This may sound like a stupid question.... sleep.

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lrpxo
lrpxo Posts: 17 Member
edited February 22 in Health and Weight Loss
Okay this may sound stupid but to what extent does sleep help with the weight loss process
Iam at uni, and its that time of year where i have more deadlines than i do hairs on my head therefore meaning that a good night sleep for me is 5 hours approx.

what is the optimum for being healthy- and if your body is used to 5-6 hours, should i force myself to sleep for 7-8?

feel free to add

L x

Replies

  • heathl39
    heathl39 Posts: 46
    I was told by my doctor that my lack of sleep is defiantly not helping with my weight loss. I am a mom and go to school full time. I just don't have an option sometimes. I wish for more sleep everyday!!! I was told to try for 6-8 hours to recharge. He also told me to try to throw in a nap during the week if possible. Hahaha!!!
  • lindsey1979
    lindsey1979 Posts: 2,395 Member
    Good quality sleep is a big deal. Inadequate sleep can lead to higher stress hormone level (especially cortisol) which can impede weight loss. Also, if you're lifting heavy, your body does most of its repair when you sleep. So if you're short on sleep, you won't get as much out of your heaving lifting workouts as others will.

    Try to get your sleep.
  • Vune
    Vune Posts: 675 Member
    As a personal anecdote, I'm always hungrier when I don't get enough sleep. And I always want to go for the sugar rush. Instant energy, but the crash isn't worth it.
  • tabbyblack13
    tabbyblack13 Posts: 299 Member
    When I don't have enough sleep I always get hungrier and retain less information. If you can get as much sleep as possible which will keep your stress under control Nd will allow you to retain the information you are studying. I always did better on my tests if I took a nap after studying right before the test.
  • dakotababy
    dakotababy Posts: 2,407 Member
    I believe sleep has to do more with how you respond in the morning after a night of short amounts of sleep/uncomfortable sleep. You tend to wake up feeling weaker - thus not wanting to work out - thus...gain weight ALSO
    You tend to eat more to stay "awake" or attentive - thus, you gain weight ALSO
    You tend to get stressed easier...thus you gain weight/eat more/drink more.

    Especially if you do this long term...it could really impact weight loss. If you continue to eat with in your calorie target and exercise, I dont see a lack of sleep having too much impact.
  • wheird
    wheird Posts: 7,963 Member
    I believe that you burn the majority of your fat stores during the sleep cycle.
  • AtticWindow
    AtticWindow Posts: 295 Member
    Purely anecdotal, but I've been sleeping badly the past few days. This morning, around 1AM, I had a peanut butter and Nutella quesadilla, which is delicious and about 500 calories. Then, I slept from 2 to 6ish, and I've spent the whole day craving sugar and painfully aware of the fact that I started the day with an extra 500 calories hanging over my head. In contrast, when I'm able to sleep like a normal person, I have a much steadier meal plan and find myself with fewer cravings. So that's my two cents, in addition to the aforementioned info about cortisol levels, HPA axis, etc.
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