New Weight Loss Information

When it comes to losing or gaining weight there is more information about what it takes to keep slim and trim.

We are talking about 2 new studies. One shows just how important sleep is to dieting and the other overturns some common thinking about fat cells in our body.

In the first study, researchers found that not getting enough sleep can sabotage your weight loss efforts. Even though all participants in the study lost the same amount of weight, those getting enough sleep---around 8 hours---lost the most amount of fat. The ones getting less sleep ended up losing more muscle mass which means they ended up with more body fat just by not sleeping enough.

Researchers have also started to overturn the common belief that adults don't make new fat cells. We used to think we have the same fat cells as adults we had as children, just that these fat cells grew in size as we gained more weight. But in this new study participants that gorged on food ended up developing new fat cells on their thighs. Also contrary to what we used to think, both men and women gained weight in their thighs at the same rate.

The important take home points from these studies is that gaining and losing weight is a very complicated process inside our bodies, and that's why simple dieting won't work long term. Instead your best bet is a lifestyle change that includes better eating and exercise.