Lack of Sleep = Weight Gain?

I have learned so much from the experts of the “Dream Team” who worked with me over this past year, and some I have learned on my own. One very important aspect that I have discovered is the importance of sleep.

Before I began my new healthy lifestyle I averaged about five to six hours of sleep per night. I would stay up half the night surfing the net and making excuses that I was busy looking for interesting materials that I could use in my teaching. 

While that was partially true, I certainly didn’t have to spend that much time sitting on the computer while wasting valuable time for resting or for exercising.

Now that I make a conscious choice to exercise daily, I prioritize my time better so that I don’t spend so much time doing things that are frivolous. 

Additionally, since I exercise in the evenings, I am exhausted by the end of the day and ready to go to sleep at a decent hour. As a result, I now average the seven to nine hours of sleep per night which is recommended by health professionals.

I recently read some valuable information concerning sleep deprivation and its link to obesity. Research has shown that sleeping less than seven hours per night causes interference with blood sugar levels and, additionally, aids in our making poor food choices, as we are more apt to choose a high calorie, high carb food for that quick energy fix rather than something healthier and more nutritious.

Additionally, lack of sleep produces less of the appetite suppressant hormone Leptin and more of the appetite stimulant hormone Ghrelin.    

This information is fascinating to me, and it helps me to understand how my unhealthy habits contributed to my obesity. For so long I couldn’t understand why I was obese—I figured it just ran in my family. I now better understand it was because of so many bad habits; such as, eating pre-packaged quick fix meals, lack of daily exercise, lack of eating nutritiously, and lack of sleep. 

Now I eat everything natural, exercise daily, and get the required rest my body needs. As a result, my energy level has greatly improved, as well as my weight.

Since the Biblical age, sleep has been known as a time for healing in our bodies. John 11:12 demonstrates this as Jesus’ disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.” 

They knew the importance of sleep. Even when God created the Heavens and the Earth, He rested on the seventh day. God has perfectly designed our bodies to rest so that we can be restored and healed. Rest is just one more way that we can keep our temple healthy and holy.

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