When a client runs into a plateau and I look over what they eat and their training and everything seems to check out, you know what else I go to?...

Their sleep.

I know, I know. Booooring, right? Yesterday, we chatted about water. Today, it's about sleep.

But it's important to understand this...

Poor quality sleep has repeatedly been linked to a higher body mass index (BMI) and weight gain.

Additionally, many sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, are worsened by weight gain. 

It’s a vicious cycle...

Poor sleep can cause weight gain, weight gain can cause your sleep quality to decrease even further.

Now you might be thinking, "I get plenty of sleep, Mike. I'm just hungry all the time!"

Get this...

It's not just the quantity of sleep. It's the QUALITY of sleep.

Studies show that if you're not getting QUALITY sleep, you have a bigger appetite and tend to eat more.

This is due to its effect on hormones that signal hunger and fullness.

Furthermore, research has found that lack of sleep can increase your cravings for foods that are high in calories, carbohydrates, and fat. 

Those who get adequate quality sleep tend to eat fewer calories than those who don’t get enough sleep.

If you find yourself hungry all the time and/or crave sweets and carbs, your sleep could be a low quality sleep or you're not getting enough of sleep.

So what can you do?

1. Try to go to bed and wake up at around the same time every day
2. Avoid caffeine late in the day
3. Reduce (or eliminate) small screens such as phones, tablets, etc. 1 hour before bed
4. Most importantly, manage your stress and recover from it better

This includes physical and mental stress.

Here's something you can do at night that boosts your energy the following day, helps you get QUALITY sleep, and reduce the anxiety from stress.

To more (and better) sleep, helping you get fit in 2024,

Mikey