Thinking of hitting the snooze button and working out later?
You might just want to do so.
Lack of sleep has been linking to weight gain.
Research has shown that those who received less than seven and a half hours of sleep a night were more likely to gain weight. Those in the study who got an average of seven and a half hours of sleep lost up to 50 lbs over ten weeks without changing their diet.
What is that sleep/weight connection?
The hormones that control appetite, cravings, and metabolism of fat go haywire when there is a lack of sleep. There is an increase in ghrelin that make you want to eat more and then there is a decrease in leptin, which usually would trigger the brain to stop eating when you are full.
What a deadly combination!
Not only are you hungry and never full, but the body starts craving the junk foods because simple carbohydrates such as chocolate, crackers, and pastries can break down faster for quick energy.
… those tempting snacks just start calling your name!
One would think that sleeping more would be easy to lose weight… but that just not the case for some people. There is always something to do. It takes work to put down the papers or turn off the TV and hit the bed.
Here are just a few tips to get more sleep:
* Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day
* Keep a routine before sleeping so you can fall asleep quicker like bathing, reading, or meditating
* Limit your caffeine after noon and watch your alcohol intake a few hours before bedtime
* Only use your bed and or bedroom for sleeping purposes and not for work / studying / reading
So are you up for the challenge?
I challenge you to get at least seven and a half hours of sleep each night for the rest of this week!
Let me know how you feel at the end… you might be surprised at how well you eat and feel.
{ 11 comments }
Sleep is a big issue for me as I have insomnia–the type where I can’t fall asleep. I am one that needs a good 8 hours nightly, though, or I just can’t function.
Will work on this!
Boy, I wish I could get a good night’s sleep every night. Even when I go to bed early – I wake up early to compensate. I have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. I would love to get between 7-8 per night, that would be heaven!
Thanks for stopping by my website and leaving a comment. I love your site. It’s so useful, and so active(which I’m not). LOL. I’ll have to come back and explore some more, altho I did take in quite a bit while I was here. Thanks for all the great tips.
I like the picture on your bio. I have just one quick little tip for you. You may want to quit taking lemon in your tea or water when you’re out unless everyone wears gloves. A research study done a while back found fecal material along with a few other disgusting things on the lemon rinds from people in restaurants not washing their hands. Had to share. LOL. I used to always get lemon. It was an easy diet trick.
I notice a huge difference when I don’t get enough sleep! I always feel hungrier – now i know why
Great post!
Sleep is always a challenge for me. It seems there just aren’t enough hours in the day, and my body needs more sleep than it did a few years ago.
I hear ya on the sleep!! This would DEFINITELY be a challenge for me!
I think one thing that makes sense about this theory.. is that the earlier you go to bed, the less night time noshing you do. My worst time is the hours between 9 and midnight.. when i could just eat and eat.. You know I’m not hungry then.
I may take you up on this challenge…
I’ve been plagued by insomnia all my life. It’s just recently I’ve been hearing about a connection between lack of sleep and weight struggles. Consider yourselves blessed, those of you who fall asleep the minute your head hits the pillow and those who arise refreshed!
Sorry to hear about your insomnia. Have you ever gotten medication or gone to the doctor for that?
haha, I do the same thing at night. I find myself in the kitchen around 11 roaming through the cabinets when really I should be sleeping in bed not listening to my stomach
It’s so true. There is never enough time in the day… that is why prioritizing is key and keeping sleep up there on the list!
I have been wondering if this is my problem. I get on average 5.5 to 6.5 hours a night and I do crave carbs and junk and seem to be hungry all the time!!