Q:

I sweat a lot. So much that it's embarrassing. I'm 23, probably overweight by 10 or so pounds but have been working out pretty rigorously since January of 2006. I'm in decent shape but still continue to sweat large amounts whenever I do the slightest amount of activity. My workout sessions usually last 45-60 minutes. It's embarrassing when I work out at the rec center amongst other people, and especially since I'm a girl and I don't see many girls sweating as much as I do. My face drips with sweat and my shirt is usually soaked. Is this normal and/or healthy?

A:

People do have different sweating patterns, some of it an inherited tendency, and some of it related to hormonal or metabolic factors, or possibly medication side effect. If you haven't had basic lab work done to check your thyroid function and other metabolic measurements, that would be a good idea.

The amount of sweating you do is not a bad thing, mostly inconvenient and can result in dehydration if you don't replenish your fluids and electrolytes, so make sure you are taking in plenty of fluids during and after your exercise.