We run, we jog, we do lunges, and we sometimes even bend backwards to lose weight. Somewhere between green leafy vegetables and high intensity cardio lies an often ignored, key factor to weight loss.
Sleep! Yes, sleeping well is as important as anything else, if you want to lose weight. Let’s find out how it works:
Food Choices
Never ever go grocery shopping when you are sleep deprived. Studies suggest that people purchase an excess of 1300 calories every buying trip, compared to those that shop after they are well rested. So the next time you want to head to the supermarket, plan to do it in the morning, preferably one hour after you’ve had breakfast.
Body Mechanics
Ghrelin is a hormone produced in the stomach; it is responsible for the stimulation of the appetite. This hunger hormone is produced while we sleep and when we are well rested, there is adequate production of Ghrelin. Restricted sleep on the other hand upsets this balance, leading to over-stimulation of the hormone, which makes us feel hungry. This right here is the reason for all your impulsive midnight snacking and moody carb indulgences on an early Monday morning.
In High Spirits
When you get a good night’s sleep, you wake up fueled with energy, ready to take on the strenuous workout or busy day, head on. On the flip-side, lack of sleep results in a slower metabolism and lethargy, which results in the storage of fat that should’ve been expended through the day’s regular activities.
So the next time you notice that dropping the pounds is getting harder, evaluate your sleeping patterns and try to fix the problem.
