Sleep: The Dream Diet

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SLEEP AND LOSE WEIGHT

Sleep and weight loss; that sounds like the dream diet. In America we take great pride in pulling all nighters and operating on 4 or 5 hours sleep. In reality most people need between 7 to 9 hours of sleep in order for the body to do the repairs it needs and for body functions to be in optimal health. For effective weight loss, it is important that you get quality sleep, this means uninterrupted sleep. You must get the required amount or REM sleep for the body to totally benefit.

EAT RIGHT

Sleep well through the night and decrease your desire for unhealthy eating habits. As your body stabilitzes it’s energy supply it will want to make better choices. Get your body ready for sleep by eating well throughout the day. Stay away from unhealthy food options, which make your body work overtime to process. As you eat better, you sleep better, as you sleep better, you eat better.

EXERCISE HELPS SLEEP

Get moving to help your sleep habits. Exercise has many benefits besides weight loss, one of them being that it helps you sleep better. Get your body moving and create a routine so your body knows when to expect physical activity. Avoid working out right before bed. As we work out the body releases endorphins that give us energy and amps us up. Schedule your workout in the early morning or afternoon. Late night exercise will create interrupted sleep.

BALANCING YOUR HORMONES

When we sleep our bodies work to keep our hormones in check. Two very important hormones that are balanced during sleep are Ghrelin and Leptin. Ghrelin makes you hungry, and Leptin tells you to stop eating when full. When we don’t get enough sleep these hormones go out of balance. Have you ever had a bad night’s sleep, followed by a day where you were always hungry and eating but never got full? If so you experienced the off balance effects of Ghrelin and Leptin!

SLIM DOWN WITH SLEEP

Lose more weight with this simple and healthy trick…sleep! Sleep well through the night and decrease your desire for unhealthy food. You will have more energy so it will be easier to get your body moving with exercise. With exercise, healthy eating, and plenty of sleep, your weight loss will be almost automatic! SWEET DREAMS!!!!

Pam Nelson, CPT (A.C.E), Fitness Trainer

Pam has been an A.C.E certified (American Council of Exercise) personal trainer for the general population since 1995. She is also a group instructor, and certified in teaching the “Mature Population”, people over 50. Her clients have varied far and wide. She has had people with Parkinson’s, amputees, athletes, and people struggling with sever weight issues. She has taught “Park City Boot Camp” for 5 years. She is a native of Utah, went to the University of Utah and has lived in Park City for 25 years. She enjoys an active lifestyle of hiking, biking, skiing, snowshoeing, anything that Utah has to offer. She has found a perfect fit working for Premier Fitness Camp and calls it her “Dream Job”. She is a trainer, group instructor, and a member of the coaching team.