Lightspeed ahead to a healthier you! April 2016 WISH challenge... all are welcome!

[tortilla24]

How much sleep do you actually get every night (on average)? Do you think it is enough? It not, what are you doing to try and get MORE quality sleep? Have you ever noticed a connection between sleep and weight loss or other health issues?

I get maybe 7 hours of sleep a night - being generous. No, I don't think it's enough at all. I often wake up tired and groggy. I have never noticed much of a connection between sleep and weight loss at all. But I am trying to go to bed earlier. I'm also trying to eat earlier!

 

[HappyGrape]

If I sleep under 7 hours I am hungry and tired so yes I do try to monitor it

 

[Lady Marie]

Ok quick vent: I am so sad and stressed this morning.... I developed an ear infection over the weekend and went to urgent care last night to get it looked at. I have antibiotics now and the doctor didn't rule out flying on Thursday yet, but YEESH! I am so worried that I won't be able to go on our trip. I felt better this morning after getting the medication in my system, but that ear still feels weird and not right. The good thing is the antibiotics have three more days to do their job and everyone seems hopeful that I'll be ok, but I'm just a wreck over this. :-( I did tell DH, worst case scenario, when we land in Vegas for the first leg, if the pain is too much we will rent a car and drive to Disneyland and then drive back cross country (we've always said we would do this one day, but that just pales in comparison to Tokyo.....) Ok, got to keep my spirits up and be positive that I'll be fine. Vent over.

How much sleep do you actually get every night (on average)? Do you think it is enough? It not, what are you doing to try and get MORE quality sleep? Have you ever noticed a connection between sleep and weight loss or other health issues?

YES!!! I totally see a correlation between my sleep and my weight loss. On my UP, I can select to see Sleep trends versus Weight trends and it's a perfect inverse. When my sleep is up, my weight is down. It's amazing. I also find that if I'm feeling sick, sleep always makes me feel better and mend quicker. I usually get an average of 8 hours per night. I'm a brat if I don't get my sleep. On weekends, I will do 9-10 hours and it's glorious!

 

[DVCFan1994]

Good morning and happy MONDAY to everyone! Welcome to your QOTD for April 11, 2016!

View attachment 161328

Well.... I don't know about you, but Monday mornings are the HARDEST morning to get up! No matter how much rest I've gotten over the weekend, the alarm is always too loud and too early! Like Yoda there, I'd like just 5 more minutes (and then 5 more minutes and then.... well, you understand).

Sleep.... it is a magical thing.... it feels SO GOOD and it is GOOD for us!! If you don't believe me, just read this article on how sleep relates to weight loss.... (yes guys, I know it is from WOMEN'S health.... sorry )
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/sleep-weight-loss

How much sleep do you actually get every night (on average)? Do you think it is enough? It not, what are you doing to try and get MORE quality sleep? Have you ever noticed a connection between sleep and weight loss or other health issues?

This is something I have been trying to work on lately. I have been having trouble sleeping. I can fall asleep, mainly by reading in bed. But I can not stay asleep. And when I awaken in the middle of the night, I have trouble returning to sleep. I think I need about 7 hours on average to feel good. I cannot nap. If I nap, I can't sleep at night. I have a physical in a month, and this is an issue I plan to bring up to my doctor. Interestingly, my Facebook feed is often full of my high school friends all complaining of the same thing, difficulty falling asleep and or staying asleep. So I wonder if it is an age/hormonal type of thing (we are all in the fun year of turning 40). I definitely overeat when I am tired, and I don't have the energy to commit to my workouts, so for me, that is the connection to weight loss.

Oh Blah - sleep is a huge problem for me. I average about 5.5 hours a night (according to my fitbit) and while I function OK on that much sleep, I could really use about 7.5 to actually feel good.

My biggest obstacles to good sleep are:

(1) I love the peace and quiet in the house when everyone is asleep. I, selfishly, just can't go to sleep when the kids go to sleep. My house is so loud and crazy, that I feel I NEED the quiet as much or more than I need sleep. Sometimes I just sit in the quiet, other times I read, work on projects, watch reruns or dvr'd shows - it's very much MY time and I don't want to give it up.

