Previous weight=
85.95 kgs
Current weight= 84kgs
Difference= -1.95kgs
Total inches (measurements of both thighs, circumference of hips and naval) [T.I]
Previous T.I = 111.5’
Current T.I= 109’
Difference= -2.5”
To be perfectly honest, I am really blown away by this week’s results. The only change to this week was the introduction of ice therapy treatments and cold exposure (and eating healthy after the Christmas caloric campaign). I wasn’t expecting to not only loose the weight I put on, but them some as well but the more I research into cold exposure the more it seriously interests me as a means of repair and weight loss. I did do a brief explanation on the reasoning of ice baths and the effect on fat loss but for those who want a really in-depth analysis on this matter, I shall deliver.
Firstly, there are two different types of fat in the body; White adipose tissue (W.A.T) is the stuff your body stores and we all know it as fat. Having too much of this can result in the following names: fat, chunky, tubby, rotund, puffy and all the other playground synonyms we used. Also the body has Brown adipose tissue (B.A.T) or brown fat. Why is it brown? No, it’s not covered in gravy, but it has lots of mitochondria (which produces ATP, basically it is fuel for cell functions). When the core temperature lowers, the brown fat in the body goes into effect and then converts the white fat into fuel/heat to bring the body’s temperature back up to a normal range. It’s in large amounts in infants and also hibernating animals and it was long thought that the mitochondria in the brown fat cells starts diminishing as we enter adulthood…but this is no longer the case. It has been found in adults in the upper chest and neck so it can still be activated in certain situations like Ice Baths. So in cold temperatures, your body will turn fat into fuel via thermogenesis.
But cold exposure doesn’t just stop there, oh no there is indeed more. It has also been shown that cold exposure (showers, ice bath etc) also has the ability to increase testosterone levels in males and help raise sperm levels. For those who want to know, the testicles hang outside the body as temperature plays a factor in sperm production. If the testicles are too hot, then sperm production decreases while cooler temperatures have shown an increase in both sperm production and testosterone. So, ladies if you want help getting pregnant then see if you can get your man in colder temperatures and be wary if he is always taking hot showers, spending long times in the spa or constantly placing his laptop on his crotch.
There is also some research on a recently discovered hormone called Adiponectin which is present in fat cells which is believed to help your muscle’s ability to use carbohydrates for energy, boosts the metabolism, increases the rate in which your body breaks down fat and finally curbs your appetite. Adiponectin levels have also been discovered in higher numbers with cold therapy but there is still currently research and debate over its function but there has been research done in mice that shows the opposite; the current debate is still going on and the verdict still unsure but I believe we will know more about it in the years to come. But if this is the case and it does help with fat break down then fantastic and if not then not a worry. Even with the cold baths, the release of brown fat and naturally raising testosterone is enough to warrant trying cold exposure and ice therapy.
Current weight= 84kgs
Difference= -1.95kgs
Total inches (measurements of both thighs, circumference of hips and naval) [T.I]
Previous T.I = 111.5’
Current T.I= 109’
Difference= -2.5”
To be perfectly honest, I am really blown away by this week’s results. The only change to this week was the introduction of ice therapy treatments and cold exposure (and eating healthy after the Christmas caloric campaign). I wasn’t expecting to not only loose the weight I put on, but them some as well but the more I research into cold exposure the more it seriously interests me as a means of repair and weight loss. I did do a brief explanation on the reasoning of ice baths and the effect on fat loss but for those who want a really in-depth analysis on this matter, I shall deliver.
Firstly, there are two different types of fat in the body; White adipose tissue (W.A.T) is the stuff your body stores and we all know it as fat. Having too much of this can result in the following names: fat, chunky, tubby, rotund, puffy and all the other playground synonyms we used. Also the body has Brown adipose tissue (B.A.T) or brown fat. Why is it brown? No, it’s not covered in gravy, but it has lots of mitochondria (which produces ATP, basically it is fuel for cell functions). When the core temperature lowers, the brown fat in the body goes into effect and then converts the white fat into fuel/heat to bring the body’s temperature back up to a normal range. It’s in large amounts in infants and also hibernating animals and it was long thought that the mitochondria in the brown fat cells starts diminishing as we enter adulthood…but this is no longer the case. It has been found in adults in the upper chest and neck so it can still be activated in certain situations like Ice Baths. So in cold temperatures, your body will turn fat into fuel via thermogenesis.
But cold exposure doesn’t just stop there, oh no there is indeed more. It has also been shown that cold exposure (showers, ice bath etc) also has the ability to increase testosterone levels in males and help raise sperm levels. For those who want to know, the testicles hang outside the body as temperature plays a factor in sperm production. If the testicles are too hot, then sperm production decreases while cooler temperatures have shown an increase in both sperm production and testosterone. So, ladies if you want help getting pregnant then see if you can get your man in colder temperatures and be wary if he is always taking hot showers, spending long times in the spa or constantly placing his laptop on his crotch.
There is also some research on a recently discovered hormone called Adiponectin which is present in fat cells which is believed to help your muscle’s ability to use carbohydrates for energy, boosts the metabolism, increases the rate in which your body breaks down fat and finally curbs your appetite. Adiponectin levels have also been discovered in higher numbers with cold therapy but there is still currently research and debate over its function but there has been research done in mice that shows the opposite; the current debate is still going on and the verdict still unsure but I believe we will know more about it in the years to come. But if this is the case and it does help with fat break down then fantastic and if not then not a worry. Even with the cold baths, the release of brown fat and naturally raising testosterone is enough to warrant trying cold exposure and ice therapy.
On a side note, ice baths
are also good for healing and reducing muscle repair time and can be used in conjunction
with hot temperatures (also known as contrast therapy) to help release and
purge the body of toxins from increased workloads. I’ll vouch for this as the
runs I have taken my dog on (as well as hill sprints) normally have given me some
real pain in the past but the pain is almost non-existent after an ice bath. As
well as feeling better for it in the morning, you also sleep like a corpse. I
can’t remember the last time I have honestly slept so well. I will be
interested in seeing if this continues over the next few weeks with cold
therapy as well as if the weight loss and inches lost continues at the same
rate. Next week will see the gyms opening hours return to normal so I will add
more effort to see if ice baths really can be as effective as people claim them
to be.
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