Cali and AndeA few weeks ago I read a study where women who faithfully slept a minimum of 7 ½ hours per night for three months straight lost anywhere from 2-15 pounds while those who slept less did not. Nothing was altered for the study other than sleep—diets, exercise and activities remained the same. Skeptics suggested the weight loss was simply a result of fewer waking hours in which to consume calories; though researchers acknowledged that obvious benefit, they suggested the body releases a chemical while it sleeps that burns fat and it needs sufficient resting time to be efficient (at least 7 ½ hours). If this information is true, this is the easiest and funnest weight maintenance suggestion ever. Move over beauty sleep (which I think is an oxymoron because my face is so gravity affected when I wake up it is anything but beautiful), I’d rather have skinny sleep.
11 comments:
maybe that's why it's so hard to lose baby weight!! No sleep!
Bridget
Yes - it's skinny sleep for me, too!
Huh. Who would have thought it? I can't imagine being discipled enough to get that much sleep every single night though- I like the night life!
Hannah is right, it takes discipline to get that much sleep, especially at my current stage of life. But, for someone who could use all the help she can get, it's definitely something to try.
Your girls are so cute in that pic. It is hard not to get home sick for them when they grow up.
I think I may have to impose a new bedtime hour-
hmmm do naps count?
I echo Hannah and Lucy, I like the night life. I might like the skinny life too, I should give it a try.
Does it have to be a continuous 7 1/2 hours? If so, I'm doomed for a few more years with a new baby on the way and little ones who occassionally wake up in the middle of the night! :)
I'll vouch for that! Nearly every hormone and chemical in the body regenerates during sleep. Thyroid Stimulation Hormone, growth hormones, cortisol-affecting insulin resistance, and as you mentioned...Leptin (appetite suppressor). I've obviously taken an interest to this subject ;)
I can vouch for this too! I've read a lot of stuff, and it all says that your body will produce all those great chemicals that help you lose weight during sleeping hours! I knew there was a reason that I needed to sleep a million hours every night or I get cranky!
No wonder I enjoy sleeping my full 8 hours every night. I am a grumpy bear when I don't get enough sleep.
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