Is Fat-Burning Underwear For Real?!

I laughed out loud when I first read this article about fat-burning underwear. The idea behind these underwear, which are apparently becoming popular in Japan, is simple: they're imprinted with a resin that prevents stretching, so you have to work harder to walk in them. That work results in greater muscle strength. My first thought was, perhaps skinny jeans will be America's answer to weight management?

Seriously, this article not only gave me a good chuckle, but reminded me of the importance of an often-overlooked element of weight management--lifestyle activity. If you don't want to spring for fat-burning underwear, you really don't need to. Instead, park further away at the store, toss around the football with your boyfriend, walk around the track while your kids are at soccer practice, take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator...you get the idea. Instead of finding ways to be less active, challenge yourself to be more active, every chance you get.