We are a sleep-deprived nation and it’s time to make sleep a priority. Lack of sleep not only makes you groggy and foggy – it makes you hold onto weight. Wondering why? Hormones gone wild!

Cortisol

Lack of sleep triggers the release of too much cortisol, the stress hormone. This stress hormone actually cues your body to hold on to fat and increases sugar cravings - a bad combo!

Ghrelin and Leptin

Too little sleep increases the hormone ghrelin in the body, which causes you to get hungry. At the same time, the lack of sleep leads to a lack of leptin, the hormone that which makes you feel full. A double whammy!

Glucagon and Adiponectin

Without enough sleep, levels of glucagon drop making it harder to lose weight because this hormone is essential for proper fat burning. Lack of sleep will also cause low levels of adiponectin - another hormone which helps breakdown fat and also promotes insulin sensitivity - leaving us much more likely to gain unwanted weight.

And the obvious...

Lack of sleep triggers cravings for sugar, carbohydrates, and caffeine - your body looking for a boost of energy. A kale salad doesn't stand a chance against a coffee and pastry when you've only had 5 hours of sleep!