Does steam bath/ hot sauna help in reducing fat??

queenliz99 wrote: »

minniesb69 wrote: »

I will repeat, its not a miracle fat loss machine...its basic science. SCIENCE...the heart pumps the blood to transport the oxygen. They are part of the same cycle. You are saying the same thing. This article explains how the increased heart rate helps oxygen flow which in turn burns calories. http://healthyliving.azcentral.com/burn-calories-heart-beats-faster-8069.html My statement is correct, increased heart rate increases calorie burn. Simple science

Maybe you'll believe an anti-sauna article. This states that saunas are merely for relaxation and not much benefit besides that...yet it likens the increased heart rate from the sauna to "a slow jog" and makes the connection between heart rate and calories. Basically they are saying sauna isnt going to have the same affect and working out but it does something no matter how miniscule. It also says sauna's send oxygen to the skin. Which brings me to my next point... http://woman.thenest.com/difference-heart-rate-between-running-sauna-19051.html

Your statement, your words.

Yes. What in this post am I straying from? What are you trying to point out? Lol. Im saying the same thing. Saunas burn calories and detoxify the skin.

minniesb69 wrote: »

queenliz99 wrote: »

minniesb69 wrote: »

I will repeat, its not a miracle fat loss machine...its basic science. SCIENCE...the heart pumps the blood to transport the oxygen. They are part of the same cycle. You are saying the same thing. This article explains how the increased heart rate helps oxygen flow which in turn burns calories. http://healthyliving.azcentral.com/burn-calories-heart-beats-faster-8069.html My statement is correct, increased heart rate increases calorie burn. Simple science

Maybe you'll believe an anti-sauna article. This states that saunas are merely for relaxation and not much benefit besides that...yet it likens the increased heart rate from the sauna to "a slow jog" and makes the connection between heart rate and calories. Basically they are saying sauna isnt going to have the same affect and working out but it does something no matter how miniscule. It also says sauna's send oxygen to the skin. Which brings me to my next point... http://woman.thenest.com/difference-heart-rate-between-running-sauna-19051.html

Your statement, your words.

Yes. What in this post am I straying from? What are you trying to point out? Lol. Im saying the same thing. Saunas burn calories and detoxify the skin.

Wow, did you see the bolded words in your statement?

increased heart rate increases calorie burn

Alatariel75 wrote: »

minniesb69 wrote: »

queenliz99 wrote: »

minniesb69 wrote: »

I will repeat, its not a miracle fat loss machine...its basic science. SCIENCE...the heart pumps the blood to transport the oxygen. They are part of the same cycle. You are saying the same thing. This article explains how the increased heart rate helps oxygen flow which in turn burns calories. http://healthyliving.azcentral.com/burn-calories-heart-beats-faster-8069.html My statement is correct, increased heart rate increases calorie burn. Simple science

Maybe you'll believe an anti-sauna article. This states that saunas are merely for relaxation and not much benefit besides that...yet it likens the increased heart rate from the sauna to "a slow jog" and makes the connection between heart rate and calories. Basically they are saying sauna isnt going to have the same affect and working out but it does something no matter how miniscule. It also says sauna's send oxygen to the skin. Which brings me to my next point... http://woman.thenest.com/difference-heart-rate-between-running-sauna-19051.html

Your statement, your words.

Yes. What in this post am I straying from? What are you trying to point out? Lol. Im saying the same thing. Saunas burn calories and detoxify the skin.

What toxins?

Check the links

minniesb69 wrote: »

queenliz99 wrote: »

minniesb69 wrote: »

queenliz99 wrote: »

minniesb69 wrote: »

I will repeat, its not a miracle fat loss machine...its basic science. SCIENCE...the heart pumps the blood to transport the oxygen. They are part of the same cycle. You are saying the same thing. This article explains how the increased heart rate helps oxygen flow which in turn burns calories. http://healthyliving.azcentral.com/burn-calories-heart-beats-faster-8069.html My statement is correct, increased heart rate increases calorie burn. Simple science

Maybe you'll believe an anti-sauna article. This states that saunas are merely for relaxation and not much benefit besides that...yet it likens the increased heart rate from the sauna to "a slow jog" and makes the connection between heart rate and calories. Basically they are saying sauna isnt going to have the same affect and working out but it does something no matter how miniscule. It also says sauna's send oxygen to the skin. Which brings me to my next point... http://woman.thenest.com/difference-heart-rate-between-running-sauna-19051.html

Your statement, your words.

