sleep deprivation and weight loss(GAIN!!!)

Hey, i hear you on the sleep deprivation. I am focusing on getting more rest and making sure i get at least six hours and hopfully get to a solid 8 hours by Christmas Eve 2013.

I dont know how it physicallly impacts me, but i know my brain needs the rest so it doesnt impair my judgement.

I have read a lot about aging , sleep and how to keep my energy level up. There are healthy habits for sleep patterns just like their are for diet and exercise... Like going to bed at the same time every night and having before bed rituals (brush teeth, reading, lights out) as well making sure ou are optimizing your sleep environment (no electronics with pesky lights, quiet) ... Good job on making a focus point -

Melatonin is a natural OTC sleep aid. Benadryl can be used but often if creates bad grogginess if you don't get a full night sleep on it. Camomile tea is helpful for some.

*I used to have terrible insomnia. If you haven't already, cut down on sugar and caffiene altogether or at least after noon. Eat an early dinner and don't snack late in the day/night. Start a routine and stick to it. For me, I can easily make myself fall asleep if I get my body warm enough, so stack on the blankets. I like to drink tea (non caffeinated) before bedtime. I typically take a shower and hit the sack. Now I have the opposite problem of over sleeping!

Best of luck!

I have been on a sleep medication, as well...and unfortunately I am addicted to it. Try what other suggested before asking for a prescription.

Melatonin is a natural sleep aid & it is not addictive, so you may want to try that. Make sure you keep a regular pattern...go to bed the same time & get up at the same time. If you normally get up at 7 am, and can't get to sleep until 5...DON'T sleep until noon. Also do not take naps. Avoid caffein (even a sip of pepsi can cause sleep problems).

I am sorry you are going through this, I know how it feels. But at the same time I wish I was never introduced to the sleep aide I am addicted to.

I would definitely suggest going to your doctor and talking about this-it could be something like sleep apnea or insomnia and maybe some prescription meds would really help you out. You probably know about cutting out caffeine after noon and all that, but I definitely recommend exercising in the evening-especially doing weights. Nothing makes me sleepier than making myself physically tired (though I do understand that plenty of times it is mental alertness that keeps you up).

Anyway, definitely see your doctor! I hope it gets better! And don't worry about weight gain until you can start sleeping regularly, because weight gain is definitely normal since you burn calories when you sleep and when you are awake, you are more likely to eat.

I am in the Navy and fly for a living and am unable to take many of the sleep medications on the market while in a flight status. The most often tried for me is ambien 5mg. I was taking two or three of these a night and still getting no more than 3-4 hours of sleep at a stretch and was unable to go back to sleep once I woke up. My sleeping problems started back when I was an RDC (the Navy's version of Drill Instructor) and was working 120 hour work weeks. I have been out of that job for nearly three years now and still have the trouble sleeping. I will go two or three days with 3-4 hours sleep at the most and some nights with none then on the fourth or 5th day crash for 12 hours. I find the more I work out and the better the shape I'm in the less sleep I tend to need. Yet I nearly always, regardless of diet and workout routines, feel sluggish throughout the day and am constantly having to fight for motivation.

Some background info:
Diet is fairly low fat, high fiber and loaded with fresh veggies.
I drink no less than 5 22 ounce bottles of water a day regardless of any other beverages I might drink (morning coffee)
I don't drink often and when I do it isn't binge drinking it is usually just a few beers or a single glass of scotch or burbon (roughly 3 oz)
Exercise is at at least 4 times a week and I strive for 6 though it is tough with my flight schedule making my schedule change nearly every day (currently on deployment so working rather weird hours) My exercise routine ALWAYS consist of 60 min on the elliptical plus 5 of cool down, I jog half a mile to/from the gym as a warm up/cool down, I do dips, pull ups and crunches every day I make it to the gym this is my routine at a minimum with other exercises thrown in for targeted results.

Now that you have a great deal of my info any suggestions? I do read my self through the night more often than not trying to get tired and white noise machines only exacerbate the sleepless nights amplifying them into silent and sleepless fits of rage.

Sleep deprivation mess with your cortisol, leptin and other hormones. You will probably end up eating as a defensive mechanism then get caught in a vicious cycle that will ruin your metabolism and give you "gains".