The most common misconception about weight loss is that body fat is converted to muscle or burned.
A more accurate explanation is that body fat is converted into carbon dioxide and water, which we exhale.
In fact, about 84% of weight loss happens through your breath!
The rest of the weight you lose comes out in sweat or urine.
For example, if you lose 10 pounds of body fat, 8.4 pounds leave your lungs as carbon dioxide and 1.6 pounds turn into water.
This fact often surprises people, but all carbohydrates, including carbohydrates, fats, and proteins (except for small amounts of urea and other solids) are converted to carbon dioxide and water. It then leaves our body through our lungs.
This also applies to alcohol consumption.
Like carbohydrates, the only foods that are not digested by our large intestine are fiber, such as corn. Everything else is absorbed and moves into the bloodstream or organs where it is ultimately excreted.
So the reason exercise plays an important role in weight management is because it burns calories, not just exhales them.
This basic concept is strangely often overlooked by doctors, medical professionals, nutrition experts, and medical professionals when it comes to weight loss. They tend to recommend healthy eating or to eat less, exercise more, or take medication.
Although these recommendations are important and effective, they are not where the greatest weight loss occurs. So it's not just calories that matter, it's also about the number of exhales.
Now you might be wondering if you could lose weight simply by breathing more. It seems logical if body fat is converted to carbon dioxide. But the answer is that in the short term, yes, sometimes, but not over a long period of time.
Deep breathing through exercise or breathing practice is very effective in maintaining weight and keeping the body in an alkaline state. However, regular deep breathing has the opposite effect. This increases stress levels as toxins may not be eliminated properly, digestion slows down and the body fights inflammation because it is in an acidic environment.
Ruben Meerman says, "Breathing in more than necessary is called hyperventilation, and it will only make you dizzy or pass out. The only way you can consciously increase the amount of carbon dioxide your body produces is by moving your muscles. .” he explains.
Luckily, we each exhale 200 grams (7 ounces) of carbon dioxide while we sleep, so you've already expelled a quarter of your daily goal before you even get out of bed.
Another piece of good news worth mentioning is the weight of gas. Before teaching Dayyouga, I experienced in an unexpected way the concept that before the pandemic Dayyouga required a full tank. I had to take a full scuba tank with me on my first dive day.
I was surprised by its weight. I could barely lift that tank. But when it was empty, you could swing it over your shoulder. This experience helped me understand the concept that gas in your tank can cause you to gain or lose weight. This is not because the aluminum tank itself is heavy, but because of the gas inside.
In conclusion, deep breathing and mindful breathing practices have the potential to help with weight management and overall health, but it's important to maintain balance.
Excessive use may cause side effects. Breathing in through your nose, engaging your diaphragm, focusing on abdominal breathing, practicing slow, calm, consistent breathing, and occasionally speeding up your breathing through exercise or breathing exercises, and discovering the power of holding your breath on a daily basis. It may help you maintain a healthy weight. By incorporating these practices into your routine, you can harness the power of your breath not only for weight management but for your overall well-being. As you do this, remember the impact your breath has on your health and the planet.
