Sleep and fat loss
Discover the relationship between sleep and fat loss in the final part of this Fitness Nutrition series from PerformancePro.
Sleep is an underrated component of fat loss. At PerformancePro we teach clients that a sleep deprived body will struggle to lose fat or build muscle.
You may already know that sleep can help accelerate fat loss. But did you know that a lack of sleep will slow fat loss right down to a halt?
Sleep deprivation can increase the propensity to overeat. This is due to a drop in ‘Leptin’ – see Fitness Nutrition #1 – as we crave high-energy foods in an attempt to keep ourselves awake and alert.
8 hours quality sleep a night is the recommendation
For deep sleep – carbs, de-stressing and an Epsom salt bath
As mentioned in Fitness Nutrition #2, sleep quality is very important in improving body composition. A deeper sleep is more preferable to a broken sleep, which may leave you feeling un-rested and tired the next day.
Deep sleep and fat loss – 3 things to make a real difference
It’s difficult to get the perfect sleep every night, but these 3 things may make a big difference:
1. Spending the final part of your evening in darkness
Light keeps us awake, so by keeping it dark, our body will be much better prepared for a deep and restful slumber.
2. De-stressing before going to bed
Make sure everything for the next day is prepared in advance, minimising the amount of things to do before leaving for work in the morning. This helps to stop the mind from racing when you’re trying to fall asleep.
3. Having an Epsom salt bath
Even if it’s only a couple of times a week, this can be incredibly relaxing. Furthermore, the magnesium from the bath salts enters the body and can do wonders for creating a sense of calm.
For more insights into fitness nutrition, explore the PerformancePro nutrition archive >>
About the Author: Will Davis MSc, BSc, CSCS
Will Davis has worked in the fitness industry for over 9 years and is a Strength and Conditioning Coach working with PerformancePro. Will is also a Poliquin International Certified Level 2 Coach, Biosignature Practitioner and a strong man competitor.
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