Before having my son, my Hashimoto’s had been in remission for years. I had settled into a lifestyle that felt effortless—eating whole, nourishing foods, allowing myself treats when I craved them, and never counting calories. My weight remained stable without much thought or effort.
Then I became a mom.
After giving birth, I lost my baby weight, but something felt different. Suddenly, I had to pay much closer attention to maintaining my weight. If I wasn’t mindful, the scale would creep up—5 to 10 pounds over a few months—without any major changes in my diet or exercise. I’d only notice when my clothes started fitting tighter.
Naturally, I wondered if my thyroid was to blame. Postpartum hormonal shifts, stress, and sleep deprivation seemed like the perfect storm to trigger my Hashimoto’s again. But when I had my thyroid antibodies tested, they were normal. My thyroid levels were stable.
So, what had changed?
The Silent Weight-Gain Trigger I Almost Overlooked
It wasn’t my diet. It wasn’t my exercise routine. It wasn’t my thyroid.
It was my sleep.
Like so many parents, I was waking up throughout the night with my child. And when he finally went to sleep, I often stayed up later than I should, desperate for a little extra "me time." Those quiet hours at night felt like the only time I could unwind, think, or just be alone.
But the trade-off? Chronic sleep deprivation.
And that, I realized, was directly affecting my metabolism, hunger cues, and ability to maintain my weight the way I had before.
How Poor Sleep Affects Weight
We often think of weight gain as a direct result of what kinds of foods we are eating or how much we move, but sleep is just as critical. Here’s why:
Sleep Deprivation Increases Hunger Hormones
When you don’t get enough quality sleep, ghrelin (your hunger hormone) increases, making you feel hungrier than usual. At the same time, leptin (your satiety hormone) decreases, meaning it takes more food for you to feel full.
Lack of sleep essentially tricks your body into thinking you need more food than you actually do.
Sleep Impacts Blood Sugar and Insulin Sensitivity
Just one night of poor sleep can make your body more resistant to insulin, similar to how a prediabetic state develops. Over time, this can lead to increased fat storage, blood sugar crashes, and stronger cravings for quick-energy foods like sugar and refined carbs.
I personally noticed that on nights I had terrible sleep, I’d wake up hungrier and craving carbs or caffeine more than usual—something that never used to be an issue for me.
Fatigue Reduces Your Energy and Motivation
Sleep deprivation impacts motivation, mood, and movement. When you’re exhausted, your brain craves quick hits of dopamine—which often come in the form of food, caffeine, or scrolling on your phone instead of moving your body.
I realized my workouts were suffering—not because I lacked motivation, but because exhaustion was holding me back. I couldn’t train at full capacity, which meant I wasn’t burning as many calories or maintaining muscle mass. Over time, this led to a slower metabolism and made weight management even harder.
How I Took Back Control of My Sleep and My Weight
Once I recognized that sleep was the missing piece, I made it a non-negotiable priority. Here’s what I changed:
I set a bedtime for myself and actually stuck to it. I had to be realistic about how much "me time" I could squeeze in without sabotaging my sleep.
I optimized my sleep environment. I focused on darkening the room, limiting screens before bed, and keeping my bedroom cool to improve my sleep quality.
I stopped eating too close to bedtime. This helped regulate my blood sugar and improve my sleep quality.
I managed stress before bed. I started incorporating breathwork, meditation, and sleep herbal teas to help wind down.
I gave myself grace. As a parent, perfect sleep isn’t always possible, but doing my best to prioritize rest where I could made a massive difference.
The Results: A Healthier, More Energized Version of Me
Once I started prioritizing sleep, everything changed:
Final Thoughts: Are You Overlooking Sleep in Your Health Journey?
If you’ve been struggling with unexplained weight gain, fatigue, or cravings—but your diet and exercise haven't changed—ask yourself:
Are you consistently getting at least 8 hours of quality sleep?
Are you sacrificing sleep for “me time” or productivity?
Are you feeling more hungry or craving caffeine, sugar, and carbs more than usual?
If so, it may be time to rethink your sleep habits.
You don’t have to overhaul everything overnight, but small, intentional shifts can lead to big improvements.
Set a bedtime for yourself (and stick to it 80% of the time). A consistent sleep schedule can improve your metabolism and energy.
Create a calming nighttime routine. Try dim lighting, gentle stretching, or a sleep herbal tea before bed.
Give yourself permission to rest. Can the dishes wait until morning? Your body needs sleep just as much as good nutrition and exercise.
What’s one small change you’re willing to try this week? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your thoughts! 💬
📅 Need 1:1 guidance with a personalized plan tailored to your needs?
Book a Free Discovery Call Here! Let’s chat and see if we are a good fit to work together.
Disclaimer
This post is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. The information provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, lifestyle, supplements, or treatment plan.
The author and publisher of this content are not liable for any adverse reactions, effects, or consequences resulting from the use of any information provided. Individual health needs vary, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
If you have a medical concern, please seek guidance from a licensed medical professional.
Comments