Speaking as a former carb-head, I've been totally surprised that going paleo has resulted in such weight loss for me.

I, too, had problems sleeping when I initially went paleo. And I DID use high-carb foods as a type of sedative. (I'd eat a huge carb heavy meal at 11pm or midnight.) I still haven't yet adjusted my sleep, although I do find I need less sleep when I'm eating this way.

As for motivation to stay on track, for me what works best is constantly reading about the benefits of a low carb diet. I always have a nutrition book on my kindle that's ready to go whenever I feel my motivation waning. A few I'd recommend are Wheat Belly, The Primal Blueprint, anything by Taubes, and Primal Body Primal Mind. Oh... and the one by Robb Wolf, too.