Weight Gain

Hi Becca

I have some questions I have to ask you. Don’t lose hope just yet. I feel your disappointment and want to explore the details of what’s going on. I have a full day (and weekend) so I will only ask you firstly this:

Can you please give me information about the studio you go to, in terms of how big the room is, what conditions, how many people in the room, how hot does it feel like it’s getting, do you know the actual temperature that the room is heated to, how easy or difficult is it for you to get class, are you attending a scripted class? I just need to know as much about your practice environment–what’s going on inside that studio in detail.

I will respond when I can!

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Hi Becca

If you’re sure that you’re not putting on weight due to food consumption, then it’s environmental mixed with an electrolyte issue. That’s the most likely. I mean, you’re exercising 4-5 times per week for at least an hour each time. That’s significant. You’d know if it were the food.

I wouldn’t be covering all bases if I didn’t say that there is a possibility there’s something else happening. Have you seen a doc or other medical professional and if so, what did they say?

Do you think that the new studio heats the room more than before? Is it more humid? They’re affecting you more than before so it’s possible that the heat index (a measure of the combined heat and humidity) is greater. On that note, often studios heat to 105 F for no good reason except somebody arbitrarily said that that was the temperature. Then they leave it at 105 regardless of the humidity in the room. The resultant cocktail can make it too difficult for the body to cool itself down properly because it’s too hot for the three cooling mechanisms of convection, radiation and evaporation to work optimally or even, at all.

Often what happens is that people have chronic heat exhaustion, or chronic low grade hyponatremia, or both together, but because they often experience them in mild form, they don’t notice the signs. Sweating a lot, you lose electrolytes, you drink to replace the water but if the electrolyte balance is insufficient, you could find that you put on weight through water retention.

There are a couple of things you can try. For a week or two, only go to completely non-heated classes.  See if you feel any differently. Then go for a couple of weeks to the low-heated classes. Then, if you feel there’s a difference, you could add in hot classes.

However, that doesn’t fix everything. I think you might like to consider at times of exertion, putting a pinch of salt in your water with or without a few drops of lemon juice. Some people are sensitive to the salt taste, but honestly it’s just a few grains not an eighth of a teaspoon.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Hi Becca

Yes, it certainly seems you are doing the right thing regarding your habits. I of course have to check!

The main thing to know about the environmental conditions is this: If the heat and humidity are more than a challenge but create struggle, then something has to change. One of the major precepts involved in the practice of yoga is to “listen to one’s body”. If you consistently can’t manage a whole class (particularly if you have managed before) then something is definitely wrong. It usually points to high heat, or high combined heat and humidity. (The problems associated are often–as suggested before–hyponatremia and heat exhaustion.) This is why I suggest that temperatures never really go much beyond body temp. You can get that same satisfyingly sweaty feeling by having a temp in the low-mid 30s (centigrade) or the low 90s (F) and combine that with a mid-range humidity rating and get ALL the benefits and more. The major advantage is to enjoy great challenge by being able to push yourself (within safe limits) and listen, rather than TRY too hard to get through class despite what your body is saying. One is yoga. The other is a competitive sport.

Keep us posted! I really want to know how you go.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Hi Becca

Was that the temperature of the non-heated class?

Good call for a heated class! Outrageous temperature for a non-heated one. (Facepalm!)

Not only does it feel gratifying/empowering to be heard, it’s very positive to feel the difference that the lower temp made to you and your ability to participate. Well done for speaking up! Well done to the teacher for responding.

If more teachers and studio owners understood the Heat Index they would realise they could save potentially thousands of dollars per year in heating costs. An increase in humidity coupled with a decrease in temperature will give the same results as a relatively higher temp/lower humidity class. To add moisture is a lot less expensive than adding heat.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