5 Ways to Burn Fat While You Sleep
You’ve put in all the hard work to move closer to your goals so why not take advantage of an easy win. Burning fat while you sleep is definitely one of them. It’s something your body can easily do.
Even when you’re sleeping, your basal metabolic rate is still in play. That means your body is continually using calories to keep your body functioning. And while you sleep, your body takes advantage of the time to do some repair and restoration work.
So while sleep might feel restful for your body and your mind, it doesn’t mean everything is powering down when you doze off. And it also means you can use your shut eye time to burn fat. The trick comes down to making choices while you’re awake that will help your body burn fat while you sleep.
If that’s something you’re interested in, try these five things:
#1: Eat More Protein
Protein plays a huge role in maintaining a healthy weight, partially because it speeds up your metabolism. Plus, protein can help you stay fuller longer, saving you from those late-night snacks that definitely don’t do your weight loss goals any favors.
Try to work in protein throughout your day.
#2: Get Better Sleep
You might think you’d burn fat if you’re tossing and turning all night. Actually, better quality, longer-lasting sleep helps you burn more calories.
If you only do one thing to help yourself sleep better, it should be sticking to a sleep schedule. That means going to bed and getting up at about the same time every day. When you do that, your body’s circadian rhythm works with you, helping you fall asleep faster and wake up more easily.
#3: Do Some Strength Training
Remember that basal metabolic rate mentioned earlier? You can do some things to bump it up. Specifically, building muscle makes a huge difference because muscle burns more calories than fat while you’re just chilling or sleeping.
Cardio is great, but make sure you’re working some strength training in there too so you can build muscle.
#4: Make Your Bedroom Chilly……
A recent study found that people who made their bedrooms colder burned more calories while they slept. It was a small study, but it’s just another thing that should make you consider powering on that fan or A/C overnight. A cold bedroom (think: 65 degrees F) helps you sleep better in general. And, remember, better sleep means burning more fat overnight.
#5: ….And Dark
Sorry night light and TV lovers, but the science says we should all be sleeping in the dark, especially if we want to burn fat while you sleep. When we leave any light on, it messes up the way our circadian rhythm regulates our metabolism. In fact, a study showed that women who slept with the TV or a light on were more likely to gain weight.
Lights and TVs aren’t the only culprit here. Your phone can definitely get in the way of quality sleep. Try to stop looking at it at least 30 minutes before bed, and consider sleeping with it in another room to get a better night’s rest.
Long story short, if you want to burn fat while you sleep, eat more protein and work some strength training into your day. At night, get on a regular sleep schedule and try to keep your bedroom cool and dark.
If you need more tips on how to burn fat, contact me for a consultation.