny ceramic beads. They exert a micro massaging effect on your skin that helps with skin tightening and circulation improvements. That combination helps bring moisture and nutrients to the surface of your skin to make it firmer and more toned - and less dimpled. When you choose the most effective cellulite pants you can find, learn how to care for them in our article “How To Care And Wash Your Shapewear So It Lasts”.   

You know the joke. Someone tells you that they are on a legitimate-sounding “seafood diet”. But when you ask how it works, they turn it into wordplay and tell you “when I “see” food, I eat it!” Yuk, yuk, yuk... Except, recent university studies show evidence that the mere sight of food, and its aroma to a lesser extent, maybe among the leading causes of overeating. In simple terms, the study found that simply seeing food made study participants want to finish it or eat as much as possible, even after they were full. The real-life examples of the phenomenon, that you see every day, are not hard to come by. We bet you've never ordered a fast-food hamburger that looked as good as it does in advertising images. And think about this. How much would you crave Cheesies if they came in a plain black box? How to Stop the “See Food” Diet from Ruining Your Weight Loss  Here are just a few ways to minimize the effect of sight food on your eating habits, and help you manage your weight, reduce the appearance of cellulite and generally enjoy a healthier diet. Eat Before You Grocery Shop - If seeing food makes you want to eat, then going to the grocery store is like being a kid in a candy shop. But scientific research shows that eating some fruit, like an apple or banana, or even drinking a glass of water, will help you buy up to 25% more healthy foods when you grocery shop. Put Your Snacks in Plain Plastic Containers -  If you just can’t beat your potato chip habit, try this to at least curb it. As soon as you bring snack foods home, put them into plastic containers and recycle their tempting packaging. Organize Your Fridge - When you leave that chocolate cake at the front of the main shelf in the fridge, what are you most likely to grab when you have a hunger pang? Instead, try to move unhealthy foods to the back of the lower shelves in the fridge and bring more vegetables to the front. Sleep - A good night’s sleep helps your body and mind rejuvenate themselves so they are better able to deal with the day-to-day stresses that can lower your willpower. Doing everything you can to eat healthier foods and fewer calories will help you lose weight and reduce the orange-peel effect of cellulite. But if you want instant flattering shape, and treatment to improve the appearance of your cellulite, slip on a pair of Mass & Slim anti-cellulite shorts. They are comfortable enough to wear all day while delivering a circulation-boosting massaging effect while you wear them. For more healthy eating tips, check out our article “If You Do Nothing Else - Have a Good Breakfast”.

