What am I always telling you about the importance of a good night's sleep for fat loss and general health? Others agree. A new study from Wake Forest University sited in Men’s Health discovered too much or too little sleep can add extra pounds.
Researchers tracked participants for 5 years. In the under 40 age group, people who slept 5 hours or less each night gained nearly 2 ½ times as much abdominal fat as those who slept 6-7 hours.
Why? People with sleep deficits tend to eat more and use less energy because they are tired.
Can you believe it is nearly as bad if you sleep longer? Those who slept 8 hours or longer added nearly twice as much belly fat as the 6-7 hour group.
Why? Those who slept longer than 8 hours may be less active.
I want to stress the “tend” and “may” in these findings. Everyone is unique and we all need different amounts of sleep. How you feel when you wake up is the very best indication of if you are getting too little, too much, or just right (Goldilocks anyone). If you feel exhausted, or drugged when you wake up try changing how much you sleep and see if you feel a difference.
A lot of people I know have problems sleeping and how much and how well they sleep is beyond their control. Don’t despair. YOU totally control your activity level! So see you at the studio!!
Susan
Researchers tracked participants for 5 years. In the under 40 age group, people who slept 5 hours or less each night gained nearly 2 ½ times as much abdominal fat as those who slept 6-7 hours.
Why? People with sleep deficits tend to eat more and use less energy because they are tired.
Can you believe it is nearly as bad if you sleep longer? Those who slept 8 hours or longer added nearly twice as much belly fat as the 6-7 hour group.
Why? Those who slept longer than 8 hours may be less active.
I want to stress the “tend” and “may” in these findings. Everyone is unique and we all need different amounts of sleep. How you feel when you wake up is the very best indication of if you are getting too little, too much, or just right (Goldilocks anyone). If you feel exhausted, or drugged when you wake up try changing how much you sleep and see if you feel a difference.
A lot of people I know have problems sleeping and how much and how well they sleep is beyond their control. Don’t despair. YOU totally control your activity level! So see you at the studio!!
Susan
