BellaOnline Forums Food and Wine Low Carb How Many Hours of Sleep

I wonder why getting lots of sleep (being virtually immobile?) would promote weight loss. Could it be that if you're sleep deprived you snack on food that you shouldn't trying to get an energy boost?

I've been a night owl/insomniac for my whole life, it seems. Now, I sleep 7 or 8 hours a night and that seems like a lot to me.

MSBaby - no no it's not the immobility. It's the fact that your body needs sleep to be healthy. What they're saying is if you short change yourself on sleep - if you routinely get only 6 hours of sleep a night for example - it stresses your body out. Your stressed out body can't metabolize properly, so it clings to fat. So you have lots of trouble losing weight if you aren't getting enough sleep.

Deb - you poor thing!! I've had bouts with insomnia and it is SO rough. You lay there staring at the clock, saying "Well maybe I can get 3 hours of sleep if I could just fall asleep right now ..."

I see, it's kind of like when you try to diet your body gets stressed out and goes into panic mode. It seems that any kind of stress packs on the pounds. I have said before that I believe that I'm the only person on the plant that can come through a major life crisis 20 pounds heavier!

It goes something like this: First comes the Stress, then the stomach burns and I begin eating crackers or other high carb stuff to settle which results in a butt wide enough to sell ad space!

Right exactly! If your body feels stressed, it wants to hold onto calories. It figures it needs those to survive the impending peril. So the more relaxed and happy you can be - and the more regularly you eat - the more your body thinks "OK I guess it is safe to lose the weight".

In a way your body is trying to keep you safe! It's a good body. But it's just a bit confused

I have to have at least 8-9 hours of sleep to feel good. Now I have to plan for more hours in bed because I regularly wake up once or even twice at night. I keep a book (light reading) and a flash light by the bed so I can read without waking up my DH. The book helps me to relax and go back to sleep.

I also keep a CD of thunderstorm sounds. That helps me go back to sleep as well.

Hmm, maybe that is why I have been gaining weight - stress. I don't sleep a lot, five to six hours a night if I am lucky. Other than sleeping pills has anyone else figured out how to make yourself sleep?
I do go to bed but just toss and turn most nights.

Thanks,
Sheri

There are ALL sorts of tips to help you fall asleep more easily!!

Copper
Copper affects your mind if taken in large quantities. In addition to vitamins, copper is also found in grapes, peanut butter and chocolate. Copper has been found to cause nightmares in some individuals by overstimulating the creativity areas. If you're prone to nightmares, cut down on your copper intake before bedtime.

Calcium
Warm milk at bedtime is a classic drink for kids - and here's why. Low levels of calcium cause you to be restless, unable to fall asleep. Sometimes this can cause muscle cramps as well. Most adults become lactose intolerant as they age, so instead of those glasses of milk, be sure your daily vitamin contains appropriate doses of calcium.

Magnesium
If you're low on magnesium, you aren't able to fall into a full, deep sleep. You wake up at the slightest noise and sleep extra long hours because you're not really getting the sleep that you need. Good sources of magnesium are nuts, broccoli, spinach and fish. Be sure that your daily vitamin contains appropriate amounts of magnesium.

Think about the things that you tend to do before you fall asleep. They might include:

* Brushing your teeth
* Brushing your hair
* Washing your face
* Putting on skin products
* Turning on soft lighting
* Turning on aromatherapy
* Playing soft music
* Taking a bath

Whatever your nighttime routine, choose an order and then follow it each night. Your body will get used to that routine and know that it is what leads to sleep. It will adjust naturally to match!

Also make sure the room is dark and quiet. If you can't achieve quiet, get a noise machine

I love the thunderstorm idea!!