Comments on: Are You Getting Enough Sleep?

By: lsabin

lsabin — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 03:09:09 +0000

Here are some suggestions for portable snacks:

A serving of almonds in a ziploc bag
string cheese
fruit
celery
dry cereal in a ziploc bag

I also keep organic instant hot oatmeal in my car. Nature’s Path makes a pretty decent product. They have optimum power, which contains flax, soy and blueberries. The calories range from 150 to 200 per serving and contain more fiber, less sugar and sodium than most instant cereals.

By: lsabin

lsabin — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 21:38:13 +0000

I agree! You shouldn’t go shopping when you are hungry. I think a good strategy is to have a lot of healthy staples around the house. Keep the edamame and healthy cereals to snack on. I try to load the freezer up with seafood and chicken. It’s tough when you have teenagers though. They are always wanting pizza and icecream.

By: zappoman

zappoman — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 19:08:57 +0000

There’s a scene in the movie “What It Takes” where Peter Ried is talking about how he keeps from eating junk food… He is giving a tour of his kitchen and he shows that all of his cupboards are empty and he has no food in his refrigerator… He then explains that he goes shopping for EVERY meal… one at a time… so that he can’t cheat between means.

Frankly, I think that’s crazy, I don’t know how he fights the temptation at the grocery store… I mean there is so much junk food there. I feel like you have to shop when you are at your strongest.

By: ironmed

ironmed — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 23:44:59 +0000

I think the operative word in your reply regarding diet is “usually.” For me you’re right, generally I’m good about eating my fruits and veggies along with normal portions of carbs and proteins, while avoiding many “unhealthy” items, such as sodas, coffee, sweets, etc. However, I never really noticed it until about a year ago, but I am constantly hungry so in my moments of weakness, I may eat an ice cream sandwich (or two or three) or go out to celebrate the in of exams imbibing copious amounts of ethanol. Do you have any recommendations for keeping healthy snacks around to munch on throughout the day? I usually carry carrots and pretzels (and on occassion a sliced apple). Thanks!

By: lsabin

lsabin — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 22:40:19 +0000

You make an interesting point. In my business I see alot of executives who work long hours, don’t get much sleep and don’t have the best eating habits. They may exercise, but the lack of sleep and unhealthy diet has an adverse effect on their metabolism.

Athletes don’t necessarily fit this profile. They may be busy and not get as much rest. They are usually eating healthier and have a faster metablic rate because of the exercise.

Sometimes if I really can’t sleep I get up and do something else. It may not make me fall asleep more easily, but I find that if I can’t sleep, I’d rather do something productive. That’s just me.

Thanks for your comments.

By: ironmed

ironmed — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 04:22:23 +0000

it seems paradoxical to me that people who sleep less are overweight. perhaps it’s because i would attribute that to busy lifestyles that promote activity which would result in a higher basal metabolic rate or are doing things that burn extra calories throughout the day. particularly athletes. Also, if i can’t fall asleep after 20 mins, i think doing something else would only wake me up more, and I would only get 3-4hrs instead of 6-7hrs.

By: lsabin

lsabin — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 15:50:52 +0000

As your mileage or the intensity of workouts increase, the need for rest and recovery time increases as well. You’ll probably notice that your legs just don’t feel as fresh. Getting a little extra sleep will help.

By: 2.16.07 « Keith Granger’s Running Journal

2.16.07 « Keith Granger’s Running Journal — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 05:35:11 +0000

[...] me on Friday. The early morning runs catch up with me by the end of the week. On a similar topic, Isabin wrote a great post yesterday on issues associated with not getting adequate sleep. This is a problem [...]

By: lsabin

lsabin — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 13:54:00 +0000

I think you are. High tryglycerides, high blood pressure, higher levels of cortisol, all contribute to type II diabetes.

Exercise changes the profile. Exercise lowers blood pressure, increases HDL lipoproteins, A healthy diet is the other factor. If you eating healthy in spite of your schedule, then you probably aren’t increasing your blood sugar levels, you are lowering your blood sugar through exercise.

People who are borderline diabetic can reverse the situation through diet and exercise.

Keep working out, eat healthy, and listen to your body. If you are tired rest.

By: zappoman

zappoman — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 01:24:32 +0000

Ok, this is scary… I know I don’t sleep much… and I’ve never heard anything to convince me to change that… until now… This has got me wondering… I wonder how these diabetes risk correlate against people who also exercise a great deal? Am I balancing things out?