It seems eliminating unattractive belly fat, also known as love handles, takes more than adjusting your diet and fitness regime. Here are three best reasons why sleep may be the secret to successful weight loss.

Turns out, eliminating unattractive belly fat, also known as love handles or spare tires, takes more than adjusting your diet and fitness regime. A number of studies show that extremes of sleep duration are linked to gains in abdominal fat. There is mounting evidence that suggests quality sleep is particularly important when it comes to losing and maintaining a healthy weight.

Perhaps, poor sleep can do more than just cause weight gain or sabotage your weight loss. Sleep deprivation puts you at an increased risk of various serious health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, cancer, type 2 diabetes, etc. Say, you’re doing everything you could – cutting calories, running on a treadmill – to get rid of your belly fat but if you’re not getting enough snooze time, chances are you’re less likely to see results.

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Here are a few reasons why getting enough sleep may be the key to losing weight.

Increases your appetite: Researchers have found that a lack of sleep increases your appetite by raising your hunger hormone ghrelin, increasing your chances of consuming extra calories. When you do not adequate sleep, your body also makes less leptin that suppresses hunger and helps regulate body weight.

Increases your calorie intake: Studies have found that people who do not get an adequate amount of sleep tend to consume more calories and make poor food choices, which increases their risk of gaining weight. One study reported that men who had only four hours of sleep ate an average of 559 more calories the following day, compared to when they were allowed eight hours of sleep. Read – Weight loss: 7 step night-time routine for quick and easy weight loss – Lose weight while you sleep!

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Slows down your metabolism: Studies suggest that poor sleep may also decrease your resting metabolic rate (RMR) – which is the number of calories your body burns when you’re completely at rest. While findings regarding the link between sleep and RMR are inconclusive, it is also claimed that not getting a good night’s sleep can cause muscle loss.

Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night – however, the amount of sleep a person needs will depend on various factors particularly age. Sleep is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle, including weight maintenance. Establishing healthy sleep habits can do wonders for your health and your waistline. #KhabarLive

(Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.)