Do proper amounts of sleep really help wt. loss?
dasaucywench
Posts: 56 Member
I have read this several places in the past and have to wonder if that is why my weight loss is a bit slow. I generally only sleep 5-5.5 hours a night and routinely it is difficult to get going in the morning. I often feel sleepy about mid morning. I know I should sleep more but I wonder if it is really affecting my wt. loss efforts. Anyone ever tested the theory that more/better sleep promotes wt. loss?
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Yes, it's absolutely true. When you don't get enough sleep, your body will encourage you to eat more and will also increase fat storage. I'm sure someone can explain the exact hormonal processes, but yes, it's absolutely true. Remember, sleep is not a luxury or a bonus but something you medically need.
I'm not sure if someone will rip this article apart, but from what I read, it seemed very similar to everything else I've ever read on this subject.
http://www.naturalnews.com/031101_sleep_hormones.html0 -
it's true.
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I can only speak from personal experience but I know that I seemed to drop more weight when I was better rested. I also notice performance gains fitness wise when I take naps and get adequate rest.0
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It's true.0
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I have heard if a person works midnight shifts, or any night shift its harder to lose weight.or control the weight you have now. I guess it stands to reason if you go to far with out sleep it would mess up your body. Some people only need 5 hours asleep though,if thats all you ever slept a night I wouldn't worry. I would keep a pattern of it and ask a medical professional.0
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You can't eat whilst you are sleeping.....( unless you are a sleep walker ) ......just sayin0
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You can't eat whilst you are sleeping.....( unless you are a sleep walker ) ......just sayin
haha i actually got caught doing this during my finals we found out why the fridge was open one morning :P I now sleep on the other side of the bed so my boy wakes up if I get up 0 -
Yes and there is some science as to why. Some of the hormones involved in weight loss are only released when you get good quality and deep sleep(usually requiring 8 hours).0
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When I was working one fulltime job, and another almost fulltime job....I had to get by on 4 hrs sleep.
I kept working out. I tried to watch my eating and I started to gain weight. I am guessing it probably messes with hormones. Now that I cut my hours down...weight much easier to control.0 -
From personal experience, I would say "yes". I find that my weight loss and fitness efforts are more successful when I get at least 8 hours of sleep per night. I can absolutely tell a difference in my energy level the next day if I only get between 7 and 8 hours of sleep and there is a huge drop in my energy level if I get less than 7 hours of sleep. Naturally, everyone's sleep requirements are a little different. I just know that's what works for me. Eight hours of sleep and I'm ready to rock my morning workout.
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I know it is true for me. If I am tired I use food for energy to get through my day. Also, I don't exercise as well if at all when tired. Exercise helps relieve stress and I am a stress/emotional eater so the weight pours on.0
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So then how come if I get 5-6 hours of sleep..I can go ALL DAY?
But if I sleep 8 or any more...I feel like a zombie? I'm tired all day, and lethargic?
Someone care to explain THAT?0 -
So then how come if I get 5-6 hours of sleep..I can go ALL DAY?
But if I sleep 8 or any more...I feel like a zombie? I'm tired all day, and lethargic?
Someone care to explain THAT?
My husband and I were just discussing this after I read the op. I am one who can sleep 5 or 6 hours and be completely rested. 8 hours has me drained!!!0 -
I know it is true for me. If I am tired I use food for energy to get through my day. Also, I don't exercise as well if at all when tired. Exercise helps relieve stress and I am a stress/emotional eater so the weight pours on.
See, now I am the opposite. If i didn't sleep well, and am having a hard time waking up, then I go do some cardio, and that wakes me up right away.0 -
I suffer from insomnia, but I've had no trouble losing weight ~0
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I haven't slept more then 4 hours a night since the weight loss program started. Still losing.0
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They do....the quality is more important than the quantity though. when sleeping you're going through 90 minute periods and to get full rest and restoration you need to go through at least 2 of the 3 sleep phases without interruption. Get your rest if possible. 0
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I have issues with sleep and still losing but everybody is different ... with that said my goals might get reached faster if I did sleep more =(
God what I wouldn't do for a solid 4 to 5 hours of sleep0 -
I've always known this was true...but maybe it's even more true than I realized.
I've been functioning on 3-4hrs sleep a night, for months now. Sometimes I get more, and weekends I usually get 6-9hrs or so...but on weeknights, the 3-4hrs is it.
I am totally stalled per the scale and measurements right now (even the mirror, to be honest), and have been for pushing 2mos it looks like. Diet is on, lift heavy 3x a week with performance gains every week as well.
Just no weight, or more importantly fat loss.
