Can Wim Hof Help Weight Loss?

Can Wim Hof Help Weight Loss?

Wim Hof is well known for advocating cold exposure and breathing techniques for wellbeing purposes, but can his methods support weight loss?

Dutch extreme athlete Wim Hof has been nicknamed ‘The Iceman’. He has broken a number of records related to cold exposure including climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in shorts and standing in a container while covered with ice cubes for more than 112 minutes. Here, we’ll explore how his techniques might help weight loss.

If you want to achieve and maintain your ideal weight, we can help. We are a team of qualified, experienced nutritionists who specialise in weight loss. Schedule your complimentary call today to find out how we can help you. 

CAN WIM HOF HELP WEIGHT LOSS?

Yes, Wim Hof’s Methods may support weight loss. Hof’s method comprises three pillars: breathing, cold therapy and commitment. Evidence suggests that both breathing techniques and cold therapy can have beneficial effects on your metabolism and may be helpful in supporting your weight loss journey. Of course, commitment to your health, nutrition and fitness is essential if you wish to achieve long term weight loss. Below we’ll explore the evidence behind the Wim Hot method and how these practices could help you lose weight.

COLD EXPOSURE SPEEDS UP YOUR METABOLISM

Exposing the body to the cold is a key principle of the Wim Hof method and research shows it may support weight loss.

In addition to speeding up our metabolism (which results in increased calorie burn), exposing the body to the cold also activates brown fat. Brown fat is actually ‘good’ fat, it helps the body to produce heat and control its temperature in cold conditions. It is white fat that we tend to accumulate in excess as adults.

tt may sound unpleasant, but you can build up your cold exposure time gradually. It doesn’t take long to get to a point where the time passes by much more easily. The body adapts quickly. Try taking a cold shower or ice bath.

BREATHING TECHNIQUES FOR FAT LOSS

If cold showers aren’t for you, you can try out Wim Hof’s breathing technique instead.

Studies have been carried out to look at the ways this method of breathing impacts the metabolism. In one study of 12 young men, 92 out of 224 metabolites increased when they performed Wim Hof’s breathing method. Simply put, metabolites are the intermediate products of metabolic reactions including those that take place when we convert food to energy.

Increases in lactate and pyruvate were particularly noted. These metabolites have been associated with decreased inflammation demonstrating health benefits that extend beyond weight loss.

HOF FOR HEALTH

Wim Hof’s methods have received skepticism in the past. However, in recent years, the benefits of practicing the Wim Hof Method are backed by a significant amount of scientific proof.

As well as weight loss, there are many purported health benefits to be gained by practicing Wim Hof’s techniques. These include better sleep, increased energy levels and anti inflammatory benefits as well as improvements in mental and physical health issues.

Check out Wim Hof’s website to learn more. It’s a fantastic source of information on his fascinating work.

WHO IS THE WIM HOF METHOD NOT RIGHT FOR?

The Wim Hof Method should be avoided by those with a history of seizures, respiratory problems like asthma, stroke, high or low blood pressure, and pregnant women. It is also not recommended for those taking certain medications without consulting a healthcare professional first, so if in doubt, speak to your doctor. People prone to anxiety or stress should exercise caution as the breathing technique can potentially trigger adverse reactions. It’s also worth noting that this is not a quick fix or a hack, but can have a positive impact alongside other positive health and lifestyle changes.

A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO WEIGHT LOSS

Wim Hof’s methods are a science-backed way to support your body’s fat metabolism. However, if you’ve struggled with your weight for some time, a more comprehensive solution may be required in order to achieve long term success. 

We are a team of qualified nutritionists who specialise in weight loss. We can support you in overcoming your weight challenges, achieving your goal weight and maintaining it long term. You can use this link to book in for a complimentary call today. This is an opportunity to talk through your challenges with a qualified nutritionist and decide together whether one of our Intelligent Weight Loss programmes is right for you. Or contact us to request a copy of our brochure and we will get back to you soon.



LINDA ROBINSON

Linda is our Practice Coordinator, helping to keep the clinic running smoothly.

