When we think of a good workout, we tend to picture deep breathing, a red face, and being drenched in sweat. The more buckets of sweat we produce, the better the workout, right? Well, let’s hold up a sec. What does the science say about that? Do we actually burn more fat and calories when we sweat?
To understand how sweat contributes to workouts, we first have to understand sweat as a bodily function. Sweat is our body’s natural system for regulating body temperature. It may look or feel gross, but it’s a perfectly natural response to overheating. This overheating can be a result of your environment being too hot or exerting yourself enough for your body to heat up on its own. The water and salts in your body begin to excrete in order to maintain a comfortable environment. This is why hydration with water and electrolytes is so crucial when you participate in activities that cause you to sweat.
So… what does this have to do with weight loss? Great question.
Sweating can certainly cause you to lose a few pounds. But before you zip up that hoodie or crank up the sauna, it’s important to understand that this weight you’re losing is just water weight. As you sweat, your body is getting rid of all the extra water in your system. This does result in weight loss, but only temporarily. When it comes down to it, sweating does not actually cause us to burn fat or calories. It’s simply a result of your body trying to regulate its own temperature. You may sweat and burn a lot of fat during a workout, but the two actions are not as connected as you think.
So, if sweating doesn’t cause fat burn, what does? It may sound cliche, but working out and heavy exercise are the key to burning fat. It sounds basic, but the tried and true formula is tried and true for a reason. And unfortunately, we all know it’s not as easy as it sounds. The weight loss process can be a long hard road full of disappointment and frustration. There simply isn’t a one size fits all system where everyone gets the same results. Everybody is unique with their own set of goals and restrictions.
This is where weight loss centers come in. At Options Medical Weight Loss, we assist you in finding your way through the confusing weight loss journey. It’s much easier to tackle the process when you have a professional staff to guide you through it.
If you’re ready to start your weight loss journey and want a team to support you every step of the way, contact our Dublin weight loss center today. With Options by your side, we’ll make sure you’re losing more than just water weight.