Weight loss conjures images of abstinence and countless hours at the gym - often at the expense of other critical factors like rest.
Head of Pharmacy at Chemist4U, Jason Murphy, challenges the conventional thinking that places food at the epicentre of weight management strategies.
"When it comes to weight loss, most people focus on what they're eating, but how well you're sleeping can matter just as much, if not more," he told GB News.
In fact, he believes that those struggling to lose weight despite careful dietary choices may be overlooking their sleep patterns.
Sleep deprivation throws the body's appetite-regulating hormones into disarray
|GETTY
Put simply, inadequate rest throws the body's appetite-regulating hormones into disarray and creates an uphill battle for even the most disciplined dieters.
"Poor sleep disrupts the hormones that regulate hunger and fullness," he explained.
"When those are out of balance, your body sends stronger signals to eat, often leading you to crave high-calorie foods for quick energy."
This essentially means the body is actively working against weight loss efforts and pushing individuals towards calorie-dense foods.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
"So even if you're doing everything right with your diet, consistently poor sleep can work against you without you realising it," Mr Murphy warned.
Looking more closely at dietary habits, the pharmacy cautioned that certain foods with good reputations can derail progress, too.
"Smoothies are a good example," Mr Murphy noted. "Even when they're made with fruit and vegetables, they can pack in a significant amount of sugar and calories, and because you're drinking rather than chewing, your body doesn't register fullness in the same way."
Nuts and avocado, despite their nutritional benefits, can also easily be over-consumed.
"A handful of nuts or half an avocado is a perfectly satisfying serving, but I'd always recommend reading the back of the packaging for clear macros and calories."
An all-or-nothing approach to weight loss isn't the solution either, according to Mr Murphy, who says he encounters this mistake in people trying to lose weight.
"When people set very rigid rules around food, they tend to feel like they've failed the moment they break one, and that's when the cycle of restriction and overeating can start," he explained.
Rather than dramatic lifestyle transformations, the pharmacist encourages gradual adjustments that accumulate over time.
Sleep deprivation can derail weight loss progress
|GETTY
"Something as simple as drinking a glass of water before each meal, or going for a ten-minute walk after dinner, might not feel like much on its own," Mr Murphy said.
"But done consistently, these habits become second nature, and that consistency is what actually moves the needle on weight loss in the long run."
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter