Weight Loss and Sleep - Their Interconnected Relationship

Losing weight may be as simple as getting a good night's sleep. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well actually, it isn't quite that simple, but recent studies do show that lack of sufficient sleep inhibits weight loss and may actually promote weight gain. Lack of adequate sleep has been proven to influence two appetite controlling hormones, Leptin and Ghrelin. No matter how badly you want to maintain a weight loss plan, if you can't control your appetite, you'll struggle to succeed.
Leptin and Ghrelin are two hormones, which are very important to weight loss, that work together to tell you when you're hungry and again when you're full. Ghrelin is found in the gastrointestinal tract and indicates feelings of hunger. Leptin is produced in the fat cells and sends a message to the brain indicating when you're full. Lack of adequate sleep has been proven to decrease levels of Leptin while increasing levels of Ghrelin. This means that your fullness indicator is broken, leaving you feeling unsatisfied no matter how much you eat. Additionally, your feelings of hunger are increased since your Ghrelin levels are elevated. You can see how this can be a problem for weight loss success. Experts say that the optimal amount of sleep to support weight loss varies from one person to another; however, the target time window is usually between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night. Other studies have shown that a lack of sleep may also increase fat storage. This is said to occur because without proper rest, the body has a hard time metabolizing carbohydrates, leading to an increase in blood sugar levels. The higher levels of blood sugar can cause an increase in insulin levels, which in turn, may cause an increase in the storage of body fat. Without proper digestion of carbohydrates, weight loss is very difficult to achieve. Therefore, it's essential to your weight loss plan that you ensure you get adequate sleep every night.
Another effect of sleep deprivation that adversely affects weight loss is persistent exhaustion. If you lack energy all day long, it's more likely that you'll deviate from your exercise program. Even if you still manage to drag yourself to the gym, it's likely that your workout will lack intensity and focus. If you want maximum weight loss results, you have to put maximum effort into your exercise program. Additionally, your body needs rest to recover from strenuous exercise. If you do manage to squeeze some intensity from your exhausted body during your workout, you'll be at greater risk for injury because your muscles aren't able to efficiently repair themselves without proper rest. As you can see, rest is an essential part of the weight loss equation. In order to achieve optimal weight loss from any program that you follow, you need a healthy diet; a balanced exercise program and adequate rest. Without all three of these components, attempts at weight loss will lead to frustration and feelings of failure.