Waist Beads for Weight Loss: Do They Work?

Waist beads are a traditional African accessory worn for body adornment or decoration. 

Waist beads can be simple or quite elaborate, and they consist of small glass beads of different shapes and colors or a wire worn around the waist.

Traditionally, African waist beads were made of glass, stone, or clay, but they are now made from synthetic materials. Wearing waist beads has been a long-held tradition in many West African cultures, but they have gained popularity in the West with time.

Other cultures in West Africa used waist beads as a symbol of femininity, spiritual well-being, and fertility. However, today, ladies in both Africa and the United States wear waist beads for more practical purposes.

This article will discuss the popularity and use of waist beads for weight loss.

What Are Waist Beads Used for?

Many women wear waistline beads to track body composition changes, and they help them lose weight. Waist beads are used to control weight as they fall on your waist when you lose weight, and you will notice the beads rising higher on your waistline once you gain weight.

Wearing beads is also important for posture. They serve as a reminder to sit upright, breathe properly, or engage stomach muscles.

Some women also wear these belly beads as a body-shaping tool to help shift weight to the hips. Waist beads are more compatible with body positivity as women of any shape and body size can wear them.

How to Wear Waist Beads

Choosing the right waist beads depends on your preferences. There are various ways to wear beaded chains, but the most common is placing them around the waist, just below the navel. However, you can also wear them down at your hips or right at your belly button.

You can wear as many strands of beads as you like or for whatever reason. They are a powerful means for self-expression and preventing weight gain.

After deciding on the location of your waist beads, wrap a tape or string around the body part you want to get waist measurements. However, do not fit the tape or string too snugly, as it may lead to a tighter fit than what you anticipate.

The waist bead design varies. Some beads are designed to permanently stay on your waist until you decide to remove or cut them, whereas others are adjustable. It is essential to consider waist beads for your body type and preferences.

How many waist beads should I wear?

Most women wear three waist beads, but you can wear as many as you like depending on the intended purpose for wearing them. 

There isn’t a specific number of waist beads you should wear. The more you get used to waist beads, the more strands you may add.

How Should Waist Beads Fit?

Traditionally, waist beads loosely fit above the hip bones. However, waist beads for weight loss need to be higher up the waist. When you shed a few pounds, they will drop down to your hips. You do not need to wear them tightly for weight control.

To properly track your weight, it is best to use a non-stretch string to hold the beads. You can also wear adjustable waist beads if you do not want the beads to fit differently with any slight changes like bloating.

Waist Bead Color Meaning

If you are interested in trying out waist beads, choose from various colors. It is best to choose a color that matches your skin tone and other preferences. 

Waist beads are rich with symbolism, and the colors have unique meanings.

Some of the associated qualities of the colors are:

• Blue for healing, harmony, truth, and insight
• Brown for the earth and stability
• Green for prosperity, hope, and healing
• Purple for spirituality and royalty
• Red for vitality, bravery, and confidence
• White for purity
• Yellow for wisdom, awareness, and clarity

If you want to add some decorative stones and charms, they also have specific meanings such as:

• Evil eye stone for protection against negativity
• Green aventurine for prosperity and wealth
• Hamsa for protection against evil or bad luck
• Lapis lazuli for peace and insight
• Quartz for clarity and amplifying other crystals
• Rose quartz for love, compassion, and healing

Where to Buy Waist Beads

You can conveniently purchase African waist beads from Amazon or trusted Instagram sellers. However, for ease of payment, shipment, and security, Amazon is more reliable. Some African shops sell their products through Etsy, and others have their online storefronts.

If it is your first buy, it would be best to buy the waist beads in person to get the right fit for you. Sometimes premade waist beads may not fit you, but many of the artists would be more than happy to make a custom order for you.

Conclusion

Beaded chains may appear to be a simple accessory, but they have some transformational effects on weight management. They are a constant reminder for one’s weight loss efforts and help one from gaining weight.

Traditionally, African waist beads were worn under clothing as they were an intensely personal item. They are associated with body positivity, and they are growing in popularity. They keep the wearers informed about their weight as they roll up or down with any weight changes.

Beaded chains are suitable for all women, and you might be amazed at the surprising effects they may have on your health.