Is my lack of sleep stopping me from reaching weight lost goal?

kelhea

Hey everyone! So I've started my weight lost journey exactly a month ago today and I haven't seen any results. I have been going to the gym 4-5 times a week alternating from cardio and weights, and I've cleaned up my diet only eating 1200-1400 calories a day. (I'm 5'4, 189lbs) but every night I have trouble sleeping usually getting anywhere from 2-4 hours of sleep! Could this be preventing me from loosing the weight or am I missing something here?

gothchiq

It can make you hungrier and cause you to have less energy. So it may contribute. Time to see the doctor about the insomnia. At that level it's going to really make you sick.

JennifrClaire

I am having this same idea about a long plateau. I bought herbal tablets for insomnia - valerian root- and I'm hoping this will break the pattern.

akmomof7

I have infant twins, so I can relate to the lack of sleep! ! I haven't found the sleep deprivation to stall my weight loss, but I have found it makes me way hungrier on nights my sleep is really off! Have you not lost any weight? Or is it just slower than you had hoped? If the weights are something new for you, I always find that I hold onto water when I first start getting back to my weights. It may just take a little while for it to drop off once your muscles get used to the new activity.

LazSommer

No, but eating too much is.

SueInAz

It could certainly be hindering it but it shouldn't be stopping it altogether. This chart created by @lemonlionheart may help:



Here's a great post about keeping a food diary that might offer some insight: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10191216/the-most-important-thing-you-can-do-to-lose-weight

If you still have questions, please ask.

kayla554

I don't think lack of sleep alone would cause you to not lose weight. However, if you eat more due to a lack of sleep that's a different story.

cwolfman13

A lack of sleep will raise cortisol levels and make weight loss more difficult. With that little sleep though, you have bigger fish to fry. I went through a period of months like that last year and it lead to a pretty extreme bout of anxiety and depression as well as physical illnesses. I finally went in to get prescribed something to sleep...didn't really take more than a few days to break the cycle so I was pissed at myself for waiting so long.

callsitlikeiseeit

without seeing your diary, im giving the stand by of youre eating more than you think you are.

i dont sleep. if im LUCKY i get 4 or 5 broken up hours of it (last night i slet from 10-11:30, was up until 2 30ish, and then slept to maybe 5 . and i still lose.

now, it can have other effects (such as increased appetite because youre 'off' schedule, and slow you down a little, but no, it shouldnt stop it. im so used to it, it doesnt throw my appetite off

Christine_72

I've been up since 3:30am, it's now 8:10am and so far I've had a Quest bar, protein shake and i don't know how many cups of tea and coffee, and i'm still hungry. Right now i'm trying to haul my butt up to do some exercise, and i just cant, i have zero energy.

My point lol When i get enough sleep, I'm not hungry in the morning/all day and i would have walked a few kms by now, and I also don't fantasise about lying on the couch all day

Sorry for the rant, I'm feeling tired and grumpy..

nowine4me

I find sleep to be a key ingredient to weight loss. Lack of sleep = zero energy = hungry + less than stellar work outs. Try an OTC sleep aid or get a prescription to help, it will make a world of difference. Shutting down the iPad/phone/tv an hour before bedtime helps too -- but you already knew that!

trigden1991

A lack of sleep can raise cortisol levels, increasing water retention which can mask true fat loss. However it is more likely that you are eating more that you think. Tighten up your tracking and check your weight in a few weeks.

RoxieDawn

I have a breaking point in the amount of sleep I need and the amount of sleep that I get that causes issues. If you can find a way to nap to get that extra number of minutes or hour(s) during the day will help.

I do find it impacts weight loss and many other side effects that are not pleasant that goes along with eating at a deficit.

leanjogreen18

Try melatonin it helps me sleep better. Google and see if it might work for you.

fr33sia12

I've had many a night of hardly any sleep. I still lose weight. As long as you're not eating over your calorie allowance sleeping has nothing to do with it.

Vegplotter

kayla554 wrote: »

I don't think lack of sleep alone would cause you to not lose weight. However, if you eat more due to a lack of sleep that's a different story.

I agree with those who take a different view. The hormones that effect hunger and satiety come from the same part of the brain that controls sleep. Of course lack of sleep is a huge stressor, and any stressor will effect your ability to lose
You have to deal with your sleep problems first before you even try to diet. .
Here's my six point plan.
1. Increase calorie consumption by 100 cals/day, to 1600. (You'll still probably lose weight)
2. Tackle any stress issues effecting your inability to sleep. (councillors, doctor etc) Ditch any activity that gives you stress which you can do without.
3. Start keeping VERY regular hours and eating at very regular times. Go to bed and get up at the same time. Use mild over the counter pills if necessary. Get your 8hours in bed minimum. Just cuddling up and listening to gentle music or a story on the radio is almost as good as sleep.
4. PLAN balanced, nutritious meals for yourself plus a small allowance for snacks (if you need them). No low carb stuff, no low fat. I mean balanced.
5. Pre-weigh and package your snacks. Don't keep too many portions in the house. Chocolate 1 square at a time is my favourite. Binge eating is a dreadful side effect of lack of sleep.
6. Engage friends/family to help you.
And
7. Take lots of exercise in the fresh air. A walk in the park in the evening before dinner - or after dinner will work wonders.
This is all from someone whose been there and only recently realised that it wasn't my willpower but my hormones/emotions that were to blame.