Rest for Results: The Role of Sleep in Weight Management

If maintaining a stable weight is a struggle, you are not alone.  Whether you are working to put on a few pounds or you are frustrated with the inability to lose a few pounds, almost everyone is familiar with the daily fight to achieve a healthy weight.  It can be a slow, exasperating process.  Many of us prioritize food choices and exercise when working toward our weight goals.  These priorities are justified; however, I would like to add one more element to the equation that help you to see quicker results… sleep.  I will focus this article on how sleep impacts our weight maintenance goals and specifically talk about how we can alter our choices throughout the day based upon the hours of sleep we achieve each night. 

Sleep And Weight Maintenance

Sleep loss has a significant impact on the number we see on the scale.  The link between sleep loss and weight gain involves three main areas: (1) changes in glucose metabolism, (2) insulin sensitivity, and (3) appetite regulation.