It is said that it’s really important to get enough sleep especially when you’re starting a new fitness program and sometimes that seems like an impossible task.
I’ve done a little bit of research about the importance of getting enough sleep.
Your body produces two different hormones – Ghrelin, which stimulates hunger, and Leptin, which tells you that you’re satisfied. When you get too little sleep, your body naturally increases the production of Ghrelin, so you need to eat more. It also naturally decreases the amount of Leptin in your body. So really it’s a hormonal thing. In fact, studies show that the people who get five hours or less of sleep per night on average are 50% more likely to be obese.
So what is enough sleep? People who get seven to nine hours of sleep every night are healthier individuals and their hormones in those two areas are way more balanced. When you are tired, you naturally crave things. You eat more. This is because of those two hormones that are in your body.
So think about those times when you’re really tired and what you normally grab for. Do you grab for the sugary things? Do you grab for treats that are really unhealthy for you? You’re less likely to make wise decisions when you are feeling run-down and ragged.
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