Want to lose weight & improve your health in 2020? Make sleep a priority

Over the last few years I have helped hundreds of clients reclaim their glow by helping them get leaner, stronger, more confident, more productive and more at peace within themselves, but my approach is slightly different from the average. 

Instead of making my clients "work out harder and eat less", I help them address the smaller lifestyle elements that often go unnoticed, but that truly make a difference if you want to lose weight and improve your health, and one of them is sleep. 

Sleep is the key to being rewarded for your diet and fitness efforts and the most undervalued component of a healthy lifestyle. 

Many athletes make sleep a key component of their training schedule: LeBron James sleeps over 9 hours per night and Usain Bolt sleeps 8 to 10 hours per night but the average Joe is still expecting to get into great shape while completely neglecting his need for sleep. 

This results in a dependency on sugar, caffeine and energy drinks.

These are the most readily available sources of energy if you lack sleep and coming off them while you lack sleep is extremely difficult, if not impossible.

Equally, improving the quality of your sleep while consuming sugar & stimulants is also very difficult, hence why they need to be addressed simultaneously!

That is what I am going to help you with if you sign up to FIT BODY FRESH MIND!

But for now, you can already start with making sleep your priority over the next few days by applying the following tips:

1. Avoid technology 1 hour before bedtime. The blue light on our phones and computer screens send a signal to our brain that it's the middle of the day. This affects your circadian rhythm and makes it more difficult to fall asleep.
2. Develop a nighttime routine. It works wonders on babies and it will do the same for you. Dim the lights, put on some relaxing music, have a bath, read a book or meditate. This will signal your body that it is safe and guide it back to your parasympathetic nervous system where you will reap the most benefits from your sleep.
3. Avoid big meals close to bed time. As it gets darker, your digestive system slows down so try and eat at least 2 hours before going to bed.
4. Reduce stimulants such as coffee, sugar and energy drinks. Even if you eat or drink them early in the day, they will affect your sleep so try and minimize your coffee to 1 or 2 cups and only have it before midday. Try and ban sugar and energy drinks completely. 
5. Think of 3 things to be grateful for when you get into your bed. The state of your mind when you fall asleep will follow you throughout the night and to the next morning so focus your mind on something positive for a more restful sleep.

Want personalized support and accountability in reaching your weight loss goals! Check out my elite coaching program.