How Losing Weight in Your Sleep Works

Overview

Weight loss can almost triple during the REM (rapid eye movement) cycle of sleep, according to pediatric sleep specialist, Dennis Rosen, M.D. This is due to a combination of elements including hormone production (ghrelin and leptin) during sleep and increased brain metabolism.

Hormones

Hormones control appetite and how well your body metabolizes food. If you do not get enough sleep, the hormones that are optimally produced while you're dreaming become disrupted. This can lead to overeating, and your body will hold onto fat as it enters starvation mode. If you get adequate sleep, your body releases balanced amounts of hormones that allows you to burn fat effectively and avoid overeating the next day. Less than eight hours of sleep each night leads to over production of ghrelin, a hormone that induces hunger. Adequate sleep, about eight hours of uninterrupted sleep for a healthy adult, keeps the production of ghrelin and leptin, a hormone that helps you feel full and balanced.

Brain Metabolism

The body regenerates itself when we are asleep. It takes energy (calories) to heal the body and repair muscles and ligaments that become worn out during the day. We lose more weight during a deep slumber than we do lying in bed watching TV, although it appears we are doing the same amount of physical activity. It may appear that we are doing nothing, but, in fact, our bodies are quite active during REM sleep. The brain consumes more energy while we are dreaming than it does when we are awake. All of this excess work equals more calories burned.

Excess Weight

Getting a good night's sleep can help you shed excess weight, but will only work when conjoined with a healthy lifestyle. Eat a healthy diet and exercise three to four times a week to lose weight. Obstacles that overweight people often face are health issues that make getting sound sleep difficult. If you want to help your weight loss program and overall fitness by getting more sleep, but your excess weight has led to sleep apnea or other medical conditions, it can feel like a vicious cycle. See a sleep specialist to help you find ways to sleep more soundly at night. As you lose excess weight, you will be able to sleep more deeply to help you keep the weight off.