You Can’t Out-Diet Bad Sleep: The Hidden Reason Your Weight Loss Has Stalled

We used to think we could outsmart our body with discipline — five hours of sleep, clean meals, daily workouts. Yet, the scale didn’t move. 
Turns out, lack of sleep was sabotaging everything. You can’t out-diet or out-exercise poor sleep — because when your body’s tired, your hunger hormones go WILD.


What Happens When You Don’t Sleep Enough
When you sleep less than 7 hours:
 

• Ghrelin (your hunger hormone) spikes, so you crave carbs and sweets.
 • Leptin (your fullness signal) drops, so you never feel satisfied.


Studies show that women who sleep 5 hours or less are 15% more likely to gain weight, even with the same calorie intake. 😴
That’s when we realized — sleep is not “rest.” It’s a metabolic strategy.


Not a nap—this is my metabolic reset.

The Gentle Reset Sleep Habits That Helped Us Lose Weight


1. 4-7-8 Breathing Before Bed
Inhale for 4, hold for 7, exhale for 8. It’s my go-to calm-down ritual that lowers stress hormones and helps me drift faster. Oh, dont forget to relax your face while doing this. 


2. Magnesium Glycinate = Nighttime Magic
. I take it an hour before bed — it quiets our mind, supports melatonin, and keeps cortisol (a belly-fat trigger) in check.


3. Hot Eye Mask & Dim Lights- 
A heated eye mask feels like a mini spa, while dimming the lights after dinner helps my body recognize: “It’s sleep time.”


4. Cool, Dark Bedroom and 
24°C is the sweet spot. It helps our body cool down and recover better overnight.


5. No Caffeine After 2 PM
Even a 3 PM latte can delay your sleep cycle — we learned this the hard way.
When we started sleeping 7–8 hours consistently, cravings calmed down, energy came back, and the stubborn weight finally moved.


Science backs it up: people who sleep longer naturally eat 270 fewer calories a day — without dieting.


Start Tonight — Not Monday
 

Pick one new habit tonight: maybe the breathing trick or dimming your lights. Then build from there.
Because sometimes, your body doesn’t need another diet plan.
… It just needs a good night’s sleep. 🌙

You can join/follow our routine and eating habits. 

Visit our previous blogs here: https://reviews-all.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20Gentle%20Reset

From UK Cravings to Singapore Finds: Our Lad & Dad and Dopa Creamery Experience

ABBEY: We were craving some good old fish and chips, and a quick Google search pointed us to Lad & Dad at Tanjong Pagar Plaza. It’s a cozy spot known for its authentic British comfort food, so we decided to give it a try.

Their Fish and Chips instantly brought back memories of our meals in the UK; perfectly crispy batter on the outside and moist, flaky fish inside. Of course, we didn’t forget what we learned in London: a dash of vinegar makes it even better.

We also ordered Bangers and Mash, and it didn’t disappoint. The mashed potatoes were smooth and creamy, while the pork sausages were flavorful and paired nicely with the rich gravy. To round out the meal, we added a serving of onion rings that were crunchy and satisfying, adding a nice texture contrast to our mains.

Expect to spend around SGD 50 for two, including service charge, which is quite reasonable for the quality and portion. Special mention to the staff for their warm and friendly service, which made the experience even more enjoyable.

After our hearty dinner, we walked a short distance to Dopa, an artisan gelato cafe that’s perfect for dessert lovers.

We tried the Pistachio Kunafa Gelato, which had a creamy, slightly nutty flavor l,not too sweet, just right. The texture was soft yet rich, making it a delightful treat. For drinks, we ordered the Pistachio Hojicha Latte; smooth, velvety, and comforting, especially after a savory meal.

It was the perfect way to end the evening. A mix of familiar flavors, cozy ambiance, and comforting bites.

From UK Cravings to Singapore Finds: Our Lad & Dad and Dopa Creamery Experience

A sweet ending at Dopa Creamery — the Pistachio Kunafa is worth coming back for!

Pistachio Kunafa and Pistachio Hojicha Latte from Dopa Creamery Singapore — artisanal desserts.

WILL: When you travel and taste the food of another country, that experience tends to linger — the flavor, aroma, texture, and presentation all stay with you. For me, after our trip to the UK and Ireland, one dish kept coming to mind: fish and chips.

A few months later, my cravings led me to Lad & Dad, a popular spot in Singapore known for its British comfort food. The restaurant is conveniently within walking distance from our office, so Abbey and I decided to drop by for our Friday night date. 

We arrived early, just before the crowd started forming. By 7 PM, the queue was already long — definitely a good sign for first-timers!

Here’s what we ordered:
 • Bangers and Mash – Unfortunately, this one was a letdown. The pork sausages tasted like they came straight from a supermarket package — quite thin and not satisfying for the price.
 • Fish and Chips – This dish redeemed the night. The batter was crispy, golden, and not oily, and the fish inside was tender and flaky. At SGD 20 for 150g, it’s slightly pricey but gives you that nostalgic UK fish-and-chips experience.

