Sex. It’s the unspoken reason why we’re all here. In the most direct way, we know that being fit and attractive gives us the best opportunity of attracting a high quality mate, so we work like hell to burn fat and tone the right muscles. Indirectly, we all know that shedding those pounds will help improve our existing sex life.
Despite this knowledge all of us, including ultra-rich celebrity yo-yo dieters, struggle to lose weight. Struggle no more! We’ve got 5 naughty reasons that will inspire, induce, and maybe even downright bribe you into shedding those pesky pounds!
Reason #5: Endorphins
Endorphins are hormone-like substances that the brain produces. Endorphins act kind of like nature’s painkillers, and when you exercise the release of endorphins make you feel good, really good. So, why are endorphins, “naughty”?
Exercise, in addition to helping you burn fat, will make you feel better in general. When you feel less stressed you are less likely to self-medicate with food. Regular exercise, at least 4 days a week, produces endorphins that will have 2 positive effects. First, you’ll begin to equate feeling good with exercise, which means you’ll learn to enjoy physical activity.
Second, with regular exercise you’ll begin to look great, which will make you feel even better. And when you hit the town with newfound confidence and a much healthier body, watch those offers start pouring in.
Reason #4: Sex Hormones
When you have more body fat than you need, certain parts of your body responsible for your sexual response are negatively impacted. A chemical in the body called sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) binds to testosterone (which is a sex hormone). The more body fat you have, the higher your SHBG levels will be. The bad news is that the more testosterone being bound to SHBG means that you have less available for sex.
Shedding stubborn fat will “make room” so that you can use that testosterone for what it was intended! Even dropping a few pounds will increase your desire to do the deed. All you have to do is make a few changes to your diet and add more physical activity to your days and you can rekindle your passion for action!
Reason #3: Improved Sexual Performance
I know, I know sexual performance isn’t something we’re supposed to talk about. Unfortunately these things we aren’t supposed to talk about are the exact things everyone wants to know.
Overweight people often report problems with their desire to have sex, their sex drive, and of course performance. It’s no surprise that these complaints often come from the overweight and obese because conditions that include high cholesterol and a resistance to insulin often negatively impact sex drive and performance.
According to a 2006 study, individuals with a higher body mass index experienced more sexual dysfunction than those with a BMI within the normal range. Even more stunning is that this study also found that obese women experienced more sexual dissatisfaction than obese men.
The lesson here is that dropping as little as 10 pounds will give men and women an improved performance in the bedroom. Less weight means more energy and stamina to enjoy sex, and who doesn’t want to have better sex?
Reason #2: Sex is Cardio
What better reason to lose weight than the process of losing weight? That’s right, having sex is effective exercise that everyone can enjoy! A 30-minute session in the sack (or the shower, the dinner table, or the pool) can burn anywhere from 150 to 250 calories. That’s not much, but it’ll be the best 200 calories you ever burned.
Even if you aren’t exploring the complicated yoga-like positions in the Kama Sutra, sex gets your heart rate going–really going–which is an important factor in fat loss. Being aroused for sex increases your heart rate, which is why people with weak hearts are cautioned against sex. Your heart rate speeds up even more in those moments surrounding climax, which spells maximum calorie burning for weight loss. That’s something I like to call a win-win situation.
Reason #1: Exercise Makes You Horny
As unlikely as it sounds, a sedentary lifestyle with minimal physical activity can affect the circulation in your nether regions, which also controls your desire to have sex and your ability to enjoy it. According to Dr. Susan Kellogg Spadt, director of sexual medicine for the Pelvic and Sexual Health Institute, activities that improve blood flow to big muscles like the butt and thighs also have the effect of providing the genitals with better circulation.
With more blood flowing to the right places, you get the benefit of easier arousal, more lubrication, and improved orgasms. Simply put, 20 minutes of yoga, bicycling, or speed walking just 3 days a week can mean a pretty quick return of your want, will and desire to have sex.
Despite what the movies tell us, you don’t have to have big bulging muscles or be a diminutive damsel to have a rocking sex life. Small steps that include eating more fruits and vegetables and eliminating bad fats will go a long way to help you get your groove back.
Just as important as what you do to improve your health, is how you perceive yourself. Even if you exercise regularly and have a healthy diet, it doesn’t matter if you hate what you see when you look in the mirror. That’s why your friend who could stand to lose 30 pounds has an amazing sex life, while your super hot but self-conscious best friend has trouble closing the deal. The more you work toward losing weight, the happier you will be with your body–regardless of the results.
