With summer in full effect, losing weight is definitely on the top of everyone’s to-do lists. For most people, it always seems to be those last few pounds we just can’t shed off. We all know that diet and exercise are the fundamental keys to losing weight and staying healthy but, did you know that an infrared sauna can help shed those extra pounds? Here are some basic sauna weight loss tips to help you get your summer body in shape.

Saunas = Sweat!

A sauna is designed to make you sweat by heating your body in a safe and controlled manner. Pro athletes and fitness professionals use saunas to quickly lose a few pounds by sweating out water weight. An example is professional boxers or wrestlers who must weigh in at a specific weight on a certain date. They often use saunas to sweat out excess fluids to hit that perfect weight goal. While many of them do rebound and rehydrate their way back up to a slightly higher weight, there’s no denying that saunas promote weight loss.  Also, a typical sauna increases circulation and makes you sweat more often. This energizes your metabolism to burn more calories throughout the day. The trick is to combine regular sauna use with a healthy diet, plenty of exercise, and appropriate levels of hydration.

Infrared saunas, in addition to the water weight loss, help raise your core body temperature, lower cortisol level and slightly increase your HGH.  All of these contribute to real and long term weight loss.

Shed Pounds with a Sauna

To ensure the ideal level of detoxification, sweat production, and weight loss, you’ll want to use your sauna 4-7 times per week. Most individuals who are new to sauna use may find this excessive. If you fall into this category, start by using a sauna twice per week. Gradually increase your sauna use until you can tolerate a daily 30-40 minute session.  Make sure that you drink water before and after each session so you stay comfortable and hydrated at all times.

Aside from regular sauna use, make sure to also have a comprehensive fitness plan that incorporates diet, exercise, and hydration. Work with your fitness and/or healthcare professional to create a plan that includes these elements as well as your sauna use. Most fitness professionals will suggest that you use the sauna soon after working out. This allows the warm air of the sauna to loosen muscles, relieve aches and pains, and generally shorten the overall recovery time between workouts.

General Sauna Weight Loss Tips

First off, and hopefully we’ve made this quite evident already, you must combine dedicated sauna time with a healthy diet and plenty of exercise to lose weight. But the sauna time will certainly help, and if you’re not familiar with the benefits of a top-quality sauna, you’ll be amazed at how good you feel once you commit to the process.

Keep these tips in mind when trying to losing weight with a sauna:
• Watch your diet. Try to limit your intake of artificial ingredients, caffeine, alcohol and processed food items. This will help trigger even greater weight loss and overall health benefits.
• Always drink more water than usual when using a sauna. You’ll sweat during your sauna session, so it’s important to stay hydrated throughout the day (especially before and after you use a sauna).
• Make it a social exercise. By inviting others into your sauna routine, you’ll make the entire process much more enjoyable. Plus, you’ll have a sense of motivation to continue the routine even if you’re feeling lazy or uninspired.
• Use your sauna after working out to relax your mind and body. Exercise tends to drive the release of endorphins, which trigger happy feelings in the body and perk up the system. A sauna can also lift the spirits, but it does so in a more subdued way than vigorous exercise.

Other Benefits of a Sauna besides Weight Loss

• Detoxification
Saunas do a good job of detoxifying the body by flushing out harmful elements through sweat and your other elimination systems but, the best results are usually seen with infrared saunas. The reason is simple – IR saunas promote a deeper sweat and users often don’t need as much time in the sauna as normal models. Sweating is a natural way to detoxify the body and promote a balanced system.
• Relaxation
There are few things as effective as a sauna when it comes to relaxing the body and spirit. Saunas promote better circulation that stimulates the muscles and joints. This stimulation generally means faster recovery times and less joint aches and pains for those committed to their exercise routines.

• Healthier Skin
The intense yet controlled heat from the sauna stimulates circulation. This helps improve skin tone and flush out toxins that can make us look prematurely old. Sauna treatments also boost collagen production to promote a more even skin tone among frequent users.
• Fewer Colds
Infrared saunas, in particular, have claimed to increase white blood cell counts. This can help minimize the effects and duration of the common cold and flu. Infrared Saunas also raise your core body temperature creating an artificial fever that will help ward off colds and flu.
If you’re looking for a relaxing way to encourage the loss of those last few pounds this summer, consider including a sauna into your weekly diet and exercise routine. With regular sauna use – and these sauna weight loss tips – you’ll feel confident and healthy in no time at all!