There is nothing wrong with sugar. By itself, it does you no harm. It is found in many, if not the vast majority of the fruits and vegetables we eat each day; including those that are part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Conversely, if you managed to cut out as much sugar as you can from your diet, you’d be taking a major step to a healthier life at a lower weight, and to make your cellulite dimples less noticeable. So why, if something isn’t particularly bad for you, should you try to get rid of it from your diet?  Good question.  This is Why You Need to Stop Eating Sugar Many people can drink a glass of wine and not feel any real effects of alcohol. But if you were to take the pure alcohol from the wine, and have it all at once, you probably will feel more affected by the alcohol.  It's a similar story with sugar. If you eat an average apple, you will get about two and a half teaspoons of sugar. But it will have few if any, negative effects on your weight and health. But, if you refined the sugar from the apple, and ate the 2.5 teaspoons it contains (on average), that’s when the negative effects of sugar will kick in. The sugar in your sugar bowl is essentially the same as the sugar in an apple. But what the apple has that the stuff in the sugar bowl doesn’t is fibre and other nutrients. The fibre in the apple, and in the other foods in which sugar naturally occurs, help slow down its absorption into your system. So, when we say “sugar” is bad for you, we’re talking about sugar that has had all of its fibre, and any other plant compounds, stripped away from it. It's known as refined sugar or free sugar. It’s the white stuff in your sugar bowl.So, while you can make foods that have natural sugar in them part of every meal in a healthy balanced diet, having that same amount of refined sugar, without the fibre, would be decidedly unhealthy. Why Refined Sugar is the Problem Your body is an incredibly complex organism. Like a complicated piece of machinery, if the operation of one part is not just right, the effects can be felt elsewhere in the machine, and even across the entire operation. Your body is tuned to get energy from food in a certain way, at a certain rate.  The natural sugars and other simple carbohydrates in foods provide much of your body’s energy. Instead of using that energy all at once, your body and digestive system have ways of regulating it.  First, the fibres in foods help to slow how quickly the sugars are metabolized into energy. Second, the body saves some of the energy for later by storing it in fat cells. When you eat processed foods that are high in sugar, but low in fibre and other nutrients, you’re giving your body more energy than it is tuned to use. Without fibre to slow down, its absorption, the energy in sugar is metabolized relatively quickly.Faced with all this extra energy, your body tries to make you active, (which is the “rush” people often talk about from eating sweets) in an effort to burn it off. Of course, unless you are active enough to burn it all away, which is unlikely unless you’re particularly active, your body then stores it all in fat cells.  The Other Problem With Refined Sugar  According to most authorities, including the World Health Organization, you should limit your consumption of refined or free sugars to six or seven teaspoons a day. One can of Coke has about 10 teaspoons of refined sugar. There are 5 teaspoons in a 100 gram serving of the average breakfast cereal (though sugar content varies widely in breakfast cereals). And about six teaspoons in a chocolate donut. So, if you have a bowl of cereal for breakfast, a coke with your lunch, and a chocolate donut for dessert, you will have consumed almost four times the recommended amount of free sugars for a day. So there it is.  Sugars aren't bad for you per se. But, considering how your body consumes energy, and how much sugar we eat every day, they can be a disaster for your weight and cellulite.  If all you do to improve your diet is to eliminate free sugars from it, it will have similar effects on your health as other initiatives, like an exercise program or diet plan. Getting rid of free sugars from your diet will help you be healthier, lose weight and improve the appearance of your cellulite. But it will take time and effort. If you want to see some instant results while you wait, Mass & Slim’s shapewear, including our anti-cellulite leggings offer a flattering shape and a gentle massaging effect from the moment you slip them on. To find out how to keep your shapewear in shape, check out our post “How To Care And Wash Your Shapewear So It Lasts”.

They might be the most universally loved and versatile style of women’s clothing ever. We mean right up there with skinny jeans, that little black dress and leather jackets.  Like those other women's wear favourites, leggings are comfortable, versatile and stylish. On a given day, you can keep them on the whole time, workout, go grocery shopping and/or step out on the town.  But there’s one thing that leggings have that the other favourites don’t. Their relatively low price.  That’s obviously a good thing because it lets you keep an entire wardrobe of leggings that you can wear according to your mood, the occasion, or just whatever.  But it's also a bad thing. And that thing is, if you haven’t noticed already, leggings can be your best fashion friend, or your biggest fashion disaster. And you risk getting more of the disaster when you choose the lower cost options.   3 More Reasons to Always Choose Compression Leggings Perhaps the biggest reason for choosing compression leggings over cheaper alternatives is that they won’t let you down. And we mean that literally and figuratively.  The sturdier, higher quality design and construction of compression leggings, without sacrificing comfort and versatility, mean you can wear them confidently knowing that they enhance your natural shape, instead of exposing it. As much of an advantage that is over regular leggings, it's definitely not the only one. Improves Your Circulation - Whether you wear them to work, or to workout, compression leggings support and gently massage your legs as you wear them. The improved circulation can reduce fatigue and improve your workout performance. Tones Your Muscles - By supporting them as you move, your muscles work in a more consistent range of motion, which helps to improve their tone and reduce muscle soreness Longer Lasting - Other leggings don’t just give you less support, they begin to get worse as soon as you start wearing them. Compression leggings stay in shape, and keep you that way too, for a longer time. To learn more about compression wear, check out our post “Should We All Use Compression Wear Every Day?”

