Sleep Your Way To Better Fitness

Can you really sleep your way to better fitness?

While a healthy diet and regular exercise are key to fitness success, you also need to get enough sleep to fuel your weight loss routine.

A lack of sleep causes impaired concentration, mimics the symptoms of impaired glucose intolerance which even leads to hypertension and diabetes. Your weight loss efforts are negatively effected when you lose sleep due to lack of energy to properly handle body processes.

Consider these ways to get enough sleep every night for improved overall fitness:

• Make your bedroom an oasis where you do nothing but sleep. Eliminate the phone, television, computer and bills to make way for low lighting, soft bedding and calm music.
• Don't eat heavy foods two to three hours before going to bed.
• Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcoholic beverages for at least three hours before bedtime.
• Minimize stress with a warm bath or meditation to calm down before bed.
• If you have ongoing trouble getting to sleep, visit your doctor to find out why.

Improve your body fitness with a good night's sleep every night.