If you are a smart, busy woman who wants to lose weight, your first step may be getting the facts on sleep and weight loss. Are you sleep deprived? A Gallup poll revealed that 40 percent of Americans get less than seven hours of sleep a night. That’s a problem. The research is clear – if you’re not getting enough sleep, you’re creating an uphill battle for yourself when it comes to weight loss and overeating – and the battle isn’t just in your head.
Women often believe that when they’re tired, they simply have less willpower, which leads them to overeat (or make poor food choices) as a way to reenergize or perk up. While this can be true, it’s important to know that not getting enough sleep also causes physiological changes that lead to overeating and weight gain.
Exhaustion doesn’t just zap your zest. Lack of sleep can sabotage weight loss.
Lack of sleep leads to increased hunger, increased cravings for high carbohydrate foods, and can even affect metabolism and your tendency to gain weight. In one study, women who routinely slept less than seven hours a night were heavier, gained more weight over time, and had a harder time losing weight.
I have a few things to share about this, including how much sleep you really need and a challenge you can take to start seeing an impact.
Take good care,