SWEAT is awesome!!!

It’s evidence that you are working HARD! I call it the proof in the pudding.

Yet, do keep in mind that everyone sweats in various degrees, depending on differing factors. So just because your treadmill buddy is drenched in sweat, doesn’t necessarily mean he is working harder than you. Just be sure that when you are working out, the amount you are sweating is “an increase” or “alot” for you.

But what IS sweat and why DO we sweat? Sweat is made up of mostly water but also has sodium and chloride in it.

Did you know that the average person has 2.6 million sweat glands in their body? Woah. Every part of your body is covered in sweat glands except for lips, nipples, and external genital areas.

There are two types of sweat glands:

1. Eccrine glands, which produce clear and watery fluid, are found all over your body. Even your feet and hands.

2. Apocrine glands, which produce more of a thick, odorless liquid, are found in your armpits and in some genital areas.

Sweating can be really annoying and embarrassing some times, especially here in Arizona where it gets so freaking hot. We have all pit- stained a favorite tee, melted off make up, or worse, left our seat a little damp… ewwwwwwwww.

But I want to give you a list of reasons why SWEATING ROCKS! And hopefully you will hate sweating a little less when you know how it benefits you!

1. Sweat is the bodies built in AC system. Without sweat, we would over-heat and even die. Sweat regulates your body’s temperature. In hot weather, our bodies sweat to cool us off.

2. Sweating is fabulous for opening up and unclogging your pores. It can clear out blackheads and acne with it’s purging qualities. BUT be sure to get a shower ASAP after sweating, because staying sweaty too long can actually create skin issues.

3. Sweating is your bodies way of making more room for new, fresh water to enter your body. Cells need water to survive, and sweating out old water, will allow space for new water to replenish your cells.

4. Sweat pushes out potential disease causing toxins from your body. And did you know that sweat can protect you from toxins and chemicals in the environment by diluting them when they come in contact with your skin? That is pretty impressive. And what’s MORE is that your sweat produces an antibiotic called Dermcidin, which can ward of E. Coli and Staphylococcus.

5. When you work out you get sweaty right?( at least you SHOULD be getting sweaty) Well when that sweat combines with exercised- induced hormones it creates a natural antidepressant.

With all this talk of sweat, I want to STRESS how important it is to stay hydrated. After you are sweaty mess from the gym, or sweaty from errands all day, be sure to rehyrdate. You lose so much water when you sweat. The more you sweat, the more you should drink water.

P.S.   Working out with trash bags on or tons of layers of clothing will NOT promote fat loss. All you are doing is simply losing buckets of water. Many times when you see people doing this in the gym they are probably trying to drop a few last minute water-weight- pounds to qualify for a weight division in their sport.

So to RECAP!!!!! Get a good sweat going on, shower, and drink plenty of water! Your body and skin will thank you!