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Does Sweating Help You Lose Weight?
May 9, 2023
-
By
Clara Jennings
Exercising is one of the best, if not the best way, to lose weight. Couple that with a healthy diet and you’ll be on your way to losing a few pounds.
But does sweating lead to weight loss? Does it contribute to a lower body mass? Keep reading for the answers.
Understanding Calories
Calories are the fuel for your body and will typically stay in your body as fat unless you use them up.
When it comes to your weight, it’s pretty much a balancing act; you’ll gain weight if you eat more calories than you burn and you’ll lose weight if you burn more through exercise.
So the question is – does sweating make you burn more calories?
Calories Burned While Sweating
Ever heard of hot yoga? Some sources claim that you can burn up to 1,000 calories an hour but unfortunately, that’s mostly false.
Studies have shown that it only burns 300-500 calories per 90 minutes, which is equivalent to a run around the neighborhood for the same period.
Not all calorie-burning exercises involve sweating either. For example, you’ll still burn calories if you’re swimming or running outside in cold weather.
In other words, there’s no magical number for how many calories you’ll burn while sweating. At the end of the day, all that matters is what you’re doing and how you’re doing it. Your current weight and fitness level also play a role in the matter.
Sweat can be used as a general marker of the intensity of your exercise. The more you’re sweating, the higher your calorie burn will be.
What Determines How Much You’ll Sweat?
Not everyone sweats the same amount. For example, one person might experience excessive sweating after a short run whereas another person might not sweat at all.
Several factors come into play, including genetics, fitness level, age, weight, and environmental factors.
Out of these, fitness level and weight will have the greatest influence on how much you’ll be sweating (i.e. your body will need to use more energy if you’re on the heavier side, which will result in more sweat).
Your fitness level is also important; the fitter you are, the quicker you’ll sweat. This is because your body will be more efficient at regulating body temperature compared to someone who doesn’t exercise often. This will allow your body to cool down faster, meaning you’ll be able to work out for longer.
Does Sweating Help You Burn Calories? – Common Myths About Sweating
If you Sweat, It Means Your Workout Is More Effective
This isn’t true. While sweating can give you an idea of how hard you’re working, it isn’t the best measure of workout effectiveness.
Remember, sweating is just your body’s cooling mechanism, and everyone’s body works a little differently.
People Who Sweat A Lot Are Out of Shape
This isn’t always true. While it is related to your fitness level, other factors as mentioned above, determine your sweat rate.
In other words, it’s not an accurate way to determine how in shape you are.
Here’s some trivia to put things into perspective – Alberto Salazar has the highest sweat rate reported in literature despite being an Olympic athlete.
Sweating and Water Weight
Sweat is 99 percent water. The remaining 1% consists of electrolytes, amino acids, bicarbonate, potassium, urea, and calcium.
This means when you’re sweating, your body is losing water. Given that, it’s not surprising to know that sweating can cause you to lose weight through water loss. Keep in mind, however, that it’s only temporary.
What Is Water Weight?
It refers to the amount of excess water stored in and around our cells. This makes sense when you think about it since the human body is made up of approximately 60% water. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to survive.
There are a few things that can alter this number – sweating being one of them.
Other causes include intake of salts and carbs, menstruation, pregnancy, stress hormones, and certain medications.
It’s important to remember, however, that it does fluctuate constantly during the day; that’s normal. As long as you eat a healthy diet, it will be where it needs to be so don’t be too alarmed if your weight is different in the afternoon.
How Much Water Weight Can We Lose From Sweating?
It depends on how much you sweat but the average person can lose up to 1 to 1.5 pounds of water per day from sweating.
This number would also be higher if you exercise more or live in a hotter climate as you would be losing more water through your skin.
Risks Associated With Sweating
Sweating allows your body to cool down. However, it does come with a few risks.
For example, it can lead to dehydration; this is especially true if you’re in an area with hot or humid weather. That’s why it’s so important to stay hydrated when you’re exercising.
As a general rule of thumb, you want to drink a pint of water for every pound of sweat you lose. Don’t forget the electrolytes as well.
Signs of Severe Dehydration:
- Extreme confusion or exhaustion
- Rapid or weak pulse
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Persistent dizziness that doesn’t go away
- Lack of urination
Seek medical attention right away if you experience any of the above symptoms.
