How I lost Weight Using My Hot Tub

A hot tub can be one of the most enjoyable tools in your weight loss toolkit and one that creates lasting results! The best advice I have ever gotten about weight loss is, “never do anything to lose weight that you aren’t willing to do for the rest of your life.”

Keeping this sage advice in mind, I began to look over my daily habits and make small, SUSTAINABLE changes. I noticed that my biggest hurdle with food was over eating in the evening. By 4pm, the stress of the day depleted all self-control and THAT IS WHEN I OVEREAT. I finally found a solution that is simple and very easy to commit to for the long haul.

The changes I made were no sacrifices at all. I broke up my habitual ritual of snacking in front of the TV by immediately going out to the hot tub! My main goal with going in the hot tub every evening was to break up my habit of snacking. I immediately noticed that my appetite diminished when I soaked in the hot tub. Simple adjustments that I could stick to for life was my aim. I am happy to report that it not only worked for the food cravings by making the simple change of going in the hot tub every night, I no longer stress eat, suffer from insomnia, and my chronic back pain is gone.

HOW I LOST WEIGHT USING MY HOT TUB:

RELIEVES FOOD CRAVINGS – I was finally able to break the habit of snacking late at night by introducing a new and equally rewarding habit of nightly hot tubbing.

STOPS STRESS EATING – When you soak in hot water, your body’s muscles relax, your breathing slows, and you naturally decrease the amount of cortisol in your body. Cortisol is a hormone that your body releases when you are stressed. Cortisol is what triggers stress eating as a way to self soothe and cope with stress. Eating releases natural opioids in the brain that counteract the effects of Cortisol. Cortisol also reduces testosterone levels which can prevent the muscle building process as well as result in a longer healing process for muscle injuries, which can subsequently make it difficult and painful to exercise. Fun fact: high levels of cortisol increase the amount of body fat, particularly in the abdominal region, by triggering the body’s fat storage response.

IMPROVES SLEEP – We are back to that sneaky hormone that triggers over eating and food cravings, cortisol. Chronic insomnia elevates cortisol levels. Sleep deprivation also increases levels of ghrelin, the hormone that makes you feel hungry and decreases leptin levels. Leptin is a hormone that makes you feel satisfied after eating. I became significantly more relaxed when I started my now routine of soaking in the hot tub every night. The effect it had on my sleep has been profound. I go to sleep as soon as my head hits the pillow and I sleep the whole night through. I no longer have insomnia.

INCREASES METABOLISM – Soaking in a hot tub simulates exercise as your circulation increases and your metabolism speeds up from sitting in the hot water. Actual calories burned during a hot tub session is 3% more calories than sitting on your couch, but your body stays warm and the effects on the digestion and blood flow stay with you for hours after your time in the spa.

GOT RID OF MY BACK PAIN – So often my excuse for not going for a run or heading to the gym was due to my chronic stiff and sore back. For anyone like me who struggles to exercise due to chronic pain including arthritis, studies show that hot tubs effectively relieve discomfort while also improving range of motion. This relief can improve quality of life while making it easier to sleep, exercise, and stay active.

SORE MUSCLE RECOVERY TO GET BACK TO WORKING OUT – The hot tub improves circulation which aids recovery when working out. Hot water causes capillaries and blood vessels to dilate, which allows blood to flow more freely within the body. This increased blood flow to the sore muscles—and to your body as a whole—results in accelerated healing, because the body uses the circulatory system to transport vital healing resources to the sore muscles and remove lactic acid build up. It’s also a great reward to soak in the hot tub or swim spa after working out!