Sex – nature’s superior weight loss aid

You’ve tried everything under the sun to lose weight - cutting calories, increasing exercise, low-carb diet, high-protein diet, weight loss shakes, weight loss supplements, fasting – yet you still have those last few stubborn pounds that won’t budge.  Have you ever considered sex as a supplemental weight loss method?  Let’s think about this – sex gets our heart pounding working up a sweat, increases metabolic rate, stretches and strengthens muscles plus gets us into compromising positions we normally don’t do.  And can you really think of a more fun way to burn calories? 

And don’t forget, sex also has been shown to boost the immune system and provide stress relief, just like a good cardio workout.

Yet, to be perfectly clear, no one is saying that simply having sex magically results in loss of excess pounds.  A healthy diet and adequate exercise are still the main tools of reaching a healthy body weight. But, let’s take a look at how sex just might be the ultimate weight loss tool booster to eliminate those last few pounds you’ve been trying to get rid of for a long time:

·Calorie blaster

Instead of lying in bed watching Netflix, turn off the TV and turn on each other.  In just a half hour of sex you will burn approximately 100-150 calories.  Not bad for a calorie burn that’s equivalent to climbing stairs for 15 minutes and one that is much more fun.  If you have an orgasm, you’ll up the calorie ante. 

Plus, all that smooching, snuggling and getting into various positions can keep the body toned and muscles taunt. You can even manage giving (and receiving) a massage that ramps up the heart rate kicking up the calorie burn. 

·Controls cortisol

You know how they say sex is good for relieving stress?  Well, it’s true and what a more pleasurable way to do so.  Whenever we are under high-anxiety or stressed-out, our body activates the adrenal glands to release a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol increases your appetite and just for the foods you don’t need – foods high in fat and sugar.  If you do succumb to devouring that jelly doughnut you’re craving, your body will store those extra calories as fat around your midsection. 

That’s where a frolic under the covers can help.  Sex reduces the body’s “fight or flight” response to stress as intercourse lowers blood pressure, putting you into a more relaxed state of mind.  Afterwards, you feel more serene and peaceful and less likely to reach for junk food.

·You’ll sleep like a baby

Lack of sleep is a known factor to blocking fat and weight loss.  When we have a lovemaking session right before falling asleep, our body releases the hormone oxytocin also known as the “cuddle hormone.”  During intimacy, our skin-to-skin contact causes oxytocin levels to rise.  This triggers the release of endorphins and testosterone which cascade into arousal.  Further touching releases even more oxytocin which is responsible for achieving explosive orgasms.  So how does this help with sleep and weight loss?  Oxytocin regulates sleep patterns and calms you leading to a feeling of well-being lulling you into dreamland.  The better you sleep at night, the more rested you feel the next day giving you the energy to do a workout or cook a healthy meal at home instead of picking up fast food at a drive-thru window. 

·You’re more likely to stick to a healthy eating and exercise plan

Frequent sex not only makes you feel loved but gives you that required self-esteem boost to keep up the good work of taking care of yourself.  Knowing that your spouse finds you attractive wanting to engage in expressing their passion for you, keeps you motivated to looking your best. 

You don’t need to be a “10” to have a good body image, just the self-motivation and determination to become your best you. Besides, all that healthy eating and working out pays off not only in reducing risk of disease but in better enjoyment of sex.