HUNGRY FOR SLEEP!

God those words used to make me so MAD!!! When I was a wee tot, and not so wee, I like many of you would employ the old ruse of 'Mum....I'm hungry' in an attempt to stay up longer. My evil mother's retort was always 'You're just hungry for SLEEP!' Arrgggghhhhhh! Even now!

Truth is if you're not getting enough sleep, guess what? YOU BE HUNGRY HUNGRY HIPPO! It's true. One of the big culprits of weight gain is lack of sleep. Even after one night of crap sleep as in less than 7 hours, you're going to be ratty and vaguely despondent. Your brain will struggle more than usual with complex info and the big kicker? YOU'LL WANT TO EAT MORE! The thing that will hold the most appeal is the dreaded Gypsy Party Food - those sinfully delicious complex carbs singing their siren song......oh sweet evil delights! (hmm...maybe I didn't get enough sleep last night, this is getting a bit thick!)

The guru of health and general genius on hand Dr. Mehmet Oz says, 'your body will want a quick fix any way it can get it (SWEETS). When you don't get enough rest, your body also produces less growth hormone, a substance that helps tissues regenerate and repair themselves, keeping you younger longer.'
How to help your poor beleaguered body cope with all you put it through? Get enough rest. The exact amount of rest your body needs is very personal says Oz. On average he recommends women get no fewer than seven hours. Men are a bit needier (ha,ha) they need closer to eight.

When I think about what the people I know tell me regarding how much sleep they get.....I'm rather gobsmacked. Seems to me that very few of us are getting enough rest! I have buddies who blithely report 'oh I don't need that much sleep, I function better on LESS.' Yeah not so much my fine feathered friend. You DO need sleep or you'll end up a blubbery old crone. Ew.  It will bite you on your bleary eyed ass one day.....so GET TO BED!
Man...I'm scared.....it's noon....going to bed immediately! 
regards
Rip Van Winkle