Lose Weight When You Sleep

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Have you every heard you can lose weight when you sleep. Fat chance, right? The real truth is that the body is always working when we sleep. In fact, sleep is an elimination process. This means our elimination systems are working round the clock to clear neurotoxic waste products. (1) Even the brain eliminates toxins as we sleep.(2) When all elimination systems work properly we have better depth and duration of sleep and weight loss is a natural byproduct.

 

Here are 6 tips on how you can lose weight while sleeping.

Deep breathing exercises such as breathing in to a count of 4 and breathing out to a count of 7 can help  relax us before we go to sleep. But did you know your breath also plays an important role in the elimination of toxins as you sleep? A healthy habit to implement is to practice deep breathing exercises and meditation before bed, you’ll feel more relaxed and sleep sounder.

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Our endocrine system has a job of keeping our hormones in balance. Our sex hormones influences circadian function. When we have depleted testosterone levels we can equally have a disrupted sleep cycle. What disrupts testosterone and estrogen levels is a diet high in sugar. Prolonged stress and high cortisol levels can also be linked to high blood sugar levels. Stress has a direct relationship with insomnia. The body hangs onto fat when cortisol levels are out of balance and the body won’t release it willingly if we don’t sleep.

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There is a hidden connection between hormones and neurotransmitters.(3)  Serotonin and melatonin are neurotransmitters. Foods that impair neurotransmitter metabolism are dairy and wheat. (4) Serotonin is known to thrive on sunlight while melatonin requires lower levels of light. This forms the path to our body’s natural circadian rhythms. However with exposures to cell phones, TV’s and computer light we tend to keep these neurotransmitters in a confused state. When we find healthy ways to de-stress, increase nutrient rich foods and avoid computers and TV’s viewing in the evening, we can improve sleep and the body’s natural processes of elimination, leading to weight loss.

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Addictions can slow the body’s elimination processes. Dr. Daniel Amen from the Amen Clinic teaches us that there are detrimental affects on our brain from addictions to caffeine and alcohol.(5) Caffeine can last 17 hours in our body and disrupts good gut bacteria leading to low melatonin levels.

Our brain and body are about 65% water. To increase the health of our elimination systems we need to remember to drink more pure clean water during the day. Water assist the body in removing toxins and improves weight loss as we sleep.

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Skin is the largest elimination organ of the body and has a relationship to all of our internal organs and body parts. One of the functions of the skin is to excrete waste just like our gut, lungs, kidneys, liver and cells. If you’re concerned about stinky armpit odors, your caffeine and alcohol habit is usually the culprit. Your skin will eliminate better and smell better when you drink more water. Many of my clients use a Far Infrared Sauna in the evening. Sweat improves circulation and congestion within the skin and the body.

And here’s a reminder: If we eat junk and garbage during the day, we have cellular exhaustion and weakness at night. Reduced nutrition to the epidermis leaves it unable to repair damages.

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There are times in the evening that our glands, organs and body systems naturally detox. For our adrenals, thyroid and metabolism the detox time is around 9pm. This is why it is not recommended to eat after this time. Between 1-3am it’s usually time for the liver to detox. Drinking alcohol, caffeine or taking drugs at this time can halt or hinder the body’s elimination process. Caffeine is broken down by the liver and may make it more difficult to cleanse the liver. When the liver is toxic it can hold onto fat. Making bedtime a priority before 1am is a good idea!

 

Want to sleep better and lose weight?  By taking these simple bite size steps you can be empowered to do both tonight.

 

Find out the consequences when you don’t sleep? Go Here.

 

Connie Rogers is a Certified Integrative Holistic Health Coach, Gut/Brain Coach, Organic Gluten-Free Practitioner, Reiki Master and Published Author of Path to a Health Mind & Body http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0692566066?  and Your Diabetes Toolkit   Accredited through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners.

website www.bitesizepieces.net

 

 

Footnotes:

1- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24136970

2- http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/october2013/10282013clear.htm

3-http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10957/

4- http://www.13.waisays.com

5-  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1177258/Are-wrecking-brain-Chilling-pictures-reveal-shocking-effects-alcohol-cigarettes-caffeine-mind.html

 

Connie Rogers
Connie Rogers is a Certified Integrative Nutritional Holistic Health Coach, Published Author, Certified Skin Health Educator for 40 years, Expert in non-pharmaceutical applications to chronic illnesses for endocrine, metabolic, and skin health.

Connie believes health and wellness are established with proper nutrition, fitness, and mindfulness. Connie takes a natural and holistic, common sense approach to rebuilding well-being from the ground up. As she works with each client, together they open a door that empowers them to rewrite their life, one bite size step at a time!