(2) disrupted sleep. My daughter has type 1 (juvenile) diabetes and, especially with her being 13 and extremely hormonal, her blood sugar is all over the place. She wears a continuous glucose monitor (an absolute godsend) that alarms when she has either high blood glucose and low blood glucose. I take care of all overnight alarms so she can sleep. I get woken up overnight (where I have to get out of bed and deal with one or the other) about 3 or 4 times a week. Sometimes I'm up for an hour at a time overnight. If you've ever taken care of a newborn, it's kind of like that - but the baby never grows up (well, it will become a lot more sensible once she's done being a teenager!). Disrupted sleep stinks!

I don't know if it affects weightloss. I guess I'd have to get a lot of sleep to find out!

#1 is sooo me too. I know I should go to bed earlier, but I really need that time after the kids are in bed for some me time to unwind. What I tell myself is if I went to bed earlier, and skipped the "me" time, I wouldn't unwind, and then I'd have even more trouble falling asleep. But I am not actually sure that is true.

Ok quick vent: I am so sad and stressed this morning.... I developed an ear infection over the weekend and went to urgent care last night to get it looked at. I have antibiotics now and the doctor didn't rule out flying on Thursday yet, but YEESH! I am so worried that I won't be able to go on our trip. I felt better this morning after getting the medication in my system, but that ear still feels weird and not right. The good thing is the antibiotics have three more days to do their job and everyone seems hopeful that I'll be ok, but I'm just a wreck over this. :-( I did tell DH, worst case scenario, when we land in Vegas for the first leg, if the pain is too much we will rent a car and drive to Disneyland and then drive back cross country (we've always said we would do this one day, but that just pales in comparison to Tokyo.....) Ok, got to keep my spirits up and be positive that I'll be fine. Vent over.

I am sorry you have to worry about this, and I hope you are able to go! We have this problem frequently in our family. I have a lifelong history of sinus and ear problems that I seem to have passed on to my kids. I would call your doctor and ask for their advice for other things you can do, and what might help while flying. I have flown with a nasty ear infection, severe enough it required antibiotic drops in addition to regular oral antibiotics. The doctors also had me taking decongestants 15 minutes before take off and an anti-inflammatory to keep swelling and therefore blockage down. I also was using saline nasal spray hourly to keep my sinuses clear. Each persons need for and reaction to all these things is different, but knowing how much you are looking forward to this trip, while you still have some extra time to attack it, you might want to ask your doctor for more tips to help speed the clearing process. I was allowed to fly though. When my son was 9 months we took him to WDW the first time. The last day he spiked a high fever and was super cranky. Off to the ER we went where he was diagnosed with a double ear infection. We were told he could not fly until he'd been on an antibiotic for 48 hours, and he was also given an antibiotic shot in the ER as well as a steroid. We flew two days later and he was fine, actually handled the flight home much better than the flight down when he was healthy Good Luck and I hope you feel better soon!

 

[Lady Marie]

Thank you so much, @DVCFan1994 ! I will certainly look into this-- your post gives me hope that all is not lost!

 

[courtneybeth]

How much sleep do you actually get every night (on average)? Do you think it is enough? It not, what are you doing to try and get MORE quality sleep? Have you ever noticed a connection between sleep and weight loss or other health issues?

I usually average about 7 hours per night - which allows me to operate at my full potential.

To make sure that I get to sleep at my bedtime (midnight), I turn off the computer and television and read on my iPad with the black background and white text. Or if I use the Internet on it the light is dimmed to the minimum so that I don't have light in my eyes. No Diet Mountain Dews after 7pm either!

Yes, I feel there is a connection between sleep and weight loss/gain. Your body heals itself and does all of the awesome things that it can do while you sleep. Hence, you should try to get more of it!

 

[courtneybeth]

Then I hit snooze every 10 minutes for about an hour before I get up and start running around my house because I am going to be late to work.

Are you me? This is my morning... every workday.

The good thing is the antibiotics have three more days to do their job and everyone seems hopeful that I'll be ok, but I'm just a wreck over this. :-( I did tell DH, worst case scenario, when we land in Vegas for the first leg, if the pain is too much we will rent a car and drive to Disneyland and then drive back cross country (we've always said we would do this one day, but that just pales in comparison to Tokyo.....) Ok, got to keep my spirits up and be positive that I'll be fine. Vent over.

