Sleep for weight loss.
Getting enough sleep does more than keep you from eating for energy. The University of Chicago recently found that a woman’s metabolism rises 40% when she gets enough sleep.
Category: Daily Tips
About the Author (Author Profile)
Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen (“Dr. A”) is a board-certified doctor, and the co-founder of Take Shape for Life (TSFL). He serves as the Medical Director of Medifast, and and is the best-selling author of “Dr. A’s Habits of Health”, and “Living a Longer Healthier Life.”
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As a woman, age 54, I am not a great sleeper. Since losing 120 lbs., it has improved some, but still the longest I sleep at a time is probably 2 hours. At least I can get back to sleep after waking and visiting the bathroom, but I still feel it isn’t good hard sleep. What can I do to improve my sleeping situation? I have started drinking some chammomile tea but not real sure how beneficial it really is. Thank you very much.
Hi Karen,
I am a TSFL health coach as well a Nurse Pracitioner and work in Sleep Medicine.
Have you considered having an evaluation at a sleep disorder clinic in your area. You may be snoring and waking yourself up frequently. 20% of people don’t make ‘snoring noices’ but still obstruct their throat, lower their oxygen levels and therefor the body tells them to wake up to breath. It also could be ‘central sleep apnea’ were you stop breathing for a few seconds.
A sleep study may be in order and can be very helpful. Frequently I find that the bathroom trips also become less frequent or none at all during the night once the underlying issue is resolved. Other issues could be going through menopause or thyroid issues. You may want to talk about this with your Primary care provider.
Hope this helps. Harma
Is see you have AFib. Another very good reason to undergo a sleep study as AFIb incidents can be reduced if the sleep apnea is treated. Harma
Is melatonin safe to take when one has AFib?
Hi Karen,
I’m just a few years older than you and can relate to what you’re saying about not sleeping deeply and soundly. For me it’s definitely hormonal, and it’s often a hot flash that awakens me. But stress, diet, and lack of exercise can also contribute to your sleeplessness. There are so many little tricks you can try, and perhaps you should try them all at once. Here are my suggestions: 1. Cut out all caffeine, including anything with chocolate. If you can’t quit the caffeine habit, draw a line at noon and don’t have any after that. 2. Make sure it’s very dark in your bedroom. If your curtains aren’t think enough to block out light from outside the house, add a black-out liner. 3. Avoid spicy foods at night. 4. Stop drinking fluids at least 2 hours before going to bed. 5. Take a hot bath before bed. 6. Get some exercise during the day, even if it’s just a good brisk walk. 7. Go to bed earlier. If you stay up past when you should be sleeping, your adrenal system will kick in and give you a burst of energy. You don’t want that to happen. It’s very unhealthy, especially over the long term. 8. If you’re sharing your bed with someone who snores, get some ear plugs, or get your bed mate to lose weight so he’ll stop snoring. 9. My physician(s) recommended I use Melatonin. Melatonin is available over the counter. I found it helped to “re-train” my body to sleep more soundly. Good luck, Karen. Let me know if this helps.
June Davis
June@GetSlimCoach.com 410-571-2793
Sleep and weight are very much interlinked! By sleeping more you lose weight and by losing weight you tend to get a higher quality of sleep. Being overweight can cause snoring and sleep apnea so it is very important that you watch your weight, so it’s important to keep a good balance in your life.
Very true David! Thank you for your comment. -Dr. A.