Can Sweating Help You Lose Weight?

Recently, I have heard people say that sweating helps you lose weight faster. Several people seem to believe that excessive sweating quickens weight loss, hence the reason why people wear sweat suits, and why some people spend hours in a sauna. Quite frankly, at some point, I also believed that sweating was evidence of body fat melting away, but then I thought if this were the case, then I would have vanished into thin air as I am drenched in sweat most of the day. If this is also true, then the overweight female traders I see in the market, who are always sweating would be losing weight by the second. Sweating (perspiration) is a bodily function that helps regulate your body temperature. It is the release of a salt-based fluid from your sweat glands. Although you may actually lose weight after a sweaty session, this difference in weight is only water weight and would most times be gained back once you replenish your water intake. The body needs adequate fluids in order to maintain a healthy blood volume and transport nutrients to the organs and tissues. As a result, your body will work to absorb fluids as soon as you consume them after your workouts. Extreme sweating is not only ineffective but dangerous to your health as well. Depleting your body’s water reserves this way can cause dehydration, overheating (heatstroke), extreme loss of electrolytes (kidney damage/death), and other health problems. The weight lost through sweating does not lead to long-term body mass reduction, as sweating merely releases liquids within your body’s cells and tissues rather than eliminating fat storage. Losing body fat has nothing to do with how much you sweat! In order to permanently lose weight, you must burn more calories than you consume over a period of time. Therefore, increasing how many calories you burn by exercising regularly and decreasing the number of calories you consume by eating healthy are two recommended methods for successful weight loss (i.e. regular exercise + healthy diet = healthy weight loss).       About the Writer: Ibifaka Ben-Kalio (also Known as Fabila) is an energetic, fun-loving and passionate licensed Zumba Fitness, Zumba Toning and Sentao Fitness instructor. She is also a Body Barre Instructor professionally trained in Ballet and Modern Dance techniques at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, New York. A lawyer by profession, Ibifaka resigned from Legal practice to pursue her passion for helping others reach their fitness goals. She is the founder of Fabila’s Fitness Club and runs a health and fitness blog with the same name. She incorporates dance techniques with aerobics and believes that exercise can be made fun. Ibifaka has participated in a number of Fitness Conventions including the last Zumba Fitness Convention held in Orlando, Florida where she got to meet the founder of Zumba Fitness. She is the creator of Shape Up Naija Fitness Carnival, a yearly event which brings together fitness professionals and enthusiast from all around the country. Connect with her on fabila@fabilasfitness.com/ Instagram: @fabilasfitness

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This article was first published on 10th June 2015

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