Be cool and lose weight

Do you spend the night sweating under the duvet, pushing the duvet off (or getting it stolen off you by your significant other) then pulling them back on, hanging one leg out of the side of the bed, putting your arms under then thrusting them out?

This is our body’s thermostat. It is very easy to overheat under the covers, especially men who produce more heat than women, not because they are full of hot air, but because of their higher levels of lean muscle tissue. 

When you wake up in the morning the first place you will scratch is the scalp. I know most of the women reading this will say that men scratch other regions first, but we won’t go there.  This is because a lot of heat is lost through the head (from sweating) during the night, particularly when the rest of the body is covered up with the blankets.

It takes more energy to warm the body than it does to cool it. This means that more energy is expended shivering than sweating. So at night you would be better of to try and remain a little cool – especially in summer. This will increase your metabolism while you are sleeping. However don’t freeze to death. Being overheated under the covers will only slow down your metabolism. 

Do you know that statistically, the fattest populations in Australia seem to be in the hottest cities like Darwin, Brisbane and on the Gold Coast (can’t you see them now strutting along the beach) Grrrr!

When exercising it would be beneficial not to rug up in your tracksuits, beanies and gloves. You would be better off under dressing, to make your body work harder to warm itself up and therefore burn off more energy. A lot of weight loss resorts are located in the hotter climates, where in fact they may be more effective in the colder or snowy areas. However this may not be as marketable.

 Sweating has been associated with fat loss. This is incorrect. You see all of those thermal wrap suits that people put on and are guaranteed to lose kilograms right away. Sweat only causes fluid loss, which urgently needs to be replaced. Saunas have also been used to lose weight, which again is a myth. Saunas cause you to lose fluid, dehydrate you and lower your metabolism. Sure you might come out weighing a little less but as soon as you have a drink of water the weight will come back on.  

Saunas are potentially dangerous for people with heart conditions as they place added stress on your cardiovascular system due to the reduction and thickening of your blood due to dehydration.

So story short... Be cool and lose weight. Shivering is great!!! 

 

 


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