The Secret of Sleep and Weight Loss
Squeezing in a run before work? Staying up late to hit the gym?
When you’re working toward a health or fitness goal—like losing weight for example—it can be tempting to sacrifice your sleep in favor of physical exercise.
But doing so may be shooting yourself in the foot.
Studies have repeatedly shown that there’s a strong correlation between insufficient or poor quality sleep on the one hand, and serious health concerns including metabolic disorders, weight gain, and obesity on the other. That’s because sleep plays a critical function in regulating how our body operates.
Below are just a few ways that insufficient sleep can mess with your weight goals:
Reduced insulin sensitivity and higher blood glucose
Raised levels of ghrelin, the so-called ‘hunger hormone,’ and resulting changes in appetite
Increased cravings for so-called ‘cafeteria foods,’ meaning high fat, high calorie processed foods
A decreased energy and motivation for physical activity and exercise
Going all-in for physical exercise goals, and doing so at the expense of sleep or relaxation, can actually be counterproductive. According to Jenni Grover, a Whole Health Partners co-founder and our Director of Nutrition, it’s important to approach your goals in a strategic, measured and long-term way:
“I always tell my patients that we should start by getting a complete picture of your lifestyle—including your sleep patterns, physical activity, how and what you like to eat, and also any stressors in your life.
That allows us to work together on a plan that often includes increased physical activity, but also that prioritizes a full night’s sleep as a core component of achieving long-term goals.”
The end result, says Jenni, is a win-win - where sleep and relaxation actually enhance, rather than compete with, your progress toward other goals, like exercising more or changing how you eat.
This is a topic we’ll be delving deeper into in our upcoming course. So stay tuned, follow us on Instagram, and start thinking about goals you would like to achieve in terms of food, sleep, movement and mindset.
What would you like help with?
Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance
Blood Glucose Management, Diabetes, Insulin Resistance, Hypertension, High Cholesterol, Thyroid Disease, Hormonal Health
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Perimenopause/Menopause
