Sleep more to lose weight

Want to lose weight? Get more sleep! Vonda Wright, MD, explains how getting adequate sleep is a smart weight-loss strategy to burn calories and fat while keeping muscle.

Transcript

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Hi. I'm Dr. Vonda Wright. Here is a weight loss tip you'll love. [MUSIC PLAYING]

00:08

Get more sleep. In one study, dieters who slept 8 and 1/2 hours a night

00:15

lost twice as much fat compared to people who only slept for 5 and 1/2 hours a night.

00:21

The well-rested group even kept twice as much muscle while shedding the fat. And that's good news for your figure.

00:28

Lean muscle looks sleeker than fat. And the more muscle you have, the better your metabolism.

00:35

Muscles are like metabolic engines that burn more calories around the clock. The study also found that by the end,

00:42

the long sleepers were burning an extra 114 calories per day.

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That's about 10 pounds a year. When you're on a diet, a good night's sleep can help your body burn fat for fuel.

00:56

It also keeps the hunger hormone ghrelin in check so that you aren't reaching for those late night snacks.