Sauna and water weight
MrsSgtBerger
Posts: 46 Member
I understand that saunas are good for the excess water weight but do you burn calories when you're in there? I generally sit in one with my sweat suit on for 20-30 minutes before or after my workout just to start a good sweat or keep one going but I wanted to know if there were any other benefits besides shedding that water weight. TIA!
0
Replies
-
If you're just sitting, not so much. If you're doing cardio in there, then yeah.0
-
Well, you always burn calories sitting. So yes you burn calories when sitting in a sauna. I'm not too sure it's more calories than if you just sat someplace else though.
Also I'm not convinced a sauna helps "shed water weight." You might get dehydrated, but I don't know that you're losing what many of us here would refer to as "water weight", which is the water bound to glucose molecules in your muscles.0 -
Sweating to done to cool the body. Sweating more just releases more water. Your body will restore water lost in cells when you re-hydrate. DON'T ever think of not re-hydrating...............that can cause some serious health issues.
My opinion, ditch the the sweat suit. It's not a good idea in a sauna.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
0 -
Well, you always burn calories sitting. So yes you burn calories when sitting in a sauna. I'm not too sure it's more calories than if you just sat someplace else though.
Also I'm not convinced a sauna helps "shed water weight." You might get dehydrated, but I don't know that you're losing what many of us here would refer to as "water weight", which is the water bound to glucose molecules in your muscles.
If sweating releases the water through your pores then what would you consider that? Just sweat? No water weight lost?
0 -
Sauna is for enjoyment no? Doing cardio in a sauna? Sacrilege! Having beer in a sauna, much better!0
-
I don't know the science of it, but I would toss the sweat suit. (I do know that whatever you lose comes back when you re-hydrate) I've heard quite a few stories of people ending up in a bit of trouble because of them.0
-
DeguelloTex wrote: »If you're just sitting, not so much. If you're doing cardio in there, then yeah.
What kind of cardio? SNORT!0 -
Fighters at my gym use the sauna to cut water weight before weigh ins, thats about it.0
-
It's water that needs to be replenished, so, no, you aren't really losing it.MrsSgtBerger wrote: »Well, you always burn calories sitting. So yes you burn calories when sitting in a sauna. I'm not too sure it's more calories than if you just sat someplace else though.
Also I'm not convinced a sauna helps "shed water weight." You might get dehydrated, but I don't know that you're losing what many of us here would refer to as "water weight", which is the water bound to glucose molecules in your muscles.
If sweating releases the water through your pores then what would you consider that? Just sweat? No water weight lost?
0 -
Sweating to done to cool the body. Sweating more just releases more water. Your body will restore water lost in cells when you re-hydrate. DON'T ever think of not re-hydrating...............that can cause some serious health issues.
My opinion, ditch the the sweat suit. It's not a good idea in a sauna.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
Any suggestions as to how I can shed excess weight without a sauna or a sweatsuit in there. Like, extra water weight. I'm not looking for any kind of quick fix here after losing 170lbs I know there is no such thing. Just trying to understand the concept of holding onto water weight and how I can help rid my body of it.
I generally always try and bring my water bottle with me in there (when I don't bring it, it's because I've forgotten it at home which I can't say is rare...I'm forgetful) and I will try to drink the entire thing the 20-30 min I'm in there. So approx 23 oz's. Is this just adding to the excess water weight I already have stored?0 -
-
DeguelloTex wrote: »
It's water that needs to be replenished, so, no, you aren't really losing it.MrsSgtBerger wrote: »Well, you always burn calories sitting. So yes you burn calories when sitting in a sauna. I'm not too sure it's more calories than if you just sat someplace else though.
Also I'm not convinced a sauna helps "shed water weight." You might get dehydrated, but I don't know that you're losing what many of us here would refer to as "water weight", which is the water bound to glucose molecules in your muscles.
If sweating releases the water through your pores then what would you consider that? Just sweat? No water weight lost?
Definitely makes sense. Thanks for the response. If it's not beneficial I need to stop wasting my time in there!!0 -
It's not water weight. Your cells and bloodstream are losing interstitial and cellular water to keep your body at 98.6 degrees. You will regain that water within moments after you drink something. It's just dehydration. People that use a sauna to sweat off a couple pounds of water to make weigh in before an event are simply dehydrating themselves. They could achieve the same thing by not drinking anything for 24 hours.MrsSgtBerger wrote: »Well, you always burn calories sitting. So yes you burn calories when sitting in a sauna. I'm not too sure it's more calories than if you just sat someplace else though.
Also I'm not convinced a sauna helps "shed water weight." You might get dehydrated, but I don't know that you're losing what many of us here would refer to as "water weight", which is the water bound to glucose molecules in your muscles.
If sweating releases the water through your pores then what would you consider that? Just sweat? No water weight lost?
Edit to add: Dehydration can cause terrible electrolyte issues -- a side effect of which can be things like vomiting, diarrhea, kidney problems, heart palpitations, seizures. Don't know about you, but I like my heart, brain and kidneys.
0 -
Liftng4Lis wrote: »DeguelloTex wrote: »If you're just sitting, not so much. If you're doing cardio in there, then yeah.
What kind of cardio? SNORT!
The fun kind of cardio is what I assume they were getting at, lol. I don't know that I could actually work out in there! I mean I could "work out". What do the kids call it nowadays? Bow chicka wow wow...god I'm getting old.
