Packed schedules are nothing new to us. Staying up late to get one more thing done has become normal. It almost seems like the notion to get a steady eight hours of sleep is almost over rated. This is all wrong though. Lack of sleep leads a snowball effect to bad decisions that negatively affect your health.

WebMd.com posted study showing that lack of sleep leads to diabetes and obesity.  The conclusion of the study was that sleep deprivation can actually make you eat more!  When your sleep deprived your more likely to grab something quick for supper on the way home, such as fast food, or carry out. You’ll feel drained and the sound of a Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha sounds like the perfect pick up. The study also showed that on average women took in about 300 more calories per day and men about 250.

Those numbers equal easily an additional 2000 calories a week, that’s roughly 30 additional pounds a year! Along with the poor decisions that come with lack of sleep, you can also experience mood changes, decreased immune system, and even memory loss.  Sleep is just as vital as eating regular balanced meals throughout the day. Set a regular time to go to bed and regular wake time. With a regular sleep schedule you’ll make better eating decisions and be able fight off quick energy fixes. A solid seven to eight hours of sleep is what your body needs to function properly.

Ellen Waller, BS AFAA