Is enough sleep necessary for weight loss?

3 weeks ago, I've lost 15 lbs by eating less to 1,000 cal and burn 2,000 cal a day with normal daily activities (no exercise), but this week I dont lose any lbs at all.

I sleep less than 6 hours a day lately.  Do you think enough sleep is necessary for weight loss?

It's probably because you're not getting enough calories.  As a woman you're not suppose to have less then 1200 calories, especially if you're burning that many calories working out!!  Your system had a jump start from you cutting calories, but after a while it realizes it won't be getting much more then it has been so it starts holding onto what it has, and it creates that plateau in your weight loss.   Try eating more and you'll probably see a loss again. 

Also, I have heard that 8 hours of sleep is good for stress levels and can aid in  weight loss, but I'm not 100% positive.

Thanks mrs corbett   : )  Your advice is just like H's.  I shall adapt my diet plan and eat more.

mrscorbett is correct - you're eating WAY too little, and your body is holding on to your weight.

In regards to the sleep, you won't actually lose more simply because you're getting more sleep, but if you're tired a lot, you'll tend to want to eat more because you feel like you need the energy boost.  It has been proven that getting a solid 8 hours has helped people lose weight, because they're more able to control cravings.

Don't forget it's not JUST about calories, it's about turning your body into a lean, mean, calorie-burning machine.  To do that, you need to make sure you're drinking enough water, getting enough fiber/vitamins/fat/carbs, and getting enough sleep.  When your body is working at it's optimal level, it's going to be more efficient.  Think of your body like a finely tuned race car.  It just isn't going to run as well on low grade fuel/oil.

Hope that helps. :)

Firstly, I agree with the posters who say you should eat more, and I'm glad that you are upping your calories.

That said, in 2004, two sleep researchers did two different sleep studies.  One was in Stanford, one was at the University of Chicago.  Both studies showed a correlation between getting too little sleep and being overweight.  They found that sleep deprivation increases levels of a hunger hormone and decreases levels of a hormone that makes you feel full. The effects may lead to overeating and weight gain.

So it makes sense to me that getting enough sleep can help regulate these hormones and help us to lose weight.