Diet Tips 101: Get more sleep. Those who are serious about losing weight almost always focus on the two headed monster of eating less and exercising more to achieve their goals. It seems simple enough, doesn't it? For decades we have been told that extra weight is as simple as calories in vs. calories expended. But, since we live in a country in which two out of three American adults are overweight to some extent, and also the country that spends WAY more for health care than anyone else in the world, it is also pretty darn obvious that the food in vs. energy out equation might just be a little more complicated than we have given it credit for.

The BIG question is: WHY do so many Americans end up eating more calories than their bodies require?

The very answer to that question might be as simple as sleep.

Americans are the most sleep deprived people on the planet. Culturally, we see sleep as something we should try to get as little of as possible lest we be lazy or stupid. An old English proverb that condemned sleep was brought to this land by some of the earliest settlers. That proverb is "Six for a man, seven for a woman, and eight for for a fool." It is interesting to note that England ranks right behind the US when it comes to overweight and obesity.

It is really quite simple. Not enough sleep makes one tired. And we try to attack tiredness by consumption of food that provides high calories and/or caffeine or other types of stimulants. And when we are tired, the food we choose to consume most is high in fat, and it is usually saturated fat. This type of food certainly runs in opposition to the goals we have when it comes to weight loss.

It is a vicious circle really. Lack of sleep leeds to extra weight and extra weight often makes it difficult to get a good night's sleep. Extra weight around the chest and head can lead to sleep apnea, which has a well earned nickname as "The Midnight Assassin."

One of the other symptoms of sleep deprivation is the lack of energy to exercise. So lack of sleep provides a double whammy in that we eat more calories and move less because we are tired. Can it really be that for those with sleep deprivation that the key to losing weight is to get more sleep? Maybe instead of taking 30 minutes to an hour in seach of something to eat we should dedicate that time to taking a nap.

According to a body builder that was interviewed about sleep, he said that lack of enough sleep and rest was the biggest mistake made by those getting into body building. He claimed that exercise, proper nutrition, and rest were the three legs of the stool for supporting a healthy and strong body. If one leg of the stool is inadequate, the stool will fall down.

The correlation between sleep deprivation and obesity is well documented, as are the more immediate health risks associated with the problem. To find out more, just Google "sleep deprivation obesity" or "sleep deprivation health risks" to see how dangerous it is to not get enough sleep.

Sweet dreams.