Yes. What in this post am I straying from? What are you trying to point out? Lol. Im saying the same thing. Saunas burn calories and detoxify the skin.

Wow, did you see the bolded words in your statement?

increased heart rate increases calorie burn

I AM STILL SAYING THIS EXACT SAME THING. Geeze.
Saunas increase the heart rate which increases oxygen which burns calories. I have explained how my word choice of "increased calorie burn" could have been misinterpreted. Doesnt change my point. You've shown me one instance where I used this poor word choice. Every place else I said it burns calories and it does.

We were just correcting your misinformation.

Wow. With the vitriol in some of these posts I feel like I'm at a Donald Trump rally. I have an idea. Rather than give people a hard time because you don't like their sources, how about a little common sense, your own research, and some respect?

"The appeal of saunas in general is that they cause reactions, such as vigorous sweating and increased heart rate, similar to those elicited by moderate exercise." (http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/infrared-sauna/faq-20057954)

"Metabolism is the process by which your body converts what you eat and drink into energy. During this complex biochemical process, calories in food and beverages are combined with oxygen to release the energy your body needs to function... In addition to your basal metabolic rate, two other factors determine how many calories your body burns each day: Food processing (thermogenesis), Physical activity.... While it is true that some people seem to be able to lose weight more quickly and more easily than others, everyone will lose weight when they burn up more calories than they eat. Therefore, to lose weight, you need to create an energy deficit by eating fewer calories or increasing the number of calories you burn through physical activity or both." (http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/metabolism/art-20046508).

I'm a medical professional. After my years of professional training, while I don't know everything, there are some things I do know, and one of them is that in increased temperatures, your heart rate often increases to try to cool your body down. Yes, you do sweat more (and lose water weight), but your body is also burning more calories. As the Mayo Clinic pointed out, "Even when you're at rest, your body needs energy for all its "hidden" functions, such as breathing, circulating blood, adjusting hormone levels, and growing and repairing cells. The number of calories your body uses to carry out these basic functions is known as your basal metabolic rate — what you might call metabolism". If you are burning calories even at rest, then surely you are burning more when your energy needs are increased (ie, increased heart rate, etc,).

NOW BEFORE ALL THE QUICK TO JUDGE START BASHING - Do not misunderstand what anybody is saying. Yes, just living burns calories, but if you intake more calories than you consume, you aren't going to lose weight. While the sauna may help burn a FEW calories, if you are looking for more beneficial and substantial weight loss, then increase your physical exercise and decrease your calories.

But to answer your original question, yes, the sauna does help burn calories, which will help burn fat.

But if you want to want to argue for the sake of argueing, then have fun at the Trump rally.

JoshuaRamsay wrote: »

Wow. With the vitriol in some of these posts I feel like I'm at a Donald Trump rally. I have an idea. Rather than give people a hard time because you don't like their sources, how about a little common sense, your own research, and some respect?

"The appeal of saunas in general is that they cause reactions, such as vigorous sweating and increased heart rate, similar to those elicited by moderate exercise." (http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/infrared-sauna/faq-20057954)

"Metabolism is the process by which your body converts what you eat and drink into energy. During this complex biochemical process, calories in food and beverages are combined with oxygen to release the energy your body needs to function... In addition to your basal metabolic rate, two other factors determine how many calories your body burns each day: Food processing (thermogenesis), Physical activity.... While it is true that some people seem to be able to lose weight more quickly and more easily than others, everyone will lose weight when they burn up more calories than they eat. Therefore, to lose weight, you need to create an energy deficit by eating fewer calories or increasing the number of calories you burn through physical activity or both." (http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/metabolism/art-20046508).

I'm a medical professional. After my years of professional training, while I don't know everything, there are some things I do know, and one of them is that in increased temperatures, your heart rate often increases to try to cool your body down. Yes, you do sweat more (and lose water weight), but your body is also burning more calories. As the Mayo Clinic pointed out, "Even when you're at rest, your body needs energy for all its "hidden" functions, such as breathing, circulating blood, adjusting hormone levels, and growing and repairing cells. The number of calories your body uses to carry out these basic functions is known as your basal metabolic rate — what you might call metabolism". If you are burning calories even at rest, then surely you are burning more when your energy needs are increased (ie, increased heart rate, etc,).

NOW BEFORE ALL THE QUICK TO JUDGE START BASHING - Do not misunderstand what anybody is saying. Yes, just living burns calories, but if you intake more calories than you consume, you aren't going to lose weight. While the sauna may help burn a FEW calories, if you are looking for more beneficial and substantial weight loss, then increase your physical exercise and decrease your calories.