We trust you’re already aware of the benefits of Mass & Slim anti-cellulite shapewear, including improved blood and lymph circulation, a clinically-proven reduction in the appearance of cellulite and simple all-day comfort. But, considering the different styles of shapewear, what are the best times and ways to wear each one?   When to Wear the Different Styles of Shapewear First, it's important to know that you can wear any style of shapewear anytime it suits you. And, like we mentioned above, you can wear all styles of shapewear all-day long.  That said, here are our suggestions for when you might use each different style to its best advantage, and why you need every style in your wardrobe.  Shapewear Shorts - They are the most popular style of shapewear, and the reason might be their versatility. They can work their magic under skirts, dresses, shorts, slacks, stretch pants and jeans.  And the versatility carries over into the activities you can enjoy while wearing the shorts, which, again, includes just about anything, from exercise and shopping, to work and play! Shapewear Leggings - The added length you get from anti-cellulite leggings versus the other styles can help in a number of ways. First, you get the micro-massaging and cellulite-reducing effect delivered by the breathable, Tourmaline®-bead infused fabric all the way from your tummy to your ankles. If you suffer from swollen ankles, the leggings help to circulate excess fluids and reduce symptoms. Waist Shaper - If you want to look your best in your favourite party dress, the anti-cellulite waist shaper is the way to go. By shaping your waist, it also adds more flattering shape and definition to the rest of your body. It's so discreet, you can even dare to wear a bodycon dress over it, confident that no one will know.  Want to learn more about shapewear and bodycon dresses? Check out our post “4 Tips to Choose the Best Shapewear for a Bodycon Dress”.

Lime water, concocted simply by squeezing the juice of one or two limes into a glass of water, is like getting a healthy lifestyle in a glass.  If that claim seems a little over-the-top, maybe it is. But, when you check out the health benefits of lime water, we think you’ll agree with it.   5 Health Benefits of Lime Water Let’s get all the numbers out of the way. The juice of a single lime squeezed into a glass of water delivers the following: 11 calories 51 mg of potassium <1 gm if fibre 20% of the recommended daily value (RDV) of vitamin C 1% of the RDA of magnesium So what does that line up get you? Check it out: Increases How Much Water You Drink You know how good plain water is for you. In addition to the hydration, it is also a source of minerals and nutrients, including iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium and potassium.But, it, um, tastes like water. So, squeeze that lime into it and get even more nutrients with a shot of flavour that keeps you hydrated. Reduces Your Intake of Weight-Inducing Food and Drinks - From sugary sodas and fruit juices, to processed foods and fast foods, there’s a reason why many of us wage the battle of the bulge. But a glass of lime water before meals, or instead of a soda, can drastically lower your intake of sugar, sodium and unhealthy fats that lead to weight gain. Makes Your Skin Healthier - Vitamin C is a bit of a superstar. In addition to it's well-known benefits for your immune system, it also helps your body produce collagen, which strengthens your skin and improves its appearance. And that, in turn, helps reduce the appearance of your cellulite. Helps You Lose Weight - Yes, it helps you avoid foods and drinks that can contribute to weight gain. But citric acid, including Hydroxycitric acid, is also linked to suppressing the appetite and slowing the production of fat-producing enzymes. Decreases Inflammation - Vitamin C comes to the rescue again. Along with the flavonoids in limes, the combination helps reduce inflammation throughout your body to promote brain health, heart health and battle against strokes and arthritis. Despite all the ways that lime water can help your overall health, it works in concert with other healthy lifestyle initiatives. It will take a while for you to see results. But, if you want to see instant results in the form of more flattering shape, and even more benefits for your skin and cellulite reduction, slip on Mass & Slim anti-cellulite shapewear, including anti-cellulite shorts and anti-cellulite leggings. For another tasty change to your diet for better health, check out our post “If You Do Nothing Else - Have a Good Breakfast”.

