This thread might sound a little silly but.......My DH weights himself about once a week - this morning when he got on the scale he makes a face and mumbled "Not enough sleep" and got off the scale. After I finished laughing, I asked him what the heck was he talking about and he said "If my weigh in is on a morning where I didn't get enough sleep the night before I never see a loss." I of course burst out laughing even more and then on my commute in was thinking...is that true - so, my question is....Is this a proven fact - is sleep tied to weight loss in this way - Not enough sleep - no loss....get enough sleep helps weigh loss ????

Yep, it is true. I'm not an expert, but from what I've read, it works like this: when you don't get enough sleep, you produce more cortisal (sp???), which is a hormone that, among other things, has an effect on appetite and metabolism. So it can either (or both!) increase your appetite and slow down your metabolism. Perhaps someone with more medical experience can explain this better or WHY it happens, but I know from personal experience that if I don't get enough sleep, I am STARVING the next day and definitely eat more, and I can just FEEL that my body isn't processing things as efficiently as usual. So the bottom line is that sleep definitely helps with weight loss!

Anyone with more knowledge can chime in...

This is a weird topic for me. I have sleep apnea. Not severe, but enough that I'm supposed to wear my c-pap to bed with me (but I don't). If you don't know, sleep apnea occurs when your esophagus collapses while you sleep making an obstruction so you tend to stop breathing for a bit. Anyway, your sleep patterns get interrupted so you don't get as much REM sleep. This can cause you to gain weight.

When people are diagnosed and fitted with c-paps, it keeps their airways open while they sleep so they get more REM sleep and much better rested. As a side effect to being more rested, your body functions better. Many sleep apnea patients find themselves losing weight just b/c they are using their c-paps (you'd think I'd use mine then, huh?). Basically, you body rests better and you get more oxygen so your metabolism is sped up and you lose.

There is a definite correlation between getting enough sleep and weight loss. I know I went about it in a round about way, but I hope this answers a few questions.

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Brandy
Started 1/4/2004 215-160
Restarted 11/14/2005 175
175/169/130

wow.. This is some interesting stuff. Thanks for sharing.

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(Pregnant 215) 193/181.0/160 5'3

That is the first time I heard about this relationship, but it does make sense. Cortisol being produced by a lack of sleep... I will have to think about that one.

Cortisol is a stress hormone, and not only does it effect weight, but excess levels can lead to the biochemical symptoms of psychological depression.

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Started Atkins on 9/20/03
235-->190; 150 goal

Speaking from personal experience, if I dont get at least 7 hours of sleep the night before my weigh in day I will postpone my weigh in till the next day. I am bad to retain fluid ie., my feet and ankles and hands swell through out the day. If I don't get enough sleep then the fluid doesn't go away from the previous day and I weigh more. This can cause a 3 to 7 pound difference in what I weigh so I always pay attention to that. Just my 2 cents worth.

I hadn't heard this, but it's perfect timing, because I went to bed REALLY late last night and was SOOOO tired this morning, I DEFINETLY did not get enough sleep and my stomach was growling so loud at me and I was soooo hungry, I ate a cheeseburger (no bun of course) yogurt, and pork rinds for breakfast??? I NEVER eat that much!!! I see a direct corolation!

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185/157/130

I want a normal BP, healthy weight and good Cholesterol

Wow this exciting and really makes sense to me I am a very light sleeper and have not been sleeping well at all, and when I wake up in the morning my hands and feet are usually very "puffy". Like this morning when I wieghed myself it looked like I was up a 2lbs, but I am not thinking too much about it because my hands are very sore this morning. I haven't slept well for about 4 days, have had a massive headache. I found if there is something a person could take to reverse the production of coritsol? ummmm just a thought:ivyhead:

There is a book on this subject called "Lights Out, Sleep, Sugar and Survival, " by T.S. Wiley and Bent Formby.

I really love this book, I hope I can do it justice in this post. Wiley and Formby maintain that the invention of artificial lighting has been a disaster for people's health because of the disruption to our sleep habits. They say that long light exposure and short exposure to true darkness gives our bodies the idea that it is summer. Summer means ripe fruit and the highest carbohydrate comsumption of the year.

The purpose of high carb consumption in summer, according to LO, is two-fold: to fuel our summer reproductive activities, and to lay down a layer of fat to help us get through the winter.

By staying up late and going short on sleep, our bodies think it's summer all the time leading to carb cravings. They feel that people can lose weight and eliminate cravings for carbs by getting lots of sleep in a completely darkened room. Their basic recommendation is for 9.5 hours of sleep every night during the darkest seven months of the year. In summer, it's ok to stay up late, although those wishing to lose weight might prefer to stick to a winter sleep schedule.

It's a very bizarre book in many ways. The authors have an almost sarcastic style that in my opinion is not designed to win converts. They are very pro-lowcarb. People who already agree with them will love it, and at least it's not a dull read.

They have footnoted everything - a third of the book is references. They go extensively into the hormonal issues involved - cortisol and melantonin and more.

I find it easy to pick holes in their arguments about some of the details, but not about their overall thesis. It's a very hard thing to put into practice though. I tried, but it is very hard to go against the grain of family life.

I have found the book in lots of libraries and in Borders and on Amazon. If any of you would care to read it, I would love to discuss it with you.

Alice

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lc since 12/18/01