How important is sleep?

This is a very basic, and some what of a "noob"-like question. But I really don't know how sleep effects weight gain or weight loss. I know that sleep is important, and why its important. But how does it effect your body in the sense of weight gain or loss? And I am not just talking about staying up later might lead to snacking/binging...

I know that from my own experiance that I feel thinner when I get a good nights rest and usually feel fatter if I stay up late and get little to no sleep. Once again I am sorry for the dumb question.

It's pretty important so your body can work at its peak. Mentally, physically, emotionally, and when all those aspects are in a good place, you're going to eat better, exercise better, and all around be healthier. Physically, it's a time your body releases growth hormone at it's greatest, meaning it's when muscle is built and fat is burned off

And that's why I'm going to bed now...good night :P

Original Post by smartjock256:

It's pretty important so your body can work at its peak. Mentally, physically, emotionally, and when all those aspects are in a good place, you're going to eat better, exercise better, and all around be healthier. Physically, it's a time your body releases growth hormone at it's greatest, meaning it's when muscle is built and fat is burned off

More reason why I should quit pulling off those damn 6 hour nights... (we're talking 6 hour nights since last summer... 7 hours is a "good night")

So less sleep will attribute to weight gain?

In a sense, it can. Because if you're not sleeping, you're awake, and if you're awake, it can lead to eating and therefore to weight gain.

But that's just minor on the lack of sleep effects. The one that really kills me is being too tired to do homework/school. 

Original Post by osainto:

So less sleep will attribute to weight gain?

It's been pretty well summed up, but I'd also like to add that when you don't get enough sleep, your body struggles to produce enough energy. As such, your body starts to request external means of energy- food. Yes, the less sleep you allow for, the more food you must eat in order to maintain energy levels. This can cause weight gain, if you aren't smart about your food choices. I'd personally rather have an extra hour of sleep than a box of candy midday.

Then there's the obvious- if you're awake longer, you're not allowing your body enough time to fast! You're awake longer, you're going to experience more hunger!

Right, thanks for the info.

Basically, there are two major ways in which lack of sleep hinders weight loss. One of them is, as already noted, being awake more leads to eating more (see here). The otheris that by wearing down your organism you are decreasing its ability to normally process the nutrients you are taking in (see here). I take it you had some notion about the first and were inquiring about the second?

I`m not actually sure about how it applies to gaining though, from what I gather by reading those articles, less sleeping does equal weight gain, but in an unhealthy way, because of all the damage you are doing to your body, which will have long-term effects besides the obvious short-term ones (irritability, lack of energy etc.). What I mean here is, if your main purpose is solely to gain, you could very well be eating three meals a day at McDonald`s. But it`s WAY better to do it the healthy way, which includes just enough sleep.

thank you ily, that was exactly the answer I was looking for.

Also brother, two hours into your sleep cycle is when the body releases the anabolic growth hormone which is whats going to repair your body. Remember, thats the first priority when we gain, to repair what we have damaged. Are you awake still, WHY ARENT YOU ASLEEP?!?! Off to bed young man. (lol)

Getting 7-8 hours of sleep gives you the energy/motivation you need for exercise, it helps heal your body from the strains of the day, and relaxes you.  If you're stressed (from being sleepy) you're likely to binge on unhealthy foods or lots of caffeine. 

If you have trouble getting to sleep:

• Give up caffeine or stop drinking it around 4 pm
• Eat dinner several hours before bed and make sure it doesn't have too much protein (get your protein earlier in the day as it gives you energy and wakes you up)
  
• Take a warm shower or bath shortly before bed to relax your body
• Have a slice of (low-fat!) turkey for a treat before bed- the tryptophan will help you fall asleep quicker
• Drink a cup of herbal tea
• Shut off computer, tv, work-related projects, and anything that "wakes" your brain up and causes it to go into overdrive 30-60 minutes before bed
• Keep your bed made and bedroom clutter-free (studies have shown this leads to more relaxing sleep)
• Keep a general set bedtime during the week and stick to it
  

Sleep is so important to fat loss. When you sleep is when you burn the most fat. You should read this http://avidityfitness.net/2008/08/25/sleep-ea t-and-screwyourself-over/ it is a great article that really talks about the importance of sleeping.

I understand how important sleep is and would love to get 7-8 hours of sleep a night.  Does anyone know if there's a way to trick one's body into thinking it's gotten more sleep?  I work until 3am weekdays and have a 7-year-old, a 4-year-old, and a 9-month-old to care for during the day.  From the time I get home and get to sleep to when I have to get up for school drop-offs I get about 3-4 hours of sleep.  If I'm lucky, I'll get one or two naps in during the day for another hour or two of sleep.  Does it matter if the sleep is broken up like this?