Listen to Episode 1 of the Diabetic Toolbox Podcast
Today on my walk, I saw not one but four people walking and sweating in their plastic workout gear. In all honesty, I have never been a fan of the plastic workout suit; not only are they uncomfortable, but I find their claims of helping us to lose weight and keep it off untrue. “Unlike regular sweatsuits made from breathable fabric that wicks moisture away from the body, plastic sweat suits aim to increase sweating efforts to enhance workout results.” Wearing one of these suits may work if you are trying to “make weight” for a bodybuilding competition or wrestling match. But, it has no lasting benefits for those of us trying to lose fat, successfully manage chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes or heart disease and improve our overall health.
The water weight loss that you lose while wearing the suit will only be regained once you hydrate. The only real way to lose weight is to consistently burn more calories than you consume. Besides being uncomfortable, these suits can pose three significant health risks.
- Overheating: when you wear a plastic workout or sauna suit, it prevents the sweat in your body from evaporating. This can make it difficult for your body to cool itself, which could lead to overheating and heatstroke.
- Heart risks: “According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular risk increases when the relative humidity rises above 70%, and the humidity in those suits hovers around 100%.” This could be especially dangerous if you have concerns about your heart health.
- Dehydration: The increase in fluids that you lose will cause you to become dehydrated, this could affect your blood volume, and you may be unable to supply your heart or brain with satisfactory amounts of oxygen which could cause a stroke or heart attack.
I know that living with a chronic illness or the threat of one can cause us to take drastic measures to get healthy. But the safest and most effective way to lose weight is to eat a healthy diet, get regular exercise and sleep, and stay hydrated. These are tools you can add to your lifestyle without worrying about any unhealthy or dangerous side effects.
With Peace and Love,
Renee
Hi guys, my name is Renee. Thank you so much for checking out today’s blog post. I am a Certified Diabetes Lifestyle Coach. I lost 43 pounds and reversed my prediabetes and prehypertension by finding a workout I loved and eating the foods that made me happy. I would love for you to experience this same kind of joy. I am on a mission to reduce the number of amputations and the number of folks who die each year due to complications of Type 2 Diabetes.
Join me on October 4th at 2 pm for the Don’t Let Diabetes Win! 7 Ways To Manage Your Blood Sugar and Save Your Toes Workshop You will learn how to manage blood sugar, increase immunity, improve your mood, and lower inflammation. Live Q&A, prizes, and information you can use immediately to improve your health.
The Diabetic Toolbox 