The less I eat, the more trouble I have sleeping!

graypink0130

This happens everytime I start eating healthy!! I have cut my calories significantly. I figured I was eating about 3400 calories a day which is way too much, but now I am down to approximately 1200 and am having a horrible time sleeping. I am not currently exercising because I am detoxing from smoking and am waiting to repair my lungs until I completely repair my eating habits. I think I will try yoga tomorrow, but if this doesn't work I am looking at a lot more hours in my day! Any NATURAL suggestions?

graypink0130

This happens everytime I start eating healthy!! I have cut my calories significantly. I figured I was eating about 3400 calories a day which is way too much, but now I am down to approximately 1200 and am having a horrible time sleeping. I am not currently exercising because I am detoxing from smoking and am waiting to repair my lungs until I completely repair my eating habits. I think I will try yoga tomorrow, but if this doesn't work I am looking at a lot more hours in my day! Any NATURAL suggestions?

Soniabruja

Trying Yoga is a great start....
From 3400 calories a day to 1200 is a big change!! But make sure you're adding 1200 calories every day
not less...Your body could go to a starvation mode, and you wont see any weight going down..
I practice Yoga Vinyasa 2 times a week and I'm like a new person!!
Good luck!!:flowerforyou: :bigsmile:

Mireille

I'm no help because I'm totally the opposite. I find I'm sleeping much better since the lifestyle change. A few weeks before I decided it was time for change, I started getting awful cramps in my stomach at night, those went away immediately once I started eating properly and I'm sleeping so much better.
Good luck, I'm sure it will get better.
Congrats on quitting smoking. :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

SoulfulLori

Hey GreyPink,

Yeah, I hear ya on the sleeping thing. When I make a lifestyle change that happens to me too. The yoga should help and maybe your last meal should have a little extra protien...I've read that helps.

Detoxing from smoking also can lend to this as your body chemistry is trying to right itself. BIG BIG CONGRATS ON THAT!!!!!!! That alone is amazing and I'm so thrilled for you.

So, know that the sleep thing will adjust in time and that you are in transition. It is a pain but it is so worth it. You probably wouldn't sleep much with diabetes and lung cancer either right? OUch...that was harsh but you get my point...you are doing something so awesome...keep at it and all will find its place I promise.

Also, maybe read up on natural remedies for sleep.

Best of luck and let us know how yoga went. I really should try that too. Sigh.

Lori
:flowerforyou:

rheston

I guess the first question I would pose is how did you determine your daily caloric intake? Was it self imposed or derived from MFP after entering your requisite details?

I used to be a very, emphasis on very, heavy smoker and when I quit back in the 70's (1900 not 1800) I and know from that experience that your lungs don't detox on their own they need help. You really should look at an exercise that requires you to suck in a lot of oxygen (jogging, stair stepper, ski machine, etc.) that will replace the learned need to suck on a cancer stick while blowing the crap out of your lungs. By choosing an exercise routine it will cause your body to fatigue and it will want to go to bed and stay there. Adding Yoga to this exercise routine will be an added bonus since it will get both your mind and tired muscles ready for that pillow.

Good Luck and know that we're all behind you! :flowerforyou:

banks1850

There is nothing worse for the body then shock. I don't know how you cut your calories, but if you went right from 3400 to 1200 your body is SCREAMING right now "What just happened?"

Your stomach is probably used to a lot more food, so is stretched out. Your metabolism is used to a lot more calories to work with so it is expecting more. Don't just drop it all at once, I would say drop it by 3 or 4hundred every 3 days or so, give your body a few days to adjust to it before you go on.

graypink0130

Thanks guys. I appreciate all the advice, I guess I will try some yoga today and maybe take an afternoon walk, I will let you know how it goes.:yawn:

catlover

These were great suggestions. I noticed you joined in March and it's only the 8th right now. Were you "eating healthier" for long before you joined us?? I didn't get that impression. If you were indeed eating over 3000 calories a day and are now at only 1200, your body is telling you something. Take the advice of others and slow it down a little. I read an article that said something like, "Don't eat at your ending goal weight, rather eat at a stepping stone goal weight, like for 20 pounds less, unless your body adjusts." If you read the article, it makes sense. Also, take a visit to the health food section of your store and look up natural sleep aides, like maybe sleepy time tea or something like that. Like everything else, I suspect it will balance out in time.

graypink0130

Well most of my calories were consumed in beer and coca cola which I had a long lasting love affair with, so cutting back so far on my calories is kinda out of my control in that way. I am addicted to soda I couldn't believe all the calories I was consuming, there is no way I could consume that many in calories in food. I am only 5' and maybe 1" tall so I was in total excess with my calorie intake. But thanks for the advice I might try to temporarily try to boost a few more calories into my diet so I can atleast sleep!!!

catlover

That makes a lot of sense. I have been monitoring my daughter's food and beverage intake for about two weeks and realized she has about 1000 calories a day in things like soda, juice, Star Buck's, milk shakes, milk, hot chocolate, and tea w/sugar. So did you go cold turkey on the soda and beer and are not drinking any...that could account for the insomnia. I still believe that with a little time all things will balance out and you will find a normal sleeping routine again. :yawn:

kimcatflagstaff

You didn't say if you are on the nicotine patch,or how you quit smoking. I couldn't wear mine while trying to sleep, it kept me awake all night. Also, give your body a little healthy snack about an hour before bedtime. You'll sleep better. As for not exercising at this point, if your doctor doesn't have a problem with it, go for it! You'll get all of the toxins out of your body and feel better about what you're doing. The exercise was what kept me off of the cigarettes. You'll love it when your wind and endurance comes back every day a little more.

Soniabruja

You were addicted to coca-cola.......
That's why you can't sleep...You were taking so much sugar in to your body, and now IT missed it!!!
Imagen: Your hand-full of sugar cubes, 20 of them....That's how much sugar a single can of coca-cola has!!!! AMAZING EH!!!
Try chamomile tea at night time or any herbal tea(forget about coffee and any caffeine drink!!)
That i think it will help
Take care,
Peace&Love:flowerforyou:

AJCM

SAME HERE!

I had some trouble sleeping at night when I first started this! I'd get into bed at my usual 11:00 p.m. and still be buzzing. After a week it has calmed down a bit, and I'm trying to get up every morning at the same time, around 6:30. I'm also finding that I'm jumping out of bed with more energy.

I think that your body is just adjusting! Give it some time. I also find a really hot bath works (darken the room a bit, light a candle...).

elliott062907

I was the same way until I lost over 40 lbs. But now that I am starting over, I am in the same boat....
But it is getting better. I have started working out a bit more, stop eating after a certain time and sometimes I will eat a low sodium soup...

It really helps for me....

Good luck to you