How Sleep Helps Weight Loss

Sleep is something that every person has experienced. For some, it is something to look forward to; however, others dread sleep. Science points to the fact that sleep is good for multiple aspects of the human condition, including weight loss.
Some of the obvious reasons for struggling with weight loss after a poor night’s sleep are wanting a sugary coffee, skipping exercise because of drowsiness or ordering takeout because no one wants to cook when they are so tired. That might not seem like it would deter a weight loss journey too much; however, the numbers tell a very different tale.
One venti Caramel Macchiato from Starbucks has 351 calories, 13.8 grams of fat and 41.3 grams of sugar. On top of that, there are 50.2% of the daily nutritional intake of carbohydrates in whole milk alone. It would take the average person 98 minutes of walking or a 40 minute long jog to burn that off. It may taste great and give that brief boost of energy one is looking for while sleep deprived, but all those added calories and not doing anything to burn it off quickly ruins any progress, especially when it is followed by takeout.
When someone is tired their brain’s reward center revs up. They are more likely to get a second piece of cake or late-night snack. They crave instant gratification and a sweet treat gives them that feeling.
A lack of sleep also triggers a spike in cortisol levels. Cortisol is the hormone that tells the body to conserve energy to get them through the day. With that, metabolism slows, and people are much more likely to hold old to those few extra pounds. When a group of dieters slept only an hour or so a day for 14 days, their loss of fat lessened by 55% even though their calorie intake stayed the same. They felt less satisfied and more hungry than they did when they ate the same foods with a full night’s sleep.
Sleep deprivation can slow the work of the metabolism as well. When the body lacks sleep continuously, the body begins to struggle to process insulin. Without insulin, the body struggles to process fats from the bloodstream.
Without proper sleep, all a person’s hard work can be quickly reversed. Therefore, a good night’s sleep is just as important as a healthy balanced diet and keeping active. In short, it is best to make sure to get a full eight to nine hours of good quality sleep whenever possible.