Getting enough sleep?

Well, I hate to admit it, but I'm staying up late to post for the day.

When my subject is sleep.

Twisted.

But I'll sleep my full eight hours. I learned a long time ago that I must clock a full night's sleep or I'm completely useless to everyone. Lack of sleep, even a little bit, affects my personality and performance. My memory goes fuzzy, my face goes slack, I can barely focus on the people around me, my response time and reflexes sloooowww waaay down. I'm on the sluggish side to begin with, but sleeplessness makes me slimey.

My body must have 8.5 or 9 hours of sleep. Every night. Period.

Back in the days when I was up until midnight every night watching the late night shows, and then up again at 6 a.m., averaging 5 and a half or 6 hours of sleep a night? Ulcers, digestion problems, forgetfulness. Oh, and well, those were the years when I gained 100 lbs.

This maybe was no coincidence, according to the sleep researchers. Apparently loss of sleep triggers many of the same physiological responses that famine does. You over produce hormones that trigger eating. You become resistant to the insulin your body produces. And you forget where you put your shoes.

If we consistently undersleep, we develop a sleep debt that must, eventually be paid back or we run real risks when we drive, operate machinery, vote in major elections.

Anyone who's brought a child into this world, who has spent countless sleepless nights in feedings and cooings, knows what consistent, unrequited sleep deprivation can do to your nerves and brains. Scrambles them.

So. Want to lose weight, keep it off, get fitter?

Go to bed earlier and stay there longer.

It'll help you repair your new muscles, keep the stress hormones at bay, keep your appetite under control, and keep you sane.

Well, I'm going to bed now.

Please read at least the first article linked below,

JuJu

Sleep and Diabetes?
Sleep and Weight Loss
Sleep and Parenting