Want to lose weight?  Get a good night's sleep.  While it is usual for most of us to set an alarm clock to get up in the morning, I am proposing that one way you can help get the extra weight off is by setting that alarm to remind you to go to bed at night.  Getting 7-8 hours of restful sleep each and every night may be just the “miracle” you need to finally get those extra pounds off and keep them off. 

Researchers at the University of Chicago and at Stanford University have documented that sleep deprivation results in hormonal alterations that interfere with our sense of hunger and satiety.  Sleep deprivation leads to cravings for those high carbohydrate foods that pack on the calories.  At the same time, we never seem to get enough of them because we don’t ever feel satisfied or full.

There are two hormones involved in this reaction to sleep deprivation.  One of them is called Ghrelin and is responsible for stimulating our sense of hunger.  The other is Leptin which has a counter balancing role of alerting us that we are full or satiated.

Sleep deprivation causes a decrease in the levels of Leptin which may prevent you from feeling satisfied when you’re eating.  And thus you over eat.  Since these hormones normally balance each other, when the Leptin level falls, the Ghrelin level rises causing an insatiable appetite and sense of hunger.  Your appetite is never satisfied and you want to keep eating.

You can stop this cycle of overeating with a simple solution.  Go to bed!  Stop burning the midnight oil.  Get your sleep and get the weight off.  In the studies I mentioned earlier, the changes in the appetite of the subjects were seen in as little as a few days. 

Go ahead set the alarm each morning for 10:00 or 11:00PM or whatever time you need to go to bed that will allow you to get at least 7 hours of sleep.  Besides the benefit of restfulness and alertness you will find it easier to control your appetite and stick with your dietary plan to meet your goals. 

Stay tuned, in addition to the weight you’ll lose; there are many other benefits to be gained from getting a good night’s sleep.