Sleeping Less BECAUSE you are dieting?

jayartist
jayartist Posts: 3
edited September 25 in Health and Weight Loss
Hey guys, I'm sure everybody's familiar with all the literature out there about how important a good night's sleep is for proper weight loss and health. Well, my problem is that when I reduce my calories, I have trouble sleeping. I typically wake up after about 5 or so hours and have a hard time getting back to sleep, and that's just not enough rest for me. I've tried drinking a fiber drink in the evening to tone down some of the middle of the night hunger pains and that helps a little. Of course, I've read that people who engage in calorie restricted diets for longevity claim that it's normal to sleep less when you eat less. Anybody else have this problem? Thanks, Jay

ps, I'm losing about 2 pounds a week, so that should give you an idea about my diet.

Replies

  • DyannAlvarez
    DyannAlvarez Posts: 162 Member
    OMG... is that my problem? I sleep less too and it's so aggravating waking up so stinkin early only to lay there for a few more hours. Maybe this is why. Now what to do about it?? I don't like it!
  • iamhealingmyself
    iamhealingmyself Posts: 579 Member
    I don't sleep through the night but not because of hunger pains. Maybe you could try to reduce your loss to 1.5 or 1lb a week and see if that helps you sleep better?
  • sassy_2280
    sassy_2280 Posts: 66
    I've never thought to connect the two! I go to be around ten but wake up four or five times a night and I'm up at six. I'm losing about two pounds a week also and I used to sleep through the night! Not sure how to fix it though. :ohwell:
  • jmyers1230
    jmyers1230 Posts: 67 Member
    I feel like if you are waking up early due to hunger pains then you should adjust your weekly weight loss goals to add a few more calories to your day. Sounds like it could be your body's way of telling you it needs more fuel.
  • kirstinkrueger
    kirstinkrueger Posts: 346
    I have the same problem and never put two and two together. I don't wake up hungry, I just have a hard time staying alseep for a long period of time.
  • Carm52
    Carm52 Posts: 32 Member
    A friend on mine who has lost a lot of weight in the past year suggested I have a high protein snack (or a scoop of whey protein) to get me through the night! I find it helps :o)
  • Valtishia
    Valtishia Posts: 811 Member
    Perhaps you are going too long without food before bed?? I used to work at Herbal Magic years ago and one of the criteria for me to work there was to do thier program for a while. I found that I was so hungry at bed time that I couldn't sleep so I would eat a couple bites of food right before I tucked myself in. Just like a couple bites of yogurt or whatever.... and it quieted my tummy long enough for me to fall asleep and I would sleep the night through. Maybe that would be an option??
  • ybba12490
    ybba12490 Posts: 252
    Really? I significantly reduced my calories and am exercising and find myself SUPER tired at night. Like, 10 hours worth of sleep at night tired.
  • sheilamo
    sheilamo Posts: 115 Member
    How are you guys loosing 2 lbs a week?

    Your calories have got to be cut significantly, right?
  • Adam123456
    Adam123456 Posts: 7 Member
    I've noticed the same thing. Before I started eating healthy, exercising, etc I slept like a baby for up to 10 hours a night. Now I wake up after 6 or 7 hours and can't go back to sleep. I just assumed the lethargy induced by my previously poor diet of junk food must have worn off so I take advantage of my new found time :) Besides, if our bodies need more sleep I figure they'll stop waking up early (or so I hope :P).
  • elliecolorado
    elliecolorado Posts: 1,040
    I make sure that I have enough calories to have a snack in the evening before bed. I'm never really hungry except when I wake up because I am pretty much eating every couple of hours all day.
  • Atlantique
    Atlantique Posts: 2,484 Member
    I agree with the idea that your calories aren't distributed well across the day if you're waking up hungry in the middle of the night.

    Either eat dinner later or plan an evening snack. I end up having an evening snack just about every night. Hasn't slowed me down yet!
  • W0zzie
    W0zzie Posts: 262 Member
    I also eat late, snack late - I have to, since I workout 8/9 ish at night. I have a light but nutritious dinner and often a nutritious (sometime not) late snack. If I didn't have some fuel after the working out no doubt I'd feel the hunger pangs late night or during the night very early morning.

    If you're worried about the late night snack is bad thing - I'm not a guru but IMO it's bull. I've seen some myth-buster blogs & articles to make me think that and it's certainly not affecting my track record to this point. The only problem there I think is that notoriously late night snacks for the average person tend to be high fat "luxury" snacks rather than light and/or nutritious snacks.

    I've actually found since being more active I need less sleep and sleep more soundly :/ But individuality and variables no doubt mean different things to each of us.

    PS I only go for .5kg/1lb a week and I now distribute my intake over the coarse of the day since I pretty much know my average daily routine as far as needs & workout regime. It appears to be working thus far.
  • elliecolorado
    elliecolorado Posts: 1,040
    I agree with W0zzie. I know that we have all been told not to eat at night, but it really isn't going to hurt you. I have actually read several places that it is good for you (I know, don't believe everything you read), but if you eat dinner and nothing else until breakfast you are probably going at least 12 hours without eating anything which can slow down your metabolism. I know your metabolism will slow down at night anyway, but eating an evening snack at least your body is still processing the last thing you ate for part of the night. So in my opinion unless you are going on a junk food binge, some evening/night time snacking won't hurt you. :-)
  • LadyOfOceanBreeze
    LadyOfOceanBreeze Posts: 762 Member
    maybe, but doesn't the increase in regular exercise make you sleep better so it may balance out eventually? good luck and zzzzzzzz.....well:) tonight!

    p.s. try some sleepytime tea???
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