The Way of the Iceman: How the Wim Hof Method Creates Radiant Long-term Health—Using the Science and Secrets of Breath Control, Cold-Training and Commitment

by Wim Hof

A healthy body first burns the fat stored in the muscles and later taps into the subcutaneous fat reserves. When an intense activity stops, the fat in the muscles is replenished from fat tissue. The greater the effort, the more the body calls on its glucose reserves. However, test results show that people suffering from chronic fatigue also tap into their sugar reserves, rather than their fat, while at rest. People who suffer from burn-out, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Pfeiffer’s disease, and fibromyalgia use energy as if they were constantly engaged in strenuous physical activity. So, while people suffering from fatigue feel that they are resting, their bodies are still hard at work. Their reserves are not being replenished and the body becomes exhausted. The body has become a sugar-burning machine. Although many CFS patients are not overweight, their body fat percentage is relatively high because their fat reserves are not being used. They even use their sugar reserves at night, which explains why they even feel exhausted in the morning.