If you’re not getting enough sleep it can be impacting your weight loss. This month’s theme at Weight Watchers meetings is about the sleep-weight loss connection. In case you missed it, I shared an infographic how technology is disrupting our sleep.
I’ve dealt with this issue enough to get the higher cost Fitbit (affiliate link) so I could track my own sleep patterns. It’s not an issue as often anymore but here are some things that help me get a good night’s sleep:
1. No caffeine after noon. It just causes problems staying asleep if I drink or eat caffeine later in the day.
2. White noise. Sometimes you just need a constant noise to put you to sleep. No need to buy expensive machines when there are free apps.
3. Regular exercise. If I don’t tire myself out most days with exercise I’m going to be tired by restless nights.
4. Cool room. I have a fan at the ready in the bedroom. Fortunately, the night air is generally cool here year-round so we can just open a window most nights.
Weigh-In
When I got on the scale at the meeting I told the receptionist that I was read to face the music and she replied that it sounded like I had an on plan week. You know what; I did. But even that wasn’t enough to make up for the previous week and a half of no tracking and bad choices. I was up 1.4 pounds which brings my total weight loss down to:
– 27.8 Pounds
Weekly Movement
I earned 21 activity points last week but most of that was from walking and the other couple from a cross-fit intro session.
My prepaid Pilates classes ran out and I’m figuring out what to do next. Stay with pilates and don’t fret about the cost, join a lower cost gym and attend fitness classes, do cross-fit or something else?
I’ll let you know when I decide but in the meantime I’m floundering a bit outside of walking.
Challenges Ahead
There are no birthdays, traveling or other special events this week which is nice for a change. I don’t have a meal plan so will need to spend some time figuring out my food for the week.
What’s your tip for getting a good night’s sleep?
I have such a horrible time sleeping and I know that it has really impacted my health. It’s so hard to just turn off my brain enough to relax – especially when I’ve got an ever expanding list of ‘to do’s’! Turning the gadgets off is a big thing I need to work at. Thanks so much for the tips!
I like a cool room to sleep in and our white noise is the paddle fan above our bed. I then also have to have my favorite blanket. No matter if it is hot or cold, I have to have it.
I have reduced a lot of the caffeine I drink, but still have a little in the evening with ice tea. Before, it would be about 5-6 diet cokes all day long. Meh!
Excellent tips altogether, you simply won a new reader. I agree with your tips that no caffeine after noon. I myself don’t prefer Caffeine and I do not get along, especially if I have any after 4 pm.
My 2nd month of unlimited pilates/barre classes expires tomorrow and the introductory rate goes up 50%. Since that’s a pretty substantial price hike I am exploring other options. Tomorrow I am going to check out crossfit, again. My husband goes to a box he really loves and thinks it would be a good fit for me. Their monthly rate is half the cost of pilates so I may be making the switch. I like to change it up every so often plus it’s really hard for me to pay so much for a group fitness class when there are so many other cheaper (or even free)options available. Good luck! I hope you find something that works for you 🙂
I agree with the cool room. We sleep with the windows open and heater off almost year round. Thankfully I am someone who can fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. One of my kids takes melatonin at night because he would lay awake for hours before fall asleep. We tried everything and finally found melatonin to work. I know for some people it causes nightmares.