Sleep and Lose Weight

Sleep and Lose Weight

Sleep and Lose Weight

More and more of us are burning the candle at both ends and getting a lot less sleep than people did 40 years ago, according to a study published in medical journal Sleep. Sleep deprivation will raise cortisol (a stress hormone) and disrupt glucose metabolism. The result is a craving for sugar and coffee; and there goes any hope of losing weight!Sleep is usually the last consideration in someone with a busy lifestyle. Work, kids and partners means you're always running around with never enough time to do everything you wanted to get done on any given day. On top of that, you need to have time for exercising to keep that body in shape as well as the time it takes to prepare nutritious meals to help with your weight loss not forgetting cooking for the whole family.Before you know it it's midnight and you're exhausted. You lie down, shut your eyes and the next thing you know is your youngest has jumped into bed with you or the alarm is ringing for you to get up and start all over again!Despite all of your good intentions at eating healthily the next day, you find yourself munching on a chocolate bar or a sports bar. You're hungry, tired and snappy and anyway, you need to eat something since you're going to the gym later. So what if it's something unhealthy? Does this sound familiar?Insufficient sleep will result in you getting the munchies the next day. You will crave sugar, fat and caffeine and you won't be able to think straight without it. No matter how hard you try, you won't be able to discipline yourself into eating more healthily. This is not as a result of you not being disciplined enough but rather a hormonal imbalance caused by lack of sleep which results in a biochemical imbalance in your body.Sleep is extremely important for weight loss and for those of you with early starts, getting to bed as near 10:30pm as possible is recommended. You don't need to do this overnight. If you usually get to bed by midnight, plan to get to bed half an hour earlier for the next two weeks. Then, if possible, get to bed by 11:00 pm for the next two weeks, and so on.If you find it difficult to fall asleep, here are a few tips which may help:1. Sleep in complete darkness. Even a small amount of light can upset your circadian rhythm (your biological clock that controls sleep and waking as well as body temperature, blood pressure and the release of hormones).2. If your feet are cold, wear socks to bed.3. Make sure the temperature in your room is not too hot. You'll sleep better in a room that's cool (but not cold!).4. Take a hot bath or shower before going to sleep. Some studies have shown by raising the body's temperature in the evening it will drop at night making sleep easier.5. Go to the toilet just before going to bed. This will hopefully mean there is less chance of you getting up in the middle of the night.6. If you do need to go to the toilet at night, if you can possibly do it safely without turning any lights on so as not to upset your circadian rhythm.Nutrition:1. Avoid any snack before going to bed that contain sugar or grains (grains are wheat, barley, rye found in bread, crackers, all cakes and biscuits).2. Avoid all caffeinated products at least 4 hours before going to bed i.e. coke, chocolate, tea, coffee and certain sports bars.3. Make sure your evening meal is high in protein (chicken, fish, beef, lamb, eggs, etc.) as the breakdown of protein results in a hormone that helps you sleep.4. Include beans and/or leafy green vegetables in your evening meal as they contain magnesium which helps you relax.2010 Get-ASixPack.com, All Rights Reserved.

POST COMMENT

Common Errors In Healthcare Claims Made Uncommon Full Body Lycra Spandex Unisex Zentai Suit Camouflage Pattern Dog's Health - Lymphosarcoma Cancer Gluten Allergy Symptoms By Age Group Colon Health Colon Health Pills Comprehending Celiac Disease Symptoms You Don't Have to Be a Pro Mountain Climber to Purchase a High-Quality Sleeping Bag! Digestive Health 6 Health Benefits Of Honey Homeopathic Remedies for Bacterial Vaginosis - How to Get Rid of the Smelly Fishy Odor on Your Own and From Home Natural Headache Herb Remedies Unveiled Do Zeolite Supplement Cost More Than Most Other Health Supplements