While we're loving the fact that England has finally decided to join in on this Summer thing that the rest of Europe does so well. However, we're all a little dehydrated, sleepy and struggling to say no to an ice cold glass of wine every evening. During the hotter weather, a common question we get asked is 'can the heat affect weight loss?', so we're here to give you a little help.
Will I Lose More Weight In the Heat?
While we'd love to tell you that the more the sun shines, the more pounds you'll drop...we sadly can't. Many people believe that in the heat, because you sweat more, you lose more weight. Unfortunately, anything you do lose from sweating is water weight, not fat, and therefore the scales might budge slightly but it's not a permanent result. Some studies even show that because your body has to work harder in the winter to stay warm, it burns more calories (suddenly we're all hating on Summer, right?!).
Why The Heat Might Help You Lose Weight
We don't know about you, but when we think of winter we think of cosying up indoors with a home-cooked meal. In the summer months, people tend to spend more time outdoors and are therefore usually much more active. This can contribute to weight loss and can help people burn extra calories while the weather is nicer. In addition, those hearty stews, Sunday dinners and weekend takeaways are usually far less appealing when it's 27 degrees outside!
So while there's no evidence that the heat will make you lose weight, the odds are in your favour if you stay active outdoors and enjoy fresh salads and healthy, light meals along the way.
If you are looking for healthy recipe inspo this Summer, take a look at our guide to healthy recipes to help keep you on track.
Exante's Guide to Healthy Recipes
Our goal for 2018 is to provide you with a comprehensive guide to healthy recipes to make losing weight as simple and easy for you as possible.
Why Do I Struggle To Lose Weight In The Heat?
Many people blame the heat for not being able to shift those extra pounds they are wanting to lose. However, it is usually water retention that means the scales aren't showing results. An increase in temperatures usually results in people becoming quite dehydrated due to not drinking enough water. The amount of water you drink should increase as the temperature does, otherwise, bloating and dehydration will set in, making it difficult to reach your weight loss goals.
If you struggle to drink enough water, exante water enhancers are a delicoius and guilt-free way to encourage you to sip on more of it! Choose from cranberry, lemon and lime and orange and pineapple flavours.
So, How Does The Heat Affect Weight Loss?
In short, the heat neither hinders or helps your weight loss. Summer can be the worst season for water retention due to the lack of water people drink, which in turns leads to dehydration, bloating and a weight loss plateau. However, it can be a time when you are more active, likely to get outside and exercise and can mean you see a greater loss.
How Can I Support My Weight Loss Goals During Summer?
- Drink 1-2 litres more water than usual.
- Move more - use the weather as an excuse to get out and burn calories.
- Don't spend excessive amounts of time in the sun. This can make you very drowsy and less likely to want to exercise. However, a little vitamin D boasts many health benefits.
Still not sure how much is too much? Read more on water for weight loss and find out just how much water you should be drinking.
