improve your sleep for fat loss
Why is QUALITY sleep important for body composition?
Well first let’s look at what happens without it…
poor decision making & brain fog
increased feelings of stress, anxiety, & depression
impaired physical performance, as well as poor muscle recovery & repair
increased appetite and cravings, particularly for high-calorie, sugary, and high-fat food (poor sleep interferes with hunger hormones ghrelin & leptin).
risk of becoming insulin resistant and developing type 2 diabetes.
poor blood sugar regulation (which can contribute to poor sleep, low energy, hormonal issues, and increased cravings).
increased fat storage (especially around abdomen)
You can be eating all of the right things and exercising regularly but if this piece of the puzzle is missing, it may still feel like an uphill battle.
It’s also important to note that stress and sleep are deeply intertwined.
Insufficient or poor-quality sleep can impose significant stress on the body, while stress itself can often contribute to sleep disturbances.
You might say, “but I’m not stressed!”
However, if you’re not sleeping well, undernourishing, overexercising, constantly stimulated, overexposed to blue light, and lacking in sunlight… then the truth is that your body likely IS stressed.
While there are many stressors that we can’t control, focusing on remedying these things reduces a lot of the stress on our bodies AND make us more resilient to ones we can’t control.
So what can we do to reap the benefits that come with quality & consistent sleep?
Improve Circadian Rhythm
The circadian rhythm is the body's internal clock which plays a crucial role our sleep-wake cycles, hormone regulation, metabolism, immune function, mood, & overall energy.
Understanding how our environment and habits disrupt this delicate balance is key to restoring restful sleep.
Here’s what you can do:
Use morning & evening sun light exposure to promote better sleep-wake patterns. Get light within the first few hours of the day (at least 15-20 minutes) to help signal your body to wake up and be alert. Getting outside in the last hour or two of natural light at the end of the day can help signal to your body to prepare for rest.
Reduce exposure to artificial light after sun down, especially during the 1-2 hours before bedtime. Consider using soft lighting like candles or red light bulbs, and avoid screens or use low/no blue light settings. If needed, blue light blocking glasses can help when controlling your environment is challenging. This minimizes disruptions to melatonin production, promoting better sleep.
Establish a consistent sleep schedule & go to bed earlier (ideally between 10-11PM). In the first few hours of the night your body enters deep, restorative sleep, including slow-wave sleep. This is where your body repairs tissues, releases growth hormone, supports the immune system, and detoxifies the brain, helping with physical and mental rejuvenation. If you stay up late, you miss out on some of these benefits.
Create A Good Environment & Routine For Sleep
We are cyclical creatures and having the right routines can help the body keep our tuned in to what we need.
Consider these tips:
Maintain the same bedtime & wake-up time
Develop a bedtime routine that helps you calm down (e.g., reading, a bath, low lighting, stretching).
Avoid stimulating activities before bed (ever notice how you can stay up for hours scrolling through your phone before bed?)
Create a cool & completely dark environment (did you know that to fall asleep the body’s core temperature needs to drop? This is why taking a bath before bed can help improve sleep).
Stop eating 2h before bedtime to allow the body to REST during sleep rather than have to put energy into digestion.
Prioritize Blood Sugar Regulation
Blood sugar regulation is essential for improving sleep because it helps stabilize energy levels, reduces nighttime awakenings, balances hunger hormones, supports optimal hormonal balance, and enhances deep, restorative sleep.
Stable blood sugar levels contribute to uninterrupted, quality sleep.
Here are some practical steps:
Eat breakfast within the first hour of the day then eat every 3-5h after that.
Include protein (at least 25g) at every meal
Don’t eat carbs “naked.” Pair them with protein, fat, and/or fibre or eat them AFTER to prevent blood sugar spikes.
If you need helps creating meals & snacks that help promote blood sugar regulation, check out my ready-made meal plan or get set up with a personalized meal plan!
While we've primarily focused on the impact of sleep and physical stress on your body composition, it's crucial not to overlook the role of mental stress. Stress from work, relationships, or daily life can also affect your journey toward better health.
High levels of mental stress can lead to hormonal dysfunction, including elevated cortisol, as well as impaired digestion and poor sleep, as we previously discussed. These factors can hinder fat loss, promote fat storage, and negatively impact your overall well-being and health.
Managing mental stress is a key component of your holistic approach to achieving your health and body composition goals. Incorporating stress-reduction techniques like meditation, mindfulness, deep breathing, play/fun, or simply taking time for yourself can make a significant difference.
