5 Weird Weight Loss Tips You Never Heard Of

We live in a weight-obsessed society where size 6 is considered plus size in the fashion industry. So many skinny models trying (and failing) to represent “real women” on TV, and print ads. The beauty, fashion and entertainment industry are putting unfair beauty standards since the 90s. As such, most people are willing to do anything to stay skinny. And this desire prompted crazy weight loss methods such as:

1. Fat Burning Through Cold Temps

It might sound crazy, but some people welcome the freezing temps to burn off more fat. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, the bio-processes of the body change once subjected to cold temperature. The findings suggest that sitting in a cold room could stimulate the brown fat in the body. Brown fatty tissues or adipose tissues are used by the body as insulation and as an emergency source of fuel. By exposing yourself to freezing temps, the body will start metabolizing its own adipose tissues. The result? A shrinking waistline.

2. Eating Negative Calorie Foods

Health experts agree, fruits and vegetables are a crucial part of a healthy diet. But eating negative calorie fruits and veggies could stimulate efficient fat burning. The idea behind this is that some foods contain so little calories that digesting them takes more energy. As such, you can eat more of these foods without gaining weight. Negative calorie foods warm up the body because they trigger digestion. The process itself takes a certain amount of energy. Because the foods you eat contain little calories, the body gets the fuel it needs to digest them from adipose fats. Hence, you lose weight.

3. Smaller Plates

Some health experts believe that using smaller plates could lead to weight loss. Sometimes, our eyes are bigger than our stomachs. We overload our plates with more food than we can eat. This method works by stimulating the senses into thinking you’re eating more than you really should. Cramming fiber-rich fruits, vegetables and lean proteins on a small plate fools the brain into thinking you’re having a large meal. And this inhibits the brain from triggering ghrelin, the hormone that activates hunger pangs.

Of course, this will only work if you continue to watch what you eat. It won’t work if you cram your plate with high-calorie foods. Also, try sipping water with every bite so you feel fuller.

4. A Tongue Patch

This is considered an extreme weight loss treatment. A plastic mesh is surgically attached on the tongue, making eating an extremely painful ordeal. It sounds crazy, but some people swear by it. In fact, there are cases wherein patients lost around 20 pounds in less than a month.

This procedure was developed by Dr. Nikolas Chugay in 2009. Since then, the tongue patch diet became heavily criticized by health experts and the media for obvious reasons.

This method is not only extreme, it comes with a long list of health complications too. Within the first several days after the surgery, the tongue is painful, swollen and inflamed. Swallowing, speaking, and eating are painful. The patient cannot eat solid foods within the first few weeks.

5. Cotton Balls

This came straight out of the Paris runway. Rail-thin models hoping to make it big in the fashion industry eat cotton balls saturated with orange juice to feel full. The story came out in public and since then, even self-conscious teens are ingesting cotton balls to lose weight.

And just like anything in life, there is a downside to noshing on cotton balls. The cotton fibers could turn into a bezoar, causing a severe intestinal blockage. The bezoar can only be removed through surgery.