Losing weight can be a taxing journey physically, mentally, and emotionally. Hitting a plateau when everything seems to be getting better can feel like facing an insurmountable mountain. For many, this is the most frustrating and demotivating part of the process, and can often be a cause for some to quit – feeling like the effort that you invest in a process isn’t rewarded with the outcome you desire. The good news is that – the situation isn’t hopeless! If you’re looking for a solution beyond traditional weight loss methods, infrared sauna therapy presents a unique approach.
Infrared sauna therapy uses the power of deep, penetrating heat to stimulate a cascade of overall health benefits, one of which is reigniting your metabolism. Learn more about how this process can break your weight loss plateau with our team at Sun Stream AUS in this article.
Understanding Weight Loss Plateaus
A weight loss plateau occurs when your body adjusts to a reduced calorie intake or increased activity level, slowing down progress. This can happen for several reasons:
- Metabolic Adaptation: As you lose weight, your body requires fewer calories to maintain its new size. This adjustment means that your calorie deficit gets smaller which might not be able to sustain further weight loss.
- Decreased Muscle Mass: In many traditional ways to lose weight, there is also a loss of muscle alongside fat. Since muscle burns more calories than fat, reduced muscle mass can slow your metabolism, making it harder to continue losing weight.
- Hormonal Changes: Weight loss can impact hormones like leptin and ghrelin, which regulate hunger and satiety. These changes can lead to increased cravings or feelings of hunger, making it difficult to stick to a routine.
- Stress and Cortisol Levels: Emotional stress or overtraining can elevate cortisol which can interfere with your metabolism and energy levels.
How Infrared Saunas Support Weight Loss
Infrared sauna weight loss benefits can help you get through these weight loss plateaus in ways that won’t add further stress to your body and mind. Here’s how it works.
Boosting Calorie Burn Through Thermogenesis
When your body’s core temperature rises, it activates a process called thermogenesis. This is the same physiological response that occurs during moderate exercise, where your heart rate increases and your metabolism works more to cool your body down. This boost helps provide a small jumpstart to metabolisms affected by a weight loss plateau which also results in an increased calorie burn. According to a 2017 article, a 30 minute infrared sauna session can burn 400 – 600 calories.
Despite this, it’s important to remember this calorie burn only provides a minor contribution to the weight loss effect provided by infrared saunas. You still would need to accompany these sessions with other weight loss methods to fully maximise your boosted metabolism.
Enhanced Circulation and Muscle Recovery
Infrared heat dilates the blood vessels, improving blood flow and the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues. This process serves two important functions in your weight loss journey:
- Faster Recovery: Recovery is as important as a good workout for individuals incorporating exercise into their routines. Infrared saunas help accelerate this by reducing inflammation, easing muscle soreness, and repairing micro-tears in muscles caused by strenuous workouts. With a quicker recovery, you can do more effective workouts, which are essential for sustained calorie burn and muscle retention.
- Improved Fat Mobilisation: Improved circulation aids in the transportation of fatty acids to muscles, where they can be oxidised for energy. This ensures that fat stores are efficiently used during and after exercise, accelerating fat loss.
Stress Reduction and Hormonal Balance
Stress can be a significant barrier to weight loss, particularly due to its impact on cortisol levels. Elevated cortisol, often referred to as the ‘stress hormone,’ triggers fat storage, especially around the midsection, and can lead to sugar cravings and overeating.
Fortunately, infrared saunas have been proven effective in relaxing the body and mind, reducing cortisol levels. The heat from infrared saunas helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system or the rest and digest state of the body. It also promotes better sleep quality. Both of these processes together creates a hormonal environment where cortisol is low and is conducive to continued weight loss.
Lymphatic Drainage and Reduced Inflammation
Infrared sauna therapy stimulates lymphatic drainage, helping to clear waste products and reduce water retention that can make it seem your fat loss progress has stopped. Regular sessions also help fight any kind of inflammation in your body. These ensure your body operates at peak efficiency, allowing continued weight loss results.
Key Takeaway
Hitting a weight loss plateau can feel discouraging, but it doesn’t have to be the end of your journey. With innovative tools like infrared saunas, you can overcome this challenge and regain momentum in your weight loss journey.
Ready to experience the transformative power of infrared heat? Sun Stream Saunas is here to help. We offer premium-quality saunas designed to support your weight loss and wellness goals. Explore our range or contact us today for more questions or inquiries.