R3P2D8~Sleep

Good Morning! Today's Stats:

Yesterday's Weight: 207.2
Today's Weight 202.2
Loss: -5.0 lb


WHOA! 5 pounds! Mercy! That is great! One thing I have to make a point of doing is getting plenty of sleep. The better I am rested, the less I want to deviate from the plan. The better I am rested, the more efficiently I seem to burn fat. I made a point of going to bed at 10:30 last night instead of 11:30 or midnight. I also nap when my little ones nap, or at least try to rest during the day. Our resting environment has a lot to do with how well rested we become. If we have a cluttered, disorganized room, then we tend to be anxious. I made a point yesterday of making my room a more relaxing place. I added some candles for relaxation as well.

The Importance of Rest

"Another study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine indicates that lack of sleep can affect how your body regulates your appetite. Sleeping less can cause you not only to crave more food, but also to crave foods higher in fat and carbohydrates. In addition, bouts of insomnia can alter your metabolic rate, slowing it down and causing you to burn fewer calories. Lastly, people who sleep less tend to feel more fatigued and, therefore, exercise less.



But don't despair. There are ways that you can combat your sleepless nights. First of all, don't drink caffeine for approximately six hours before your bed time. Caffeine is a stimulant and will block your brain's ability to produce adenosine, one of the chemicals that help induce sleep. In addition to caffeine, most doctors will recommend that you keep your fluid intake to less than one cup in the four hours leading up to your bedtime. This will limit your body's need to relieve fluids in the middle of the night and allow you to sleep more soundly throughout the night.



Another important tip in falling asleep easily is to set aside thirty minutes to an hour before your bedtime. Use this time to allow your brain and body to relax. Rather than stimulating your brain with television, computer games, or Internet usage, calm your brain by reading a book, taking a bath, or meditating. Furthermore, if you perform these relaxing activities at the same time every night, your brain will train itself to recognize these signals, and you will have fewer and fewer difficulties falling asleep at your allotted bedtime." (courtesy of http://www.helium.com/items/1238913-how-sleep-can-affect-weight-loss)

The Importance of The Sleep Environment

Better Sleep Tip 1: Create a better sleep environment

if your sleep is continually being disrupted through the night, your body is not getting enough of the restorative deep sleep it needs. You will feel the effects of sleep deprivation, even if you are on the surface getting enough hours of sleep. The key to better sleep might be as simple as making minor changes to your sleep environment to minimize sleep disruption.
Your Bed

* Is your bed large enough? You should have enough room to stretch and turn comfortably, including with a bedmate present.
* Your mattress, pillows and bedding. Waking up with a cramp in your back or a sore neck? Experiment with different levels of mattress firmness, foam toppers or egg crate toppers, and pillows that provide more support.

Your Room

* Better Sleep Tip 1: Create a better sleep environment
Keep the noise level down. Too much noise- loud outside conversations, televisions blaring, traffic noise - can make it difficult to sleep well. To help mask outside noise if it can’t be blocked, try a fan, white noise, or recordings of soothing sounds. Earplugs may also help.
* Keep your room dark during sleep hours. When it’s time to sleep, make sure that your environment is dark- bright lights, especially those from TV, can confuse the body clock. Heavy shades can help block light from windows, or you can try an eye mask to cover your eyes.
* Room temperature and ventilation. If you can, experiment with the room temperature. Most people sleep best in a slightly cooler room with adequate ventilation. Check your windows and doors to make sure that drafts are not interfering with sleep.
* Reserve your bed for sleeping. If you associate your bed with events like work or errands, it will only make it harder to wind down at night. Use your bed only for sleep and sex.

Better Sleep Tip 2: Discover Techniques for Falling Asleep

With busy schedules and family lives, it’s hard to leave the worries of daily life behind when it is time to sleep. Worrying and anxiety trigger the “fight or flight” mechanism in the body, releasing chemicals that prepare us to be alert and ready for action. That not only makes it difficult to fall asleep, but can wake you up frequently in the night as well. Even with the stresses of daily life, if you make an effort to relax and wind down before bed, you will sleep easier and more deeply.
Cue your body for sleep by making a relaxing bedtime routine

A consistent, relaxing routine before bed sends a signal to your brain that it is time to wind down, making it easier to fall asleep. Make the time before sleep a time of peace and quiet, and find your unique routine that relaxes you.

Ideas to help prepare for sleep

* Reading a light, entertaining book or magazine
* Listening to soft music or radio broadcast
* Making simple preparations for the next day

* A light bedtime snack, a cup of hot tea or a glass of warm milk
* Hobbies such as knitting or jigsaw puzzles
* Listening to books on tape

Relaxation techniques

Relaxation is beneficial for everyone, but especially if you are struggling with sleep. Practicing relaxation techniques before bed is a great way to wind down, calm the mind, and prepare for sleep. Some simple relaxation techniques include:

* Deep breathing. Close your eyes, and try taking deep, slow breaths, making each breath even deeper than the last.
* Progressive muscle relaxation. Starting at your toes, tense all the muscles as tightly as you can, then completely relax. Work your way up from your feet to the top of your head.
* Visualizing a peaceful, restful place. Close your eyes and imagine a place or activity that is calming and peaceful for you. Concentrate on how relaxed this place or activity makes you feel.