We’d all love a miracle weight loss supplement—one that allowed us to burn more fat, avoid overeating, and lose interest in junk food.  Well, it turns out that researchers are discovering that there is something that does all this and more.  It’s cheap, it’s legal, it’s SLEEP!

Believe it or not, sleep is the cornerstone of any good weight loss initiative.  Adequate sleep makes it easier to eat right because it can:

1.  Help stabilize blood sugar.  Balanced blood sugar means your body and brain are getting a steady fuel supply and can operate at their best.  This helps your body burn fat and also helps to:

2.  Reduce appetite and cravings.  Studies show that after a few days of sleep deprivation, subjects became hungrier…and not for vegetables!  Sleepy people craved sweets, breads and processed carbohydrates.

3.  Improve energy, mood and concentration.  This strengthens will-power and prevents you from needing junk food to stay alert through the afternoon.

It’s no wonder that people who get adequate sleep have an easier time eating healthy and losing weight.

How much sleep is enough?  The average is 7 hours, but everyone is different.  Try to get enough so that you don’t groan as you get out of bed.  And if you do have a sleepless night, be on guard against extra hunger and cravings the next day.  Do your best to resist the junk food cravings and get to bed early.  Tomorrow is another day and, with a good night’s sleep, it will be easier to eat all the right things.

Sweet dreams!

Jill