Cold Stomach = Burning Fat: Myth or Truth?

xnikkiheart

I heard that when you're working out (specifically running), if you're stomach's old to the touch, then you're burning fat. I've seen people on here say it, people on fitness blogs, and even a friend or two.
Granted, after I heard about it, I was at the gym and my stomach was cold too so there's obviously something about working out and cold stomachs. My problem is, if you're working out hard enough, the blood would be going to your arms, legs, lungs, etc and not be as focused in the core as it usually is, right? So from simple biology and anatomy logic, your core would be colder because there's less blood. I'm not completely sure this is true though.
I'm just wondering if anyone else has heard this and if there's any truth to it, or if it's just one of those old wives type workout tales.

cakeums

Well, I do know from taking cellular and organ physiology that when the ambient temperature drops below the thermoneutral zone (the range of temperatures at which an organism can function without changing its metabolic rate), metabolic rate increases. So you would be burning more calories if you are in cold weather - say, 30F - than you would in mild weather - 65F, for example. When you are exposed to colder temperatures, your body will let your extremities go cold long before it lets your core go cold, to preserve optimal function of your vital organs, so no, I do not think blood moves away from your core and into your extremities when you work out.

cakeums

And this is without the buffer of insulating layers, like hair, clothing, etc.

xnikkiheart

Maybe I worded that weird, but not that blood is necessarily moving away, I'm just confused because people are saying as you workout your stomach gets colder and that means you're burning fat (regardless of temperature). It just seems like a strange concept to me, maybe because I'm always burning up and sweating haha. I guess that makes sense if you're colder, you burn more calories (& maybe that's why my gym is always freezing).

Kymmu

So cakeums is that why taking cold showers is said to boost metabolism?
I live in a subtropical climate.

Lauren8239

My stomach gets cold too.........but I just figured I was whacko or something. :frown:

Silverkittycat

Wow. I've never heard this one.
I'll probably be feeling my belly when I workout now.

cakeums

So cakeums is that why taking cold showers is said to boost metabolism?
I live in a subtropical climate.

If it brings your ambient temperature out of the thermoneutral zone, then I would suppose so, especially since body heat is lost much more easily to water than to air. However, I would think you'd need to be in there for quite some time to really see any significant effect. Being in too hot an environment can also raise metabolic rate, but not nearly as significantly as in a colder environment.

kaylvan

I've experienced that too...even running in hotter temperatures, my stomach and sides still feel cold to the touch later in the workout. I've also heard that it's from burning fat but I don't know of any scientific evidence that supports the idea! Interesting topic.

ninerbuff

Myth. If it were true you could just sit at home and point a fan at your belly and lose weight.



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Loseweight1980

Sorry, guys, but whatever muscles are being used are the ones that will get the most blood flow. If you are running, the blood flow gets directed to you legs, and therefore not to your stomach area. Also, when you run, you kick in your fight or flight response, causing blood to slow down to your digestive tract, which also makes the abdominal area seem colder. (This is medically backed up)

hazleyes81

Myth. If it were true you could just sit at home and point a fan at your belly and lose weight.

I think the cold belly question is whether it is a sign, not a cause.

ChloeFrancom

This is true! When I do dance we know that we're burning fat when our stomachs are cold.. It dosen't matter what exersize you're doing it's always the stomach!

yellowstar247

Fat cells metabolize much slowe than other tissues, and thus release less heat. When you workout, your muscles produce considerably more heat as your metabolism spikes and everything but your fat heats up. Your fat does not becoeme cold, necessarily: it just feels cold compared to the rest of your body after exercising.

Contrarian

I have never heard of this.

bikinibeliever

I have no idea if this is true or not, but I have noticed when it is cold out and I walk (same distance and time) I burn more calories. I do not bundle up to walk so I feel cold to touch on most areas.

CarleyLovesPets

This also happens to me when I am on the elliptical and I have also heard that means you're burning fat.

etoiles_argentees

Mine is hot.... runs off to cry

Sarauk2sf

Mine never gets cold. I must not be burning fat.

nz_deevaa

I heard that when you're working out (specifically running), if you're stomach's old to the touch, then you're burning fat.

My stomach is OLD to the touch! I'm burning fat HUZZAH

Sarauk2sf

Sorry, guys, but whatever muscles are being used are the ones that will get the most blood flow. If you are running, the blood flow gets directed to you legs, and therefore not to your stomach area. Also, when you run, you kick in your fight or flight response, causing blood to slow down to your digestive tract, which also makes the abdominal area seem colder. (This is medically backed up)

Basically this.

Cranktastic

:huh:

lwagnitz

I've heard this is true as well...but on your whole body...and I've noticed it. After i get my heart rate really going I'll sweat and get really hot, and then I get this "clamy" feeling; sweaty, but cool to the touch. Mostly on my legs. Never really groped my belly when I was working out though ahha.

WestCoastPhoenix

This is pretty much nonsense, also, this thread is 8 months old. :drinker:

etoiles_argentees

This is pretty much nonsense, also, this thread is 8 months old. :drinker:

lolzzzzzz..Ken, come here..I'm going to rub your belly and make a wish.

arc918

This is pretty much nonsense, also, this thread is 8 months old. :drinker:

Now you tell me! I just went out and bought an ice pack to strap to my gut...

Sarauk2sf

This is pretty much nonsense, also, this thread is 8 months old. :drinker:

Oh bollox - I hate it when that happens.

Chief_Rocka

Worrying about how much fat you're burning while doing cardio is like worrying about how much muscle your building while lifting weights.

Cait_Sidhe

I don't recall my stomach ever feeling cold while working out. This must be why I'm not losing weight!

sokkache

Whenever I played sports like volleyball or did extremely intense workouts, my stomach would be very cold, like ice almost. I have no idea what it was and then someone told me that it means I was burning calories, I sure as hell was burning calories, but I don't know about fat.

TheRealParisLove

I've read that cold applied to areas where the body's brown fat is stored will increase metabolism, but that is on the neck, shoulders and chest. Not the stomach. There is some scientific evidence to support cold exposure and brown fat activation.

However, if you stomach feels cold to the touch (maybe the rest of your torso, too?) it is likely because you are sweating from exertion and as your sweat evaporates it cools the skin temperature. In that case, yes, you are burning calories!