Would I come back? Maybe — probably after six months or when the craving strikes again!

After dinner, we walked over to Dopa Creamery, located just behind Lad & Dad. I ordered a Pistachio Hojicha Latte (SGD 8) — a nice twist from my usual tea latte.

But the real star of the night? The Pistachio Kunafa (SGD 10). Sweet, nutty, and indulgent — I’ll definitely be returning just for a pint of that dessert!

If you’re missing British comfort food in Singapore, Lad & Dad is worth a try — especially for its fish and chips. And when you’re done, walk a few steps over to Dopa Creamery for a sweet treat that won’t disappoint.

Have you tried Lad & Dad or Dopa Creamery? Let me know your favorites in the comments below!

#fishandchips #sgwesternfood #sgfoodie #sgcafehopping #sggelato

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Lad & Dad

(I) https://www.instagram.com/ladanddad.sg/?hl=en

(H) 12-2pm 5-9pm *walk in only*

(A) 7 Tanjong Pagar Plaza #01-108, Singapore 081007

 Dopa Creamery 

(W) https://www.dopadopacreamery.com/

(H) 7 Tanjong Pagar Plaza #01-107, Singapore 081007

Pullman Singapore Orchard Review | A Staycation Gem in Orchard Road

ABBEY: Another staycation, another new experience and this time at Pullman Singapore Orchard, and it did not disappoint!

Check-in was seamless, and we were pleasantly surprised that our room on the 10th floor was ready by the time we arrived at 2 PM. After a quick change, we headed straight to the pool.

One thing to note: the complimentary welcome drink was only for one guest, as we had accidentally booked the room for one instead of two. Nonetheless, we made the best of our Cosmopolitan and additionally ordered a PSO Beach Sling, and a basket of fries to snack on. The pool water was refreshingly cold, perfect after basking under the afternoon sun. We even had fun riding the floaters and trying (with some effort!) to steer them around.

After a couple of laps, we went back to our room to get ready for dinner. Just then, the reception called and asked us to open the door. Apparently, we had left the “Do Not Disturb” sign on. To our surprise, Pullman Singapore Orchard had prepared a thoughtful celebration for me: a personalized card, a fruit basket, and even a cake to celebrate the completion of my technical presentation. It was such a warm and heartwarming gesture!

Our room was cozy and cool, the perfect place to snuggle under the soft quilt. We had a restful night and woke up refreshed and energized. That’s exactly what a staycation should feel like.

Big thanks to Rina, Iffah, Sufi, and AL for making our stay so special.

Swimming pool at Pullman Singapore Orchard hotel

WILL: Whenever Abbey and I plan a staycation, I always tell him that Orchard is not my first choice. Why?

•It’s a prime location, which means expensive.

•It’s the shopping district of Singapore, which means crowded.

•And with the crowds, comes the noise.

But then… we couldn’t resist the Pullman Orchard signage calling us. 😂 Since we’re Accor Plus members, we decided to give in to it’s SGD120 deal and honestly, I’m glad we did.

The best part about Pullman Singapore Orchard is its location. You are literally at the center of Orchard’s shopping district. Walk to shop, to dine, or simply enjoy a leisure stroll among luxury boutiques.

Need groceries? Just cross the street to Paragon’s basement. Hungry? Orchard has endless dining options, from food courts to high-end restaurants. You will never run out of choices.

Despite being in a busy shopping street, the hotel itself is serene and relaxing. The outside noise doesn’t penetrate the building, which makes it the perfect place to recharge after a long day.

Check-in and check-out? Less than 10 minutes.

Room service? Spot-on and accurate. Everything runs smoothly, which makes your stay completely hassle-free.

Here’s the part that made me fall in love with Pullman Orchard. On their booking system, there’s a section asking what you’re celebrating. I keyed in “successful presentation” and expected maybe a card or a small cake.

But Pullman surprised us with a personalized card and a huge cake from Anabella. 🎂💌 That’s miles beyond what other hotels usually do. The kind of generosity and thoughtfulness that makes your stay unforgettable.

Hands down, yes. Now I understand why one of my acquaintances is a loyal Pullman fan. I can only hope other Accor hotels in Singapore (and beyond) follow this kind of service standard.

For locals, it’s a worthwhile staycation in Orchard Road. For tourists, it’s the perfect hotel in Orchard Singapore if you want shopping, dining, and comfort all in one place.

If you’re searching for the best hotel in Orchard Road Singapore, Pullman Singapore Orchard is worth your attention. Compare rates at Pullman Singapore Orchard via [Expedia link] or check Accor’s direct perks if you’re an Accor Plus Singapore member.

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Pullman Singapore Orchard

(W) https://www.pullmansingaporeorchard.com/