How to Enjoy Air Conditioning Without Gaining Weight

16 June 2015
 Categories: , Blog

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Research has linked air conditioning to obesity, and in light of that research, you may be wondering if it is possible to use air conditioning without getting fat. First of all, it is important to note that researchers may have found a correlation but not a causal relationship between air conditioning and obesity.

Therefore, with the right strategies, you can easily stay cool without packing on the pounds:

1. Don't let your house get too hot

After hearing the research that AC can make you fat, some people think it's a good idea to turn off or turn down their AC. However, turning down the AC makes your home hotter which can make you feel more lethargic and less active. Instead, keep the thermostat on a comfortable temperature so you can stay active.

2. Take advantage of the cool air to work out

When outside temps get excessively hot, it makes it harder to hike, bike, walk or do other outside workouts. However, you don't have to go outside to exercise in the summer. Instead, take advantage of your home's relatively cool temps to work out.

If you don't have an exercise bike, an elliptical or a treadmill, just find a free workout video online and get moving.

3. Consider dining al fresco

Although hot air slows people down, it also tends to make them less hungry. In fact, that is one of the major complaints some people have about air conditioning. Allegedly, as the air conditioner cools down the air, it indirectly encourages people to eat more.

If you are worried about the cool air making you overeat, the best way to avoid this is to dine al fresco. Put a table on your patio and balcony, cover it with a sunshade to make the area inviting and take your summer meals outside. If the critics are right, you won't eat as much because you are eating in the hot air, and you'll keep your trim figure.

4. Keep the house cool when you sleep

Although the link between AC and obesity is still being explored, the link between lost sleep and obesity is firm. Not getting enough sleep disrupts your hormones in a way that can ultimately slow your metabolism and make you gain weight, regardless of how much you eat.

So that you can sleep better, keep your house cool at night. Run the AC as needed, or if the nighttime temps are naturally cool in your area, turn off the AC and open the windows until the morning. Need help with your air conditioning? Contact a company like Beacon Air Services to learn more.