Weight Loss During Sleep

[Commander]

http://advan.physiology.org/cgi/content/full/29/4/213#T3

This study indicates that average individuals lose about 230g (0.5 lb) during sleep and 83% of that is water loss. But they didn't include urine or feces.

This website...
http://health.howstuffworks.com/question227.htm
...indicates that people can lose up to about 2 to 3 pounds during sleep with as much as 1 pound or more coming from urine. So the numbers kind of match up when you add the weight loss from urine onto the study mentioned above.

So what about bodybuilders?
1.) What can be expected for us? For example, I typically lose 3 pounds a night, but last night, I lost six pounds (198 to 192)!

I bring this up because I find it interesting and it has practical applications for us lifters.

2.) When someone loses 6 pounds, can we still use the percentages the study talked about? Say I lost 2 pounds from waste, is the other 4 lbs 83% water loss, meaning I lost 17% bodymass or 0.68 lbs?

3.) And what is the 0.68 lbs? Fat mass, lean mass?

4.) And if the 17% is lean mass, what can be done to prevent lean mass loss overnight? This is probably the easiest question, I am assuming consume more casein would be the best answer.

Very interesting, please share any thoughts.

[klosey]

http://advan.physiology.org/cgi/content/full/29/4/213#T3

This study indicates that average individuals lose about 230g (0.5 lb) during sleep and 83% of that is water loss. But they didn't include urine or feces.

This website...
http://health.howstuffworks.com/question227.htm
...indicates that people can lose up to about 2 to 3 pounds during sleep with as much as 1 pound or more coming from urine. So the numbers kind of match up when you add the weight loss from urine onto the study mentioned above.

So what about bodybuilders?
1.) What can be expected for us? For example, I typically lose 3 pounds a night, but last night, I lost six pounds (198 to 192)!

I bring this up because I find it interesting and it has practical applications for us lifters.

2.) When someone loses 6 pounds, can we still use the percentages the study talked about? Say I lost 2 pounds from waste, is the other 4 lbs 83% water loss, meaning I lost 17% bodymass or 0.68 lbs?

3.) And what is the 0.68 lbs? Fat mass, lean mass?

4.) And if the 17% is lean mass, what can be done to prevent lean mass loss overnight? This is probably the easiest question, I am assuming consume more casein would be the best answer.

Very interesting, please share any thoughts.

weight loss in sleep is normal i have lost 10lb in one night its just down to no water intake and no food intake.

[Commander]

weight loss in sleep is normal i have lost 10lb in one night its just down to no water intake and no food intake.

I understand it is normal, but do the percentages apply for us bodybuilders?
We are losing way more per night than average people. Is it still mostly water weight? Or are we sacrificing some lean mass at night too?

[klosey]

I understand it is normal, but do the percentages apply for us bodybuilders?
We are losing way more per night than average people. Is it still mostly water weight? Or are we sacrificing some lean mass at night too?

it is mostly water, we lose more because we are using more for fuel, when sleeping a bodybuilders metabolism is still high when compared to an inactiive persons, its still burning calories when you sleep, yes some could be muscle but i believe it would take over a month to lose a full lb of muscle, just make sure you have protein before bed and first thing upon waking to make sure your body is as anabolic as possible

[Commander]

Awesome, I was hoping that would be the answer.

Man, klosey, where are the other posters?
I feel like you and I are having one-on-one conversations lately.

[Venom]

Yeah, I don't think that applies to us. I notice I lose more water weight especially when I cut carbs.

However, I also eat a meal in the middle of the night, so what about that?!?!

[klosey]

Yeah, I don't think that applies to us. I notice I lose more water weight especially when I cut carbs.

However, I also eat a meal in the middle of the night, so what about that?!?!

i have a shake ready incase i wake up in middle of night, but with the one before bed and upon waking there is a minimal risk of losing muscle as i only sleep 5-6 hours

[klosey]

Awesome, I was hoping that would be the answer.

Man, klosey, where are the other posters?
I feel like you and I are having one-on-one conversations lately.

yeah i know what you mean, its also helping with new work layout i can check the site 3 times a day not just once

[klosey]

just to note the most i have lost in a night is 15lb now bad night and had no water yesterday.

[Commander]

That's amazing! The most I've lost is 6 lbs and I thought that was a lot. 15 lbs is just unreal.

[niggles]

can you look at it then, the heavier you are (bodybuilding wise - lean mass), the more you can potentially lose during sleep? the most ive lost is 3 kilos. first time it happened a while back i was frustrated as hell because i didnt know the proper reason. but yeh. its normal. nothing bad.

lol venom, so hardcore. wake up in the middle of the night just to eat. do you put an alarm on and everything?

[Commander]

can you look at it then, the heavier you are (bodybuilding wise - lean mass), the more you can potentially lose during sleep? the most ive lost is 3 kilos. first time it happened a while back i was frustrated as hell because i didnt know the proper reason. but yeh. its normal. nothing bad.

lol venom, so hardcore. wake up in the middle of the night just to eat. do you put an alarm on and everything?

I think you are right, the bigger you are the more you will likely lose, and also, the more carbs/water you take in during the day, it seems like the more you lose at night.

[niggles]

I think you are right, the bigger you are the more you will likely lose, and also, the more carbs/water you take in during the day, it seems like the more you lose at night.

yeh, that probably comes back to the fact the bigger someone is, the more carbs/water they require.

unless your a long-long distance runner. can't imagine them losing any more weight -_-"

[spider-man]

I wake up half way through and slam a shake with skim milk, protein powder, flax oil or some pbutter, and like a half cup of oats if im training. I prefer to train after i wake up (i would say morning but since my job has be going to bed at 6a.m., i technically wake up in the afternoon) and this way im jumpin up and down with energy ready to rock and roll!!!

And i drink a water bottle when i do this too, so usually i imagine i actually gain a pound when i sleep, but i would have to measure myself before and after this is just a guess...