Break A Sweat

Sweating is the body’s way of cooling down and regulating body temperature. It’s a naturally healthy way to purge toxins and increase your metabolism. But "binge sweating" - sweating solely for the purposes of losing weight - is not good for the body. Never heard that term, you say? You may be guilty of it without even knowing it.

People have thought that losing water weight through sweat is losing weight. It’s not. Whatever you expel, you’ll put back in your system. If this weren't the case, you would become dehydrated and ill. In the 1970s, people would dress up in aluminum suits to sweat. In the 80's, it was trash bags and a steady diet of Skittles. People still use steams rooms to get the sweat beads going. But it simply does not work. However, that doesn’t mean sweating doesn’t help you lose weight. It does. It’s just that it more has to do with the activities that lead you to sweat – and in turn, lose weight.

Sweat is a combination of minerals, urea, lactic acid, ammonia, sugar and mostly water. So when you sweat, you need to drink water again to bring your body back to a balanced state. As a result, losing water weight is meaningless.

Aside from burning calories and ridding your body of toxins, there are plenty of other good side effects from sweating. Your heart works better, you breathe faster, your circulation moves better, your immune system is stronger, and your skin pores open up and make way for smoother, clearer skin.

One thing to keep in mind is that everyone sweats differently. For some, it takes an entire C25 class to work up a sweat. For others, the walk to class already makes them sweat. Whatever it is, it’s their body’s way of keeping everything in check. So sweat it out – it’s a good thing. Just remember it’s up to you to replenish what your body needs!