She Strengthens

Unlock the Secret to Burning Calories While You Sleep

Ever wondered how many calories you burn while catching some Z’s? While you’re dreaming, your body is hard at work burning calories. But did you know that factors like weight, metabolism, and sleep duration impact your nightly calorie burn?

The Calorie-Burning Power of Sleep

In general, the more you weigh, the more calories you’ll burn while sleeping. For example, a 125-pound person burns around 38 calories per hour while sleeping, which may not seem like a lot. However, when you multiply it by the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep, that’s anywhere from 266 to 342 calories burned while snoozing.

Calories Burned Sleeping vs. Awake

While sleeping, your body burns fewer calories than when you’re awake and active. For instance, a 155-pound person will burn about 520 calories per hour while working out on a stationary bike, compared to only 46 calories per hour while sleeping.

Calculating Your Unique Calorie-Burning Sleep Abilities

To calculate your personal calorie-burning sleep abilities, you need to consider your metabolism, which is the process where your body converts food into energy. Your basal metabolic rate (BMR) represents the number of calories you burn at rest, including when you’re sleeping.

Factors That Impact Sleep Burn

Several factors can affect your metabolism and impact your sleep burn, including:

• Late-Night Snacking: Eating before bed won’t slow down your metabolism, but frequent snacking can lead to weight gain and a slower metabolism.
• Muscle Mass: The more muscle mass you have, the more calories you’ll burn, even while sleeping.
• Caffeine: Research suggests that caffeine may give your metabolism a temporary boost, but more research is needed to confirm its long-term effects.
• Insufficient Sleep: Lack of sleep can boost your levels of the stress hormone cortisol, leading to weight gain and slower metabolism.
• Health Conditions: Certain health conditions, such as hypothyroidism and Cushing syndrome, can slow down your metabolism.

Boosting Your Metabolism

To burn more calories while asleep and around the clock, try:

• Exercising: Engage in at least 75 minutes of vigorous exercise or 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week to boost your metabolism.
• Strength Training: Build muscle mass to increase your calorie burn.
• Eating Nutritious Foods: Focus on fresh vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains to support your metabolism.
• Getting Enough Sleep: Aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night to help your body function at its best.

By understanding how your body burns calories while you sleep and making lifestyle changes to boost your metabolism, you can take control of your weight loss journey and wake up feeling refreshed and energized.