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Infrared saunas involve the use of light as a form of heat therapy, which to the surprise of some, can help you achieve your weight loss goals. You don’t necessarily need to spend hours working out or counting your macros - although, keeping track of how much you eat in general is always helpful! Try implementing the use of an infrared sauna as a weight loss tool. Here’s how it works.
How an Infrared Sauna Helps You Lose Weight
While you’re enjoying your infrared sauna, research has proven you can passively lose weight. In fact, some infrared sessions may help you burn up to 600 calories in one go. However, as aforementioned, your eating habits and other lifestyle behaviors also come into play. You won’t lose weight if you’re overeating or consistently eating unhealthy foods. You’ll also want to incorporate some type of physical exercise into your daily routine. After all, the body wasn’t made to sit all day at a desk. It was made to move.
Essentially, the infrared sauna weight loss method helps you shed pounds by heating the body from the inside out. This increases your heart rate and because of its lower temperatures (when compared to traditional saunas), allows you to stay in the sauna longer than other traditional sauna varieties. It also produces a healthy sweat, increases your cardiac output, and increases your metabolic rate. This means you burn more calories, which can lead to weight loss.
It’s also worth considering incorporating some movements while in the sauna. For instance, you can try to perform gentle hot yoga techniques. Research shows that yoga alone helps promote and encourage weight loss [1]. When combined with infrared sauna therapy, this may have positive effects on your metabolism and calorie-burn as it improves the function of your cardiovascular system. Not only that, but yoga improves blood flow, flexibility and mobility, as well as promotes relaxation.
Interestingly, research has indicated thermal therapy as a viable method to improve chronic pain [2]. How is this possible? It’s theorized that an increased body temperature increases blood flow to the joints and muscles, providing them the nutrients and blood cells they need. If you’re hindered by chronic pains, you’re taking the benefits of an infrared sauna with you to the gym. Because a lot of individuals experience a loss of muscle and joint pain after an infrared session, you’ll be able to perform better and go farther than you ever thought possible while exercising. Consistently working out while implementing an infrared sauna into your exercise routine can increase your muscle mass and decrease your body fat percentage. This leads to improved body composition, weight loss, and makes it overall easier to maintain a healthy weight.
The Benefits of Losing Weight
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In certain parts of the world, obesity has reached epidemic proportions. Obesity is further associated with an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, cancer, cardiovascular disease and more [3]. But losing weight can decrease these risks, as well as enhance your overall quality of life and happiness. By losing weight through the use of an infrared sauna, you’ll reap many benefits, including:
- Decreased blood pressure
- Decreased risk of heart disease, diabetes, or stroke
- Improved cholesterol levels
- Improved blood sugar levels
- Increased energy
- Better mobility and function
- Increased mood and self-confidence
- And improved life longevity
Try Implementing an Infrared Sauna in Your Weight Loss Journey Today!
A 2002 study predicted that adverse health effects associated with obesity could potentially surpass those associated with smoking [4]. With obesity being proclaimed an epidemic, this has likely already happened. Thus, weight loss is sought out for not only aesthetic reasons, but often, for health and life reasons. Every day, doctors recommend to individuals that losing weight would be for their benefit, especially if they want to lead a healthy and long life.
Infrared saunas can become a significant part of your weight loss journey. Combined with a healthy, balanced diet and physical activity, infrared saunas can pave the way toward a better life.
Resources:
[1] Madanmohan, Mahadevan S.K., Balakrishnan S., Gopalakrishnan M., Prakash E.S. (2008). “Effect Of Six Weeks Yoga Training On Weight Loss Following Step Test, Respiratory Pressures, Handgrip Strength And Handgrip Endurance In Young Healthy Subjects. Indian Journal Of Physiology And Pharmacology.” Ncibi.nlm.nih.gov, National Center for Biotechnology Information, April 2008, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19130860.
[2] Masuda A, Koga Y, Hattanmaru M, Minagoe S, Tei C. (2005). “The Effects Of Repeated Thermal Therapy For Patients With Chronic Pain.” Karger.com, S. Karger AG, Basel, August 2005, https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/86319.
[3] Lavie C, Milani R, Ventura H. (2008). “Obesity And Cardiovascular Disease.” onlinejacc.org, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, May 2009, http://www.onlinejacc.org/content/53/21/1925.abstract.
[4] Dixon J, O’Brien P. (2002). “The Extent Of The Problem Of Obesity.” Sciencedirect.com, Elsevier B.V., December 2002, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002961002011728.
