Here’s Why Tanning is My Best Kept Weight Loss Secret

Tanning is one of my favorite things to do.

I could spend hours in the sun and most days I do. The reason I love it so much other than the obvious benefits of feeling amazing and looking tan is because of its many health benefits.

As far as benefits go, you may be wondering if tanning can help you lose weight and the answer is yes!… kind of… so let’s find out together!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. This is not medical advice. I am not a doctor. All opinions are my own.

Tanning is one of the most natural ways to boost your health. It’s a great way to improve your mood, sleep quality, and help you lose weight.

Healthy sunshine exposure has been shown to help with conditions such as anxiety, depression, and even arthritis. It improves skin health and boosts self-confidence.

Sounds pretty amazing right?!

The benefits of tanning are numerous and can be achieved in a short amount of time spent in the sun’s UV rays. Some of the many benefits include:

1. Helps with weight loss by regulating the production of melanin in the body and by increasing metabolism.
2. Skin health is improved by tanning as it stimulates collagen production, regenerates damaged skin cells, and can also fade stretch marks.
3. Improves self-confidence from the glow from a tan.
4. Increases the production of vitamin D.
5. Morning light helps to set your body’s circadian rhythm.

Does Tanning Help You Lose Weight?

Tanning can help you lose weight because exposure to UV light can increase your metabolism and stimulate your thyroid gland which in turn encourages weight loss. That being said it’s important to understand how weight loss actually works.

In order to lose weight, you have to burn enough calories. How much fat you lose is dependent on how many calories you take in and how many extra calories you burn.

Activities such as physical exercises will burn calories and help with weight loss.

Everyone burns calories even when we aren’t doing anything. This is called your basal metabolic rate.

Tanning doesn’t actually burn calories but it does have many positive health benefits that when activated can lead to weight loss such as boosting metabolism, increased vitamin D, and self-confidence.

Why is Natural Sunlight Best For Tanning?

The best way to get the maximum benefits is to tan outside instead of at tanning salons. The rays from sun exposure are more natural and have different kinds of rays.

However, if it is the winter months and you don’t live in a sunny place a tanning session inside may be the best option.

Some studies have found that in addition to the vitamin D production from the sun that the sun’s blue light wavelengths may be able to shrink belly fat cells sitting beneath your skin.

Blue light from the sun is a great source of energy and can increase your mood as well as possibly burn fat.

The researchers believe that blue light makes the lipid droplets found in fat cells beneath the skin shrink, decreasing the amount of fat storage available.

Remember, people have been basking in the sun for thousands of years. There is no need to fear the sun if you sunbathe safely.

Natural sunlight has many benefits such as balancing hormones, improving sleep, boosting immunity, and more!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Heart & Soil (@heartandsoilsupplements)

Tanning and Metabolism

Do you know that feeling after you spend some time in the sun where you feel more alert and vibrant? Well, there is a reason for that!

This PubMed study concluded that “exposure to ultraviolet light induced an increase in the activity of the thyroid gland”.

The thyroid gland is the body’s natural way of controlling your metabolism. Having a fast and vibrant metabolism helps you with fat loss.

So you guessed it, tanning can help boost metabolism and weight loss!

The reason you feel so great after tanning is because you are getting a boost in your metabolism resulting in more energy and feelings of happiness.

There are many ways you can boost your metabolism such as eating a healthy diet, eating high-quality fats and meat, and reducing your stress level.

Tanning is a great way to boost metabolism and reduce stress. It may help your body lose excess fat but it is important to tan safely and know that it is not the only way to sustain weight loss.

Tanning for Different Skin Types

So you want to reap the benefits of tanning but are not sure how much time to spend in the sun or what time of the day to tan?

That will depend on your skin tone and base tan, whether you live in a northern climate or a southern one, and whether it’s the summer months or winter months.

Here are some basic guidelines to follow:

Light Skin

• start tanning with the morning sun
• avoid direct afternoon sun until you form a base tan

Medium Skin

• start with morning and evening sun
• limit afternoon sun to 10-15 min until you form a base tan

Dark Skin

• tan as much as you feel comfortable with as long as you don’t burn

Remember to always listen to your body and never keep tanning if you think you may be burning. The goal is tan but not burnt!

Should You Wear Sunscreen While Tanning?

Most people think you have to wear sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun but scientific reports show that your skin produces its own sun protection if done correctly.

If you work yourself into your sun exposure by doing a little at a time your body’s base tan will act as protection from the sun. When I’m not going to be in the sun for an extended period of time I wear this homemade tallow balm on my face.

Most commercial sunscreens are full of toxic chemicals that actually increase your risk of skin cancer.

If you do need sunscreen for when you are going to be in the sun all day it’s important to choose a non-toxic sunscreen.

Use discretion on when you do and don’t need to wear sunscreen. Remember exposure to UV light without sunscreen is crucial for vitamin D production.

Insufficient sunlight exposure can result in low vitamin D levels.

Pro Tip: Skip sunglasses when tanning. Your eyes take in sunlight to tell your skin how much melanin (sun protection) to produce. Wearing sunglasses can actually increase the chances of sunburn because you are blocking this process!

Wrapping Up

Now you know that tanning in the sun has many great health benefits.

Although you may not experience rapid weight loss with one tanning session you will definitely nudge your body in the right direction for weight loss and optimal health and end up with a golden tan! Win-win!

Always remember to tan responsibly and gauge your time in the sun’s rays by your skin tone and current tan level.

Also, be sure to drink enough liquid since being in the sun will make you thirsty. Remember to listen to your body and never let yourself burn while tanning.

Have fun tanning!!

Like this article? Please share it with a friend who would love it on Pinterest, Facebook, or Twitter!