Feeling a little stressed lately? More than a little? More than lately?! Too numerous to mention, recent circumstances have not only been stressful for many of us, but they’ve also minimized many of the stress-relieving options we had, like a visit to the gym, or even just getting together with friends and family like we used to.  Yoga has been used to relieve stress and other physical and mental issues for centuries. Still, many of us haven’t explored yoga because we feel we might not be able to do the poses, or due to the mystique around the language of yoga and its spiritual aspect. Start With These Yoga Poses for Stress Relief Jumping into yoga practice on the spiritual, mind and body fronts can be intimidating. Faced with mastering physical moves, you may miss the emotional and spiritual sides.But if you start with the following easy, stress-relieving yoga positions, they’ll not only be easier to do, but they may make it easier for you to get deeper into yoga later on. It's best to do yoga poses on a rug, carpet or a yoga mat. Once in each pose, hold the pose for at least 30 seconds. Breathe - OK, this isn’t a pose, but proper breathing it is a crucial part of every yoga pose, and for stress relief. One of the simplest techniques is to breathe in through the nose for a four count (four seconds), hold your breath for a four count, exhale through your nose for a four count, then wait for a four count before starting the next breath. The Child Pose - From a kneeling position, sit on your heels with the tops of your feet on the mat. Curl your body forward and rest your forehead on the mat in front of your knees. Stretch your arms and hands straight out on the mat in front of you. Once in the pose, release the tension in your arms, back, neck and head. The Easy Pose - If there is a pose that more people know than others, this is it. Start by sitting cross-legged, straighten your back and rest your forearms on each knee, palms up. Close your eyes, relax your shoulders and remember your breathing technique. Stay in this pose for at least a few minutes to really feel the stress relief. The Reclined Bound Angle Pose - Don’t let the name fool you. This one’s as easy as the others. Start by lying on your back. Bring your feet up towards your body so your knees bend into the air. Slowly twist your feet inward, and let your knees fall to the side so the soles of your feet touch each other. Release tension in your legs as much as possible and place one palm on your chest and one palm on your stomach to feel your breath as you inhale, hold and exhale. The Corpse Pose - Usually done to finish a yoga session, the corpse pose is perhaps the easiest pose there is. Simply lie on your back with your hands at your side and your palms facing up. You can put a pillow under your knees to relieve stress on your back and help you feel more relaxed. Getting yourself ready for yoga is key to enjoy more of the benefits. The right clothing is key. Mass & Slim Shapewear Leggings are ideal for yoga, simultaneously giving you the freedom to get into every position, while offering your more support and comfort than traditional  leggings or yoga pants. For more ideas to relieve stress and stay fit, check out our “Top 3 Free Virtual Fitness Classes To Keep You Healthy & In Shape”. 

You’ve come a long way since you went for your first jog around the block. There’s a marked improvement in your fitness and the distances you run. Even more, you probably know a lot more about footwear, breathing techniques and running form than you ever thought possible. But, whether or not you wear compression shorts for running, you may not be entirely aware of the benefits of compression garments to improve performance. 4 Ways Compressionwear Helps to Improve Your Running Compared to standard running shorts, a pair of compression shorts can improve your athletic performance while running and in most other sporting activities too. Reduces Lactic Acid Build UpSmall amounts of lactic acid are a good source of energy as your exercise. But too much can cause a burning sensation in your muscles and reduce the length of time that you can run. Compression garments are designed to exert controlled pressure in a way that improves the removal of lactic acid from your muscles. Better Blood CirculationWhile it removes lactic acid, compression clothing also promotes increased circulation of oxygenated blood. Less Muscle FatigueThis happens in a number of ways. First, compression gear supports your muscles in place, reducing the vibration and displacement from the impact of each stride. Increased blood circulation and decreased lactic acid also means your muscles get more oxygen to reduce muscle fatigue and soft tissue stress. Finally, with lactic acid and other waste flushed away, you have less chance of suffering muscle cramps.   Improves Recovery TimeWhen You wear compression garments to run, your muscles will recover faster. Better blood circulation also reduces muscle swelling and repair time. Similarly to how compression wear helps runners, Mass & Slim Shapewear Shorts and Mass & Slim Shapewear Leggings help anyone who wears them get through their day with more energy and  less fatigue. Find out more about compression garments in our article “3 Reasons Why You Should Wear Compression Shapewear Every Day”. 

