It is well-known that getting a good night’s sleep is important for overall health, but did you know that it can also help with weight loss? A new study has found that getting enough sleep is associated with better and adherence to diet and physical activity recommendations during an 18-month behavioral weight loss intervention.

The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, looked at data from over 1,000 participants in the National Weight Control Registry. The Registry is a database of people who have successfully lost weight and kept it off for at least a year.

The researchers found that those who slept an average of 7 hours per night during the intervention lost more weight and were more likely to stick to the diet and exercise recommendations than those who slept less. In fact, those who slept less than 6 hours per night or more than 8 hours per night were significantly less likely to lose weight and maintain their weight loss.

The findings suggest that getting enough sleep is an important part of a successful plan. If you’re struggling to lose weight, make sure you’re getting enough shut-eye. It could make all the difference!