Eat. Move. Sleep

Most of us don't realize that there is a connection between sleep and weight. We need 7 to 9 hours sleep, but most of us get less than that. Lack of sleep affects our fullness and hunger hormones. One hormone, ghrelin, tells the brain when it's time to eat. When you're sleep deprived, you produce more ghrelin. Another hormone, leptin, tells your brain when you're full. When you don't get enough sleep, your leptin levels are lowered.

In addition, studies have shown the following:

1. When you go to bed late, late nigh snacking increases
2. When you're sleep deprived you tend to reach for unhealthy food options, particularly high carb foods.
3. Lack of sleep leads to eating bigger portions

The bottom line is to get the optimal hours of sleep that your body needs to help you on your journey to healthy and fit.

Read this article from WebMD for more information on the correlation between weight and sleep. You'll also find tips on getting a good night's rest.

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