2 colds in the last 3 weeks...

teachmom32
teachmom32 Posts: 183 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm sick today with a head cold for the 2nd time in 3 weeks. I've been eating 1750 calories, including lots of fruits and veggies and lean protein. I take a multivitamin and a zinc tablet daily. I also drink plenty of water.

I am a teacher and I am constantly exposed to germs. Normally I can fight them off fairly well. I've been working out daily, too, usually with JM video or interval jogging. I don't understand why I'm not reaping the benefits of my healthier lifestyle in terms of staying healthy!

The one thing I cannot seem to take charge of is my sleep. I have a body media fit, and the most I've gotten for sleep in a night (regardless of whether it was the weekend or a weekday) since getting it two weeks ago is 6.5 hours. This week I've averaged 5.5 hours of sleep. I don't know what to do to fix this. I go to bed at a decent hour nightly (between 9 and 10). I have to wake up at 5 a.m. for my job. I can not fall asleep right away and then when I do, I wake up minimum of 4 times a night and can't fall back asleep right away. Any advice for me on fixing my sleep?

Replies

  • teachmom32
    teachmom32 Posts: 183 Member
    bump
  • Kate_UK
    Kate_UK Posts: 1,299 Member
    Are you tired when you go to bed, or do you go when you feel you should?
    If you not actually tired I would try staying up a little later so that when I did go to bed I'd be more likely to sleep.

    When do you exercise? If it's too close to bedtime it will make it harder to seep.

    Do you wind down properly before bedtime? You could try listening to some relaxing music or meditation to relax you which might make sleep come easier.


    ETA I really do feel for you with the colds. I get stuck in a rut with illness. I start counting calories and within 7-10 days I come down with a cold. Then I eat what ever I feel like because I'm ill. I get better, start again and get another cold. It's a vicious circle. This time I'm eating more calories. The weight loss will be slower, but if it stops me from getting sick it'll be worth the extra time it takes.
  • Anna800
    Anna800 Posts: 639 Member
    I think you need to go to bed earlier if you're getting up at 5pm. I saw a sleep doctor once and he said me sitting at my computer desk with a bright desk lamp wired my body to stay awake. I still sit in front of the computer but keep the lamp off. You can do a sleep study, your insurance should pay for it. I find that when I practice yoga in the evening I sleep the best!

    Not all vitamins are the same. They're not regulated so they may not have all that they list on the label and your body doesn't absorb man-made chemicals as well. That's why I now drink shakeology.
  • teachmom32
    teachmom32 Posts: 183 Member
    Yeah, most of my exercise is done between 5 and 6 pm which is only a few hours before bedtime. I have no other time available, though, to do my exercising. If this keeps up, I am going to have a sleep study done. I've read some things about sleep hygiene, and I've started practicing some of it (not watching tv in bed, laying down when you're tired, etc.) The one thing I haven't tried is that if I'm awake more than 15 minutes, get out of bed and go to another room. Associate your bed with sleep... that's tough to do, especially when I know I have to be on the next day in front of my 6th graders...

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