Obesity and Your Sleep
Struggling with your weight is not an easy thing to overcome. Whether you’re overweight from genetics, another health problem, or just from living an unhealthy lifestyle, trying to get rid of that excess weight can be quite challenging, especially for those who suffer from sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea and weight are closely related. One of the most common risk factors for developing sleep apnea is obesity. Being over your body mass index (BMI) can lead to sleep problems such as breathing inconsistently or not at all.
For those who already suffer from sleep apnea, it’s much easier to gain weight. This is because sleep apnea causes you to feel fatigued and lazy during the day which can discourage you from working out and influence you to eat foods that aren’t great for you.
Dr. Guinn suggests a variety of ways you can live a better, healthier life by making simple changes to your daily diet and exercise routine. You can also see a vast improvement in your sleeping pattern as these changes can greatly relieve your symptoms of OSA.
The Benefits of Weight Loss
Obesity is a persistent problem in America that affects nearly 40% of adults today. Losing weight is not easy, but if you want to see an improvement in your health, sleep, and happiness, staying dedicated to it is worth the effort. Setting your mind to lose weight and committing to a healthy lifestyle can be a simple change that can provide many benefits for your health.
Weight loss reduces the risk of many health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It can also be an excellent long-term treatment for your sleep apnea and has been found to relieve up to 58% of symptoms over time.
Discover Enjoyable Exercises
One of the biggest problems in America that we face is that we’re too lazy or tired to work out. Exercising isn’t always the most enjoyable activity, but there are plenty of ways you can make it more fun. Once you find a routine that works for you and gets you excited to exercise, you’ll notice more energy, improved self-confidence, and an even better night’s sleep.
Some exercises you can try out to help discover which you’ll be able to keep up with are:
- Surfing
- Hiking
- Dancing or aerobics
- Kickboxing
- Yoga
- Walking on the beach
No matter which type of work out you choose to pursue, you’ll be surprised at how much it can revitalize your life. With the right exercises and a balanced diet, you’ll soon be able to see a change in your weight that you’ve been longing for.
Choosing the Best Diet for You
Although working out can help you maintain good health, your diet plays a vital role in your weight loss journey as well. Trying out different meal plans that work for your body may take some time, but it once you find one that you enjoy, it’ll quickly result in a healthier you.
In a study, researchers also found that something as easy as a Mediterranean diet, combined with exercise, can help diminish sleep apnea symptoms. This consists of a well-balanced diet of fresh, nutritious foods including fruits, meats, fish, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy.
When you’re dieting and discovering different food plans, it’s crucial to remember to not settle on a diet that you despise and know you won’t stick to. This will just set you up for failure and it’ll be more likely that you return to your old eating habits instead. Once you find foods that are most beneficial for you and your health, you’ll easily be able to achieve your goals and see your desired change.