Sweat suits, saunas and even garbage bags that make you sweat a lot are often used to promote fast weight loss. Military.com's Stew Smith, a former Navy SEAL and fitness specialist certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, says that the relationship between sweating and weight loss is only temporary -- at best.
About Sweat
The purpose of sweat is to cool your body, keep your skin moist and keep your body fluids and electrolytes in balance. Sweat, or perspiration, is made up largely of salt and water, as well as trace amounts of electrolytes and urea. It's natural to sweat more whenever you feel anxious or nervous, are exposed to a hot environment, such as a sauna, and when you exercise or exert yourself.
Sweat and Weight Loss
According to Smith, if you sweat profusely, you will lose weight -- water weight, that is. But as soon as you drink fluids or have a meal, the pounds show up on the scale again. Smith notes that this weight loss myth is common in certain sports, such as boxing and wrestling, and at times when professional athletes need to lose a small amount of weight to make a certain weight class. But sweating off weight using gimmicks, such as sweat suits and saunas, isn't a major factor in permanent weight loss. Sweating to lose a few quick pounds comes with risks to your health, such as heatstroke, rapid loss of electrolytes and health complications that can affect your heart.
Sweat During Exercise
You need to consume enough fluids each day to replace the water your body loses through basic functions, such as sweating, urination and bowel movements. However, your need to hydrate increases when you're physically active to prevent dehydration. Drink plain water if you exercise less than 45 to 60 minutes; consider reaching for a sports drink if the duration of your physical activity is longer. Drink between 17 to 30 oz. two to three hours before exercising and another 8 oz. 20 to 30 minutes before you get active. For every 10 to 20 minutes you're active, drink 7 to 10 oz. water or another beverage. After you complete your exercise program, drink 16 to 24 oz. of liquids to make up for what you've sweated out.
Losing Weight
There is one way sweating is linked to loss of body fat -- the perspiration that pops out on your brow during aerobic exercise can be proof positive that you're burning excess calories. The secret to permanent and successful weight loss is two-fold: You must consume fewer calories and get regular exercise. Harvard Medical School looked at 5,000 people who signed up with the National Weight Control Registry. The average individual who lost 30 lbs. and kept it off for at least one year burned 400 calories a day through exercise. According to Harvard, this equates to 60 to 75 minutes off energetic walking or 35 to 40 minutes of jogging. The average registrant also consumed far fewer calories than most Americans -- around 1,400 a day.
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