Those who wear shapewear, including compression wear, love it because it's comfortable, stylish, compliments their shape, and actually works to improve the appearance of cellulite while it's being worn. But if there’s anything they don’t like about it is when it comes out of the wash a little less in “shape” than when it went in. There can be two reasons for your shapewear getting out of shape in the wash. First, you chose a bargain brand and you got what you paid for. Second, you didn’t wash it properly. 4 Tips to Wash Shapewear  One way to keep shapewear lasting longer is to hand wash it in cold water and hang to air dry. But, there’s absolutely no reason why you can’t pop your high quality shapewear into the washing machine like the rest of your laundry. You just need to use the following special care tips. Use the Gentle Cycle - While they’re tough enough to wear all day, you need to wash and dry shapewear like you do other delicate garments. Don’t add fabric softener, chlorine bleach or harsh detergents to the wash. In Cold or Warm Water - Hot water can damage the specialized fabrics in shapewear. Place Them in a Mesh Bag - Also known as a wash bag or lingerie bag, they help protect the garments from getting bashed around too much while washing, and also from buttons, zippers and hooks on other clothing. Air Dry - Like you would if you washed by hand, don’t put your shapewear in the dryer. Similar to the heat in hot water, hot air can damage the elastic fabrics. For more shapewear tips, check out our article “4 Tips to Choose the Best Shapewear for a Bodycon Dress”. 

Are you a little stressed about what’s going on in the world right now? Have you been struggling with your weight more than usual recently? Do you want to just go on a vacation far, far away? If it helps at all, you’re definitely not alone. To say these are “trying times” is an understatement - and that’s if you’ve managed to stay employed, don’t have kids in school and managed to stay healthy - and we’re all affected to some extent. If you’re unsure of what’s happening and what you should do next, try this: start eating a healthier breakfast.   3 Reasons to Eat a Healthier Breakfast Eating a better breakfast isn’t going to solve everyone’s problems. The world will still be topsy-turvy. You’ll still battle your weight and your cellulite, and the kids will still be doing everything they can to make you crazy. But here’s what a healthier breakfast will do for you, quickly and easily. Gives You a Place to Start - Something’s got to give. You just don’t know where to begin. But by improving your breakfast, even if all you do is reduce some of the sugar, you’ve taken a step. It's the first meal of the day, and it's an easy place to make that first step to a better you. So why not?  It Will Help With Your Health and Weight - Even if you do nothing else, a healthy breakfast can help you lose weight, give you more energy and fill you up with nutrient dense foods. But that’s just the start. If you manage to turn breakfast into a healthy meal, at least on most mornings, you’ll be more motivated and better able to do so for your other meals too. And then other parts of your life. It Puts the Focus on You - You might not be able to self-indulge like you used to, but now at least you’re taking a positive step forward in at least one part of your life. Hear that? You’re taking a positive step forward in your life. For just a minute there, it's almost as if everything really was about you! Want to know about another quick and easy way to do something nice for yourself? Put on a pair of Mass & Slim Anti-Cellulite Shorts. You’ll instantly notice the slimming effect it has on your tummy, hips and thighs. And it hides under your favourite dress or slacks. Even better, when you wear your shapewear regularly, the massaging effect of its unique, comfortable fabric helps tone your skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite. To find out how shapewear can help you rock even the clingiest outfit, check out our post “4 Tips to Choose the Best Shapewear for a Bodycon Dress”. 

