Rumors have been circulating for some time now about the health benefits of an active sex life. Weight loss is one of these alleged advantages. After looking into the subject, it would appear that there is actually a lot to support the idea, although sex alone is definitely not enough to lose weight.
Sex for Weight Loss
False Claims
Model and actress, Kerry McCloskey claimed that her 23 pound weight loss over a few months was due entirely to a period of super charged love making with her new fiancé after his proposal. She went on to write about her “sex diet”, claiming that 30 minutes of sex could burn a whopping 150-200 calories.
Unfortunately, this is simply not true. Most experts say that 30 minutes of moderate sex could burn around 80 calories, obviously depending on the weight of each individual. At this rate, it would take over 43 half hour sessions of sex to lose one pound. This could be achieved by having sex three or four times a week over a three month period.
How to Lose Weight
How to Lose Weight?
To lose weight, more calories must be burnt than consumed. The best way to do this is by cutting down on calorie intake per day with a diet or healthier food choices and increasing the amount of calories burnt. Experts recommend a steady weight loss of around one or two pounds per week to ensure the body does not go into starvation mode. This gradual method of weight loss is also easier to maintain. Those who lose a stone in three weeks will often gain the weight back again as soon as they resume eating of drinking the many things that they would have to cut out of their diets to lose such weight.
To lose weight in this way, it is recommended that people eat 250 calories less each day, and try to work out or be active in a way that burns 250 calories each day, that would be a 500 calorie deficit, meaning one whole pound over the course of a week.
How Sex Helps
Sex works for weight loss by accelerating the heart rate, getting the blood pumping, just like any other form of cardiovascular exercise. The amount of calories burnt in sex may not be significant enough on their own to reach that 250 mark, but it will certainly help. Getting hot and sweaty with a lover has a number of benefits in addition to the calories burnt.
- Endorphins are released, which funnily enough is what happens when we eat chocolate. With sex though, calories are being burnt, not consumed.
- Some studies have shown that having sex at least twice a week can help reduce the risk of serious heart attack in men by up to 50%.
- A good session between the sheets makes for…another good session between the sheets! Sex aids sleep, making a person more rested and better equipped to deal with life’s daily troubles.
So, “the sex diet” is probably not a feasible way to lose weight for those who have any other commitment at all than sex, such as work or social engagements. However, the many benefits gained from having regular sex can benefit the body in many ways which all help with weight loss, whether it is by providing a distraction from favorite fattening foods or helping to reach the magical number of calories burnt in a day.
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Anthony Carter writes articles on the subject of acne for Acne24, sharing his knowledge on his area of expertise; health care and dermatology. Anthony provide valuable information as to what causes the skin disease and how to find the best acne treatment.
