[zabou69]

Iam really frustrated lately as everything I do to try and lose weight just doesn't happen. I haven't slept properly in about 2 yrs or so. Maybe average 3 -4 hrs a night unless I take sleep meds in which I don't like to as I know they slow down your metabolism but so does not sleeping. I have been tested for everything but all tests came back fine. Dr said Im like a 20 yr old just need to lose weight. (Im 44). I don't know what else to do. I feel terrible but just have no ambition or energy to do any thing. I would like to start running but cant even run a block with out my hips or legs being sore. If I kept up with it would it get better after time? I don't eat tons and I know sometimes not enough in a day but have a very slow metabolism and I know exercise is probably the key. Any suggestions? Thank you

[AmyAmy]

I often have difficulty sleeping and these are some of the things that have greatly helped:

Staying away from TV/computers at least one hour before bed time.
Avoiding sugary food before bed time.
Going to bed and waking up the same time every day. (I will stay in bed even if I'm not tired and wake up even if I'm exhausted.)
Practicing meditation when I'm in bed.
Exercise during the day.
Going outside and getting some sunlight everyday.

I'm not sure how helpful they'll be to you, but they may improve your situation.

[chubbiegurl]

I take sleeping pills sometimes and oddly I lose the most when I do. But magnesium has really helped mellow me out. I even take naps, which I seriously could never take before. I take 400 mil pills. Won't hurt to try, are u exercising? That also helped, I was wearing myself out when doing 45 mins on the elliptical and the 30ds. When I don't sleep the scale absolutely reflects it. I have also tried melatonin but it made me too tired during the day and was not as Effective as magnesium. There is also valerian root and Rubio tea. Think that is what the tea is called. Hope u find a solution I know how lack of sleep can drive u crazy plus u age faster.

[Rhiko]

I am terrible at going to bed at the right time and getting up! I hate sleeping, but I understand that it is an important part of being. Do you have a smartphone on the android network? I've recently downloaded an app that has improved my sleep quality and length and I'm sleeping much better. It's called Sleep as Android and what it does is notify you when it's time for bed, you can play a lullaby to relax you and put you to sleep, it tracks your sleep (via movement and takes recordings if you sleep talk etc), and it gently wakes you in the morning. It's brilliant and it has helped me so much with getting off to sleep, which is the hardest part for me. (If you aren't great at waking up either, you can set it to make you play a game to turn of the alarm!)

As for the running, you really need to build up to it. If you haven't run much, then I think it will take a little longer. I'm currently building my stamina and muscles up to be able to run for a solid 30 minutes, and then I'm going to take on a fun run/marathon. You need to start small and build up depending on how your body is coping. I suggest that you start by walking, increasing your speed until you are near jogging. What I have done once I could walk fast for 30 minutes (I only do 30 mins a day) was go for a short run (a lap around an athletic track) at a slow pace. I did that for a week or two and then increased it to 2 short runs with a break in between, and then 2 short runs together.
As I said, it all depends on what your body can handle. If I remember correctly from High School 10 years ago, when you run you put 7x (or 10x) your weight onto your knees when your foot hits the ground. For me, that's about 1000 lbs of weight each time I run. I'm not sure how exact this is, and it wouldn't take much to research, but the the point is that your knees have to carry the impact weight too.
You are about the same weight as I was when I started and, I'm not going to lie, it is difficult to run long distance without feeling sore and tired long after the work out. However, my muscles are a lot stronger now and at -15lbs I can do 2-3 laps in a row (3/4 of a mile). I have to rest for a minute to get my legs back afterwards (which is why I split my runs up with walks), but it does get easier.

I hope this made sense! I'm trying to condense and sum up everything I've learned in life and my own experiences

[geoblewis]

My regular doctor wanted to give me sleeping pills. I really don't care to go down that road. I am now seeing a naturopath who is having me do a saliva test to check my cortisol levels, and all my hormones. She believes my levels are all out of whack, which strongly affects my sleep.

But I have had to work hard to make my bedroom and bed the haven for sleep that it needs to be. Starting to progress in the right direction.

Good luck!

[Palestrina]

Sleep is the single most important factor here, you've got to sort this out. Lack of sleep has unquestionably been proven to be linked to obesity. What more can you tell us about your sleep? Do you go to bed at the same time every day and wake up at the same time? I know my sleep gets interrupted when I have anxiety, are you feeling anxious?

You'd be surprised how sorting out your sleep can improve your health tenfold!