more on sleep... how it affects your marriage

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Related to that sleep article that I just posted, or maybe even in that article... somewhere on Spark anyway... I read that when women don't get enough sleep they report more marital problems. When men don't get enough sleep they do NOT report more marital problems. It might be because the men don't NOTICE there are problems or it might be because women tend to express themselves outwardly more easily than men do (generally speaking anyway). Still... the point is when women don't get enough sleep then EVERYONE suffers. A grumpy wife, or a grumpy mother, or a grumpy co-worker is going to be miserable. And chances are that if she's miserable then you better watch out... right ladies? So getting enough sleep is good for your weight loss as I said last time, AND good for your marriage, your job, and your kids, and of course yourself. :-)


Here's the article--

www.sparkpeople.com/resource/health_
news_detail.asp?health_day=653799

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CONTENTCHRIS 6/15/2011 11:43PM

I agree! btw I live in central ohio. Report Inappropriate Comment

RAYLINSTEPHENS 6/15/2011 5:28PM

Huh! Good information!! Report Inappropriate Comment

"Sleep deprived people may crave high-calorie foods"

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

I don't need to read a study to know that this is true. I KNOW that when I'm tired I crave carbs. A McDonald's cheeseburger sounds a whole lot yummier when I'm tired than it does when I feel energized. On a good day I want a salad, and on a bad day I want that milk shake or those french fries.

Still it was nice to read an article yesterday that validates what I already know from experience. It was a small study, only 12 participants, but interesting nonetheless.

Read about it yourself here--

www.sparkpeople.com/resource/health_
news_detail.asp?health_day=653793

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SPERYL 6/15/2011 4:28AM

I want to thank you for bringing this to everyones attention. I work nights 5:30 PM to 2:00 AM. Sun thru Weds. Thur / Fri off and Sat. 12:00 noon to 8:30 PM These hours were changed Oct/2010. Talk about messed up sleep patterns. What about the people that work night shifts and graveyard shifts. it seems that, that population ( police,hospitals,nurses,fire,ambula nce the 24/7 employees of the world don't seem to count in these so called studies. We are another entity of the working force that has to be considered in all these studies that take place. Because its REAL that we exist too. I'd love for the people that are affected and work these crazy hours (it does not get easier as you get older) to challenge reporters and study test and or surveys alike to the rest of the ( normal working hours) population to include all shifts of life. A USPS employee. Comment edited on: 6/15/2011 4:31:22 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

ABB698 6/14/2011 11:25PM

Uh huh, yep. I'm going to go to bed early tonight! Report Inappropriate Comment

SEPPIESUSAN 6/14/2011 8:26PM

When I'm tired I want to eat more, period. (and yeah, not healthy stuff either) It's like my body can't tell the difference between being tired and being hungry! Report Inappropriate Comment

RAYLINSTEPHENS 6/14/2011 6:46PM

When I'm tired I crave sweets. It's good to know our bodies! WTG!! Report Inappropriate Comment

MINAH009 6/14/2011 2:35PM

At least I now know that there is a reason why I have so much of a struggle with my food choices when I don't sleep well for 2 or 3 days in a row. Thank you for posting this info. Report Inappropriate Comment

fell off the wagon for a day

Monday, June 13, 2011

One of the things I like about Spark is the honesty. None of us are perfect but we keep coming back. I splurged yesterday. I ate like crap. I had a McFlurry with my salad at lunch, and I bought a coffee drink in the grocery store when I was shopping, and I didn't track very well at all. I'm pretty sure I also ate a cookie or two over the weekend that never made it into the tracker on Saturday as well.

That doesn't mean I'm giving up though. I am still here, and if the scales make me pay on Thursday then that's the way it should be. We all have a bad day or two, or maybe even a bad week, or a bad month. I know that I am still in better health than I was a year ago. I won't let this stop me.

Today I will do better.

