As I’ve said many times, strength training and a healthy diet are the secret combination to losing weight and keeping it off. Nothing takes away from using every scientific fact you can find to aid your search. Even simple things can affect how much weight you lose and how fast you can lose it.
Staying away from things that make you gain weight is just as beneficial as finding ways to lose weight and keep it off. For example, evidence suggests that lack of sleep contributes to weight gain. It’s not clear why this is true, but one study indicated that women who slept only 5 hours per night gained weight more dramatically than women who got 7 hours of sleep.
Three theories exist as possible reasons for this:
1. Secretion of cortisol
Although not proven, lack of sleep is believed to affect the amount of cortisol secreted by the body. This hormone is the one that regulates human appetite. A person may feel hungry when sleep deprived due to a metabolic response.
2. more sedentary
People who don’t get enough sleep often move less during their waking hours. This means fewer calories burned and fewer pounds lost.
3. Effects on Emotions
It’s no secret that people who don’t sleep don’t think clearly. Lack of sleep affects emotions and can lead to sudden bouts of depression, anger or frustration. Insomnia creates confusion and irritability, which are not the best mental states for losing weight and keeping it off.
Weight loss and maintenance only works when the mind and body work in tandem with each other. If you get 8 hours of sleep every night, your diet schedule will be easier and you will be better able to focus on the more important aspects of your life.
Losing weight and keeping it off begins with motivation to achieve a goal, and sleep is a key component of how well motivated you will be. If you’re not currently sleeping as much as you should, develop rituals you do before bedtime to help slow down your system. A warm bath, reading, writing notes, and other relaxation exercises will prepare your body for sleep. Avoid doing anything that can keep your mind alert.
Even if you need to sleep, don’t take short cuts and use drugs. They will ultimately make your problems worse. Lower your stress and you’ll sleep better and be ready to lose those extra pounds.
Source by Carolyn Hansen
