Improper Sleep Can Sabotage Fitness Goals

Most of us don’t have as much control over the amount that we sleep as we should.  Work, family, education, housekeeping, and so many other tasks can literally prevent us from getting the amount of sleep that we need.

Experts tell us, getting enough sleep actually improves metabolism.  People who are constantly sleep deprived, typically find that they have less energy to do regular, daily activities. 

As a result, sleep-deprived people often lower their own metabolism.  They simply don’t have the strength to break down food efficiently, particularly carbohydrates.  This is a very difficult issue, because many people can only find time to exercise by borrowing from their rest time. 

For example, after a long day of work and dealing with family and home commitments, a person may find the only time they have to exercise is late at night. So what should you do?

Ultimately, it’s a question of balance.  Naturally, if you’re willing to exercise, and your doctor agrees that it’s healthy for you, then you’re not going to get fit by sleeping instead of exercising. 

Yet, if you steal time away from your sleep in order to exercise, you can actually do more harm than good, because the following day, you won’t have enough energy to digest what you eat.  The answer to this catch-22 lies in balance. 

You don’t have to work out every night.  Or perhaps you can integrate a workout into your life during the day, maybe at lunchtime or right after work. 

Most fitness clubs are open very early, some are even open 24 hours. You can also get some fitness equipment for your home and workout there.

If you find you have trouble sleeping, this can also negatively affect the speed of your metabolism, because you won’t have enough energy the following day.  Insomnia and other sleep disorders are very common problems.

Some non-medical tips to help you fall asleep include:

• Don’t eat late at night
• Try drinking warm milk before bedtime
• Don’t turn on the TV at night
• Try yoga or other stress-relieving practices
• Try having a warm bath before bedtime
• Don’t exercise close to bedtime, your body can become so energized that it doesn’t want to sleep.

So fluff those pillows and get to sleep!

Live Fit Live Strong!