Keeping fingers crossed for you!

 

[iheartdisney44]

How much sleep do you actually get every night (on average)? Do you think it is enough? It not, what are you doing to try and get MORE quality sleep? Have you ever noticed a connection between sleep and weight loss or other health issues?

According to my fitbit, last week I averaged 5 hrs 52 min per night. That is not anywhere near enough for me to not suck as a mother/wife/human! I am still learning to listen better to my body's cues for eating AND sleeping! I do know that good sleep affects weight and I'd love to get in the 7-8 hr range!

(1) I love the peace and quiet in the house when everyone is asleep. I, selfishly, just can't go to sleep when the kids go to sleep. My house is so loud and crazy, that I feel I NEED the quiet as much or more than I need sleep. Sometimes I just sit in the quiet, other times I read, work on projects, watch reruns or dvr'd shows - it's very much MY time and I don't want to give it up.

PREACH!

For my progress (and sorry, I am new to this so I know I am late!) I am gonna put myself at a solid 12/5% for the month. I have maintained my Whole 30 lifestyle but wasn't able to go to the gym the past 3 days (working 12hr shifts) I tried to get to 10,000 steps but didn't quite make it so I will do better this week! I am only working an 8hr shift today so I'll be back at the gym this afternoon!

 

[piglet1979]

Are you me? This is my morning... every workday.

My husband hates it. He works from home 3 days a week. With the kids it tends to be a lot of yelling to get of their tablets or stop watching TV so we can get out the door. I am also a horrible planning and do not pack lunch the night before By the time I get up I have 15 minutes to get myself and 2 kids ready (thankfully can can get ready on their own now) and pack lunches. I really need to learn to just not hit snooze that 1 last time. At least I am not the only one who does this.

 

[Flossbolna]

My husband hates it. He works from home 3 days a week. With the kids it tends to be a lot of yelling to get of their tablets or stop watching TV so we can get out the door. I am also a horrible planning and do not pack lunch the night before By the time I get up I have 15 minutes to get myself and 2 kids ready (thankfully can can get ready on their own now) and pack lunches. I really need to learn to just not hit snooze that 1 last time. At least I am not the only one who does this.

I used to be like that. And really, the only way I got away from it was to get an alarm that does not have a snooze button! See the snooze button as something like candy. If it is not there, you can't eat it - or press it. I have also found that I was able to train my body to be more awake in the morning if it knows that there is no snoozing option. I am currently using my fitbit (I have the fitbit one and it comes with a sleeve to wear during the night to track sleep) as an alarm. It vibrates on my wrist and for me this is the best way to wake up as the physical contact just wakes me up so much more than the audio signal in the background. I also have a light alarm (it kind of simulates dawn), but that only works in the winter as I sleep without any blinds and it is light in my bedroom anyway by the time I wake up.

 

[dsnyfn1022]

How much sleep do you actually get every night (on average)? Do you think it is enough? It not, what are you doing to try and get MORE quality sleep? Have you ever noticed a connection between sleep and weight loss or other health issues?

I usually rock about 8 hours to sleep a night and on the weekends can get upwards of 10. I loooove sleep. I just know that if I don't sleep, I don't function. So I make it a priority for me for sure. I get teased a lot about being an "old lady" but I don't care. 9 is my bedtime and I'm sticking to it! I have to say that I've never really noticed any major correlation between sleep and weight loss.

 

[Dr Gunnie]

How much sleep do you actually get every night (on average)? Do you think it is enough? It not, what are you doing to try and get MORE quality sleep? Have you ever noticed a connection between sleep and weight loss or other health issues?

I normally get about 7 1/2 hours a sleep during the offseason, but during the football season I probably get a little over 6. I have a hard time sleeping during the season as my mind is racing all the time. As soon as I wake, there is no shot of me going back to sleep.

My alarm might go off during a school year about 5 times. I just naturally wake up within 15 of my scheduled time. Weekends I might sleep in until 6:00/6:30 at most.

I've never really thought about a correlation between my sleep and weight loss - will have to look at that on my data.

