Take a Deep Breath and Call Us in 5 Pounds
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Dear Fun and Fit: K and A Is it a myth or fact that deep breathing helps with weight loss? Deborah, Santa Barbara, CA
Alexandra: I’m taking a deep breath before I answer. Exhale and ready —>> This is a Big Fat Myth…or not. Here’s what I did for you, Deborah. I went and read piles of so-called research just to answer your question in a somewhat informed way. Blah blah blah. Took a nap on keyboard after about the 20th “Let me tell you all about my secret breathing techniques where you’ll lose 50 pounds next week. All you have to do is sign up for my magical potion/newsletter/product/blog.” They were all like that – one deep breath at the start of the site, then a sales pitch and excited testimonial about the wonders of breathing for weight loss. First of all, the blog you should subscribe to is ours! Second, anything that has the word “secret” in it is suspicious.
Kymberly: Shoot, does that mean you do not want to hear my secret about deep breathing? I practiced by calling random phone numbers and breathing heavily. Then I left Alexandra’s call back info. Even if your metabolic rate and calorie expenditure do not go up with strong breaths, my income might. And Alexandra’s heart rate.
Three Things that DO Help with Weight Loss
Taking a Breather
Alexandra: Taking a deep breath for weight loss has lots of enthused proponents, all of whom claim it’s backed up by research. But — and this is a flag to anyone who had to do research in grad school — I couldn’t find any of the research to which they alluded. Or, the “research” I did find was done by companies with a financial interest in the results. Translation – they were selling “accompanying” weight-loss products. Go to a reputable site (or don’t, since we did it for you) such as mayoclinic.com and you will see they totally copy Fun and Fit when they recommend three things, and three things only, for appropriate, successful, lasting weight loss:
- aerobic exercise
- strength training
- lifestyle activities
Kymberly: Alexandra did such a good job answering that all I have to do is change her opening phrase “Big Fat Myth” to “Small, Slim Myth” and voila! Insta-Skinny through breathing while typing.
Certain approaches to breathing may bring benefits other than weight loss #activeaging
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However, we do want to clarify that certain approaches to breathing may bring you valuable benefits other than weight loss. If you are keen to reduce stress, increase energy, decrease fatigue, minimize anxiety, and raise your compassion, then try Active Breathing. You can get easy instructions from our post, Breathe Life Into Yourself.
Alexandra: I would like to add one caveat, just in case you are holding your breath. Don’t hold your breath! Do read our post, Dizzy From Breath Holding.
Don’t Hold Your Breath, Literally or Metaphorically
Does a heavy pant count as a deep breath? Does this breath make my fur look slimmer?
What if you are doing strenuous exercise (for example, watching Clive Owen on tv) and you start to get all sweaty with shallow breaths? Then you pass out. In this instance, deep breathing would help you tremendously. You would not lose any weight, but you would be alive and in possession of your senses (if you were prior to the exercise – wouldn’t want to assume anything). This would free you up to start that weight loss program with the 3 components Mayo stole from us! So in that sense, yes, the deep breathing helped with your weight loss. Keep this advice secret. Don’t tell anyone or I’ll have to come and hyperventilate on you!
Kymberly: Where can I buy the secret advice you just shared? (Let’s out deep breath of excitement and anticipation).
Readers and breathers of the world: What “secret” weight loss approaches have you tried? How much money did you throw down a hole?
ACTION: Catch your breath and a lot more good stuff when you subscribe to our blog. Twice a week you’ll get practical, active aging advice you can use to enjoy the second half of life even more than the first. Enter your email in any box.
Kymberly Williams-Evans, MA and Alexandra Williams, MA
The post 1 Deep Breath = Lose 5 Pounds: Myth or My Ohhhhhm My? appeared first on Fun and Fit: Active Aging Answers for Boom Chicka Boomers.