Today we’re turning our focus to fitness and wellness… one of the most popular topics around here in the last year. I love that y’all are on-board with this conversation, and always appreciate your feedback and tips!
We’ve talked about having your ‘WHY,’ and how it’s so important to maintaining an active lifestyle. For me, my ‘WHY’ started as a way to keep my weight in check, but as working out became a part of my regular routine, my ‘WHY’ shifted to more of an overall good health, both physically and mentally.
Working out is how I clear my head and quiet the running inner-dialogue that can derail my day. It’s how I process heavy things and make big decisions. I found that some of my best clarity comes in the middle of a good sweat session!
So it’s no surprise that there are actually several proven benefits to moving your body to the point of sweating!
High Neck Sports Bra | Leggings | Jacket | Water Bottle | Headband
High Neck Sports Bra | Leggings | Jacket | Water Bottle | Headband
High Neck Sports Bra | Leggings | Headband
8 Surprising Health Benefits of Sweating
1. Boosts Endorphins //
Exercising increases the level of ‘feel good’ endorphin hormones that boost your mood and overall outlook. And even better, group workouts are proven to increase endorphin levels even more, and cause less pain for those who work out together, rather that train alone. So a good sweaty workout can actually help put a smile on your face and make you feel better!
2. Detoxifies the Body //
One of the most efficient ways to detox your body, outside of nutrition, is to sweat! Sweating can flush the body of toxic substances like alcohol, cholesterol, salt, and other heavy metals that can wreak havoc on our health. Flushing the toxins promotes relaxation, improves focus, and strengthens blood flow to the brain, all of which have benefits for Alzheimer’s prevention, too!
3. Clears Skin //
Your pores open up when you sweat and that releases the buildup inside them… leading to clearer, brighter skin! Think of it as a natural pore cleanse! And sweating from your scalp helps unclog hair follicles, promoting new hair growth.
4. Prevents Colds //
Sweating helps prevent colds and other infections because it contains an antimicrobial peptide called dermcidin, that helps fight infections and germs. Researchers believe these natural substances are more effective in the long-term than traditional antibiotics because germs are not capable of quickly developing resistance to them. And some studies show that sweating can cut our chances of getting the flu by one-third!
5. Lowers Kidney Stone Risk //
Research shows that regular exercisers and dedicated water drinkers flush their system more efficiently and help to control the onset of kidney stones. Sweating during exercise causes the body to demand more hydration which in turn keeps the kidneys flushed.
6. Natural Pain Reliever //
Those exercise endorphins not only stimulate your brain’s mood enhancers, they are also natural pain relievers. So an exercise session can actually help relieve aches and pains! As the body becomes accustomed to this relief and your overall fitness improves, you may find yourself reaching less for the ibuprofen and more for your sneakers.
7. Protects Your Heart //
Sweating increases circulation and strengthens the cardiovascular system. It also boosts the blood flow to your muscles, helping recovery time from illness, injury, and muscle strain.
8. Weight Loss //
Yes, you may lose water weight during a sweat session, that will inevitably come right back, but because your body is working so hard to cool you down, you’re also using energy and burning calories, which contributes to more permanent weight loss.
High Neck Sports Bra | Leggings | Headband
But while sweating is good for our health, it’s not always cute or comfortable. Fortunately, lululemon developed Everlux, the fastest-drying fabric with sweat in mind! It’s highly breathable, sweat-wicking, and supportive. And it feels cool and sleek on the inside, and soft on the outside while drying ultra-fast to help you feel your best in the sweatiest of workouts.
Both the Invigorate and Wonder Train leggings come with this advanced Everlux technology, so you can choose the fit and style that suits you best. My favorites are the Wonder Train, for their high-rise and smooth, seamless finish. They come in a range of lengths, too, from 6-inch shorts to 25-inch leggings. I always prefer a cropped length, and the 21-inch is perfect for me.
The Invigorate have more compression, and a side pocket perfect for your phone, so a good option for outdoor running.
Fit Tip: I’m wearing size 6 bra and size 2 leggings.
High Neck Sports Bra | Leggings | Headband
Sugarplum Fitness Tip: Aggressive cardio isn’t the only way to get your sweat going. Try increasing the weight and slow your pace in the weight room (or at home!). Your muscles will become more taxed, triggering your heart rate!
High Neck Sports Bra | Leggings | Headband
High Neck Sports Bra | Leggings | Headband | Water Bottle
I like the longer length of this sports bra, especially paired with the high-rise of the leggings. And this jacket is just as stylish as it is functional, and perfect for throwing on after a workout.
The headband is great for keeping my hair off my face, but runs a little big if you have a smaller head.
Fit Tip: I’m wearing a size 6 bra and size 2 jacket.
High Neck Sports Bra | Leggings | Jacket | Headband
Their Stay Hot Keep Cold bottle is perfect for the gym and fits most cup-holders, but it’s also become my go-to for travel. The narrow, streamlined shape fits easily in bags, and the screw-on cap doesn’t leak.
High Neck Sports Bra | Leggings | Jacket | Water Bottle | Headband
High Neck Sports Bra | Leggings | Jacket | Water Bottle | Headband
Hopefully knowing the benefits inspires us to get out there and break a sweat! I find that I actually crave a really hard, sweaty workout now! Do you try to work up a sweat on a regular basis? Are you inspired to start? What’s your favorite way to break a sweat? Find all our fitness and wellness posts, like Q&A Intermittent Fasting, how I stayed motivated, and my basic fitness and diet HERE.
*Photos by the darling and talented Audrie Dollins. This post is created in collaboration with lululemon and ShopStyle, but all product selections, styling, and awkward posing with weights are my own. Thank you for supporting Hi Sugarplum sponsors.*
Such a great post Cassie! You know I love to get my sweat on! I’ve been working out right after I drop the kids at school and still workout at home too. Feels so good to get it done first thing in the morning!
We always learn something from your fitness posts!
What I love best about working out is doing it outdoors when I can. Switching my routine up and rewarding myself w/a month of workouts in the pool. And the best fun, joking around w/the guys in the weight room. Some of us have pet names now, ha,ha.
Oh, and feeling like a million bucks/on top of the world when I leave the health club.
YES! That feeling AFTER a workout…nothing like it!!
I’m about to head out to a sweat session. I work for the Canadian Defence as a civilian and most of my colleagues are military so physical training is kind of important for their careers. We have 2 gyms in my building which is free to use for everyone (military or civilian). And every week we have what is called “unit PT” (physical training for the unit to partake in as a team). So I’ve been doing that lately and I’ve discovered that group training is very positive for me as I’m very lazy……..but my sense of competition is stronger than my laziness and I tend to work out harder in a group 😉
Haha…I totally get that!! If I don’t have a group setting or an instructor, I’ll give up after 10 minutes!!
I would sure like to find some leggings, shorts and shirts in plus sizes. I take dance classes as a way of exercising and having fun and it can be very difficult to find much in my size. I might wear a tank but I also want a shirt over it. Shorts are a must for me once the temps get warmer!
I absolutely LOVE LuLuLemon and all their gear! I have run 2 marathons in their athletic wear and it’s truly the best. I love to get outside (even during the cold Maine winters!) for long runs. It’s so refreshing and the post workout endorphins are real!
Look at you go, TWO marathons! So glad to hear you love your lululemon for running! xo, Cassie
Great information Cassie! I remember the first time I realized my menstrual cramps subsided during a workout walking session…It was glorious!!!
It’s crazy what you can find out once you start thinking about your body!! xo, Cassie