ultrarunningmom

I think I sweat more than any person I know when I exercise. It runs rivers down my body. During yoga, there is a puddle underneath me, my fingers are wrinkled, and I can literally wring my clothes out afterward (I’m not kidding even a little). It’s not just yoga, it happens when I run too, but the wind and outside air keep things a little more try. If I’m on the treadmill, you don’t want to run next to me or you could get splashed.

Your body produces sweat when your core body temperature rises, which triggers your body into releasing fluid to the surface of the skin where it is supposed to evaporate and cool the skin.

There are a few factors that go into how much you sweat. People are born with 2-4 million sweat glands. Women have more than men, but men’s are more active (on average) than women’s. The temperature and humidity play a role, as does your activity level and genetics.

If you are exercising intensely, you’re going to sweat more, and if you exercise frequently you are going to sweat more. That’s right, your body becomes a very efficient sweat machine the more you exercise on a regular basis and at higher intensities.  Every time you train you are teaching your body how to cool itself. Your body learns to start cooling itself earlier before your heart rate is high and you’re really working hard.

There are some other things that can contribute to an increase in the amount you sweat as well: caffeine, alcohol, smoking, your clothing, and your weight.

Sweat and salt lines can be a little embarrassing particularly for those new to the gym or those who are overweight. Try not to worry about it too much, most people are too concerned with what they are doing or what they look like to be looking at your sweat. You should wear your sweaty clothing with pride (but please wash it after one use). It means you have worked hard and earned every droplet of fluid.

The more important thing you want to think about when you are sweating a lot is getting the fluid and lost electrolytes back into your body when you are finished and even during your workout. If you start to feel nauseous, light headed, dizzy, confused or have a sloshing stomach, you need to get some electrolytes as soon as you can and definitely reduce your intensity until your body can absorb some of those electrolytes.