The problem with tight clothing, like bodycon dresses and skinny jeans, is that they are not made for all body types. But, regardless of body type, you want to squeeze into something close-fitting, something fashionable, at least once in a while. The result? When you do squeeze into tight clothing, what you see in the mirror isn’t always what you had in mind. Having been designed for rail-thin runway models, tight clothing doesn‘t always flatter other body types. Instead of giving proportional shape, it let’s muffin tops bulge and curves appear out of nowhere. Not to mention the discomfort and physical issues, like poor circulation, that tight clothing can cause.   3 Benefits of Compression Wear While compression shapewear, like Active Slim Compression Leggings, fits tightly, it is designed to fit tightly on every body type. That means it helps create proportional shape for everyone. And that’s just the start of the benefits you can enjoy. All-Day Every-Day Comfort   Designed with a breathable fabric, and to contour to your body, compression wear is remarkably comfortable. Whether you’re going for a workout, shopping, just relaxing around the house, you can start and end your day in compression wear. Improves Circulation The all-over sculpting effect of compression wear has it's health benefits too. In addition to toning your thighs, hips and tummy, it promotes blood circulation throughout those areas too. That helps to bring healthy oxygen and nutrients to your skin, while removing toxins, both of which improves your skin tone and the appearance of cellulite. Reduces Fatigue By providing even compression to the areas it covers, compression wear supports your muscles and tissue so you don’t get tired as quickly. If you’re on your feet all day, compression wear is like getting a shot of energy.   To find out about more benefits of compression wear, check out our article “Can You Sleep In Compression Wear?”

The truth will prevail. Except, in relation to our own body image, the truth is difficult to find. Steeped in a diet culture that promotes the myth of the perfect body, our body image is based on media-driven standards, not anything that is based in truth. But when you happen to come across the truth, it leaps out at you like a ray of sunshine through storm clouds. It makes so much sense. And it's beautiful.  “Cellulite is Not the Problem - Diet Culture Is” We recently stumbled across an article on the Scary Mommy Blog that was just such a revelation. Needless to say, the title “Cellulite is Not the problem - Diet culture Is” caught our attention. The article’s author, Lindsay Wolf, relates her own body image journey, from preteen to Mom of two and beyond. In the very first paragraph, Wolf tells us about the moment the sun broke through the clouds and lit up the truth for her. Without going into all the details, Wolf gets into the origins of the term “cellulite”. It was first used by French doctors to describe human cell tissue that was inflamed or infected. In other words, in its original form, “cellulite” had absolutely nothing to do with the harmless dimpling of the skin that we call cellulite today, but was somehow twisted into that definition over time. Where “Cellulite” Began in North America In her research, Wolf discovered what may be considered the moment that “cellulite” became a thing in North America. Seizing on the popularity of European articles about what was now considered an affliction, the editor’s of Vogue magazine made it the subject of a 1968 cover headline: “Cellulite: The New Word for Fat You Couldn’t Lose Before.” There is perhaps no other single headline or article that has caused so many people so much anxiety, depression and self-loathing. For no reason other than to sell a magazine. As Wolf goes on to reframe cellulite for what it really is, a natural aspect of our bodies, she highlights research done by Megan Jayne Crabbe, a British body-positivity author and social media influencer.  According to Crabbe: “Some scientists actually classify cellulite as a secondary sex characteristic, which means it’s a physical characteristic that develops during puberty along with other hormonal changes, that isn’t directly linked to reproduction. So essentially that makes it as natural as breasts or body hair or vocal changes, in terms of cis-gender women’s puberty.” What Does It All Mean For Your Cellulite First, on the heels of the body positivity movement and the efforts of people like Wolf and Crabbe to normalize it, you can be more comfortable with your cellulite. Happier in your own skin. And, just like you may want to occasionally style your hair, or get your makeup done to help your own beauty shine through, there’s nothing wrong with taking steps to improve the appearance of your cellulite.  From eating a balanced diet and getting more active, to wearing compression shapewear, like Secret Slim Compression Shorts, you’ll look your best and feel your best too. To learn more about the benefits of compression shapewear, check out our post “Just What Are Compression Leggings Good For?”.