 

[SarahDisney]

Ok quick vent: I am so sad and stressed this morning.... I developed an ear infection over the weekend and went to urgent care last night to get it looked at. I have antibiotics now and the doctor didn't rule out flying on Thursday yet, but YEESH! I am so worried that I won't be able to go on our trip. I felt better this morning after getting the medication in my system, but that ear still feels weird and not right. The good thing is the antibiotics have three more days to do their job and everyone seems hopeful that I'll be ok, but I'm just a wreck over this. :-( I did tell DH, worst case scenario, when we land in Vegas for the first leg, if the pain is too much we will rent a car and drive to Disneyland and then drive back cross country (we've always said we would do this one day, but that just pales in comparison to Tokyo.....) Ok, got to keep my spirits up and be positive that I'll be fine. Vent over.

I really hope you're feeling okay to fly on Thursday!

 

[Kiren]

Oh my goodness! I went on leave and completely lost track of time! My progress report for this week is going to be zero because I haven't managed to record my calories at all. But I got good news today. I saw the specialist for my foot and we think he found the problem. I've been diagnosed with Posterior Tibial Tendonitis. He gave me a cortisone shot (major ouchies) and it's only been a few hours and I'm already having a significant reduction in pain. I'm being prescribed a custom foot brace and then hopefully in a few weeks I'll be able to really start working out again! So happy! It gave me a major boost today that I needed after dropping my husband off at work for a week without him. Boo.

 

[Kiren]

Double post but I'm now in full on panic mode. My TA just called and said that there was a miscommunication between himself and the wholesaler and our trip now needs to be paid off next Saturday instead of the 15th of May. Now I'm scrambling to sort this out. We are short about 2000.00 for the trip. Ugh.

 

[Flossbolna]

Double post but I'm now in full on panic mode. My TA just called and said that there was a miscommunication between himself and the wholesaler and our trip now needs to be paid off next Saturday instead of the 15th of May. Now I'm scrambling to sort this out. We are short about 2000.00 for the trip. Ugh.

Oh no!! Hope you can get the money together!! What a pain!!! But great news on the foot!!!

 

[pjlla]

PROGRESS REPORTS for the first week of the April 2016 WISH challenge:

4Mickeys 20%

courtneybeth 33.3%

CruisingKate 0%

Dr Gunnie 29%

DVCFan1994 25%

dylans mommy 18%

Flossbolna 10%

HappyGrape 25%

iheartdisney44 5%

Kiren 0%

Lady Marie 100%

mamattorney 31%

MochaDrinker 25%

piglet1979 20%

SarahDisney 50%

WOWZA.... one friend at 50% and another at 100% and it is JUST the first week! April is shaping up to be a great month!! If I missed your report or you haven't posted yet, let me know!!.............P

 

[pjlla]

This week has been a wash for me, and I'm definitely eating my feelings/stress today. But I'm telling myself that today is the last day. For whatever reason it feels true today. We'll see tomorrow

I love you more and more every day, P! Thank you so much for this post. I definitely teared up reading it. It definitely makes me feel less crazy knowing that I'm not the only person who's experienced Post Wedding Depression. Your post made me do a little Googling and I read some other things from people who experienced it, too. Of course, I also read the comments, and read a lot of "Poor, entitled rich girl, threw herself a big party and now isn't getting any attention so she feels sad. That's what happens when you focus on the wedding and not the marriage. You'll be divorced soon and get to do it all again so don't worry." People really SUCK sometimes.


I do need to fix my sleep schedule. A big part of it is that I wait up for DH to get home from work, and when he works both jobs in one day, that's usually 10:30p or 11p. That's also when we eat dinner those nights, which also has to stop. I guess I should go to bed while he's still at work, but I feel really guilty doing that. I feel really guilty about him working a second job anyway. I've been applying to jobs myself this week which is a big part of what's making this week tough to deal with. I know me taking on a real job pretty much means the end of my shop. Ugh.

Today's QOTD - My fun is photography. I don't do near enough of it anymore. I'm photographing a good friend's gender reveal party this Sunday and absolutely can not wait. It's out of town so DH and I get a little roadtrip out of it, too, which will be really nice.

Well..... selfishly I am praying that you DON'T have to end the shop.... I've been scoping out what t-shirts I want to buy for my trip in September! And I have a small wedding gift to order soon too! But obviously you MUST do what is best for you and your life and your health and your marriage.

