We often treat tired as normal. We push through it. We down another coffee. We assume everyone feels this way. But chronic sleep deprivation is not just exhausting, it is a wellness issue, and for many women, it is directly tied to weight struggles that feel confusing or discouraging.
When the body does not get enough rest, it reacts.
Research published in the journal Sleep found that sleep-deprived individuals make riskier choices, give up sooner, or push through when their minds and bodies are not capable of success. These decisions are not character flaws. They are biological responses to being worn down.
The National Sleep Foundation reports that women are more likely than men to suffer from disrupted sleep, especially during hormonal transitions like menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. That disruption triggers stress hormones such as cortisol, which is strongly linked to inflammation and fat storage, especially around the midsection.
Sleep also plays a major role in appetite regulation. When we are tired, two key hormones go off balance. Ghrelin, the hormone that makes us feel hungry, increases. Leptin, the hormone that signals fullness, decreases. That makes it far more likely that we will reach for comfort food, overeat, or snack late at night, not because we are weak, but because our brain is literally trying to find energy anywhere it can.
This is often the hidden reason weight loss stalls, cravings intensify, and motivation fades.
Sleep is not just about feeling better emotionally. It is one of the most powerful tools we have for restoring the body, supporting metabolism, and helping women make consistent, healthy choices.
When sleep is prioritized, inflammation decreases, insulin sensitivity improves, and mood stabilizes. We are less reactive. More clear. And far more likely to follow through on the goals we set for ourselves.
If you have ever felt like your body is working against you, it may be time to stop blaming willpower and start rebuilding your foundation.
Sleep is part of that foundation.
If you missed the first part of this blog series, you can read it here. It shares the emotional side of this conversation and why rest is more than just a luxury—it is leadership.
With clarity and care,
Dr. Brookh Lyons
Body Bella Transformations
OFFICE HOURS
By Appointment
Monday
1:00pm - 4:30pm
Tuesday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Wednesday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Friday
Closed
Saturday & Sunday
Closed
Body Bella Transformations
2920 S Webster Ave #101
Green Bay, WI 54301
OFFICE HOURS
By Appointment
Monday
1:00pm - 4:30pm
Tuesday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Wednesday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Friday
Closed
Saturday & Sunday
Closed
Body Bella Transformations
2920 S Webster Ave #101
Green Bay, WI 54301
(920) 217-1483