But to answer your original question, yes, the sauna does help burn calories, which will help burn fat.

But if you want to want to argue for the sake of argueing, then have fun at the Trump rally.

You are a breath of fresh air...
They are going to get you about that "burn fat" comment tho. Lol

minniesb69 wrote: »

ninerbuff wrote: »

minniesb69 wrote: »

Why are people so up in arms about this?! lol

Because the OP asked. Passing on misinformation to people who read it should be addressed.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Op asked about saunas burning fat...i said nothing about saunas burning fat. Im asking why are ppl up in arms about the points I made.

I speaking of other info (toxins, calories sigficantly burned, etc.)

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

JoshuaRamsay wrote: »

Wow. With the vitriol in some of these posts I feel like I'm at a Donald Trump rally. I have an idea. Rather than give people a hard time because you don't like their sources, how about a little common sense, your own research, and some respect?

"The appeal of saunas in general is that they cause reactions, such as vigorous sweating and increased heart rate, similar to those elicited by moderate exercise." (http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/infrared-sauna/faq-20057954)

"Metabolism is the process by which your body converts what you eat and drink into energy. During this complex biochemical process, calories in food and beverages are combined with oxygen to release the energy your body needs to function... In addition to your basal metabolic rate, two other factors determine how many calories your body burns each day: Food processing (thermogenesis), Physical activity.... While it is true that some people seem to be able to lose weight more quickly and more easily than others, everyone will lose weight when they burn up more calories than they eat. Therefore, to lose weight, you need to create an energy deficit by eating fewer calories or increasing the number of calories you burn through physical activity or both." (http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/metabolism/art-20046508).

I'm a medical professional. After my years of professional training, while I don't know everything, there are some things I do know, and one of them is that in increased temperatures, your heart rate often increases to try to cool your body down. Yes, you do sweat more (and lose water weight), but your body is also burning more calories. As the Mayo Clinic pointed out, "Even when you're at rest, your body needs energy for all its "hidden" functions, such as breathing, circulating blood, adjusting hormone levels, and growing and repairing cells. The number of calories your body uses to carry out these basic functions is known as your basal metabolic rate — what you might call metabolism". If you are burning calories even at rest, then surely you are burning more when your energy needs are increased (ie, increased heart rate, etc,).

NOW BEFORE ALL THE QUICK TO JUDGE START BASHING - Do not misunderstand what anybody is saying. Yes, just living burns calories, but if you intake more calories than you consume, you aren't going to lose weight. While the sauna may help burn a FEW calories, if you are looking for more beneficial and substantial weight loss, then increase your physical exercise and decrease your calories.

But to answer your original question, yes, the sauna does help burn calories, which will help burn fat.

But if you want to want to argue for the sake of argueing, then have fun at the Trump rally.

No vitriol, just pointing out loads of misinformation and now we your loads misinformation which is full of malarky.

minniesb69 wrote: »

ninerbuff wrote: »

minniesb69 wrote: »

Whaaa? Lol. Come on. This is very basic stuff. It's not the sauna itself its the act of sweating, open pores get cleared out whenever u sweat. Thats detoxing.

No it's not. You won't find any toxins in sweat because the body doesn't produce it nor stores it.

My skin has a healthy glow after each sauna session.

Anecdotes aren't evidence.

Body temp increase means heart rate increases...increased heart rate is increased calorie burn. It's not like im saying its a miracle worker...just the opposite, its basic biology. You wont lose more weight but there are proven benefits. I can provide credible sources if needed but I've seen no credible source disprove what I learned in middle school.

The increase in heart rate doesn't mean calorie burn is significant. Heart rate increases during a scary movie. Are there any proven benefits to letting get your heart rate up to watch them?

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

1. Toxins are in the body. You need to read up.

No they aren't. A toxin is a poison "produced" by an organism (like snake venom). Something can become "toxic" if dosage is high enough. So drinking too much water in a short period of time can be toxic to the body. Waste products ridded by the body aren't "toxins". Take a physiology/biology college course and you'll find out.

2. What you call ancedotes are my personal facts and they are legit.

That's kinda like saying "I saw Bigfoot" in my personal experience, so it's gotta be legit.

3. You are saying the same thing i am about calories burned in the sauna. Why is it so hard for ppl to understand that I'm NOT saying its a weight loss tool or an efficient way to burn calories?

