Can a Sauna Treatment Make You Lose 5 Pounds?

In addition to diet and exercise, using a sauna can help a person burn calories. A sauna is an enclosed area that is designed to provide users with a dry heat or wet heat session. A sauna will cause sweating, which will be the reason for your weight loss. As such, the weight loss from a sauna is not permanent. You should only use a sauna with the permission of your doctor. Saunas may not be appropriate for individuals with certain medical conditions.

Sauna's can also be very relaxing. (Image: Ryan McVay/Stockbyte/Getty Images)

Step 1

Calculate how many calories you need to burn to lose 5 pounds. To get rid of one pound, you need to burn 3500 calories, so you will need to burn a total of 17,500 calories to drop five pounds. This number can give you an idea of how many sauna sessions you will need to do in order to reach this goal.

Step 2

Wear a bathing suit or towel when you use a sauna. You can also go naked if you feel comfortable doing so. You want to open your body up to as much of the heat as possible to achieve the greatest results.

Step 3

Use the sauna once a day for thirty minutes. Start with a low heat until you are comfortable with a higher heat setting. Heat settings will typically range between 60 degrees and 100 degrees Celsius. For each session in the sauna, you will burn approximately 300 to 600 calories.

Step 4

Drink a lot of water. Saunas can cause fluid loss and you will not want to become dehydrated when trying to lose weight with a sauna. Drink six to eight glasses of water daily and remember to consume a glass before and after the sauna.

Step 5

Eat a light diet. To achieve a weight loss of five pounds, you will want to track your calories as well. Cut out fatty foods, like fast food, fried meals, sweets, and chips. Instead, eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, whole grains, and low fat dairy products.

Tip

If you feel lightheaded or dizzy while in the sauna, don't push yourself to stay in for the full 30 minutes. You should leave and drink a cold glass of water.