Arnold Schwarzenegger on ‘Best Approach’ for Sleep/Weight Loss: ‘People Who Sleep Less Weigh More’

Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s passion for fitness and bodybuilding rages on to this day. In his latest Daily Pump Newsletter, Schwarzenegger credited sleep for helping with weight loss efforts. 

During the 1970s and 80s, Schwarzenegger led a successful bodybuilding tenure that saw him capture a total of seven Sandow trophies. He shared the stage with fellow veterans of the IFBB Pro League such as former Mr. Olympia Samir Bannout, and former three-time winners Frank Zane and Sergio Oliva. 

Following a successful career, Schwarzenegger co-created the annual Arnold Sports Festival with the late Jim Lorimer. As the second-biggest bodybuilding contest on the calendar, the show has become a major attraction. Last month, Samson Dauda defeated Nick Walker to secure the 35th title. 

In retirement, Schwarzenegger remains dedicated to fitness and longevity. He often shares ‘workout of the week’ segments in his newsletter as he revealed a five-minute no-equipment training routine recently, which he uses to start off his mornings. 

Arnold Schwarzenegger Shares How to Lose 5 Lbs in Your Sleep Over Time

Schwarzenegger said Harvard scientists concluded that people who sleep less than five hours a night tend to weigh heavier than those with better sleep routines. 

How to Lose 5 Pounds in Your Sleep

“Many weight loss plans insist you need to give up so much in order to achieve your goals. But what if gaining something was the real key to losing? If you believe Harvard scientists, adding more sleep might be a great way to help you improve fat loss.

According to the research — which reviewed more than 68,000 people — those who slept less than 5 hours per night weighed an average of 5 pounds more than those who slept more than 7 hours per night.

And that wasn’t the only difference. The participants were tracked over a 16-year period, and the researchers found that people sleeping five hours a night or less were 32 percent more likely to experience major weight gain (adding 33 pounds or more over the term) and were 15 percent more likely to become obese.

While it’s hard to qualify a “perfect” amount of sleep — and your body can handle some nights where you sleep less — it appears 6 hours is the minimum, and your best approach is to aim for about 7.5 and 8.5 hours of sleep per night,” Schwarzenegger shared.

Like fitness influencer Joey Swoll’s mission, Schwarzenegger is determined to spread fitness knowledge to the masses. Last month, he revealed a go-to bodyweight workout he utilized during the height of his career. During the training session, the 75-year-old stressed prioritizing intensity to garner the best results.

RELATED: Arnold Schwarzenegger Shares Surprisingly Effective One-Step Weight Loss Plan

Aside from training and nutrition, Schwarzenegger believes sleeping more can help with weight loss. He suggests getting at least 6 hours of sleep per night, and ideally 7.5 to 8.5 hours to prevent major weight gain over time. 

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