Insomnia Question

[ladymacbeth]

This is my first time here, and I've read the intro, so I hope that this is enough information to back up my question. In the past three weeks I've had a real problem sleeping, averaging about 2-3 hours per night. I am ALWAYS tired, but can't seem to sleep (think Edward Norton at the beginning of Fight Club). I stopped taking my own stack (about 110 mg caffeine, 40 mg ephedra, no aspirin--I know, I know, but I'm a lightweight, ok!), but it hasn't seemed to help. There is no particular new stress going on, but I've kept my workouts to about an hour cardio-an hour lifting per day, plus all the regular miles I walk to work and school. I'm also eating about 900-1000 cals a day, which is a little less then normal, but I assumed that this would help to make me more tired rather then completely jittery. Anyone have any advice? I really don't want to take sleeping pills, but if that's all I have left to do...argh!

 

[Enock]

Inability to sleep is one symtpon of being overtrained. Its kind of strange to think that it causes trouble sleeping when you would think it would only serve to knock you out but it doesn't. You are certainly over training with such a low calorie intake.

You need to up your calories and mabe even take a few days off from the gym. I've been in the same situation during cutting I had increased cardio to a point that I had become overtrained and could never get a good nights sleep despite being drop dead tired.

 

[gymtime]

I agree with Enock. Your calories are way too low. That's the first thing to take care of. Couple questions:

What are your stats?

When do you workout?

 

[ladymacbeth]

thanks enock...

Do you think if I changed what kind of calories I'm taking in, it would make a difference? I usually eat a ton of carbs, some protein, and almost no fat (I know this isn't the in thing, but I'm a vegy). Could doing more protein and less carbs help?

One of my problems is also that most of my other college-type friends claim to sleep about as little as I do, and they don't seem to be experiencing this kind of burnout. I suspect either they're lying or I'm crazy, but can't decide which yet. I'm 21, so I've thought maybe my metabolism's still a little out of control. Anyway, I would appreciate any comments!

 

[diamonddiceclay]

eat 6 small meals a day-low carb high protein

 

[ladymacbeth]

oh sorry gymtime, I'm a little slow on the uptake today...hehe...insomnia and all...

I'm 5'3.5", 119 lbs, I do an aerobics class everyday, and either a body bar (it's a weightlifting class for girls, basically) or free weights for half an hour to an hour every day. I do yoga twice a week, and try to get to the "recovery pool" (that's just what I call it, it's a small, heated pool for light swimming) whenever I can. I walk to classes and work, but I don't really count that, I stroll, and it's probably about a mile per day. This workout is a little bit upped from my usual one, but again, I was hoping to wear myself out in order to sleep better.

Thanks!

 

[gymtime]

You need to eat more. More real food. You're using more energy than you're providing your body. Why you're not out of gas at the end of the day, I don't know. But I think that what you're doing now is unhealthy. Too much excercise, not enough food.

 

[ladymacbeth]

Thanks again gym,

Please define 'real food'. I eat a ton of pasta and veggies, I don't eat meat but some dairy...I think the food is ok. And you're right, I have no idea why I'm not out of gas at the end of the day...it's a weird kind of awake, like I feel strung out on coffee all the time. I'm sorry to keep bugging ya...

 

[gymtime]

Just so you know, I charge after the third response. That means the meter's running sister!!!

At your level of activity, being a vegy is not exactly a plus. You need some REAL protien (not bars and shakes) not just for muscle development, but maintenance as well. I'd look in to soy products, eggs (if that's allowed), lowfat milk and cottage cheese.

 

[KEL]

I eat a ton of pasta and veggies, I don't eat meat but some dairy.

looks to me like you need more protein... do you avoid red meat or all meat in general?

 

[ladymacbeth]

I'm ovo-lacto...that is, all products with meat and meat products, i.e. chicken broth, jello, most gums and breath mints, smoked bacon cheese, etc., etc. But eggs are ok, so I'll look into that...I actually really hate soy by itself, but I eat a lot of soy products, like smartdogs and smartsteaks (with mushrooms...mmmmm)...Anyway, I swam most of my life, and we carbo-loaded all the time, so I never really saw or understood the advantage of high protein/low carb type stuff. What really turned me off was my mom had an old diet book from the fifties which described the exact same thing that this atkins diet is, and I was really turned off to it...my parents both have mild diabetes and my dad has heart problems, both are slightly overweight, so I like to stick to what is traditionally healthy to fend off such things...everyone here seems stuck on high protein and all, maybe you can change my mind, though it would have to be pretty convincing...probably futile

anyway, how much do I owe you gym?

 

[ladymacbeth]

btw, KEL is my mom's nickname...just thought I'd let ya know.

 

[gymtime]

I want a pony.

 

[KEL]

I assure you I am not your mother

Do a search on MS & SteelWeaver both are female and vegetarian to what degree I don't know...
also take a look at this thread it may have some food ideas for you
http://209.11.101.244/forum/showthread.php?threadid=102922

gymtime- a pony for you

 

[ladymacbeth]

Gym,
everything you say comes out as the voice of Hank there, which makes me laugh, which makes "I want a pony" make me laugh even harder...

I am going to cut out body bar tonight, but must go to 'Carribbean rhythms' (it's an aerobics class, and stop giggling) because I went clubbing this weekend and got home early without a sufficient amount of booty-shakin'. I just wanna dance...so, maybe burning less cals will make me feel better...hmm

Anyway, I've got my herbal tea and "relaxing" bath stuff all set up, and I'm going to make a consorted effort to sleep tonight. Any more advice would be very welcome...

 

[ladymacbeth]

thanks Kel! (again, so slow today)

 

[gymtime]

Ahhh, me and my pony!!! Thank ya Kel.

lm- if you get deperate, get some melatonin. You can get it in any grocery store. Do a search on the web, you'll find plenty of info on it. I take it once in a while when I can't sleep.

 

[frankenfurter]

Suggestion

Well, there is ONE activity that never fails to tire me out, and I usually sleep like a baby afterward

Of course, you will need to find a partner to do it right

 

[ladymacbeth]

thanks frank, but found I can manage just fine on my own.