Please stop. I'm typing and breathing. I'm burning calories. Just saying it "burns calories" is disingenuous. Living and doing ANYTHING we do burns calories. Your main intent was to try to convince that saunas burn more calories then say, playing the piano. Guess what? Not.

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

ninerbuff wrote: »

minniesb69 wrote: »

ninerbuff wrote: »

minniesb69 wrote: »

Whaaa? Lol. Come on. This is very basic stuff. It's not the sauna itself its the act of sweating, open pores get cleared out whenever u sweat. Thats detoxing.

No it's not. You won't find any toxins in sweat because the body doesn't produce it nor stores it.

My skin has a healthy glow after each sauna session.

Anecdotes aren't evidence.

Body temp increase means heart rate increases...increased heart rate is increased calorie burn. It's not like im saying its a miracle worker...just the opposite, its basic biology. You wont lose more weight but there are proven benefits. I can provide credible sources if needed but I've seen no credible source disprove what I learned in middle school.

The increase in heart rate doesn't mean calorie burn is significant. Heart rate increases during a scary movie. Are there any proven benefits to letting get your heart rate up to watch them?

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

1. Toxins are in the body. You need to read up.

No they aren't. A toxin is a poison "produced" by an organism (like snake venom). Something can become "toxic" if dosage is high enough. So drinking too much water in a short period of time can be toxic to the body. Waste products ridded by the body aren't "toxins". Take a physiology/biology college course and you'll find out.

2. What you call ancedotes are my personal facts and they are legit.

That's kinda like saying "I saw Bigfoot" in my personal experience, so it's gotta be legit.

3. You are saying the same thing i am about calories burned in the sauna. Why is it so hard for ppl to understand that I'm NOT saying its a weight loss tool or an efficient way to burn calories?

Please stop. I'm typing and breathing. I'm burning calories. Just saying it "burns calories" is disingenuous. Living and doing ANYTHING we do burns calories. Your main intent was to try to convince that saunas burn more calories then say, playing the piano. Guess what? Not.

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

No where in my post have I been disingenuous. I stated what I meant and I've stuck with it throughout. I even said calories are burned by living JUST LIKE YOU JUST SAID but ppl chose to pick over my words. You are doing the same thing, picking over my words, it matters not that you are saying the same thing I am.

Re: everything else...just ugh.

JoshuaRamsay wrote: »

Wow. With the vitriol in some of these posts I feel like I'm at a Donald Trump rally. I have an idea. Rather than give people a hard time because you don't like their sources, how about a little common sense, your own research, and some respect?

"The appeal of saunas in general is that they cause reactions, such as vigorous sweating and increased heart rate, similar to those elicited by moderate exercise." (http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/infrared-sauna/faq-20057954)

"Metabolism is the process by which your body converts what you eat and drink into energy. During this complex biochemical process, calories in food and beverages are combined with oxygen to release the energy your body needs to function... In addition to your basal metabolic rate, two other factors determine how many calories your body burns each day: Food processing (thermogenesis), Physical activity.... While it is true that some people seem to be able to lose weight more quickly and more easily than others, everyone will lose weight when they burn up more calories than they eat. Therefore, to lose weight, you need to create an energy deficit by eating fewer calories or increasing the number of calories you burn through physical activity or both." (http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/metabolism/art-20046508).

I'm a medical professional. After my years of professional training, while I don't know everything, there are some things I do know, and one of them is that in increased temperatures, your heart rate often increases to try to cool your body down. Yes, you do sweat more (and lose water weight), but your body is also burning more calories. As the Mayo Clinic pointed out, "Even when you're at rest, your body needs energy for all its "hidden" functions, such as breathing, circulating blood, adjusting hormone levels, and growing and repairing cells. The number of calories your body uses to carry out these basic functions is known as your basal metabolic rate — what you might call metabolism". If you are burning calories even at rest, then surely you are burning more when your energy needs are increased (ie, increased heart rate, etc,).

NOW BEFORE ALL THE QUICK TO JUDGE START BASHING - Do not misunderstand what anybody is saying. Yes, just living burns calories, but if you intake more calories than you consume, you aren't going to lose weight. While the sauna may help burn a FEW calories, if you are looking for more beneficial and substantial weight loss, then increase your physical exercise and decrease your calories.

But to answer your original question, yes, the sauna does help burn calories, which will help burn fat.

But if you want to want to argue for the sake of argueing, then have fun at the Trump rally.

