Problems Sleeping

I have always been a night owl.  21 years ago I married a guy who loves a bed time of 8-9pm.  I'm more around 11p and sometimes later.  This has always been rough for us.  When I try to go to bed earlier I lay there & toss & turn.  Just can't fall asleep.  BUT when I go to bed later I put my head on my pillow & sleep is right around the corner.  I have always loved that.

Over the passed few years my husband has started sharing with me his concerns about my "snoring" or "funny breathing" that I do when I sleep.  My reaction?  DENIAL!  I really didn't want to hear I was snoring or doing anything "weird" when I was sleeping.

Oh - something else I should probably mention.....I do NOT wake up rested.  I wake up feeling like a MACK truck has hit me some time during the night. 

My sister has always said "My bed is comfortable & my pillow is soft".  I have always been jealous about that so finally my husband and I got an AWESOME bed that I must say is quite comfy.  You would think that would help right?  Nope, I still wake up feeling like someone beat me with a stick. 

I have been seeing my doctor lately for some other issues I have been noticing & mentioned to her about my symptoms: 
EXTREMELY tired during the day even after getting 8 hours of sleep the night before.  FEELING like I didn't get any sleep at all and feeling like someone beat me silly ;).   WAKING up with a headache that I just can't shake.  FOCUS during the day just NOT there.  EXTREMELY forgetful (which my children LOVE but my husband and I aren't diggin' at all)

My dr was concerned with these symptoms & mentioned Sleep Apnea.  I told her I thought that was just an overweight person's problem.  You see, if you have been following me - while I have lost weight & continue to try to get to my goal I am not considered overweight. 

So, she referred me to a doctor who specializes in Sleep Apnea.  I saw him yesterday & he told me I have all but 2 of the symptoms & if the insurance allowed him he would hook me up with a CPAP machine at that moment.  I do need to go through the sleep testing though & am waiting for them to get with me about an appt.

I must say I am a bit nervous but I keep thinking about what it would look like and feel like for me to wake up rested & have the energy I need to get all through the day without caffeine or some other pick me up like CARBS!!   In the back of my mind I keep wondering if the last 10lbs won't come off because of this problem. 

Bottom line is I want to continue my path to being the healthiest I can be for me, my family & to be able to do what God has intended for me to do. 

I have always said that to those who follow me & I will continue saying it.  Yes, I was in denial.  I haven't had the test yet to confirm that I have Sleep Apnea but I will go for it & see what they say.  I will continue down this path & I want to share with you what happens.  I hope you will continue to follow my progress down this road.

If you or someone you knows may think you have a sleeping disorder please see your doctor.  This stuff isn't something to mess around with.  Here is a link for a site that explains symptoms for Sleep Apnea specifically.

 http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/basics/symptoms/con-20020286

Do you know someone with Sleep Apnea?  How has getting treated changed their life?

Be Blessed & Live Healthy!!!

Please note:  I am not a doctor OR in the medical profession.  I am just sharing my experiences in hopes this will help someone else go & seek medical advice if needed.  

Sleep = Weight Loss

Sleep.  It's a hard thing to catch some times.  I am a night-owl.  I KNOW I would enjoy getting up & getting things going early but it just never happens.  I also know my husband would like me to be up early when he goes to work.  That should be enough incentive huh?

There is alot out there now that talks about getting enough sleep for weight loss.  Our bodies go through a healing process as we sleep.  Our muscles & brain REALLY need this.  Some are saying 7-9 hours of sleep is what we need.  I think what time we go to sleep is big too.  I'm still working on that one :/

Dr Oz is a big proponent of sleep.  I found a couple links you could check out: 

http://www.doctoroz.com/quiz/dr-oz-s-sleep-quiz

http://healthybodydaily.com/dr-oz-in-case-you-missed-it/dr-oz-5-step-sleep-plan/

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/lose-weight-while-sleeping

http://www.livestrong.com/sleep-and-weight-loss/

As always, don't take my word for it.  Go out there & research this for yourself.  If you are working out on a regular basis then getting on with your normal day by the end of it your body is probably WIPED out.  It needs some serious downtime to rejuvinate.  That is what sleep is for.

I struggled for a LONG time getting a good night's sleep.  My sister always says "my bed is comfortable and my pillow is soft".  It sounds silly but I was never able to say that.  My bed was always hard & uncomfortable.  My pillow?  I never used one.  My neck was always hurting & I had heard a pillow wasn't the way to go.  My whole back would just ache.  I could never find the right thing.  I can't tell you how many mattresses my husband & I went through during the course of the first 15 years of our marriage.  Then we got a Sleep Number.  I know many people that don't care for them but this was the answer for us!  My back is SO much better.  My chiropracter has seen a change as well.  NOW I can tell you that my bed is comfortable & my pillow is very soft (only use on when sleeping on my side). 

Sleep.  It's very important for so many things.  See what YOU can to do start getting more.  You won't be sorry!!

How many hours of sleep do you get a night?  Do you wake up feeling refreshed & ready to go?

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

You're getting sleepy......

Sleep. How much do you get? Hmmm, not sure that I'm consistant at all. I go through my ups and downs. Some nights a good 7-8 and others 5 or so. How important IS sleep anyway?

There are alot of studies that show sleep is very important for weight loss & maintaining your weight. When we don't get enough sleep there is a change in hormones that will actually trigger hunger. A new study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition says not enough sleep will also aid in slowing down our metabolism.

Well, I don't want either of those! I have a hard enough time keeping my weight where it is and I definitely can't seem to lose anymore so I'm thinking if sleep is what my body needs than I need to do my best at giving it that.

Do you struggle with getting enough sleep? Are you a night owl??

Be Blessed & Healthy!!