Our body tells us that it's hungry and we eat. However, we are less likely to listen to our body when it's craving rest. Studies suggest that nearly 40% of Americans are moderately to severely sleep-deprived. Yikes. Sure our physical abilities weaken, we become noticeably sluggish, or even cranky during these times, but those are just symptoms. What else are we shortchanging when we shortchange on shut-eye? A lot, including weight loss efforts.
Now, I understand that many don't have lifestyles that accommodate to lengthy down periods. I also realize that there are many who suffer from sleep afflictions. And by no means is this an indictment on your situation. I experience a temporary medicinal-fueled form of insomnia with an MS therapy I undergo a few times a year and it sucks! But, I'm talking about when I have the natural ability to sleep and don't - along with others. Be it a television show, a blog post we just had to get off of our chest or whatever - trading in sleep for non-essential activities, can contribute to weight gain and unwanted weight maintenance. As trainer and nutrition guru, Sean Croxton of Underground Wellness explains:
"We need to wake up (after a good night’s sleep, of course) and get back in tune with nature in more ways that just eating whole foods and moving our bodies."
I only recently re-discovered the wonderfulness of sleep. Ages 18 up until I hit 25, with school, work and other responsibilities - I ran on fumes and youth, lol? Rounding out 2010, when my lack of rest was proving to be destructive - I began striving for at least 7 hours and then 8 hours. Well, I'm happy to report that I'm there! And if I get a minute less, I can feel it, chile.
With my strenuous training regimen, I look at sleep now as a time for my body to not only relax, but to literally heal from all of the abuse I put it through - that day. Our body is a wonderful self-restorative and repairing machine. And grouped with the right nutrients, cleansing components of water and regular activity - getting adequate Zzzzzs will prove to be highly beneficial to our health objectives.
P.S. Does anybody remember that '01 Luda song he did with Three 6 Mafia, Go to Sleep? Explicit link, don't click on it you like puppies, or Jesus.
P.S.S. Oh, and if you ever need help falling asleep, might I suggest listening to the comatose-inducing sounds of Sade? She has to have some the most well-rested fans on this Earth! Word to Erika and Niki.
Bonne nuit!
~PC
Great post, and another awesome vid from Sean!
ReplyDeleteFirst off, you are flippin' hilarious! Love, love, love your blog, and your blog style!
ReplyDeleteI totally feel you on the whole running on fumes thing. I don't even know how I was able to function at the non-sleeping rate I was going all of those years. Now it's imperative that I rest, lest I be good for nothin'!
Was that a shot at Sade?
ReplyDeleteI've always been good at getting my sleep. When I'm tired I shut down and am pretty useless (and grumpy!), so I don't push myself. I hate that expression "I'll sleep when I'm dead". Kohy says that and I can tell that he just needs a nap.
Now I'm going to have that Ludacris song stuck in my head, all day. "GO TA SLEEP, H**! Ha.
ReplyDeleteBWAAHAHAHAHAHA @ Sade being "comatose-inducing!" That is sooo wrong, I love she!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, Amen.If I don't sleep well I can forget seeing any kind of fitness improvement.
ReplyDeleteBut then.....See. I LOVE Sade and #Also, #AsWell, Niki is a personal friend of mine and so I now I have to be in a fight with you. GAH.
PC, you dondone it! Your post was going so well until the Helen Folasade Adu slander came! I don't know how I'll ever forgive you. I thought we was cool? I need a moment.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed how he broke that down. It doesn't hurt that he's a cutie too. It was easy to watch, ha!
ReplyDeleteIn my case, I know for sure that I'm sleep-deprived. The sad thing is that there is NOTHING stopping me (medically or time obligation) from taking my butt to bed at a decent time. If we're not including FB, Twitter, or watching Golden Girls re-runs. I'm a work in progress, and will defintely begin taking steps to having a healthy sleep life. I need one!
I run well on 7 hours of sleep, but when I get even one hour less (like 6 hours), I totally feel the difference in my workouts. Blah! I also think I'm more hungry in general when I get only around 5 hours of sleep. I wonder if there's some scientific explanation for that.
ReplyDeleteOh, and when I say "I run well", I don't mean "jog". I'm not doing that right now. It's too dang hot out.
ReplyDelete