I already am.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

RAINBOWCHOC 6/15/2011 3:42PM

this should be the mantra of all of us sparkers...the recognition of human imperfection and learning a better way best wishes, Sandra Report Inappropriate Comment

STEVENSAILE12 6/14/2011 10:03AM

You are sooo right! No one will be more critical on you than you! If all of us were perfect, including me, we wouldn't need SP. Getting back to what we know is right is what counts. I've been off that wagon. Those W/E's of splurging with the pizza and beer, not all tracked. SP friends have picked me up and put me right back where I belong. Report Inappropriate Comment

KABOOPER 6/14/2011 9:27AM

You have the right attitude! Keep up the awesome work! Report Inappropriate Comment

ABB698 6/13/2011 11:57PM

Yep, always a day for a fresh start! Keep on keepin' on! Report Inappropriate Comment

ASTORRES1 6/13/2011 4:33PM

WOOHOO for admitting when we stumble!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

RAYLINSTEPHENS 6/13/2011 2:51PM

You are going to make this happen! You are taking responsibility for yourself! WTG!! Report Inappropriate Comment

MINAH009 6/13/2011 11:20AM

We all have days like that. What's important is that we keep getting back on track and keep on keeping on. Report Inappropriate Comment

FITNFABMICHELLE 6/13/2011 10:42AM

True that - so long as you never give up, you WILL reach your goals!! STAY STRONG! YOU ARE WORTH IT! - Michelle Report Inappropriate Comment

SEPPIESUSAN 6/13/2011 10:38AM

I think I fall off the wagon every weekend! I don't really consider it falling off the wagon though - I just consider it living in moderation. For me I've learned that as long as I track it honestly and get back to the routine on Monday I'm okay. Not necessarily losing weight by doing this, but I am maintaining. Glad to know it's not just me who gets like this over the weekends sometimes!! Report Inappropriate Comment

BLACK741 6/13/2011 10:19AM

thanks nice to know that we are all not perfect, I had a rather bad weekend also, but the funny part was that after I ate the junk on Saturday, did not feel all that good, so know that I am making progress, just need my brain to catch up with the rest of my body. Junk food is not good! Report Inappropriate Comment

more personal on the doctor's visit

Friday, June 10, 2011

Aside from spreading the Spark, I actually you know.. had an appointment. I made a list and brought it with me. I only see this lady once a year if all goes well so I try to come prepared. What can I highlight for my Spark friends?

Looks like my blood pressure and cholesterol are fine. I kind of expected that. Actually didn't do a cholesterol test because the ones I've done before have always come out well and since I track on Spark I know my numbers should be good on this. My blood pressure is usually in the low-normal range. Surprises my doctor but it never surprises me. Of course she was happy about the weight loss. It's the first time in a long time that my weight has gone down. I was VERY disappointed to see 201 on the scale though. It was 197 at home. I really, really wanted to be below that 200 mark on her scale too. Can't have everything though.

I've got pain on the right side that seems to be indicative of gallstones. I had a lot of testing done last summer (met with a different member of her staff, maybe that's where the Spark idea came from) and the tests all came up empty. The pain hasn't gone away so that is still a concern. She didn't order new tests yet though.

The pain on my left side that I'm getting randomly seems to be from the Shingles. I had a really bad case of Shingles last March before I joined Spark. It hit my left side, around my ribs on my bra strap line. I guess I am going to be forever cursed with recurrent mystery pain in that area that I will feel but no one else will see (I might not get the blisters always, but I will still get the pains).. So good to know I'm not losing my mind. Also good to know that it's not another new problem or something.

She did a pap and sent me for a blood test. I didn't have to fast for the blood test so I'm not sure what we're testing for exactly. I did see "Vitamin D" on the paper which I had mentioned to her. I told her my Vit D was low in the winter from what I could tell from my nutrition tracking, but I figured it's fine now since the sun is out and it's getting to be summer etc. I've also tried to add some dairy to my diet.

She referred me for a mammogram since I turned 4-0 this year. I set that up for June 21st. My maternal grandmother had breast cancer so I am cognizant of the fact that I need to watch for this. I am not panicking or anything. I just know this is something that needs to be taken seriously.

Back to Spark etc... I asked her how low I can go on my weight. She asked how much I weighed in high school. Honestly?? I can't remember back that far! LOL! So she said if I stay where I am then that's fine. I've lost 10% of me and that's a good thing. If I can get down to what I weighed in 2003 when I got married (180) then that's even better. IF I get down to 165 pounds and I'm healthy, then we'll talk. That might be more than I can do. I asked her if I should aim for 150 pounds because that seems to be what the charts say and she said she wasn't sure if that would be good for me. 135-165 is what someone who is 5'6" - 6'7" should weigh so let's aim for the high side of that and see what happens.