Cleaning the bathroom burns calories. Should this be mentioned as a form of calorie burning? Because it DOES burn calories. Especially after the shower was just running so the steam in there will even increase it more.

We're not dumb. We know you'll always burn calories, even in a sauna. By why re enforce that it's something that could be construed as "significant"?

Part of the reason people don't understand how weight loss works and all the misinformation on it, is because of bad information being passed on. What's great about this site is that it gets challenged and debated especially if incorrect. And if something is being claimed, it's the burden of the stater to provide a legitimate source for evidence. That's how debate works.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Starting last November at my doc's orders I was doing some pretty heavy physio therapy for a lower back issue (two discs were compressing) in a health centre called Mondorf in Luxembourg. At Mondorf they also have several thermal baths and 10 or so sauna cabins (at every temperature imaginable), they even have a hammam.

Twice a week I would go and do 75 minutes of physio/strength training and then soak in the thermal bath for 45 minutes at least.

I am pretty sure the fat loss I experienced over this 12 week period was due to the MFP calorie counting and the strength training but, man or man, that sauna helped me so much! It was like bath therapy!!

I even dropped a bathing suit size in those 12 weeks. So, I love saunas an I still go now - but only twice a month.
Do it it you can!

FamedSuperPanda wrote: »

Yes it can aid in weight loss as part of a stress reduction strategy. Steam baths along with some deep breathing can be relaxing and a great stress reducer.

Stress causes excess levels of the hormone cortisol which when chronically elevated has been associated with weight gain. Cortisol is also the hormone associated with moving fat to your belly. There are many studies on it but here is one for example. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18198314

Meditation is one of many ways to reduce your cortisol balance so go for it and use this time to reset and refresh! Here is an example of one study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1801007

Hope this helps!

Cortisol is also released during exercise, but not correlated with adding belly fat. And sorry, but I saw no "cortisol is also the hormone associated with moving fat to your belly" in the ncbi study. Please highlight it.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

FamedSuperPanda wrote: »

ninerbuff wrote: »

FamedSuperPanda wrote: »

Yes it can aid in weight loss as part of a stress reduction strategy. Steam baths along with some deep breathing can be relaxing and a great stress reducer.

Stress causes excess levels of the hormone cortisol which when chronically elevated has been associated with weight gain. Cortisol is also the hormone associated with moving fat to your belly. There are many studies on it but here is one for example. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18198314

Meditation is one of many ways to reduce your cortisol balance so go for it and use this time to reset and refresh! Here is an example of one study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1801007

Hope this helps!

Cortisol is also released during exercise, but not correlated with adding belly fat. And sorry, but I saw no "cortisol is also the hormone associated with moving fat to your belly" in the ncbi study. Please highlight it.

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

Sure, there are many studies that correlate cortisol, stress, and abdominal fat. Here's one example: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/11/001120072314.htm
And yes, cortisol can spike during workouts so all the more reason to relax afterwards!

Yes. But since the abdominal area is one of the premier areas of fat storage for both males and females, this correlation isn't that legit. We all know that CALORIE SURPLUS is the main factor for fat gain and not necessarily cortisol. Or else there would only be flat stomached yoga attendees.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

minniesb69 wrote: »

Alatariel75 wrote: »

minniesb69 wrote: »

singingflutelady wrote: »

minniesb69 wrote: »

Again, Im not saying a person can go from fat to flat using a sauna. That is ridiculous. I'm saying sauna's detoxify the skin & increases the heart rate which burns calories.

You said increased heart rate=higher calorie burn

Did I ever say "higher calorie burn"? If I did I can see how that was misinterpreted. If I stated this it means overall. As in, in addition to what you already burned. I didnt mean it as saunas burn alot of calories. I've stated several times that it doesnt.

So really, your initial post which said "it detoxifies skin and burns calories" should have had one of those little * next to it, with a disclaimer that said [*extra calories burns are minimal and will not contribute to fat loss]?

See your initial post, given that it is in response to someone asking if a sauna will reduce fat, can only really be interpreted as you saying yes it would, because it burns 'extra' calories.

But I didnt say it reduces fat...I said it detoxifies skin and burns calories. It can only be interpreted as exactly what I said...it detoxifies and burns calories. Thats is what I'm still saying. I even said it doesnt work for weightloss. I said time and time again that its minimal. I still dont get why ppl got all riled up. Maybe people shouldnt assume.

If you think depositing salts and urea on your skin "detoxifies" it, I suggest try peeing on yourself instead (Essentially what sweat is, sweat just has a lower urea concentration).