SLEEP MORE TO LOSE WEIGHT!

Quite a few research articles have shown recently that lack of sleep can actually make you gain weight, or at least prevent you from losing the weight you want to lose.

How could this be? Although many factors may be involved, one of the main reasons is that sleep affects the hormones ghrelin (which stimulates appetite) and leptin (which sends a signal to the brain when you are full).

When you don't get enough sleep, it drives leptin levels down, which means you don't feel as satisfied after you eat. Lack of sleep also causes ghrelin levels to rise, which means your appetite is stimulated, so you want more food.

The two combined can lead to overeating & weight gain.

However, we know that for many people, getting more sleep is easier said than done. Here are some of our tips, please read them over & then click on "comments" to post your own tips, ideas or simply to share your experience.

1. Make sleep a priority. It seems simple, but changing your attitude really is the first step. We need to think of sleep as just as important to our health & well being as good nutrition & regular exercis

2. Go to bed and get up at about the same time every day, even on the weekends. Sticking to a schedule helps reinforce your body's sleep-wake cycle and can help you fall asleep more easily at night.

3. Don't eat or drink large amounts before bedtime. Eat a light dinner at least two hours before sleeping.

4. Exercise regularly. Regular physical activity, especially aerobic exercise, can help you fall asleep faster and make your sleep more restful. However, for some people, exercising right before bed may make getting to sleep more difficult.

5. Start a relaxing bedtime routine. Do the same things each night to tell your body it's time to wind down. This may include taking a warm bath or shower, reading a book, or listening to soothing music. Relaxing activities done with lowered lights can help ease the transition between wakefulness and sleepiness.

Now it's your turn. Please share your tips, thoughts or experiences about sleep.