I’ve had bouts of insomnia here and there my whole life. Tonight being the latest. I went to bed around 1 am… but never fell asleep, so I decided to get up a few minutes ago rather than keep lying there, staring at the ceiling. I know why I get insomnia now… it boils down to one simple word: sugar.
It’s the holidays… I was sick last week with a wicked head cold [I wanted to die last Thursday - the congestion was so bad, my cheekbones, jaw... even my TEETH hurt]. So I hadn’t worked out for a good 8 days in a row and didn’t have much of an appetite for anything except soup and ‘cheesie poofs’… [or the 'all natural' cheetos]. I’m better now, but not back in the swing of things yet. I fully intend to clean out the fridge of all the leftovers and spoiled food that didn’t get cooked or eaten because I was sick, go shopping for fresh food and start my healthier eating plan tomorrow, after working out in the morning. Well… being awake at 3:43 am means there won’t be a ‘morning’ tomorrow [or today...] and I’m getting more and more angry by the minute.
Why am I awake and what’s it got to do with sugar? Well… I’ve been eating less than ideally this past week and finally felt better by Christmas Day, just in time to eat all the carb and fat-laden foods [all delicious, of course] that were served that day… and we were sent home with the equivalent of a whole cake [2 halves of 2 different cakes]. I haven’t eaten any of it – both on the day or since – but I haven’t exactly eaten healthy either… and I think it’s the popcorn that did me in today. I got my husband one of those giant TUBS of popcorn with the 4 flavors in it and of course the largest of the 4 section is caramel popcorn – my favorite – and I ate a LOT of it tonight as we watched a couple of movies and didn’t really have dinner… so I’m sure my sugar spiked, the insulin rushed, my sugar crashed, the adrenaline kicked in and here I am starving, shaking, and wide awake.
This only reaffirms the fact that I can’t live like this anymore. My body won’t stand for it and this is it’s way of telling me that. I just ate some cheese in hopes that the fat and protein would be a one-two punch – just enough to stop the hunger signals, and initiate a bit of nerve calming. I think I’d be better off eating turkey or tuna… but do I want to go make tuna salad now at 3:49 am??? I suppose if it means getting to sleep by 4:30 instead of 6 am it’s worth the 5 minutes of effort…
I’m fed up, though… time for a change. No more excuses or talking about it. I was actually inspired by Jason Statham of all people. We watched Death Race on DVD yesterday [or, the day before yesterday technically...], and in the special features he talked about what he had to do to get into the shape he was in for the movie [and stay in shape during filming]. They showed him scoffing down a plate of raw radishes, cauliflower florets and other veggies while talking about how his ‘indulgence’ for the past several months was eating broiled turkey… along with buckets of raw veggies. The look on his face was precious… he looked like he was eating something completely vile as he forced down the veggies and complained about how tasteless his diet has been, and how he couldn’t wait for a beer and a piece of cake. lol… But it was worth it – he looked absolutely amazing. Not that I feel the need to go to those extremes, but it reminded me that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. =)
I can eat more veggies and fruit… more lean protein… and not give up flavor and pleasure. And I can indulge here and there – just enjoy less when I really crave something vs. going nuts and undoing days worth of work in an hour over something like ‘cheesie poofs.’
Up until tonight I was enjoying more sleep each night and am just mentally ready to put more effort and energy into revamping my eating habits. And maybe never having insomnia ever again…
Photo Credit: Still from video posted on youtube.com by ArtisanNewsService.
