Should You Risk It?

Last weeks blog talked about the need for more sleep. And continuing with that topic this week I will talk about the risks that come with to little sleep.

Chronic sleep loss (night after night of less than 7-9 hours of sleep) is a risk factor for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, as well as a contributer to weight gain and increased levels of body fat.  This is because, according to researchers, people who do not get sufficient sleep each night tend to make poor food choices and eat the first things they see that are easy to eat (aka crap). No one ever got lean eating those Healthy Choice TV dinners.

People also tend to make poorer choices in general with a lack of sleep. And researchers have found that after 24 hours without sleep your performance results are similar to those of being intoxicated with a blood alcohol level of 0.10%. Again, you know the choices you tend to make after drinking too much, not good. Well when you are sleep deprived your foods choices tend to be equally as bad, except without the hangover.

So tonight just turn off the TV, computer, put the work down, and go to bed early continuing to make this a habit. And no staying up pulling all nighters is not the way to get work done. Do you really think work done at 2 a.m. is your best. Go to sleep and start fresh in the morning. You'll be more productive and your waist line will thank you.

Live Fit,

Josh