How Sleep Affects Weight Loss Programs
Although exercise is a critical part of healthy living, weight loss is about more than just working out. Getting sufficient sleep by establishing a healthy sleep cycle is a vital part of health. You can establish a proper sleep cycle by going to bed at a consistent time every night, getting enough sleep, having a relaxing night time routine, and avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and screen time before bed. Getting adequate sleep and practicing other healthy habits results in long-term changes that help you lose weight and keep it off. To learn more about building healthy habits, read Habit Stacking For Weight Loss Success.
Change In Appetite
The word breakfast comes from the words “break” and “fast” since this meal breaks the fast of the night. Throughout the day, people typically eat meals approximately every 5 hours. But when we get a full night of rest, we do not eat for 8 hours straight. Breakfast should be the first time we eat in several hours. While you sleep, your body is not aware of its hunger so you are able to complete your regular nightly fast. If you are sleeping for less than 8 hours or are awake and active into the night, your body will feel the hunger it would not experience if you were asleep. This leads to late-night snacking and overall greater consumption of food and calories, which can be detrimental to your weight loss program.
Lower Metabolism
Sleep is a vital part of hormone regulation. When you do not sleep enough, it triggers an increase in cortisol, which is a hormone that tells the body to conserve energy (and therefore burn less fat) so that it can prepare for an extended period of being awake. Insufficient sleep tells your body that it shouldn’t burn fat too fast to prepare itself in case it needs extra energy. Sleep deprivation can also change the way your body processes insulin, which is the hormone responsible for converting dietary sugars into energy. When you are sleep deprived, your body has a hard time converting sugars and other fuel sources into energy, so these stay in your body and make it difficult to lose weight. A low metabolism will make it difficult to achieve the goals of your weight loss program, as you will be fighting against your body’s natural processes.
Physical Activity
When you don’t get enough sleep, you are less alert and active the following day. Frequent fatigue discourages you from keeping up with your exercise routine. This in itself can create a cycle of poor sleep: not performing enough physical activity in the day leads to poor quality sleep, which makes you too tired to exercise, and thus the cycle repeats. You can break this cycle by working out during the day to feel sufficiently tired for a good night’s rest. High-intensity workouts can actually help you feel more awake during the daytime so you can get the most out of your day.
Weight Loss Programs At Dreambody
Whether you are looking to get into shape or you need some help overcoming a weight loss plateau, Dreambody can help you achieve your weight loss goals. Our weight loss programs facilitate a healthy and sustainable weight loss journey. By developing healthy habits such as regular exercise, proper eating, and adequate sleep, our weight loss program helps you shed pounds and keep the weight off. To contact a Dreambody personal trainer and start on the path to healthy living, call 1-403-612-3538 or fill out the online contact form.
FAQ
Q: Do weight loss programs incorporate exercise routines?
A: To lose body fat sustainably, you will have to incorporate a healthy diet with weight-loss-specific workouts. Your personal trainer will customize a workout and meal plan that fits your needs.
Q: Can stress affect weight loss?
A: Yes, stress can affect weight loss in several ways. Stress can increase the level of cortisol in your body, it can affect your eating habits (either by causing stress eating or by making you lose your appetite), and it can negatively affect sleep. If you are under a lot of stress, this can impact the results of your weight loss program.
Q: Will a personal trainer help me with my nutrition?
A: A personal trainer will be able to give you some tips and tricks on how to eat a balanced diet to help you see results. For a more personalized approach, consider working with a nutrition coach.
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