Can't say no to that extra slice of cake? Here's what you must do

If you're trying to lose weight, you'll know all too well about not being able to resist that extra piece of cake staring at you from the plate. But what's the solution to a problem that's ruining your chances of losing weight? Read on to find out…

What’s really the solution to saying no to that delicious cake that’s begging you to eat it even when you shouldn’t?

Grab a few carrot sticks?

Lace up your running shoes and go out for a willpower-boosting jog?

Or take a nap?

It may sound a bit crazy, but the last option could very well be your best one.

Taking a nap could help you stay away from sugary treats

Research presented during the 2011 Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (LLC) showed that being sleepy during the day is associated with that ‘I can’t help myself’ feeling that comes with viewing high-calorie foods, writes Christine O’Brien in Nutrition & Healing.

Basically, the part of your brain that’s responsible for inhibitory control is decreased when you’re sleepy during the day. This means that the doughnut, piece of birthday cake or greasy slice of pizza, is harder to resist when you haven’t caught up on sleep.

“Since insufficient sleep is already linked to a lower metabolism, it’s like a double whammy against that diet,” writes O’Brien.

So, believe it or not, the best way to combat the siren call of that sugary treat may very well be to turn off the lights and get some sleep.