Getting the proper amount of sleep is crucial in maintaining your weight and if you're trying to lose weight. No, you will not lose weight by sleeping all the time, but getting enough sleep will help your brain function properly so you won't be tricked into eating unhealthy comfort foods to compensate for the lack of energy. When you are sleep deprived, your body will look for other ways to find energy. Most people will turn to there favorite food or high sugar, high calorie snacks. The average person needs about 7-7.5 hours of good sleep a night. This will make sure your sleep hormones and food craving hormones stay aligned.

If you have trouble getting that much sleep, here are some tips to help you.

1. Avoid any caffeine after 2 p.m. Even if you can still fall asleep at a decent hour, you will sleep in a lighter stage than you need to get a good, deep sleep if you continue to consume caffeine throughout the afternoon and evening.

2. Get plenty of exercise. Exercise definitely helps sleep quality. It hasn't been proven that exercising right before bed will keep you up, so feel free to exercise any time of the day. Any exercise is better than no exercise.

3. Watch what you eat, especially before bedtime. Eating a big meal right before you go to sleep could cause heartburn and keep you up. A good suggestion would be to eat several smaller meals throughout the day, or at least eat a small or smallest meal the the very end of the day.

Sleep, as you can see, is a crucial factor in losing weight. Enough sleep can suppress your appetite and increase your metabolism, while allowing your body to rest and recover. Just like taking our Skinny Blend Smoothie to recover your muscles after a workout, sleep helps to recover and restore your body for the next day. Leading an active lifestyle, maintaining a balanced diet, and getting the recommended amount of sleep is your ticket to your goal weight!