Non-Food Ways To Lose Weight and Feel Great: Sleep More

Happy Summer!! Now that the weather is warm, you'll probably be spending more time outdoors, and wearing less clothing to beat the heat. Around this time, the subject of weight loss seems to float around my coaching practice even more than usual. Most people know that what you eat is a critical factor in safe, sustainable weight loss. But the latest research suggests that no one eating plan works best for everybody. 

We each have different food preferences, different lifestyles and even different digestive systems. (That's right, your digestive tract, or gut, is biologically unique to you, and so you process food differently than others.) This can make decisions concerning what to eat for weight loss very confusing.

But here's the good news: you can definitely dump the old school thinking that eating less is the only way to lose weight. In fact, there are several non-food things we can do more of that contribute to optimal digestion and weight loss. ​

Over the next few weeks I'll be sharing seven of the most important things you can do more of to lose weight and feel great no matter what food plan you are on. This post will cover the first one, which I believe is the most important non-food weight loss enhancer.

#1: SLEEP MORE

A good night's sleep is nature's beauty elixir. During sleep, your body is recovering from the work of the day, but it is far from inactive. While sleeping, your body is busy restoring energy, processing and synthesizing information in your brain, strengthening and repairing muscle and tissue, and regulating your hormones.

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To do all this and truly thrive during the day, the National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults get 7-9 hours of sleep per night.

Let's look at how getting MORE SLEEP benefits weight loss and helps you feel your best:

• You're less hungry. Sleep regulates your hunger and fullness hormones (ghrelin and leptin). When you are sleep deprived, these hormones get out of whack. You not only feel hungrier, but you also need to eat more food to feel full. Translation: weight gain.
• You have fewer sugar cravings. When you are tired but have to stay awake, your body craves food that provides fast energy to keep you going (specifically, quickly digested foods high in added sugar and processed carbs). These types of foods do provide an immediate energy boost, but are also followed by a blood sugar "crash" when they are digested. To offset the "crash", a new craving is created again, to provide your body with energy to stay awake. This continuous sugar craving cycle to balance the body's energy is commonly referred to as the Sugar Roller Coaster. Lack of sleep is a major culprit in getting you on this roller coaster ride.
• You make better food choices throughout the day. The less sleep you get, the less sharp and more 'foggy' you are. This leads to poorer food choices throughout the day. 
• You look younger. Sleep is rejuvenating! Tissue repair happens mostly during sleep. So does muscle repair. Your body may look smoother, leaner and meaner from getting more sleep.
• You'll be more likely to exercise. Tired people are less likely to follow through on their exercise commitments. And if you're taking up a new hobby or trying a new sport, sleep can improve both your coordination and stamina.
• You'll get sick less often. Sleeping well boosts your immune system.
• You'll have more friends. Lack of sleep makes you cranky and irritable. No one likes to hang out with a grouch!

Sleep is just one of the things we can do more of to help with weight loss. In my coaching practice, I help my clients implement good habits around sleep so that they reap the benefits of this natural beautifier and feel their very best. For most people, a good night's sleep is truly a gift.

If you want to learn more about how to get the sleep you need, or how you can feel great in your body (without losing your mind), send me an email. 

I'm also offering a free Discovery Session by phone to discuss your specific health concerns and how I can help you look and feel your best. Click here to schedule your free half-hour phone session with no obligation. Let's talk!

Wishing You Good Health Every Day,