Washing Sweaty Workout Clothes
You don’t want to wear sweaty clothes for long periods either as the sweat can easily irritate your skin.
That’s why it’s so important to change out of dirty clothes as soon as possible after working out. You don’t want your skin to be in contact with the sweaty fabric for longer than it has to.
For the best results, wash your workout clothes with ACTIVE Detergent. It’s made specifically for tech fabrics such as those used in athletic wear.
Machine Washing With ACTIVE Detergent
ACTIVE Detergent features a concentrated enzyme blend and will dive deep into the fibers to physically remove sweat and other residues.
It comes with its own scoop and is easy to use when you’re machine washing your workout clothes.
Step 1: Load Your Laundry
Turn the garments inside out to expose the sweaty layer and place them in the washing machine. We also recommend using a laundry bag; it’ll prevent your clothes from wearing out prematurely.
Step 2: Add ACTIVE Detergent
Add one scoop of ACTIVE Laundry Detergent directly to the drum. Do not add the powder to the detergent tray.
Step 3: Run the Washer
Run a gentle wash cycle with cold or warm water. ACTIVE Detergent is designed to work with all water temperatures.
Supply:
- ACTIVE Detergent
- Laundry bags (optional)
For large loads, consider using two scoops of detergent for the best results.
Hand Washing With ACTIVE Detergent
You can also use ACTIVE Detergent to hand wash your clothes.
Supplies:
- ACTIVE Detergent
- Water
Step 1:
Fill a sink or tub with cool or warm water and add some ACTIVE Detergent to create a bath.
Step 2:
Place your workout clothes in the soapy solution once the detergent is dissolved.
Make sure the fabric is completely saturated and let it soak for up to 20 minutes.
Step 3:
Gently rub the fabric between your fingers to remove any remaining sweat and oils then rinse the item thoroughly with water.
If you don’t have time to wash it right away, hang it on something so that it can air out. The goal is to get rid of as much sweat/moisture as possible so that it won’t attract contaminants.
ACTIVE Laundry Detergent
Working up a sweat in the gym? Our enzymatic laundry detergent is here to help!
Pre-treating Sweat Stains With ACTIVE Detergent
You can also pre-treat stains with ACTIVE Detergent; it will make them easier to remove when you’re washing them later.
Supplies:
- ACTIVE Detergent
- Water
- Soft bristle brush
Step 1:
Combine some ACTIVE Detergent with warm water in a small bowl to create a spot cleaning solution.
Step 2:
Apply the detergent mixture onto the stain using a soft bristle brush.
Step 3:
Let the detergent solution sit on the fabric for 15-20 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with water.
The Bottom Line
Sweating burns calories but the amount you sweat doesn’t dictate how much fat you’ll be burning.
Many factors determine your sweat rate, including your fitness level and genetics. At the end of the day, you can use it as a rough guideline of how hard you’re working but that’s about it.
Having said that, sweating can cause you to drop a few pounds of water weight. However, the changes aren’t significant and it’s only temporary; it’ll come back eventually as you consume more water.
Does Sweating Burn Calories – FAQs
Does sweating burn fat?
Sweating does not burn fat itself. However, it can be used as a rough guideline of how hard you’re exercising, which can put you at a healthy weight.
Will I sweat less if I lost weight?
The amount of sweat produced by your sweat glands depends on several factors including your fitness level, weight, and genetics. You will not necessarily sweat less if you have less or more body mass.
Do people sweat more if they do more intensive workouts?
Yes, the intensity of the exercise is one of the factors that determine how much an individual will be sweating.
What does it mean if I’m suddenly sweating excessively?
Certain triggers can cause your body to produce more sweat. For example, it can happen if you’re feeling stressed, nervous, scared, or anxious. Humidity or warm temperatures can also cause an increase in sweat production.
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Clara Jennings
Clara Jennings is a retired Pilates instructor with a profound understanding of health and fitness. She channels her extensive experience into writing instructional guides, offering readers valuable insights into maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Clara’s comprehensive approach combines fitness wisdom with practical advice, empowering individuals to achieve their wellness goals through informed, balanced practices.
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