First, we hope you and everyone near and dear to you have stayed safe and healthy throughout the uncertainties of the COVID pandemic.  If so, you are very fortunate and have a lot to be grateful for. But, that doesn’t mean the gradual reopening of workplaces, shopping centres, restaurants, and more, won’t come with some added anxiety. After all, we’ve been more or less in lockdown for about six months. A time when, because we weren’t going outside the house as often, we may have put our physical health on the backburner, just at least a little.  Face the World With Confidence  For many, readjusting to going back to work regularly, or even just occasionally, might be as big a transition, or more, than when you first started working from home. If you let your healthy eating habits go, or you couldn’t keep up your exercise routine because gyms were closed, you may have noticed a few extra pounds.  Combined with the more pronounced appearance of cellulite that can result from added weight, the transition back to life outside the home can be helped with a little shot of confidence. And here are a few tips to give it just that. Embrace Body Positivity - You should do this anyway, whether you need to get back into shape or not. Having a positive body image is not only key to accepting yourself as you are, but to also get a different perspective on things like your cellulite. Cellulite doesn’t mean you’re unhealthy, or that there is anything wrong with you. So, if you’re worried about cellulite, it's because you’re worried about what other people think. The more you appreciate who you are and everything you have, the less you’ll worry about cellulite. Dress Slimmer - Yes, darker clothing, including that little black dress, helps to make you look slimmer. But so does a belt or tie around your waist in almost any dress, a v-neck sweater and a crisp sport jacket, among other fashion choices. Wear Shapewear - We can talk all day about being more positive and wearing the right clothing, but you might still just want to look instantly slimmer. Shapewear can make it happen. Compression shapewear, like Secret Slim Compression Shorts, instantly adds flattering shape, hides comfortably under your favourite jeans, skirts and dresses and has an anti-cellulite firming effect on your hips, buttocks and thighs while you wear them. If you enjoyed this post, you can learn more about about positivity by checking out our article “A Review of #BodyPositivity on Social Media”.

Women who wear leggings will tell you they are the most comfortable clothing they own. They are at once stylish, versatile and comfortable. But no one wants to wear the same thing every day. What’s more, if you’re wearing a dress skirt or pants, leggings just may not work for you.  But, when it comes to compression shapewear, like Active Slim Compression Leggings, there are many more reasons to consider wearing them every day, beyond their comfort and style.  But, is that enough for them to be OK to wear every day, and even under dresses, skirts and jeans? The answer is “yes!” - with a little explanation. You may have the same concerns about wearing compression leggings with some outfits as you do with wearing regular leggings. But compression shapewear is available in other configurations, like compression shorts, that turns compression shapewear into everyday wear  Why Wear Compression Shapewear Every Day Active Slim Compression Leggings and Shorts both help to comfortably support, shape and tone your stomach, hips, buttocks and thighs. And that helps you in many ways.  It Improves Your Confidence - When you know everything’s in place; that there are no panty lines; that you’ll feel more energetic; and that you simply look your best, you get a shot of confidence that can change your entire day. Whether it's in the office or at social gatherings, when your inner voice says you look great, it changes how you perceive yourself and what you are capable of accomplishing.    It Can Be the First Step in a Larger Transformation - If you’ve tried to lose weight, improve your fitness or have healthier eating habits, without any success, it's not because you can’t do it. They are all bigger transformations than we think. And your expectations for immediate results are high. When you don’t see them, it's difficult to carry on.But, with the instant flattering shape you get from compression wear, and its other benefits for firming your hips and thighs and reducing the appearance of cellulite, you’re off to a great start. And that makes it easier to take the next step in your transformation. You Get More of the Compression Wear Benefits - In addition to the benefits we’ve already mentioned, compression wear can help you relieve the symptoms of a number of conditions, including lymphedema (leg swelling), restless leg syndrome, venous insufficiency and even help you get back in shape faster after pregnancy.  The benefits you get from compression shapewear are related to how long you wear them. Yes, you can expect some benefit if you only wear them for a short time a few days a week. But, the benefits are more pronounced the more you wear them. And wearing every day will have the most visible benefits. To find out more about how compression wear can help you every day, check out our post “Benefits To Wearing Compression Leggings While Working From Home“.