Can You Lose Weight While Sleeping?

Losing weight while you are sleeping is like a dream for many of us. As we are living in a fast-paced world today, finding time to do things we like, hobbies and even exercising can be difficult for us. And weight loss is a journey that requires time, patience and a lot of grit. And unlike many other things, there are not a lot of shortcuts you can make with weight loss, but we can maximize on things that we know can benefit it! Have you ever noticed how you see a lower number on the weight scale in the morning? This is mostly because we lose water from our bodies overnight. We lose water through normal body functions like breathing, sweating, and even when we go to the bathroom. This is called insensible water loss. While our bodies do burn some calories while we sleep, the main reason for this morning weight difference is water loss, not a significant loss of body fat. So, while you might be slightly lighter, it's not the same as losing fat through exercise or diet.

Does Sleeping Burn Fat?

While sleeping is essential for overall health and plays a supporting role in weight management, it doesn't directly burn a significant amount of fat. Unlike what many people believe, our bodies use energy even when we’re resting. While we may not be conscious, our body is still carrying out necessary functions to keep us alive! But the calories burnt during sleep are relatively low. However, getting enough sleep is important because it affects other things that impact weight loss, like our hormones and metabolism. Think of your sleep as setting the stage for successful weight management, rather than being the main act itself.

The primary way we "lose weight" during sleep is through insensible water loss. The American Physiological society tells us the insensible water loss means we lose water without even realizing it. We breathe out water vapor, we sweat a little even if we don't feel it, and our bodies eliminate water through other normal processes. Experts estimate that breathing and sweating alone are one of the biggest reasons for the weight difference we see in the morning. The exact amount of water lost varies from person to person, depending on factors like their metabolism and the room temperature of where they are sleeping.

How Does Sleep Affect Our Weight Loss?

Sleep is an important tool especially when it comes to weight loss and body health. According to the Nutrient Journal’s 2022 study adults who sleep less than 7 hours a night are more likely to be obese. Not just that, but lack of sleep also affects your cognitive health, people who do not get enough sleep have trouble remembering things and have terrible recall abilities. It also increases the risk of serious health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and even early death.

Sleeping 6 hours or less a night has been linked to a higher BMI. Like it was mentioned above, lack of sleep can increase your chances of being obese, and you may be surprised to know that even just a few nights of poor sleep can lead to short-term weight gain. Studies show that both adults and kids who don't sleep enough are more likely to be obese and gain more weight in the future. Eating and sleeping at odd times, like when working night shifts, also increases the risk of obesity and other health problems because it messes up our body's natural clock.

Creating Healthy Habits for Weight Management

While you can read as many studies on what affects weight loss and how to make it happen faster, you should focus on eating healthier and sleeping better. Fast and furious does not work for your body! Making changes to your lifestyle can be challenging, but it's important to start somewhere. Some helpful strategies are that you can start writing down your weight loss goals in a "contract" to stay motivated, keeping a food diary to track what you eat, and regularly monitoring your progress. Remember that progress isn't just about the number on the scale, it can also be about other health improvements like increased energy or better sleep quality.