I will begin by sharing that massage, even on a daily basis, cannot change the fat content or ratio of fat in our bodies. However, Massage does have many therapeutic benefits for overweight individuals and for those who are trying to shed a few pounds.

One of the primary benefits may be awareness. We all have areas of our bodies we don't really notice. Yet, we all know they are there. We don't often take time to see how they are changing as we age. Having a full body massage can "wake up" our awareness of ourselves, helping us to notice parts that have become less toned. This does not mean massage will make us feel fat! 

Massage usually has the opposite effect by bringing about a connected feeling throughout the body. Many clients leave a massage feeling lighter. This is due, in part, to the renewed body awareness as well as improved posture.

Any one of us who has lived through a new diet and/or exercise routine can attest to the fact that stress is a major emotion experienced as we make the lifestyle changes required to meet fitness goals. For many who find food to be a comfort in stressful times, this creates a "merry-go-round" cycle of dieting and weight gain. Utilizing massage a stress-breaking tool while dieting helps us to be successful in reaching our objective.

Adding new exercise routines into our lives brings up another area in which massage can be beneficial. As we exercise, we are creating toxins that build up (like lactic acid) in our muscle tissue, causing that "sore" feeling. For many who have not exercised on a regular basis, this can be reason enough to stop an exercise program before realizing the benefits. Massage after exercise decreases the buildup of toxins in the muscular tissue and helps eliminate one reason many fail to maintain a fitness program.

The positive feedback that personal touch has in our lives is another benefit. For many, personal touch has become something from which to shy away. Allowing a massage therapist to work with you while you focus on a weight loss goal helps you to relearn how to receive caring touch in your daily life. We all have the need for some degree of touching in our lives, whether it be a handshake from a colleague or a pat on the back for a job well done.

Touch is an important part of our society. Far too often we allow the image we have of ourselves to block our ability to receive touch. Massage, through awakening our awareness, helps us to overcome that block.

It is rather unfortunate we can't have a massage and leave a few pounds lighter. In a perfect dream world, it could happen, about the same time chocolate chip cookies no longer have calories! Until that happens, I hope you have an opportunity to experience the benefits massage DOES have in your weight loss program.

The Skinny Daily Post -  Excerpt: ”Another reason massage is good for weight loss has to do with lymphatic and liver functioning. It might be interesting for your readers to read Anne Louise Gittleman’s Fat Flush Diet for her thoughts on the problems of a sluggish lymphatic system.

“Essentially, she explains that the lymphatic system is the garbage disposal of the body, ridding the body of toxic wastes, and trapped fat globules. Meanwhile, our livers have two functions: they process toxins and fats. If you can rid your body of toxins, the liver can focus on its other job: processing fats efficiently. During the period of weight loss your cells rely more on stored fat for nourishment than the sugars, proteins and carbohydrates you may ingest (because you are decreasing these inputs). Therefore, reducing toxins means a less stressed, more efficient liver and faster weight loss.

”So where does the massage come in? Massage increases blood flow to the skin and thereby increases nourishment. It is an important cleanser of toxins that are built up through metabolic waste of the cells and tissues. Massage also improves the flow of lymph. Better lymph flow means fewer toxins in the body (go liver go!) and better chances of decreasing fat trapped in the dermis (aka cellulite).

”Massage may have a small effect on connective tissue re-shaping. Connective tissue is continuous from head to toe. It wraps each muscle (and even the compartments within muscles) and forms the tendons connecting muscle to bone. It is fabricated mostly of water and collagen with some elastin (depending on if it's "loose" or "dense").

”With weight gain connective tissue stretches to accommodate a larger form. After weight loss, we are sometimes disappointed that our connective tissues haven't bounced back to their original shape. A continuous massage program may make a small difference in how quickly connective tissue reforms to our new smaller form. (I don't want to make too much of this because I can't remember where I read it.)

”Finally, massage works very well to relieve the aches and pains that come along with your workout program. After you "feel the burn" (lactic acid build up) with your work-outs, tapes, or weight-lifting program, massage can take the burn away and keep your muscles in optimum condition.

“Your basic relaxation (Swedish) massage will take the stress away  and will move blood and lymph around because of the long strokes applied to muscle bellies. It may also help in re-shaping connective tissue.

”For muscle strain after exercise, you may need to seek out "deep-tissue" massage aiming at muscle tendons where they connect to the bone.

”And for those of us who are brave and experimental, Reiki and other "energy techniques" can provide profound emotional release and awareness that may help you get at the underlying issues that enabled the original weight gain."

 Links:

Discovery Health Channel - "But there's one more key to success. "The best and safest weight loss is one to two pounds per week, regardless of whether you want to lose 10 pounds or 20 pounds," says Stephen Sinatra, M.D., a cardiologist. Some people will need additional support from:

• Groups such as Weight Watchers or an informal team of dieting buddies;
• Medications or dietary supplements to curb hunger or obstruct fat absorption; or
• Yoga, massage or other stress-relief regimen."

Want to lose weight? Pamper yourself! - "When wanting to lose weight, I’ve found that most people focus on the food that they should or shouldn’t be eating. They spend so much time and energy focusing on the food and very little time actually focusing on themselves."

Give yourself time to succeed. Patience and persistence make almost anything possible. The only way you can fail to reach your goal, is to stop before you get there. If you're not there yet, keep going. What a waste it would be to stop now. Starting over will take even longer. Keep going. Success is just a single step away from failure. Get yourself to the point where you can take that final, single step and then you're there. Time will come and it will go, no matter what you do. Time will bring you to your goals, if you choose to make the most of it. Take the time to succeed. Make it work for you. Persist. You're on your way. Keep going and you'll get there.
Ralph Marston