0 -
MrsSgtBerger wrote: »
Any suggestions as to how I can shed excess weight without a sauna or a sweatsuit in there. Like, extra water weight. I'm not looking for any kind of quick fix here after losing 170lbs I know there is no such thing. Just trying to understand the concept of holding onto water weight and how I can help rid my body of it.
I generally always try and bring my water bottle with me in there (when I don't bring it, it's because I've forgotten it at home which I can't say is rare...I'm forgetful) and I will try to drink the entire thing the 20-30 min I'm in there. So approx 23 oz's. Is this just adding to the excess water weight I already have stored?
Stay away from high-sodium foods and drink plenty of water. That will help you lose water weight.
If you're retaining a lot of water, it will take about a week to shed it.
I'm not so certain why you're so hung up on water weight though, unless you have a special event or some sort of weigh-in you're trying to get down for. Your body will process water through eventually. It's not actually fat.0 -
And drinking nothing would just be bad for my body, obviously. Or at least I would assume. See where my assumptions have gotten me?! Nowhere.
It's not water weight. Your cells and bloodstream are losing interstitial and cellular water to keep your body at 98.6 degrees. You will regain that water within moments after you drink something. It's just dehydration. People that use a sauna to sweat off a couple pounds of water to make weigh in before an event are simply dehydrating themselves. They could achieve the same thing by not drinking anything for 24 hours.MrsSgtBerger wrote: »Well, you always burn calories sitting. So yes you burn calories when sitting in a sauna. I'm not too sure it's more calories than if you just sat someplace else though.
Also I'm not convinced a sauna helps "shed water weight." You might get dehydrated, but I don't know that you're losing what many of us here would refer to as "water weight", which is the water bound to glucose molecules in your muscles.
If sweating releases the water through your pores then what would you consider that? Just sweat? No water weight lost?
thanks for the advice. I think sauna is a big waste of time and am going to spend those extra minutes still burning!!
0 -
ManiacalLaugh wrote: »MrsSgtBerger wrote: »
Any suggestions as to how I can shed excess weight without a sauna or a sweatsuit in there. Like, extra water weight. I'm not looking for any kind of quick fix here after losing 170lbs I know there is no such thing. Just trying to understand the concept of holding onto water weight and how I can help rid my body of it.
I generally always try and bring my water bottle with me in there (when I don't bring it, it's because I've forgotten it at home which I can't say is rare...I'm forgetful) and I will try to drink the entire thing the 20-30 min I'm in there. So approx 23 oz's. Is this just adding to the excess water weight I already have stored?
Stay away from high-sodium foods and drink plenty of water. That will help you lose water weight.
If you're retaining a lot of water, it will take about a week to shed it.
I'm not so certain why you're so hung up on water weight though, unless you have a special event or some sort of weigh-in you're trying to get down for. Your body will process water through eventually. It's not actually fat.
I'm not hung up on it, it was just a general question.
0 -
MrsSgtBerger wrote: »Any suggestions as to how I can shed excess weight without a sauna or a sweatsuit in there. Like, extra water weight.
Did a medical professional tell you you have "extra" water weight? Do you have swelling in your feet or other signs of edema? If no to both of these, then you probably don't have "extra" water weight.
Eating low sodium, and moderating your carb intake will decrease the amount of water weight you carry. But again, if you don't have edema, kidney issues, aren't prepping for a competition's weigh in, or a Maxim photo shoot, there's no real reason to care.
0 -
MrsSgtBerger wrote: »Any suggestions as to how I can shed excess weight without a sauna or a sweatsuit in there. Like, extra water weight.
Did a medical professional tell you you have "extra" water weight? Do you have swelling in your feet or other signs of edema? If no to both of these, then you probably don't have "extra" water weight.
Eating low sodium, and moderating your carb intake will decrease the amount of water weight you carry. But again, if you don't have edema, kidney issues, aren't prepping for a competition's weigh in, or a Maxim photo shoot, there's no real reason to care.
Nope, I'm just overweight and assumed that I did.
Mama always said assuming makes an *kitten* out of you, so don't make an *kitten* out of me.
Obviously something that I shouldn't be worried about. Generally I just wanted to know if there were any benefits of sweating it off in the Sauna. Obviously not. I appreciate the advice
0 -
MrsSgtBerger wrote: »
Yes!0 -
If you regularly weigh yourself when you're losing weight, some mornings after a night of eating salty deep-fried yummies, you may gain 4-5 lbs on the scale that morning from water retention to process all that salt. That does happen. Once you're at that point in your weight loss, you might find monitoring your sodium intake helpful to prevent that occasional bloating. Or you could just accept that high salt meals might register as a temporary blip on the scale.MrsSgtBerger wrote: »MrsSgtBerger wrote: »Any suggestions as to how I can shed excess weight without a sauna or a sweatsuit in there. Like, extra water weight.
Did a medical professional tell you you have "extra" water weight? Do you have swelling in your feet or other signs of edema? If no to both of these, then you probably don't have "extra" water weight.
Eating low sodium, and moderating your carb intake will decrease the amount of water weight you carry. But again, if you don't have edema, kidney issues, aren't prepping for a competition's weigh in, or a Maxim photo shoot, there's no real reason to care.
Nope, I'm just overweight and assumed that I did.
Mama always said assuming makes an *kitten* out of you, so don't make an *kitten* out of me.
Obviously something that I shouldn't be worried about. Generally I just wanted to know if there were any benefits of sweating it off in the Sauna. Obviously not. I appreciate the advice
If you're in a calorie deficit, you'll lose weight with or without worrying about this kind of thing.0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.4K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 427 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions