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Mar 13
Well, it’s happening…much to my chagrin, I’ve experienced a hot flash or two in the last month.
I didn’t recognize it at first, but then it became undeniable. I get super hot for about a minute, then the heat disappeared. I don’t experience these hot flashes often or for any length of time (yet). For some, hot flashes are random, but for others, they occur on a regular basis. Either way, hot flashes can be as short as two minutes or as long as thirty minutes, with a frequency that may increase over time. It’s documented that women with higher BMI’s (body mass index) tend to experience more severe hot flashes more often. Another reason to work to be at your ideal weight.
The cause of a hot flash is due to fluctuating estrogen in women. Remarkably, men can experience hot flashes as well if they have a sudden dip in testosterone, but this is less prevalent. It’s estimated that 50 million women in the USA alone will experience hot flashes.
Women’s hormone levels fluctuate greatly during their lifetime. Hot flashes during pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause are common occurrences. In fact, hot flashes are the most common symptom of menopause.
Hot flashes can also be triggered or amplified by environmental factors. Similar to migraine pain, outside factors such as alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, spicy foods, exercise, fat and chocolate can all trigger a hot flash. Climate — such as a hot room, medication, sleep deprivation and stress — can also be to blame. If you’re experiencing hot flashes, it makes sense to keep a diary to track some of these environmental conditions that may be triggering them.
Night sweats are just hot flashes that occur at night.
So, my plan is to try to document when I’m having a hot flash and then see if I can relate it to an environmental factor. If I notice I had two cups of coffee and three hot flashes, and no coffee and no hot flashes, it may be safe to say that caffiene is a factor in my hot flash experience. (God forbid that coffee be the culprit!). In any case, I’ll just go about it all scientifically to see if I can prevent those sweaty moments.
I’m not too upset by these hot flashes at this point. I’m trying to look on the bright side. With those flashes and resulting heat, there’s GOT to be more calorie burning happening right?
- Torchin some calories…
I did some research to find that it’s inconclusive as to whether hot flashes burn more calories, but I’m just gonna go with it and believe that they do. It’s not like I’m going to go eat a cheesecake to make up for the calories burned in a few flashes, but if it helps me put a more positive spin on a sweaty situation, then good for me 😉
If you’re experiencing hot flashes and know that getting to your ideal weight would help, let ME help.
Check out the workouts on my blog here, here and here.
These are a good start to your workout plans.
You’ll find a ton more info and a program that you can do at home HERE. You’ll also get follow along videos that will help motivate and inspire you to keep at your workout plan. (Follow along videos will be released in April 2013).
Hot flashes aren’t that much fun, I admit. But they aren’t the end of the world either. By keeping a positive outlook, a sense of humor and plenty of deodorant handy, we can get through anything…
My passion is teaching people how to work fitness into their daily lifestyle in order to improve their quality of life. Let’s work together to help you reach your fitness goals!
I started having hot flashes when I was 42 years old. Now I am 60 and continue to have them. My sister told me about peridin-c which really does help. I have taken estroven and other products but the peridin-c has worked better than any other product that I have tried.
Oh dear Shawna, bummer! I have had occasional nighttime sweats since my last son was born 13 years ago when I was 37, but have not had them in the daytime yet. Not looking forward to it. Keep up posted on your personal research as per cause and result, you hot babe! 😉
I’ll keep you posted on how I cope. Ug.
Hey Shawna! yeah, we are both that age where these are inevitable and I have had a few. But I do feel that being active, a healthy clean diet and positive attitude will get us through. I have been keeping a diary for that last couple months for my diet and weight and will add these symptoms (of which I have others indicating the onset of menopause) and will start to add these as well. Hopefully, it will be over sooner than later!
take care and we need to catch up again soon 😉
[…] starting to feel some of the effects of aging, like hot flashes and sore knees, but other than that, I have to say I’ll never act my age. You’re only […]
Hmmm , that sounds familiar . Getting really
Hot for a few minutes and then cooling off .
I too never had any hot flashes . I had a
Hyst over a year ago and not one sign of
Menopause yet, unless those few flashes
Are a warning . I am 53 , workout every day
( one rest day sometimes ) , eat clean etc .
If I come up with a solution ( herbs ) or
Something I will write about it. Are there
Side effects to the supplement that was
Mentioned ? Not Estrovan the peri ?
I am always cold so it’s really strange getting
So overheated while doing nothing .