Sleep to lose weight

Are you getting at least 8 hours of sleep a night? If not, here is your excuse to get more zzz's. Studies show that people who sleep at least 8 hours tend to weigh less. Why? Because, sleeping actually helps your body produce less of the hunger hormone ghrelin and produce more of the fullness hormone leptin. Also, not sleeping enough may cause cortisol levels to go up which increase appetite and may even help add belly fat. In fact, a study from the University of Chicago showed that it only took a few sleepless nights to drop leptin levels by 18% and increase ghrelin by 28% causing cravings for starchy foods and sweets to jump by as much as 45%. So, mom's, for the sake of your figure...go to sleep.