Why Sleep Matters for Weight Loss
When we think about losing weight, we often focus on what we eat and how much we move. But sleep has a direct impact on both. Research has shown that poor sleep messes with your metabolism, making it harder to lose weight. Here’s how:
- Hormonal Imbalance: Sleep deprivation triggers an increase in ghrelin (the hunger hormone) and a decrease in leptin (the fullness hormone). This imbalance makes you crave unhealthy, calorie-dense foods and feel hungrier, even when you’re not.
- Fat Storage: Not getting enough sleep lowers your body’s insulin sensitivity, making it easier for your body to store fat instead of burning it.
The Sleep-Weight Loss Cycle: How Poor Sleep Affects Motivation
It’s not just your body that suffers from lack of sleep — your mind does too. Sleep deprivation reduces your ability to think clearly and make healthy decisions. You’re more likely to skip workouts, eat junk food, and abandon your weight loss goals.
When you’re tired, your willpower dips, and cravings surge. This leads to a vicious cycle: bad sleep = poor decisions = weight gain = more stress = worse sleep.
