To lose belly fat, many people attempt to use heat to burn off the calories. This can take several forms, including sitting in a sauna, wearing an abdominal belt or exercising in a plastic body suit. Although increasing the temperature can make you sweat more, it does not necessarily translate into a loss of belly fat. In addition, exercising or sitting in a heated environment for too long can cause dehydration, possibly leading to serious damage to your body.
Losing Fat
Losing fat requires following the basic rule that you need to expend more calories than you consume, and losing belly fat is no different. It requires an excess expenditure of 3,500 calories to burn 1 pound of fat. However, once you burn the excess calories, where the fat comes off depends primarily on genetics. For example, if you come from a family that tends to accumulate fat in the thighs and abdomen, you will most likely have a more difficult time losing belly fat than someone who comes from a family that tends to be tall and thin.
Heat
No matter how you increase the temperature around your belly, the effects are typically the same: You will sweat more, but it won't affect the number of calories you burn or how much fat abdominal fat you lose. You most will likely lose weight, but it will be in the form of water weight, which you will quickly gain back once you start eating and drinking again. This doesn't change, regardless if you are sitting in a sauna, applying a heat lamp to your belly or exercising heavily while wearing a plastic body suit.
Considerations
Excess belly fat can increase the risk of serious health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes, according to Dr. Michael Jensen of the Mayo Clinic. This applies to both men and women. The most effective way to get rid of belly fat is by following a sensible diet and exercising regularly. This allows for a slow, gradual loss of belly fat, which tends to last due to the formation of healthier habits.
Warnings
Although applying heat with a heat lamp or wearing a abdominal belt will most likely not cause any issues, sitting in a sauna for too long or exercising while wearing a plastic sauna suit can cause serious health problems, particularly if you are not hydrating properly. The rapid loss of bodily fluids through sweating can lead to lowered blood pressure, limited flow of oxygen to your organs and dehydration. If prolonged, excessive sweating can lead to weakness, dizziness, mental instability and possibly death.
References
- Columbia University Health Services: Working Out While Wrapped in Plastic — Good for Weight Loss?
- The Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide: Abdominal Fat and What to Do About It
- Harvard Health Publications: Sauna Health Benefits — Are Saunas Healthy or Harmful?
- Newsweek: Six Facts About Belly Fat
- Military.com: Weight Loss Myths
- MayoClinic.com: Belly Fat in Men — Why Weight Loss Matters
- MayoClinic.com: Belly Fat in Women
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