This is how it supposedly works:

In effect, the structure of the rubber belt is a large mesh grid that splits the dieter's belly, side and back fat into easily manageable blobs. This allows for increased metabolic consumption of calories and raises the propensity for increased blood flow values. More blood flow = more heat = more burning of fat.

You know what really burns fat? Exercising and not eating fast food every day. But hey, exercising won't make your fat stomach look like it has a dozen little boobs on it. [Yahoo Japan via InventorSpot]

Here's our list of five apps that make tracking, remembering, and motivating your resolutions easier than willpower alone. All of them (except RunKeeper) run on both iPhones and iPod touch models.

RunKeeper for motivating your run

Running is one of, if not the best, exercise plan for those who like immediate, measurable proof of their progress. RunKeeper, a free app that Adam used to roll his own Nike+ iPhone for free, is the data-hound's running companion. Using the iPhone's GPS powers, where and how far you went is mapped out (if with a few glitches), your calories burned and average speed marked, and it can all be searched through and/or synced to the RunKeeper web site. For a similar solution with a different mix of strengths and features, try Fitnio. (RunKeeper Free and Pro)

Weightbot for, well, your weight

For just $2, you can grab an app that makes measuring your body weight sort of (seriously) fun. The previously toured iPhone/iPod touch app has a really slick look to it, and takes your weight down in tenths-of-a-pound increments, along with auto-calculating your Body Mass Index. Your day-by-day progress can be graphed out and tracked against a goal weight, and if you're concerned about friends prone to "Ooh, let me see your iPhone apps!" fever, Weightbot can be password locked before giving away the stats. (Store link)

Remember the Milk for everything else

This one's a bit pricier, but you're getting more than just a nagging reminder to do this or don't do that. With a $25/year Remember the Milk Pro account, its iPhone/iPod touch app (which offers 15 free days to any account) gives you pretty much complete access to all your lists, tasks, alerts, reminders, and whatever resolution you're plugging in. Plus, using geo-location features, you can goad yourself into stopping by Goodwill to finally drop off those clothes, since you're already shopping in the neighborhood. As noted in its Top 10 entry, though, RTM's real benefit is that it syncs itself everywhere at all times. So remembering to buy a better paper filing box while you're at your desk can pay off the next time you're in an OfficeMax. (store link)

iOwn to stop hoarding stuff

Most of us can probably do with a little less stuff, and we're all prone to buying things we already own—I'll point you to a drawer full of barely-used duct tape, if you'd like. iOwn is a one-stop spot for keeping track of those things you always tend to buy more of, or just want to have more details about the stuff you already have at your fingertips (does the DVD player take component cables, or just S-Video?). You can give any item as many attributes as you'd like, and the full $5 version lets you store, and backup online, as many items as you can think of (the free, Lite version is a 10-item trial). It's pitched as a total-home organizer, but if you've just got one collection or acquisition habit you're looking to reign in—spices, music, photo frames, whatever—it's pretty indispensable. (via LA Times Blogs; iOwn free and lite links)

Mint for managing your money

Mint.com's a streamlined webapp for graphing, tracking, budgeting, and otherwise keeping tabs on your money. Its free iPhone/iPod companion is no less a handy tool, and it's just as secure and informative. Check your basic balances, browse your last few days' cash flow, and peek at multiple budgets you set up for yourself from a series of sliding screens. If you fear losing your device and opening up your financial world to the thief, you can remotely deactivate the read-only tool from your Mint.com profile. If you can get your head around Mint's money management, you'll really benefit from this app. (Store link)

That's our flight of five apps, but we want to hear what free or paid iPhone/iPod apps work for goals and resolutions. Share the app names in the comments.

Despite its obvious name, we're not certain whether the I-Cool makes you shiver, sweat or both to increase sedentary calorie burning rates, but we do know that office warfare already leads to many a rogue thermostat lacking proper regulation. In other words, it's tough to imagine that this chair, however cool it may look, will make you any more able to down McMuffins all day without packing on the poundage. But a man can dream, can't he? [Padwa Designs via Core77]

There'll be no need to exercise when you'll have easy access to a drug that makes trans-fat-laden fast food less appealing while it burns away the vast reserves of fat your body has been storing away all these years in preparation for a wilderness expedition you'll never take. Of course, the blocked enzyme, CaMKK2, has only been tested in mice, but I mean mice are like one step away from humans, right?

Screw the testing, just bring us the drugs and we'll take the risk. Just don't make us keep exercising or using willpower to stay healthy. We can't take it anymore. [Physorg]

Simply hold on to the grippy bars, and stand or squat on the nonslip platform (or try one of the many alternate positions illustrated). In just two to four minutes, three to five times a week, you'll notice a remarkable difference within a month. Similar machines cost as much as $2,500—but why pay more?

Stand on the four sensor plates and pull up on two retractable electronics, and the device sends a weak electric current through your body to see what you're really made of. It keeps track of your measurements and can display your progress in days, weeks, or months over a three-year period. One thing that will be much lighter right away is your wallet—the BC-545 costs $390. – Charlie White

The Amazing InnerScan Segmental Body Composition Monitor [Gizmag]

Among the findings, energy expenditures were at 156% of resting when playing Wii as opposed to 60% with regular controllers, and a total potential of 1,830 calories burned a week. Multiplied that out to a year, kids can "shift" 27lb in a year. Does shift mean lose? Because that sounds pretty high to us. – Jason Chen

Wii - Kids Burn 40% More Calories Says Research [Spong]

Image by Jessica New

So what do you think, readers? Is this bullshit, or is it possible to drink your way to runway-model thinness? – Charlie White

Gawker Media polls require Javascript; if you're viewing this in an RSS reader, click through to view in your Javascript-enabled web browser.

Coke, Nestle Unveil Calorie-Burning Beverage [Advertising Age]

New Enviga Proven to Burn Calories [BevNet] (beware, industry cheerleader)

This could actually be useful. If you're a fanatic about calorie counting, dole out a controlled portion, count it accurately, slim down. While you're at it, don't forget to count those crows on the clothesline. – Charlie White

Product Page [whatever works, via ber review]

Angry Associates also offers an icon-based scale, letting you weigh in to a corresponding chicken, goat, pig, or heaven forbid, a cow. Your choice, celebs or fauna for 35 (about $60 $45). – Charlie White

Celebrity Weighing Scales [diet-blog]

We're hoping this is just a joke, because this entire concept is based on a misunderstanding. You can't spot reduce, you can't stimulate metabolism in just one part your body (if you do lose weight your body will decide where it's coming from), and caffeine is not exactly a weight-loss drug. Heck, if caffeine were effective for weight loss, we would all be positively skeletal by now. And we're not. Available for non-skeptical Brits, Slim Fit 20 pantyhose are £27 for a pack of three.

Caffeine Tights [Coolest Gadgets]

Product page (via Strange New Products)