
That said, there are still small changes you can make — changes that don't involve quite the exertion — that can help you lose weight. One way is through modifications to your sleep routine.
The Relationship Between Sleep And Weight Loss
Simply put, sleep deprivation can be a disaster for your waistline. For starters, when you're running low on energy, studies have shown that you're more prone to make bad food choices. Why? The hormone ghrelin tells the body when to eat, and ghrelin is more abundant in the body when you're sleep deprived.
On the other hand, leptin is the hormone that tells your body to stop eating; when you're lacking sleep, leptin is less abundant.
Adjust Your Sleep Routine
There are a variety of things you can do during your pre-sleep routine that can help accelerate your weight loss:
Eat A Small Snack
Conventional wisdom generally tells us that eating something right before bed is a bad thing, especially for your weight. But one study found that people who consumed a 150-calorie protein shake 30 minutes to an hour before bed had a faster metabolism and lower blood pressure.
Light's Out
You've undoubtedly heard that using electronics, or exposing yourself to other types of light, can disrupt your sleep. When it comes to light, it's definitely something to heed. Even dim light can disrupt your sleep and derail your weight loss efforts.
Likewise, one habit you'll want to break is sleeping with the television on. You'll also sleep better when your alarm clock is turned so that it's light isn't in your eyes.
Pre-Sleep Preparation
Make it easy on yourself in the morning by packing a healthy lunch the night before, and have your gym bag packed and by the door. By putting these tasks off until the morning, you can make it harder to stay on your healthy track.
Keep It Cool
Studies have shown that people who slept in rooms kept at 66 degrees doubled their volumes of brown fat, the useful, calorie-burning kind of fat.
Be Consistent
Your weight loss efforts will be aided by waking up at roughly the same time every morning. But it doesn't just affect your weight, as studies have shown that waking up at drastically different times can increase your risk of heart disease and cancer.
If you're looking to take your fitness routine to the next level, contact the Downtown Athletic Club in Amarillo. With state-of-the-art exercise equipment, fitness classes and personal trainers, it’s the place to start any healthy routine.