When you see a few extra pounds on the scale, it can be frustrating but it can also lead to health issues. According to numerous studies, being overweight increases the risk of dying too soon.
On the other hand, altering your evening routine can help you stop a sudden weight gain. If you are aware of the cause of your weight gain, you should make a healthier lifestyle choice and take some safety measures.
Here are some of the most common bedtime mistakes that people do that eventually make them gain weight.
Late night snacks
Unfortunately, the famous rule of no eating past 6 pm doesn’t stop us from some midnight snacks or late runs to the fridge. According to the studies, eating late definitely leads to weight gain.
Additionally, it may negatively affect our hormonal markers and increase insulin levels or cholesterol. The fact is that you will gain weight when your calorie intake is much bigger than what you burn.
Drinking coffee late at night
If you drink coffee late in the evening it harms your sleep and affects your weight. The best option is to consume caffeine 6 hours before going to bed.
The studies show that consumption of chlorogenic acid (which is found in coffee) leads to weight gain. You need to try to replace your coffee with a herbal tea.
Not getting enough sleep
The healthiest routine is sleeping between 7 to 8 hours per night. It may cause some health problems when you sleep less than regular.
Scientists have proven that sleep deprivation causes negative changes in the metabolism. Also, there is a link between not having enough sleep and fatigue, which leads to having less physical activity and gain weight.
Lack of exercise
Physical activity and exercise increase your calorie burning and play a crucial role in weight loss. It’s really important to practice even the most basic exercises on a daily basis.
So let’s see, the fact is that you burn up 100 extra calories when you walk for about 15 minutes. This means that you will burn up 700 calories per week and lose 10 pounds of weight in one year.
Using electronic devices in the evening
Many studies confirm that sleep deprivation and eventual weight gain are linked to using electronic devices that emit blue light before sleep. The hormone responsible for regulating sleep cycles is called melatonin and electronic devices interfere with the body’s production of melatonin.
You can choose to listen to some relaxing music or read an interesting book in print instead of browsing social media on your phone before going to bed.
Setting the alarm too late
Unbelievable but studies show that people who see bright light earlier in the morning have a lower body mass index than those who see light later.
It is proven that your body mass index can be lower because of natural outdoor light. Try to wake up earlier and go for a morning run.
Surrounding yourself with the wrong color
The color that promotes better sleep and relaxation is blue. It is also the color that suppresses appetite.
On the other side, colors which can make you feel energized and hungry are orange and red.