There have been a lot of news stories and headlines proclaiming the all-around benefits of hydrotherapy. Some of these stories include weight loss as one of the benefits of hydrotherapy regimens. The fact is, the amount of weight loss you experience will really depend on what you’re doing in the water. If your idea of hydrotherapy is sitting in a hot tub a few times a week, you’re unlikely to lose much weight. However, if you use your hot tub to help with an exercise program that increases your heart and breathing rates, you may have found a way to drop some weight. In this article we’ll go over some of the myths and facts associated with the question, “Can hydrotherapy help with weight loss?”
Burning Calories
To actually lose weight you’ll need to create a calorie deficit in your body. Basically, this means you’ll need to burn more calories than you take in. If you don’t plan on significantly altering your diet, you can still create the necessary calorie deficit by burning more energy. The fact is that sitting in a hot tub full of warm water will not burn that many more calories than sitting at your desk or on your couch. However, just the fact that you’re contemplating using a hot tub as a weight loss tool means that you’re in a mindset that’s ready for a change. And you can use this mindset to help you choose activities that burn more calories.
A Hot Tub Workout
There are many exercises that can be performed in a hot tub that will not only burn energy but lower the risk of injury due to repetitive impact. Water resistance allows you to expend more energy doing simple movements while water buoyancy reduces the effect of weight on your joints and bones. Simple exercises such as jogging in place, squats, knee lifts, and floating kicks will not only raise your heart and breathing rates they’ll also increase the number of calories you burn.
Stress Relief
It’s been found that stress can play a role in weight gain. Cortisol, the hormone produced during stressful periods, has been found to increase cravings for high fat and sodium foods, increase the amount of body fat deposited around the abdomen and prevent the growth of new muscle tissue. While relaxing in the hot tub may not directly cause you to lose weight, there is no doubt that it can relax you and reduce your stress levels. By reducing stress you’ll also lower your cortisol levels and the negative effects that they produce.
Sleep Aid
It’s also been found that getting a proper amount of sleep can play a role in the prevention of weight gain. Apparently, those who don’t get enough sleep are prone to consuming greater numbers of calories. Sleep disorders have also been found to increase hormone levels associated with hunger and reduce one’s metabolism. Spending time in your hot tub can be a healthier way of inducing sleep than using medications designed for that purpose. The body temperature increase from soaking in a hot tub followed by cooling off after emerging has been found to help people who suffer from insomnia and other sleeping disorders.
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