Nothing derails fat loss, immune health, and your mood like terrible sleep.
There's nothing like that sinking feeling when you realize you just downed a venti coffee way too late in the day to fall asleep at bedtime. And even if you remember to go decaf after lunch, your neighbor's barking dog or work deadlines can still keep you up.
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When you're exhausted, you're not going to make the best eating decisions. Studies show that just one sleep-deprived night can knock your stress hormones out of whack, making you more likely to gain weight and experience uncomfortable symptoms like skin breakouts. (1)
Take Bedtime Back
Sleep has always been tops among my blog topics because you need quality sleep in order to burn fat, build muscle, rev up your metabolism, support your immune system, and manage stress.
Take back control of your nights by singling out what you can control during the day. Here are seven easy ways to make it happen:
Create a power-down hour. The blue light from electronics can interfere with sleep long after you turn them off. Put your iPhone to bed at least an hour before you turn in yourself. That “urgent” email from your boss can wait till morning, and you can always stream late-night talk shows the next day.
Go for calm. You’ve carved out that hour before bed without electronics. Now replace that hour of reruns with a calming routine! Meditation, gratitude journaling, a hot cup of chamomile tea, or an Epsom salts bath are all great options. Find what works for you to slowly shut down your mental chatter, so you can drift off peacefully.
Watch the alcohol. That second glass of pinot noir might lull you to sleep, but it will also make you dehydrated and cause blood sugar changes that can result in waking again at 3 AM! If you have a drink with or after dinner, pair it with two glasses of water, and never use alcohol as a sleep aid.
Ditto caffeine. Love my Bulletproof ™ Coffee, but I restrict it to the morning hours. Especially if you’re a slow caffeine metabolizer, a mid-afternoon java jolt can leave you jittery before bed. Limit the caffeine to morning hours and switch to green tea (preferably decaf) by afternoon.
Try Sleep Candy™. Sometimes you need a little extra help falling or staying asleep. Most over-the-counter stuff creates an awful morning-after “hangover,” and pharmaceutical sleep aids do more harm than good. Sleep Candy contains an all-natural blend of science-based nutrients and botanicals that calm your mind and gently help you drift into slumber, plus it tastes delicious! You can only find Sleep Candy™ here.
Close your kitchen after dinner. Be sure you get plenty of healthy carbs with dinner, then shut the kitchen until you break your fast the following morning. (You'll effortlessly create a 12–15 hour overnight fast.) Late-night snacking crashes your blood sugar (making you an excellent fat storer) and cuts into quality sleep. (Remember, if your stomach growls, you might actually be thirsty! A study at the University of Washington found that one glass of water before bed curbed hunger for everyone who tried it.) (2)
Keep exercise early (but don't skip out!) Exercise will make you a better sleeper. But working out too late in your day can leave you wired before bed. No more browsing the Macy's clearance sale while you should be sleeping soundly! Go for it when it comes to bursting up the hotel stairs, but limit vigorous exercise to the morning or early afternoon hours.
Can you be the best fat burner AND enjoy pudding, fudge, brownies, and mousse? Yes, you can… with these 15 fabulously decadent recipes. They’re all FREE in my Sweet Treats Recipe Guide. Get yours here.
The views in this blog by JJ Virgin should never be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Please work with a healthcare practitioner concerning any medical problem or concern. The information here is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or condition. Statements contained here have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
References
1. Spivey A. Lose sleep, gain weight: another piece of the obesity puzzle. Environ Health Perspect. 2010 Jan;118(1):A28-33. doi: 10.1289/ehp.118-a28. PMID: 20061219; PMCID: PMC2831987.
2. University of Washington Study. 2002. Reported in Integrated and Alternative Medicine Clinical Highlights. Aug 4:1(16).
The views in this blog by JJ Virgin should never be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Please work with a healthcare practitioner concerning any medical problem or concern. The information here is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or condition. Statements contained here have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
