We all know about the proverbial field of dreams.

What about the DOCTOR of your dreams?

One that actually is highly motivated to help you build health, rather than seek to salvage and treat what's left of your health after you've lost it?

Let's be honest. A part of us intuitively knows that when we're healthy, lo and behold we've become more fit.

And quite often, shed some extra avoir du pois along the way.

I suspect this is why many actually say the "just want to be healthy".  They actually desire the joy of being fit and without the agony and discomfort of excess weight.  But sometimes we need guidance, pragmatic steps, a caring and knowledgeable hand to hold in the process. In short, a guide to get us going.

Where do you start – or restart?

It can be a daunting task – "getting healthy" – especially if we have a history of failed attempts that has left a bad taste in the mouth.  A negative association with the process of getting healthy.

Sometimes we just need a fresh start.

A fresh approach.  New spectacles.

It is excitement that brings me to the keyboard today.  Excitement about sharing with you a NEW program that may be just the kickstart you need for a fresh approach.

More accurately, a gentle push.

For this plan invites you to build specific healthy practices over a period of time – 48 weeks for that matter.

And I am not recommending this sight unseen.  As a matter of fact, I am undergoing this course of study myself.

Care to join me?

Enter My Dream Doctor

In truth, what would your "dream doctor" be like?  For myself, she or he would:

1. Start with the reminder (lovingly communicated, of course!) that I am, in large part, responsible for my own health.
2. Impart to me some specific tools that I could implement in a progressive fashion to build health.
3. Make the items from #2 simple and easy to understand
4. Integrate nutrition, exercise, and mental approach as equal partners in the quest.

(As a matter of fact, the Woman's Fitness BluePrint is designed on these principles.)

Which is why what my Dream Doctor has put together is such an exciting find.

But don't take my word for it.

Take a look at this fabulous program that my friend and colleague Dr. Carolyn Dean has put together.

The philosophy?

Thomas Edison said the doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his or her patients in the care of the human frame, in a proper diet, and prevention of disease.

The doctor of the future is here.  And she can be yours, too.

Her name is Dr. Carolyn Dean.  Let's just call her My Dream Doctor.

I'm studying Module 1 from her new 48 – week wellness program now, yet felt compelled to come in here and tell YOU about it before I read another word.

Take a look and tell me what you think!

P.S. Remember, Dr. Dean is going to be a guest on my late summer TeleClass series September 22.  Watch for details.

© Lani Muelrath 2009 All Rights Reserved                                     image:  sianni janus

As recently as 2004, several study releases pointed us in the direction of looking at our sleep patterns as possible, potential indicators in weight gain, BMI, and body fat levels.

I remember it was all over the news for weeks:

"Sleep Loss May Equal Weight Gain!"

"Not Enough Sleep May Be Making You Fat!"

Many simply got the idea that if they could only catch a few more "Zzzzzz's", they'd find the proverbial magic bullet to weight loss.

I wanted to find out if there were new developments in the research around sleep, weight gain, and weight loss.  So I searched the professional journals, and snooped around to see what new research might have been done.

And I thought I'd tell you just what I found out.

As it turns out, a recent review of the literature and findings raises more questions than it answers.

It just may be that the cause and effect may have traded places from what was previously thought!

A Forty Year Review

Granted, the recent national obesity epidemic has been "accompanied by a parallel growth in chronic sleep deprivation".

The question persists: does sleep deprivation have an influence on appetite, physical activity, and thermoregulation that may have bearing on weight gain?

[Ref: Int. Journeal of Obesity (2008) 16 3, 643–653. doi:10.1038/oby.2007.118; "Short Sleep Duration and Weight Gain: A Systematic Review"]

Recently, 36 publications (!) spanning the years from 1966 to 2007 were reviewed for results and content with regards to "sleep duration" and obesity.

Findings in studies of children suggested short sleep duration is strongly and consistently associated with concurrent and future obesity. At the same time, results from adult cross-sectional analyses were more varied: 17 of 23 studies supporting an independent association between short sleep duration and increased weight.

It might be easy to conclude from this evidence a direct correlation between less sleep and weight gain.

Not so fast.

Chicken Or Egg?

As always with research, it is best to play devil's advocate when getting to the truth.   What may seem obvious can actually just be an interesting confluence of events.

At the same time, it can give us valuable information with which to investigate our personal health.

Consider, for example, these possible explanations of the "less sleep/more weight" correlation.

All 3 of these scenarios, and more, are presented by the study team referred above as possible reasons for positive correlation between weight and sleep.

1)  Maybe the overweight individuals in the studies report less sleep because of sleep disturbance that can accompany increased fat weight, such as sleep apnea.

In other words, the weight itself disturbs the sleep, the disturbed sleep may not cause the weight gain.

2)  Maybe the overweight individuals in the studies are unable to get better sleep because of medical disorders such as chronic pain or psychiatric disorders such as depression, which may in turn limit an individual's ability to be physically active.

This situation would quite likely interfere with sleep continuity.

3)  Perhaps overweight individuals are eating more during the night when disturbed sleeping patterns result in forays to fridge and pantry.

Night restless ness and roaming?  Bored?  Eating?

And then there's this very interesting thought:

Socioeconomic status (SES) may also confound the sleep–weight relationship. People of lower SES may have less favorable sleep environments, work longer hours, and work less desirable hours such as rotating or overnight shifts, resulting in poor sleep. Low income has been associated with reduced sleep durations.

At the same time, several studies in this review have adjusted for SES status in their analysis and have found that the sleep–weight association persisted.

Hold It:  Don't Throw The Baby Out!

This study concluded:  more research!  Cause and effect are not as clear as we like them to be much of the time, when it comes to research.

But let's remember that There are many, MANY reasons to cultivate a good sleeping practice.

Several studies referred to health indicators improved with 7-8 hours of sleep/day, and reduced in general at 5-7/hours a day.

This would include hormonal profiles that need to be considered for overall health, including but not limited to:

1)  levels of human growth hormone (HGH), which is released during sleep cycles and has a powerful impact on other health measures

2)  cortisol, another hormone intricately connected with sleep and stress levels

Of course, when we're looking at weight management, weight loss, and holistic health, it can be tough to isolate the variables for an exact prescription of behaviors.

Enough sleep will not necessarily be the "magic bullet" to shaking off that excess weight, though it may play an indirect role by allowing for better overall function, reduced stress, more energy and vitality for staying active and for making better dietary choices – and together THOSE elements play a significant role in weight and health.

The Upshot?

According to my findings, the consistencies for overall patterns of health and optimal hormonal profile?

1) When it comes to sleep,  aspire to 7 – 8 hours each day.

2) This can be enhanced by regular physical activity, good nutrition, and solid stress management.

But you knew that, didn't  you?  And I bet you're like me in that I find it's always good to get these simple, straightforward reminders!

And from the experiences of my clients, I'm finding that the stress management plays a big role in the weight loss equation;  bigger than we may previously have suspected.

Can't say without a shadow of doubt that more sleep means less weight, but just maybe the stress factor is a closely related chunk on this ball of wax.  The sleep connection just may be an influence;  evidently the jury is still out on that one.  I'll keep digging around in my usual way and let you know what other nuggets I uncover!

Questions? I invite you to post them in "comments" on this post.

© 2009 Lani Muelrath All Rights Reserved

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