Jacqui Cleaver Co – Founder of New You Boot Camp (newyoubootcamp.com) says:
Sleep deprivation will inevitably have a huge inpact on weightloss for many. Seven to eight hours is the ideal amount of sleep for good rest and recovery, and the most important time to be in a deep slumber is between 11pm and 1am. Sleep allows our cells to regenerate and our bodies are not just resting during that time -they are recovering and rejuvenating too. When we are tried, our sugar cravings will rocket as our bodies are searching for energy. which leads to unstable blood sugar levels. Fatique tends to lead to self- medicating through sugar and caffeine, both of which hinder weightloss.
Sleep deprivation also causes our bodies to go into stress mode. it doesn’t always mean we are unhappy – there are a variety of lifestyle stressors that become the norm for a lot of us, such as a lack of shut eye, drinking too much alcohol, increased sugar and caffeine intake and a fast-paced way of living.
Daily stresses cause our adrenal glands to produce excess amounts of stress hormone cortisol which is a big enemy when it comes to losing weight. It is incredibly difficult to shed pounds when we have too much cortisol in our bodies as it makes our brains think that we are in `fight mode`, and as a concequence we store fat and our blood sugar levels increase. Both sleep deprivation and increased cortisol will make it very hard to keep cravings under control and lose fat. When it comes to sleep and stress, exercise is your best friend.
Daily activity will significantly help with both, whether it be more moderate intensity cardio, walking, HIIT or pilates. Learn to manage your stress -morning yoga is an effective and enjoyable way to stay calm throughout the day, as is mediation. Even just doing 10 minutes before bed can make a big difference. Cinnamon is also a great addition to food and drinks for stabilising blood sugar and reducing cravings.
