When it comes to the end of summer in Phoenix, there’s one thing you can count on: humidity. And lots of it. Not only are temperatures in the triple digits, but with monsoons on the horizon, humidity is at 60% or higher. As you’re sitting around sweating buckets and feeling as if you’re living in a sauna, you probably have a reasonable question: Can sweating help you lose weight? You’re not alone. People have been trying to sweat off fat for ages.
Why We Sweat
Sweating is a natural way for the body to regulate its temperature. By releasing water and salt through sweat, we are better able to stay at our ideal 98.6ºF. We tend to sweat either as a result of hotter temperatures in the air or because our internal body thermometer has gone up, primarily through exercise or working hard.
Some individuals suffer from hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating. It can be limited to certain areas of the body or be widespread. And as with normal sweating, excessive sweating can be triggered by heat, whether external or internal.
Can Sweating Help You Lose Weight?
While it may feel like it, sweating is not a literal melting of fat. Fat is used as energy by your body. Instead of being burned off, it is released. Once released into the blood stream, the fat exits your body as waste.
The amount of sweating you do does not have a direct relation to the amount of fat your body is using as energy. In answer to the question of can sweating help you lose weight, the direct answer is no.
However, there is a correlation between sweating and working hard, in most instances. And the harder you’re working, the more energy your body is using.
The Energy Your Body Uses
There are three main fuel sources that your body transforms into energy: carbohydrates, fat, and protein. The first go-to for fuel is carbohydrates. This breaks down to glucose, which is easily used as energy.
The next fuel your body uses is glycogen, which is stored in your muscles and liver. This fuel doesn’t last very long—less than 24 hours for most people. Following that, fat is the next fuel source. With nine calories per gram, fat is a very effective fuel source.
The last route for energy is your muscles. If you are not getting enough nutrition and feeding your body appropriately, you could lose muscle tone from excessive dieting. This is just another reason it’s imperative to watch your diet and ensure that you are eating high-quality food that will fuel your body.
The Key to Losing Weight
There’s nothing new when it comes to losing weight—and fat—the old-fashioned way. You have to move more and eat less. When you move more, you sweat more. But can sweating help you lose weight? Not really. It’s the exercise that triggers your body to use the fuel you’ve taken in. Sweating is just an indication that your body is moving into a “fat-burn” state.
CoolSculpting Can Jumpstart Your Results
Even if you feel as if you’re sweating your butt, thighs, and abs off, the truth is you’re just regulating your body temperature. High humidity or no humidity, sweating is about keeping you cool.
But if your goal is to lose weight, one way to accelerate your efforts is with CoolSculpting.
Bodify is Arizona’s premier CoolSculpting boutique. It’s all we do, and that’s why we’re experts. If you’re wondering can sweating help you lose weight, and maybe even considering wrapping yourself in plastic wrap, it’s time to give us a call. There’s a better way.
Take a virtual tour of our office and contact us to schedule your initial consultation. We look forward to meeting you!
