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Weight loss and changes sleep habits - normal?

lee91356
lee91356 Posts: 330 Member
edited February 2 in Health and Weight Loss
When I was larger, I was a heavy sleeper (both literally and figuratively lol) and even had sleep apnea. I would snore and could sleep through ANYTHING. Now that I have shed some my weight I no longer snore, but I find that I am a sensitive sleeper, not only is it harder for me to fall asleep because its harder for my slimmer body to find a comfortable position, in part due to the lack of extra padding, but I am also way more sensitive to well everything - every noise/ sound and light.

I was wondering if anyone has any similar experience or heard about something like this. Thanks!

Replies

  • FP4HSharon
    FP4HSharon Posts: 664 Member
    Well, I never associated it w/losing weight, but the timing was right...now that I look back on it. Although I've always been a very light sleeper. One good thing I found was that if I am exercising on a regular basis I only need about 6 1/2 hours of sleep/night to feel completely rested & wake up naturally, as opposed to my usual 7 1/2 hrs. From one light sleeper to another, things that have helped me sleep better...don't eat/drink anything, not even water within 4 hrs of bedtime, don't exercise within 4 hrs of bedtime, cover your bedroom windows w/black plastic bags or foil to make it really dark, use something for white noise like a table top fan or air cleaner. Keep the room slightly cool, go to bed at the same time every night. If I have a couple of bad nights, then I'll take a natural sleep aid made by Nature Made called "Sleep"...available in most drug stores OTC.
  • Elafacwen
    Elafacwen Posts: 44 Member
    Well I never put two and two together until you pointed it out, but I can say that I am experiencing the same thing. I have also noticed that I am perfectly fine with 7 hours of sleep compared to the 9 hours I needed when I was nearly 70lbs heavier and in poor shape.
  • llkilgore
    llkilgore Posts: 1,169 Member
    Well I never put two and two together until you pointed it out, but I can say that I am experiencing the same thing. I have also noticed that I am perfectly fine with 7 hours of sleep compared to the 9 hours I needed when I was nearly 70lbs heavier and in poor shape.

    That's been my experience too. Sleep is more restful when it isn't being continually interrupted by sleep apnea.
  • icimani
    icimani Posts: 1,454 Member
    I still have a long ways to go, but I have ve come a long way and I agree - I just don't need as much sleep as I did 100 pounds ago. I don't snore near as much as I used to and I do sleep lighter.

    I feel like I'm getting enough sleep though so it's all good for me. But I will say it's an adjustment - I get up earlier so I'm seeing much more daylight!
  • crandos
    crandos Posts: 377 Member
    Magnesium, calcium and zinc supplement good night sweet prince...
  • mamawithtwins
    mamawithtwins Posts: 2
    Yes! This absolutely happened to me...after I had my twins I lost nearly 100 pounds, along with ability to sleep through the night :0

    I started researching natural alternatives to RX sleep meds,because I didn't want to take any of those drugs. I tried melatonin, Nux Vomica, valerian, and various herbal teas. None of them really made an appreciable difference.

    I went to see a naturopath, who sent me to http://naturalsleepformula.net to check out their whole-food-based sleep supplement. I bought it, and was pleasantly surprised. I fell asleep faster, and did not suffer the early waking that I had been stuck with before.

    In addition to the supplement, my naturopath suggested a stringent sleep routine:

    bed only for sleep and sex
    warm shower or bath before bed
    warm milk or herbal tea
    guided meditation for sleep
    cotton (or no) pj's
    100% cotton sheets
    white noise machine

    The combination really worked like a charm. No more insomnia for me :)
  • susanrechter
    susanrechter Posts: 386 Member
    after I lost 10 lbs, I really saw an improvement in my sleep pattern. I sleep from around 11:30pm til 7:05 am don't know why, but it's always 7:05 am. I used to wake several times throughout the night. Now I am sleeping through the night. Yeah!
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