Hmm...0 -
Sleep cycles last on average 1.5 to 2 hours. A sleep cycle starts at light sleep, goes down to deep sleep, and back up to light sleep. The cycle repeats as long as you are sleeping. Waking up during light sleep is normal, and you feel rested. If you get woken up while in the deep part of the cycle, you feel lethargic and drowsy until your body can recover.So then how come if I get 5-6 hours of sleep..I can go ALL DAY?
But if I sleep 8 or any more...I feel like a zombie? I'm tired all day, and lethargic?
Someone care to explain THAT?
Lack of sleep leads to elevated cortisol, which resists weight loss.0 -
I've always known this was true...but maybe it's even more true than I realized.
I've been functioning on 3-4hrs sleep a night, for months now. Sometimes I get more, and weekends I usually get 6-9hrs or so...but on weeknights, the 3-4hrs is it.
I am totally stalled per the scale and measurements right now (even the mirror, to be honest), and have been for pushing 2mos it looks like. Diet is on, lift heavy 3x a week with performance gains every week as well.
Just no weight, or more importantly fat loss.
Hmm...
I'll tell you what I know on the circadian control within the hypothalamus tomorrow....sleepy now. 0 -
I've always known this was true...but maybe it's even more true than I realized.
I've been functioning on 3-4hrs sleep a night, for months now. Sometimes I get more, and weekends I usually get 6-9hrs or so...but on weeknights, the 3-4hrs is it.
I am totally stalled per the scale and measurements right now (even the mirror, to be honest), and have been for pushing 2mos it looks like. Diet is on, lift heavy 3x a week with performance gains every week as well.
Just no weight, or more importantly fat loss.
Hmm...
I'll tell you what I know on the circadian control within the hypothalamus tomorrow....sleepy now.
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Well, for one, exercising is easier when you're not tired. I always get a better, longer workout in when I'm well rested. When I'm tired, I'm lucky if I show up for my workout at all.
I also read an article recently about how being tired impairs the part of your brain that handles complex decision making, which in turn makes you more like to make poor choices about what to eat, whether to work out, etc.
So yeah, I think adequate sleep absolutely matters. The trick is finding out what "adequate" is for you. If you sleep less than 6 hours and you feel fine, no problems. If you sleep less than six hours and you're tired and sleepy throughout the day and you can't get up on the morning then you probably need to make shut-eye a higher priority.0 -
I hope not. Or I am doomed! :grumble:
Edited to spell not correctly! Yeah, I need sleep. :laugh:0 -
Sleep cycles last on average 1.5 to 2 hours. A sleep cycle starts at light sleep, goes down to deep sleep, and back up to light sleep. The cycle repeats as long as you are sleeping. Waking up during light sleep is normal, and you feel rested. If you get woken up while in the deep part of the cycle, you feel lethargic and drowsy until your body can recover.So then how come if I get 5-6 hours of sleep..I can go ALL DAY?
But if I sleep 8 or any more...I feel like a zombie? I'm tired all day, and lethargic?
Someone care to explain THAT?
Lack of sleep leads to elevated cortisol, which resists weight loss.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/209215420 -
It helps to get a decent sleep.
I think you'll find though, as you begin to lose weight, you'll sleep better. Maybe not longer but better. Instead of waking up feeling like you've had a steamroller go over you off and on all night, you'll wake up feeling like you've had enough sleep and be a bit more alert too.0 -
No doubt it has a negative effect on your weight loss; the average recommendation is 6 - 8 hours. Keep in mind that everyone is different, but if you are feeling tired mid-morning, then you aren't getting enough. I am not sleeping well, and I am definitely feeling the effects in performance, weight gain, and my brain feels like slush - lol!0
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Sleep cycles last on average 1.5 to 2 hours. A sleep cycle starts at light sleep, goes down to deep sleep, and back up to light sleep. The cycle repeats as long as you are sleeping. Waking up during light sleep is normal, and you feel rested. If you get woken up while in the deep part of the cycle, you feel lethargic and drowsy until your body can recover.So then how come if I get 5-6 hours of sleep..I can go ALL DAY?
But if I sleep 8 or any more...I feel like a zombie? I'm tired all day, and lethargic?
Someone care to explain THAT?
Lack of sleep leads to elevated cortisol, which resists weight loss.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20921542
A-ha!!!! Thank you!
Now I understand!!!
There have been times that I was in a deep sleep, and something or someone woke me up...and I felt like crap the next day!0 -
When I don;t get enough sleep, I tend to eat more. When I don't eat enough, I tend to be sleepy.
So, two way street I think he he.0
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