Is Your Sleep Schedule Hindering Your Weight Loss Efforts

Young woman sleeping

Did You Know That a Varying Sleep Schedule Can Hinder Your Ability to Lose Weight?

Recent studies are continuing to discover how much our sleep schedules hinder or help our ability to lose weight. According to recent studies, people who maintain strict sleep schedules tend to have lower body fat percentages than those who vary their sleeping habits.

In a recent study led by Bruce Bailey, professor of exercise science at Brigham Young, researchers followed 300 female college students and monitored their movements and activities, including waking and sleep times. Study participants were assessed for body composition before and after the study period.

The Researchers Discovered the Following:

Getting less than 6.5 hours of sleep and more than 8.5 hours of sleep was linked to higher body fat
High quality sleep was associated with lower body fat while poor sleep correlated with higher body fat
Waking and going to sleep at the same time every day (particularly a consistent wake time) was most strongly linked with lower body fat

The greater the variation in waking patterns and the lower the quantity of sleep, the greater the body fat percentage.

While researchers don’t know exactly how sleep schedules affect body mass and fat, other studies have shown that sleep has an effect on physical activity, appetite, and the hormones that control appetite, metabolism, and the cues that tell us we’re full. According to studies skimping on sleep boosts the production of ghrelin, the hormone that controls food cravings, and decreases the production of leptin, the hormone that signals satiety and helps prevent over-eating. ( Forbes, Change Your Sleep Schedule To Lose Weight, Study Show )

According to Women’s Health magazine, showed the following for how keeping sleeping patterns consistent can help or hinder how nicely your clothes fit.

Average Daily Variation in Wake-Up Time & Body Fat %

Less than 30 minutes | 24.7%
31 – 60 minutes | 25.5%
61-90 minutes | 26.4%
91 – 120 minutes | 27.9%
More than 120 minutes | 30.6%

If you’re looking for an easier way to keep your body fat percentage at a minimum, simply keep consistent sleep patterns. Try to go to bed and wake-up at the same time every day of the week.

And if you’d like more information on how to lead a healthier lifestyle, make smarter food choices and lose weight, contact Calla Slimspa today!

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Blog Sources:

Women’s Health magazine, May 2014 | Lose Like Clockwork

Forbes magazine online,“Change Your Sleep Schedule To Lose Weight, Study Shows”