Wondering if someone has experienced something similar and could give some advice.

Back in early January of this year, my body gave me the signals that it was time to change my diet. Nothing severe, but my body essentially said "NO MORE!". I'm in my late 20's, and well over 200 lbs. While working, I was drinking a LOT of pop. Mostly Mt. Dew and Mellow Yellow to stay awake while on the road. Figure in all the other gas station foods and snacks, and you can see that I wasn't eating right at all.

In January, I quit pop cold turkey. Not a drop since. Candy bars are a rarity, now. I try to grab a quick Subway sandwich for lunch, if I have time to stop. I changed my meals at home, too. Been making a lot of salads this year. I haven't gotten in any real exercise outside of what I do for work, but I'll get to that in a bit.

The results ... I feel better and I've lost weight. How much? Enough to give me the want and the momentum to keep going until I hit my healthy goal.

Here's the really bad part ... Since around the time that I quit drinking pop and eating better, I can't get one restful night of sleep. Not one. I am constantly dreaming and have the feeling of being stuck halfway between awake and asleep. I wake up several times each night, roll over, and it starts again. I'm running on fumes. I'm at the point of needing No Doz at least 2-3 days a week to get through work. There are times when my brain feels like it just wants to shut down from lack of rest. By the time I get home from work, there's no energy to go out for a walk or bike ride.

I've gone over what foods I eat and the ingredients (I have a bad food allergy and monitor those things carefully) and can't find anything that would be a factor. Consciously, I think I have my stress levels under control, but I get stressed during the day 'cause I know I'll be tired all day. I really don't know what's going on with me.

Has anyone run into a similar situation as this? I try searching for info on the 'net, but there is so much crap to sift through when it comes to sleep info. Btw, I don't expect any of you to play doctor and I know I should probably just go to mine, but he'll just write a prescription. There has to be a fix that doesn't involve pills.

 

I'm no doctor, but the fix might just be to hang in there. It looks like you were eating a LOT of sugar and now suddenly you're not. Our bodies just LOVE sugar. They get unhappy when you cut off their supply. Eventually, if you stay off the sugar, they'll adjust.

 

You might try a 3 microgram tablet of melatonin. You can get a bottle at Walmart for a few bucks. Melatonin is a substance that your body makes naturally, but sometimes has trouble producing it. It is the naturally occurring substance that promotes proper sleep. It won't hurt you, but may help you get your sleep cycle in check.

Melatonin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

The Melatonin is a good suggestion. Likewise, you've cut off your overdose of caffine, sugar and anything else that you feel good such as fast food and junk snacks.

Usually it's good to wean off of these things as the lack of these substances normally causes headaches and mood swings.

But yes, hang in there with your new commitment and it will pan out for you.

 

Make sure you drink ALOT of water too.
Milk is really good for making one sleepy as is the case with most dairy foods.
What you are doing for your health is a great thing, my wife and I are advocates of good diets and moderation of things such as candy, soda, alcohol, fast foods(all the fun stuff to eat).
I am sure a Google search will also give you more food suggestions.

 

3x...melation, also make your bed room black no lights of any kind, whent through this with wife , also heath food stores have natural stress relive supplements that can help good luck, the change is worth it

 

You snore? I was in total denial about sleep apnea until the wife pretty much broke down/made an ultimatum over it. So now I sleep in (what seems like) SCUBA gear, and I realize now I hadn't had a decent night's sleep in 20 years.

You are on the right track BTW. A lot easier to do it in your late 20s....

Also, get checked for diabetes--just part of routine blood work if you're scheduled to see the Doc anytime soon. At your age, you can hold it off quite a while with diet and exercise. But you have to know your status. Also all the other crap with cholesterol etc needs to be in check.

Good luck.

 

x2 on the water... it'll take a day or two to notice but it will happen. Yup, pour a glass of milk 20 minutes before you go to bed, it'll be warm and it knocks me out... I usually have cereal before bed. The other kicker is exercise, but not later in the day. Gotta use up some energy so your body needs sleep. If you ever wake up in the morning full of energy just get out of bed even if it's earlier than you wanted to. I used to have to stay up for two days to "reset" myself so I could get to sleep again.... it was weird.

 

might try salt supplement tablets. (kind of hard to find) use the buffered tablets. the soda and candy was loaded with sugar it also loaded with salt. if you cut salt completely it can be bad.
but most likely your body needs to adjust to the no sugar and no caffeine!

 

Ditto on this one. I didn't even think about it, and I should have, since I'm a member of the SCUBA sleeping club.

Do a Google search on Sleep Apnea. Take any one of the million or so Q&A tests and then talk to your doc about it.

Most people with sleep apnea also snore either some or a lot. I was a window rattler. But some people don't snore at all. Also, most people with sleep anea are overweight and/or have very thick necks. I was neither. Sleep apnea doesn't just cause bad sleep and tiredness. It can cause long term damage to your internal organs.

 

In addition to the above, no TV 1 hour before bed. Go to bed and read a book until you doze off. You say you are constantly dreaming, that is a sign you are in REM sleep which is a good thing. It could be your dreams just might be a little intense, no TV and reading in bed might help. It has helped my son a lot.

 

Thanks for the info, fellas. I'll check into the melatonin. I've been drinking a lot more water since I quit with the pop. I carry a water jug with me to work. Not sure if I snore or not. I've adjusted my sleeping position so that my neck is more comfortable and not in an awkward position. I try to avoid TV ... period. Just a few shows that I watch if I happen to be around the TV. TV (mainly the news) stresses the heck out of me.

I was to the doc sometime early last year. Did a full check up and blood work. At that time, all was well. Oddly enough, that's when I was eating very poorly.

 

Also, try Valarian Root capsules. One thirty minutes before going to bed will knock you out. No side effects, and 100% natural. Good luck!

 

Are you taking a simple multi vitamin? TRy to pick up a juicer at a garage sale and get juiced up. Even a simple tasty recipe like orange and carrots should give you the boost in energy that you need to get some exercise after work. Juice can have a lot of sugar so it can be counter productive to losing weight but I am a believer in the power of JUice. Tons of recipes,totally natural.nate