It's true. You can.

I'd been reading that sleep deprivation was tied to water retention. Two weeks ago, I started a week-long bloat and water retention period. Could have been stress, could have been whatever. I also had insomnia, and fell into the up half the night, drag around, take naps in the afternoon.

Last Friday, the day before going back on low carb, I went to bed at 9 and slept for 12 hours. The next morning I'd dropped 2 pounds. Saturday, I repeated the process and the next morning dropped 2 more -- 2 from each ankle, I think.

Obviously this isn't a scientific experiment, but it's something to think about the next time one is stalled.

Excellent theory to consider Xan.

Karen

Xan is right!

You do lose wieght in your sleep. And the more sleep you get, the better. Up to a point, of course! Your body releases growth hormone in deep sleep periods (stage IV). So more sleep is no good if the quality of your sleep is poor. You enter stage IV only after a few hours sleep. So if you only sleep 6 hours, chances are you only had 1 period of deep sleep and 1 release of growth hormone. If you get the full 8 hours, you should get 2 deep sleep periods (if your sleep is not disturbed). Then you get 2 releases of growth hormone. They don't call it beauty sleep for nothing!

i've experienced the same thing - when i sleep early, i wake up and weigh myself - i've lost approx 1-2lb. i have a habit of weighing myself first thing in the morning. too bad i'm not sleeping enough though these days. Also noticed that if i have a late-late snack, it doesn't work out this way.

Another strike .... I'm one of the unlucky FM'ers with the alpha-delta sleep disorder. Meaning, I have bursts of alpha waves (awake) overlapping the restorative stage IV (delta) sleep. I knew that it plays a major role in my muscle spasm and fatigue ... now I understand my metabolic resistance to losing weight. Oh well, this just makes me even more glad that I'm lowcarbing .. I know that I would be gaining weight otherwise.

Doreen

That's really odd now that you mention it. I have not slept well in years. My sleeping pattern has been returning to normal now that I am on thyroid medication.

forgot to mention the biggie!

Caffeine! Caffeine suppresses the release of growth hormone, which is why they say not to give caffeine to kids (I mean besides not wanting them running amok!)

I took the plunge and gave up caffeine 2 days ago. I am dragging still. But I hear it is wonderful once you reach the other side. Wish me luck!