Susannah Jowitt is embarking on a two-week "bed diet" experiment to see if consistent sleep can facilitate weight loss. Inspired by research from Finland, she intends to be in bed by 9 PM every night to align with her body's natural circadian rhythm.

The Finnish study's link between short sleep and obesity

The motivation for this experiment stems from scientific observations regarding sleep hygiene and metabolic health. As the report notes, Jowitt was prompted by a Finnish sleep study that highlighted the dangers of irregular rest. This research concluded that disordered bedtimes and short nights of sleep significantly increase the likelihood of obesity.

Beyond weight management, the study suggested that such irregular sleep patterns can nearly double the risk of major cardiovascular events. By attempting to tune into her circadian rhythm—the body's internal drive to sleep during dark hours and remain active during the day—Jowitt hopes to test if the reverse of these findings holds true.

From a 4st weight loss to 2020 knee injuries

Jowitt’s personal history with weight management is a cycle of discipline and physical limitation. She has faced dietary pressures since the age of 11, a period she associates with the "misery" of yo-yo dieting. A decade ago, she managed to lose 4st by committing to an intense exercise regimen five days a week.

However, this progress was halted by physical trauma.. According to the source, Jowitt suffered two significant knee injuries in 2020:

  • A gym accident that injured her first knee.
  • A cycling accident that injured her second knee.

    • These injuries made high-impact exercise difficult, leading to a period of weight gain that has left her at a stable size 18.

    A 9 PM bedtime for a household of night owls

    The logistical challenge of the "bed diet" is compounded by the existing habits of Jowitt's household. She lives with her husband, Anthony, and their 22-year-old son, Winston, who resides there with his girlfriend, Paris.. The entire family currently functions as a group of "night owls."

    The household's current routine involves eating supper late, often past 9:30 PM, followed by watching television and completing administrative tasks late into the night. For Jowitt to succeed in her 9 PM goal, she must break away from a domestic culture that typically falls into an exhausted sleep only after midnight.

    Can the "bed diet" actually reverse size 18 curves?

    As Jowitt begins her two-week trial,several scientific and practical questions remain unanswered. It is not yet clear if strictly aligning with circadian rhythms can facilitate weight loss in the absence of calorie counting or dietary restriction. The experiment seeks to determine if "lying down" can serve as a viable alternative to the "agonising exercise" that Jowitt previously relied upon.

    Furthermore, the source does not address how the social pressure of a late-eating household might impact the results. It remains to be seen whether the biological benefits of sleep will outweigh the potential for late-night snacking or the psychological difficulty of abandoning a long-standing nocturnal lifestyle.