That's more than anyone here needs to hear I think, but there it is. I am kind of curious what her game plan is on the gall stone thing. I am guessing she wants to see what comes up in the blood test, the pap, and the mammogram. She might also be waiting until the one year mark from the last batch of tests. There may be something with the insurance about doing the tests again so soon or something. I guess I'll wait and see.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

APMAC_D 6/13/2011 9:29AM

For the most part it sounds positive, I hope the tests find nothing and you are in the clear :) Happy Monday Report Inappropriate Comment

MINAH009 6/10/2011 9:29PM

Sounds like you had a good doctor visit. I know a lot of women complain about mammograms but when I had mine ( I was just shy of 38, for a lump) it didn't hurt at all. It's a weird position to be in and it's an odd sensation but not what I would call painful. Report Inappropriate Comment

RAYLINSTEPHENS 6/10/2011 3:51PM

Some pains can actually go away with weight loss. Something about the 'fat' pressing against the organs inside your body. I know that I feel much better taking off the excess. A little at a time is the safest way to lose. As you reach a new goal, maintain it for a while and see if you are comfortable or if you wish to go for another lower goal weight. You have the rest of your life to do this - 40 isn't even the mid-life crisis yet. Report Inappropriate Comment

KABOOPER 6/10/2011 3:44PM

That's great! I am 47 and have been having mamograms since I was 35. My maternal grandmother died from breast cancer as well. They are really no biggie unless you have really small breasts. I don't have that problem. LOL it is unnerving a bit to have someone placing your boobs on a the exray plate, and moving it into possition, but you get over it. I have one every year. Good for you for getting all the info you need to keep going on your weight loss Journey! Report Inappropriate Comment

I spread the Spark at the doctor's office today

Thursday, June 09, 2011

I always say that my doctor told me about Sparkpeople. That I heard about it first from her and then I didn't do anything about signing up right away because I didn't have internet at home... well I went to my doc today for the first time since joining Spark and she told me she'd never heard of Sparkpeople before. HuH? I guess maybe it wasn't her. Maybe it was someone else in the doctor's office when I went in because I wasn't feeling well or something. I don't know. She claims to have no memory of it. So I told her about how I'd been tracking all my meals and fitness and how I really love the online support from the friends and teams. I told her that since it was free it was easy to keep coming back. No dues required, just log in every day and make it a commitment. I told her how it's up to the user what to track- everything, nothing, just your vitamin C, whatever... I know I wasn't getting enough vitamin D in the winter. She took some notes. I didn't give her my user name so if she signs up I won't get the referral points but that's okay. The point is that for once *I* gave HER some good advice instead of the other way around. :-)

She also pointed out that I'd lost 10% of myself since my last check-up. That's pretty good. I don't need to stop here, but if I did maintain this for a while, I'm better off than I was a year ago. I should be proud of that.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JEN-LOVES-LIFE 6/10/2011 10:18PM

That is awesome about losing 10% of your weight!! WooHoo!!! Cool too that you told your doctor all about it. I think it's great that she was interested in it. Report Inappropriate Comment

HOPESINGH 6/10/2011 12:23PM

Yep, you should definitely be proud of yourself! But the mystery remains - who told you about spark?... Report Inappropriate Comment

RAYLINSTEPHENS 6/10/2011 11:27AM

WTG! Report Inappropriate Comment

ASTORRES1 6/10/2011 11:06AM

!!! on spreading the SPARK!!!!!!!! And losing 10%...WOOHOO!! Report Inappropriate Comment

KABOOPER 6/10/2011 9:18AM

you should be VERY proud! 10% is awesome. You doing GREAT!!! Keep up the GREAT work! Report Inappropriate Comment

MRSCARLENE 6/10/2011 6:57AM

I tell everyone about SparkPeople! Congrats on your 10%! Report Inappropriate Comment

RMKMGMGM04 6/9/2011 11:38PM

That's great that your spreading the word! Way to go on your weight loss!!! Keep up the great work! Report Inappropriate Comment

FITWITHIN 6/9/2011 11:38PM

I did the same thing with my last doctors visit. I told him about Sparkpeople. Report Inappropriate Comment