Okay, since I have been swimming I have noticed something very fascinating. I truly believe people think that sitting in a sauna sweating will get them into shape and help them lose weight.
Unfortunately for me the sauna is right by the pool. No matter what time of the day I go and swim there are always quite a few people in the saunas the entire time. They go in, sit for awhile, come out, walk around the pool, go back in, come back out, dive in the pool - YUK - go back in, come back out, do another walk, have a seat right by the pool, chat with a buddy, go back in, etc. It is really quite interesting and it drives me absolutely nuts.
First of all, most of the sauna attendees are overweight, sweaty, hairy men. I wouldn't care if they were not diving in the pool that I am swimming in but since they do at their sweatiest moments, it makes me quite sick. Secondly, they stand there staring into the pool making me extremely uncomfortable. It is only two lanes and I am usually the only one in it. And finally, they all look like they are totally spent from "working out so hard." I am not kidding. They come out, drink their water or sports drink, pat their sweaty brow with a towel and "walk it off" - like they just did a super set or maxed out their last dead lift. It is crazy. I really think they feel like they are working out.
In case you are confused, sitting in a sweaty room will not help you get into shape or help you lose weight. Yes, you may lose a few "water weight" pounds, but the second you drink anything all of that will come right back. In order to lose weight and get fit you do need to sweat, but you need to earn that sweat by moving your body.
Okay, I've spoken my mind and now I am off to the pool where I will be blessed with the sweaty, hairy men again. Should I let them in on that little secret or would that be rude? Hmmm.