If there’s one place you should avoid if you’re trying to lose weight, it’s the gym. Going to the gym and pumping your body with heavy weights is the last thing you need when trying to shed those extra pounds. Doing so can put you in a worse situation than when you started: instead of looking and feeling better, you might even end up in the ER. That’s what happened to Bruce Willis when he critically injured his shoulder while participating in a weight-training routine, leading to intensive therapy and months of rehabilitation. So if you really want to lose those extra pounds, you should avoid the gym like the plague.
There’s a better way to get in shape, and it involves getting rid of that extra weight without risking your health. You might already be doing it, though you don’t realize it: sweating. While drinking lots of water is a good way to stay hydrated and avoid weight gain, sweating is an excellent way to shed those extra calories, and it’s environmentally friendly, too. Plus, there’s evidence that it can help improve mental health. Let’s explore how sweating can help you lose weight and how you can make the most of your everyday activities to get hot and sweaty.
How Does Sweating Help You Lose Weight?
When you sweat, you’re producing glycerol, which is a substance that breaks down fat. This is why you should avoid the gym as much as possible: frequent gym goers experience an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and kidney failure. So instead of going to the gym and putting yourself in a worse situation than when you started, why not try some of these simple ways to get sweaty?
- Walk faster than usual. Even a fast walking pace can produce a moderate amount of sweat. Try to walk faster than you ever have before, and you’ll soon find yourself dripping with sweat.
- Ride a bike. Racking up the miles on a bike is a great way to shed off those extra pounds. You’ll be surprised how much sweat you can produce while biking. Plus, it’s a workout for your muscles, too!
- Participate in a sport. Basketball, hockey, and football are a few sports where you’ll be working out and getting sweaty. You don’t need a gym to participate in sports, either; you can do it outside.
- Wash the body. After you’ve gotten your sweat rate up, you can bathe or shower to wash away the toxins. Washing your body can also help remove the extra water you have stored in your body, making you look and feel healthier.
- Drink alcohol. If you drink alcohol, it can help increase your body’s temperature, which makes you sweat more. However, excessive alcohol intake (more than three drinks a day, for men and two drinks for women) is associated with an elevated risk of weight gain. So it’s best to avoid consuming alcohol if you’re trying to lose weight.
How Can You Make The Most Of Your Everyday Activities To Get Hot And Sweaty?
There are plenty of ways you can make the most of your everyday activities to get hot and sweaty. Here are just a few of them:
- Do the laundry. Putting the laundry on, even if it’s only the washing of one or two small outfits, is a great way to get the blood circulating and the body active. Wash more clothing than usual, and you’ll be surprised at how much sweat you can produce. Even a small amount of laundry work can raise your body’s temperature and get you panting.
- Bake a cake. Baking is another great way to get your body active. You’ll be surprised at how much energy it takes to mix, shape, and bake a cake. So if you have something you need to do that involves a lot of running around, make sure you do it before you sit down to eat. You’ll be glad you did.
- Play with your kids. When you have kids, it’s difficult to find time for yourself. However, playing with your kids can be a great way to get your body active and ensure that your children get enough fluids. When your kids are playing outside, they’re moving around and getting the blood flowing. This is good for you, too!
- Take a stroll. Going for a walk is another great way to get your body active and shed off those extra pounds. You don’t need to go very far to get the benefits, either: even a short walk will do. Once you’re sweating, you’ll be happy you did it. A walk doesn’t have to be labor-intensive either: taking the stairs instead of the elevator is a great way to get your body moving.
The Health Benefits Of Regular, Frequent Sweating
There are lots of health benefits of regular, frequent sweating. Here are just a few examples of what you might experience:
- You’ll feel more relaxed. When you’re relaxed, your body’s temperature is more likely to be stable. This means that you’ll be more likely to stay warm in the cold and remain cool in the heat. So if you want to stay healthy, you should consider avoiding lethargy and stress as much as possible. Regular exercise and a good night’s sleep can help make you feel this way.
- You’ll have more energy. Your body produces more energy when it’s hot, so getting hot and sweaty can help you be more active. This is great for those struggling with weight loss, whether it’s caused by overeating or a lack of physical activity. It’s also good for people who spend a lot of time seated at work, as getting up and moving around can increase your productivity. Moreover, there’s evidence that suggests that regularly lifting weights can help enhance your energy levels. So if you want to be more active, you should consider getting stronger!
- You’ll have better digestion. Digestion is the process of breaking down food into absorbable nutrients that the body can use. Digestion is very important, as it allows the body to function at its optimum capacity. Many people experience an improvement in their digestion after they’ve had their sweat sessions. Perhaps the high temperatures of a hot shower or bath can help break down fats and eliminate toxins that you might not otherwise digest. In particular, eating the right foods can help improve the efficiency of your digestion: the right foods can help reduce cholesterol, which could lead to fewer heart problems down the road. Avoid foods with added sugar, which can cause you to become sluggish and interfere with your overall health. Consider avoiding white flour, which can cause you to gain weight even if you’re not eating sugar. You should also avoid eating too much processed food, as it will interfere with your body’s ability to absorb nutrients and convert food into usable energy.
- You’ll be more responsive to insulin. insulin is a hormone that helps control the body’s metabolism. Unsurprisingly, many people with type 2 diabetes experience an improvement in their insulin responses after they’ve had their sweat sessions. Perhaps heat opens up the capillaries, allowing more insulin to reach the muscles and tissues. This could mean less medication required and a better quality of life for those dealing with type 2 diabetes.
- You’ll have better eyesight. The health benefits of frequent sweating include improved night vision and the ability to see more clearly both near and far. This could be due to a variety of factors: improved blood circulation or just plain old hydration having a positive effect. However, there is evidence that suggests that when blood is pumped to several important organs, these organs may receive an improved blood supply, leading to better functioning as well as an overall increase in health. So if you’re looking for ways to improve your vision, you should consider getting sweaty!
- You’ll experience fewer menstrual irregularities. Menstrual irregularities can interfere with a woman’s ability to have children. There is evidence that suggests that frequent sweating can help regulate a woman’s menstrual cycle and promote healthy pregnancy. So if you’re trying to have children, it’s important to maintain a healthy body weight as well as a regular menstrual cycle. However, while you’re trying to have children, it’s important not to overexercise your body: exercise is necessary, but too much of it can be harmful. So instead of harming your body, get hot and sweaty!
How Does Sweating Measure Up Weight Loss-wise?
So how does sweating compare to other popular methods of weight loss? Let’s compare the pros and cons so you can decide which is best for you.
- Diets: Waterloss Is More Effective Than Dietary Limitations
- Surgery: Weightloss Through Surgery Is Riskier Than You Might Think
- Gym Clothes: Going To The Gym And Pumping Your Body With Heavy Weights Is Risky
- Tobacco Usage: Quitting And Reducing Your Tobacco Usage Helps Too