« Help, I sweat more than anyone else at the gym! | Main | Workout 21.2008 Music Mix »
What is the connection between lack of sleep and my eating habits?
By Christina | September 20, 2008
I am a poor sleeper as are millions of Americans. I am up too late at night working, get up too early to start the day preparing lunchboxes, taking care of the dogs, preparing my work for the day, checking emails, taking that all important 5 minute me time for coffee and CNN viewing. By 630am I am ready to get the kids up and moving and get myself to the gym where I start everyday. This schedule does not bode well for a good night’s rest; how does that affect my dietary habits, if at all?
Research suggests that when we don’t have enough sleep, our energy is very low which gets the brain thinking that it requires more food to replenish its energy stores. It is for this reason that we tend to eat more. Not only that we tend to crave high energy foods such as ice cream, cakes or sugar filled soft drinks.
As if eating more sugar weren’t bad enough, the effects of sleep deprivation can lessen the body’s ability to process glucose efficiently leading to an increased tendency to put on weight. That’s a double whammy - more calories and decreased ability to process it.
Lack of sleep also produces higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol and lowers the metabolic rate which means we burn less kilojoules or calories. One way to increase the metabolic rate is to workout - that’s my preferred method of metabolic stimulation.
If you are concerned about losing or maintaining your weight, the amount of sleep you get is paramount. Here are some tips:
- Don’t nap for long periods during the day. This will upset your natural circadian rhythm and lead to wakefulness at night
- If you must eat late make it a light yogurt, herbal tea or the like
- Increase your exercise
- Plan your day better - Start winding down in the evenings and use the mornings for energetic chores
Healthy habits are within your reach, just commit to doing what you know your body needs. Eat healthy foods, get rid of stress, exercise more and sleep your weight away!
Topics: Fitness Tips, que-ans |