I just read an article in the latest Readers Digest magazine about the effects of sleep deprivation. I'm just going to quote a couple of paragraphs from the article and let you come to your own conclusions.

" In 1999 Eve Van Cauter, A University of Chicago sleep researcher, published a groundbreaking study in The Lancet in which, for six nights, young men spent only four hours in bed. During that week, their blood samples showed impaired glucose tolerance: They were in a prediabetic state.

Van Cauter believes that sleep loss is partly involved in the rising rate of obesity. One link is growth hormone, which controls the proportions of fat and muscle in the body. Lack of sleep could drive down growth hormone, accelerating the paunch process. Another hormone, leptin, tells the body when it should feel full. 'With the low leptin levels of sleep debt, ' Van Cauter says, 'your body will crave carbohydrates even though you've had enough calories.'"

Since reading this article, I've stopped staying up until past midnight. In fact, I'm sending myself off to beddy-bye at 10 pm on the dot, whether I'm in the middle of watching a TV show or doing paperwork with DH. One night I just dropped everything and went off to bed leaving him sitting there with his jaw hanging down. Usually he's asleep hours before I come to bed. It's too soon to tell yet whether or not getting more sleep will help in my weight loss efforts but it sure can't hurt.

It also struck me as significant about the "paunch process" and I'm wondering if this is why I lose weight everywhere else but in my tummy. Could this be the body's way of conserving energy for a "rainy day"? We will see. Anyhow, all you insomniacs out there. If you're having trouble with carb snack attacks when you know you've had enough food to eat, think about your sleep habits and perhaps try to get a few more zzzzzzs.

I would just like to say that is very interesting. I think more research or experiments could be done on that. I do see how one can affect the other. I feel like I have more control over my calories if I am up early. I have to be at work at 6:30 a.m. and I actually feel more energized once I have eaten breakfast. Of course I don't eat that early. We usually order in or grab something at work around 8:30 or so. Thanks for the info though.

Dana
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Gee, LindaBC - you can just change over to eastern hours! LOL!

I agree completely. However, I seldom sleep for 8 hours so must be sleep deprived. I am usually asleep by 10:30 but wake at 5 - only 6.5 hours later. Guess I neeed to stop reading before I sleep!

Much to consider here! I know that when I am tired, which is often, that I continually have the urge to graze. It is as if I am looking for energy in food when it is sleep that I need! Then I think of Jiff with her sleep apnea and it seems like a real catch 22!

Hope your sleeping well...I am off to take a nap!

peach

Very interesting Linda! I wish I could get more sleep--my wee one has me up at 5 am nearly every morning so sleep deprivation is unfortunately part of the program. And yes, I find myself going to be rather early compared to some people I know. If my butt doesn't hit a mattress by at the latest 11pm my internal clock shuts me downs and I fall asleep where I'm at!

Pooky, what time does your little gal go to bed? Perhaps you should crash shortly after she does. Of course, you probably want to spend some quality time with your DH, but I'm just wondering if perhaps you could try going to bed an hour or two earlier several nights a week so you're more rested when she wakes up at 5. Just a thought. I know how hard you work. You must really need some extra zzzzzs.
Ruth, some people don't seem to need as much sleep but for others, their minds are always zipping along thinking about things they have to do so they can't sleep. Somebody suggested just writing yourself a note of all you have to do the next day. Then it's off your mind and on paper so you don't have to think about it anymore. Then again, needing less sleep can be a sign of old age. My aunt and uncle (in their mid-80s) say they just don't need as much sleep anymore but I think they both have good long afternoon naps every day. That could be the reason.