 

Originally from Texas, Linda completed her MBA at SDA Bocconi in Milan. Linda has worked as a Strategy Consultant across multiple industries globally in cities including Kyoto, Paris, Chicago and San Francisco. She developed an interest in nutrition whilst volunteering for an organisation that provides cooking and nutrition education to children and families.

Linda is now settled in London with her husband, two children, and her very bouncy, sociable dog.

SARAH LAW

Sarah has worked with hundreds of clients over the past decade to help them live in a healthy body that they feel confident in.


Sarah spent a large part of her teens and 20’s as a professional dancer battling with orthorexia and an unhealthy relationship with food and her body. This created a desire to understand the human body more so she could finally cut through the confusion and end the cycle of yoyo dieting. This fuelled her passion to help other women do the same.

 

Sarah specialises in supporting women who are struggling to lose weight due to underlying health issues. She’s helped many women manage their weight during and after the menopause, as well as clients with thyroid disease and immune system dysfunction. Sarah loves food and sharing healthy recipes with her clients. Her aim is to ensure that clients don’t feel deprived and instead, achieve their weight loss and health goals in a positive and sustainable way.

 

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Ailsa is one of our most experienced practitioners. She specialises in helping clients to lose weight, develop a healthy relationship with food and finally feel comfortable in their skin. Ailsa’s mission is for everyone she works with to enjoy the journey and that working with a nutritionist should not be a punishment, but your access to a new possibility.

 

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Working with Ailsa you will be comprehensively supported, not only in improving your nutrition and lifestyle, but also your eating habits and your relationship with food. When you work on all these elements together, the results can be truly astonishing.

 

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Test Nikki is our Practice Manager, managing our team of practitioners and heading up the day-to-day running of the business. Nikki is involved in the strategic development of our practice, coming from a strong business background in town planning. A Florida girl, Nikki relocated to the UK in 2014 with her husband and two children.

NIKKI ANDRIANI

Nikki is our Practice Manager, managing our team and heading up the day-to-day running of our clinic.

 

Coming from a background in town planning, Nikki is involved in the strategic development of our practice, continually ensuring we are delivering the very best service to our clients.


A Florida girl, Nikki relocated to the UK in 2014 where she lives with her husband, two children, and her rescue dog Skyy.

STÉPHANIE ACHAR

Stéphanie is a skilled nutritional therapist and functional medicine practitioner with additional training in eating disorders, disordered eating and obesity. She believes that working towards both physiological and mental health is key in achieving optimum wellbeing.

 

Stéphanie’s personal experience of emotional eating and the ongoing struggle to find the right support led her to combine the science of nutrition with behavioural coaching to motivate and empower her clients. She specialises in helping people who struggle with their weight and their relationship with food. She helps them develop a healthier and more peaceful relationship with food and their bodies.

 

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INNA WEARN

Inna is passionate about supporting women on their journey to improved health and wellbeing. She believes that the solution to effective weight loss does not lie in ever more restrictive diets, but a more sophisticated approach that optimises health and vitality, as well as promoting effective weight loss.

 

Working with Inna you will benefit from her in-depth knowledge of female health and hormones. She will support you in developing a healthy diet, lifestyle and mindset that ensures you reach your ideal weight and maintain it in the years to come.

 

Inna is passionate about food with a wide repertoire of delicious healthy recipes and meal ideas to ensure your weight loss journey is as enjoyable as possible!

 

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ANIA MASON

 

Ania is a firm believer that improving your health and losing weight should be a positive, empowering journey, not one centred around deprivation.

 

After being diagnosed with two autoimmune conditions in her twenties, Ania spent several years educating herself on the power of food and nutrition. She put it all into practise and changed her diet and lifestyle, reversing her endometriosis and thyroid disease. After experiencing such a significant improvement in her health, Ania had a big desire to help others. She embarked on a four year journey to study nutrition, graduating from the Institute for Optimum Nutrition with distinction.

 

Ania specialises in autoimmunity and works with clients who have underlying health issues preventing successful weight loss. Her expertise enables her to successfully support our clients with conditions such as hypothyroidsm (underactive thyroid), PCOS and diabetes. 

 

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