Hugs to you...................P

 

[piglet1979]

PROGRESS REPORTS for the first week of the April 2016 WISH challenge:

4Mickeys 20%

courtneybeth 33.3%

Dr Gunnie 29%

dylans mommy 18%

HappyGrape 25%

iheartdisney44 5%

Kiren 0%

Lady Marie 100%

mamattorney 31%

MochaDrinker 25%

SarahDisney 50%

WOWZA.... one friend at 50% and another at 100% and it is JUST the first week! April is shaping up to be a great month!! If I missed your report or you haven't posted yet, let me know!!.............P

I am at 20% down 1 pound

 

[4Mickeys]

This is why I can't work out in the morning before work. I am the worst person to wake up in the morning. On the weekend I usually get about 8 hours

This used to be me big time - all my life I have loved my sleep - but this year it seemed the only time I was going to fit it in was in the morning. I think the age of your kids also gets in the way of this - I know I could not have done only a couple of years ago - but now that the kids are older, a little more self sufficient, and am able to leave them at home for short periods without me it became possible. I worked on it for a few weeks, trying to make sure I got to bed a bit earlier and started slowly moving the alarm time backwards on the days I knew I wanted to exercise - I set a goal with a friend to workout for her and then on that day the alarm went off and I stumbled to the bathroom brushed my teeth splashed cold water on my face and away I went - I was very proud of myself. It isn't always easy but I do feel better for it on the days I do it - I love starting my days near the water now (that's where we workout).

I love the peace and quiet in the house when everyone is asleep. I, selfishly, just can't go to sleep when the kids go to sleep. My house is so loud and crazy, that I feel I NEED the quiet as much or more than I need sleep. Sometimes I just sit in the quiet, other times I read, work on projects, watch reruns or dvr'd shows - it's very much MY time and I don't want to give it up.

Me to - there is just something so nice about a house full of sleeping kiddies and some mum alone time - seems to be a trend among us mothers on the thread

Ok quick vent: I am so sad and stressed this morning.... I developed an ear infection over the weekend and went to urgent care last night to get it looked at. I have antibiotics now and the doctor didn't rule out flying on Thursday yet, but YEESH! I am so worried that I won't be able to go on our trip. I felt better this morning after getting the medication in my system, but that ear still feels weird and not right. The good thing is the antibiotics have three more days to do their job and everyone seems hopeful that I'll be ok, but I'm just a wreck over this. :-( I did tell DH, worst case scenario, when we land in Vegas for the first leg, if the pain is too much we will rent a car and drive to Disneyland and then drive back cross country (we've always said we would do this one day, but that just pales in comparison to Tokyo.....) Ok, got to keep my spirits up and be positive that I'll be fine. Vent over.

Oh no that is horrible I hope the great advice you go on here helps. Years ago I had a cold the week before I flew, didn't think much of it, until landing that is when I got the most intense pain in my ear and stumbled off the plane to my parents in tears - turns out the decent partially perforated my ear drum after having the cold. It was a very painful week on mum's couch taking lots of medicine to get better for my return trip. I also apparently have narrow nasal passages and now even if I'm not sick I take a decongestant 30 minutes before I fly just to make sure my nasal passages are clear and I chew lollies on take off/decent. Good luck hope you recover and enjoy your trip.

Oh my goodness! I went on leave and completely lost track of time! My progress report for this week is going to be zero because I haven't managed to record my calories at all. But I got good news today. I saw the specialist for my foot and we think he found the problem. I've been diagnosed with Posterior Tibial Tendonitis. He gave me a cortisone shot (major ouchies) and it's only been a few hours and I'm already having a significant reduction in pain. I'm being prescribed a custom foot brace and then hopefully in a few weeks I'll be able to really start working out again! So happy! It gave me a major boost today that I needed after dropping my husband off at work for a week without him. Boo.

Great news - hope the treatment works.

Double post but I'm now in full on panic mode. My TA just called and said that there was a miscommunication between himself and the wholesaler and our trip now needs to be paid off next Saturday instead of the 15th of May. Now I'm scrambling to sort this out. We are short about 2000.00 for the trip. Ugh.

How annoying!

Hope you have been having a great day everyone - mine is just starting over here.