Insomnia Sucks

[Randall53]

I do workout regularly. A little over 2 years ago, in February, I weighed in at 298 on the hoof.   I said that's it. I'm getting my arse out and getting some exercise. My friend and neighbor got me started at Planet Fitness. I've had knee issues, but decided the treadmill was my tool. My first day I turned it up to 15 minutes, 2.3 speed with no incline. I had to turn it off at the 5 minute mark. I could hardly breath. I went home with my tail between my legs. But, I stuck with it and six months later I was doing 45 minutes at 3 speed at a 6 incline. Over the course of that year, I lost 56 lbs. My sugar dropped from 7 to 5.3. Last year I rarely got to work out at all due to life, but about a months ago, I joined the local YMCA and I'm in the process of getting back into the swing of things. I'm still around 245 and didn't put much of the old weight back on, but my goal is to get down to around 200 over the next year. My knee is worse, probably from the year of treadmill I did, and now I'm only doing weights and swimming. I'm probably going to have a knee replacement next year and that is another catalyst to me losing all I can. I do love the YMCA pool and I'm doing laps every other day. I'm sure my sleeplessness is stress related, but I'm working on that also.

I really appreciate all the ideas and replies and I am definitely going to pursue them all to see what helps. I was really just posting something at like 2am this morning out of frustration and boredom I guess, but it's nice to know people are on your side. That's another thing that makes this such a unique place.

[Slappy]

I'm sorry to hear about your struggles.  I know that not getting sleep breeds more anxiety about getting more sleep the next night, which leads to a sleepless night and then added frustration and anxiety for the next night.....and so on and so forth.  I remember as a kid and a teen how much I looked forward to going to bed.  I'd fall asleep fast and wake up refreshed.  Then one day my senior year in high school, I woke up to ringing in my ears for no apparent reason, and I've struggled for years to fall asleep like I used to.  While its never been the same, a few things have helped me in the past.  I'd avoid alcohol.  It does help you sleep, but not very well and can you can easily become dependent.  Make sure your bedroom is for sleeping...not laying in bed playing on your phone/computer, not finishing up work e-mails.  Go to bed at the same time and wake up at the same time.  You won't be ready for bed when you first start doing this, keep at it and your body will adjust.  If you take Melatonin, don't expect it to knock you out like your going for surgery.  Make sure you have the lights out after you take it and are in bed.  Light is a natural killer of melatonin.  So if you leave a light on, it won't be effective.  Give yourself permission to not be tired right when you go to bed.  Do what you can to relax and free yourself from the anxiety of not falling asleep instantly.  Deep breathing, praying, or counting sheep.  I'd say the biggest thing is get into a routine.  It will feel awkward at first.  Maybe even for the first few weeks, but stick with the process.  If you wake up in the middle of the night.  Write down what you are thinking about and once you do so, its on paper and you can deal with it the next day.  Don't let your mind keep thinking about it after you have it written down.  Sometimes my mind just runs and it prevents me from sleeping.  Hopefully you get some relief.  I wouldn't expect anything life changing at first, but over time, i'm sure it will get better with better habits. Sweet Dreams! lol