The Sleep Doctor's Diet Plan

Book excerpt: Losing weight while you sleep may sound too good to be true, but in fact the connection between inadequate sleep and weight gain (among a host of other negative medical results) has long been recognized by medical researchers. Turning this equation on its head, clinical psychologist and board-certified sleep expert Dr. Michael Breus shows that a good night's sleep will actually enable you to lose weight, especially if you have been chronically sleep deprived. The Sleep Doctor's Diet Plan is designed to help any person who has been frustrated by her inability to shed weight by giving her the tools to overcome the stress, poor habits, and environmental challenges that stand between her and adequate rest. Sleep deprivation is a frustrating reality for many women faced with chronic stress or hormonal changes--and the fatigue, moodiness, and weight gain that come with it might just be the tip of the iceberg. While helping thousands of women implement simple health and lifestyle changes to improve the quality and the quantity of their slumber, Dr. Breus has witnessed not only an upsurge in their energy levels and a diminishing of myriad health concerns, but also significant weight loss achieved without restrictive dieting or increased amounts of exercise. In The Sleep Doctor's Diet Plan, Dr. Breus delves into the science behind this sleep–weight-loss connection, explaining exactly how sleep boosts your metabolism, ignites fat burn, and decreases cravings and overall appetite, and he presents a realistic action plan to help you get your best sleep--and your best body--possible. He shows how you can overcome your personal sleep obstacles with a slumber-friendly evening routine, stress management techniques--even recipes for healthy meals and snacks--to help you fall asleep more easily. If you are ready to stop tossing and turning night after night, if you are done downing coffee to conquer nagging fatigue, and if you have bounced from one diet to another in an effort to find one that really, finally helps you lose the pounds you want, The Sleep Doctor's Diet Plan has the information, advice, and practical strategies you need to get deep, revitalizing sleep--and achieve a slimmer, healthier body in the process.