Most of my posting regarding fitness and weight loss has been primarily focused on nutrition, exercise and even one’s mindset.  While those are all important in helping to lose weight, so is sleep.  In today’s fast-paced world more and more people are getting less and less sleep.

How many times have you felt sluggish and even more hungry after a sleepless night?  Going even further, even working out becomes hard.

Why is sleep important to lose weight?

100 years ago our society slept an average of 9 hours per day.  Today it’s less than 7 hours.  With all the electronic gadgets, shift work, nighttime activities, long commutes and more…today we live in a world that makes it difficult to get sleep.  Sleep is important in maintaining homeostasis.  Sleep is an important regulator of hormones and in particular our growth hormones and cortisol.

Studies have shown that a reduction of sleep leads to a reduction in blood glucose metabolism.  Just one night of sleep deprivation will result in an increase in cortisol and reduction in growth hormones.  The result is that glucose will increase which will lead to a whole host of problems, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and more.

The hormone leptin, which regulates appetite, is suppressed due to sleep deprivation.  This leads to one feeling hungry more often even though they may have already ate.  Thereby, the pounds are packed on.  Can we say a massive increase in body fat percentage?

What can you do?

First and foremost, change your lifestyle.  And sleep is an important component of it.  Strive to get at least 7 hours of sleep and preferably 8 hours.  If sounds around you make it hard, think about getting a “white noise” device.  Also, keeping your sleep area cool and dark will help you sleep better.  Empty your thoughts in whatever way will help.  Even meditation is effective before you go to sleep.

Changing your diet will help as well as working out more.  Reducing stress is another part of getting a good night’s sleep.  Once you start to get better sleep, your body will respond in like with a higher metabolic rate and you’ll start dropping off the fat.

Remember this, sleep is one part of an overall healthy lifestyle that includes exercise, diet and mindset.  Now, sleep well folks….