Write Blogs or Saw Logs?
Blogging.
That is, not without a large pot oā java, brewing precisely at 6:15 am. The effects of which last until precisely 9:30 am, at which point Sleep-Deprived Blogging Momma Extraordinaire falls face first onto the couch to catch up on her zās , while Elliana (age 2) pulls baby wipes out of the tub one at a time to decorate the family room carpet and to clean up the āuh ohāsā she made with Mommyās lip gloss.
(Anyone have any idea what they are saying in Japanese? I hope it’s G-rated)
Therefore, last week in addition to deciding to rekindle my love affair with house work, I also decided to re-establish a reasonable bed time.
Like this:
Or this:
Notice, none of those clocks say 1:00 am. Not a single one.
Itās all coming together in the Cooper house, yāall.
Itās a good thing too, because the statics on sleep-deprivation are staggering. In addition to the wasting of perfectly good baby wipes and lip gloss, sleep deprivation has been linked to decreased work productivity, increased stress, poor concentration increased illness, drug and alcohol use in adolescents, auto and truck accidents
and-get this-OBESITY.
Obesity is a leading cause of illness in America, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stroke, cancer, and osteoarthritis. It is also one of the leading causes of preventable death, second only to smoking.
Fred Turek, MD, Director of the Sleep Center at Northwestern University, says raising public awareness about the link between sleep deprivation and weight is a top priority. “Sleep is really a behavior that has been ignored. Everybody talks about diet and exercise, but nobody pays much attention to sleep.”
Isnāt that strange? Youād think that if a person is awake for more hours in a day, theyād be more active, and therefore, burn more calories. But that is not the case (as I am clearly proving by my semi-comatose state every morning).
So how much weight are we talking here? Can an hour or two a night really make that much of a difference in your weight?
A 2006 study found that the women sleeping 5 or fewer hours per night were 32% more likely to experience major weight gain ( 33 lb or more), and 15% more likely to become obese during the 16-year study period than the women who slept at least 7 hours per night.
In addition, women who slept for 6 hours were 12% more likely to have major weight gain and 6% more likely to become obese compared with women who slept at least 7 hours per night.
Research in 2006 by Warwick Medical School at the University of Warwick found that sleep deprivation is associated with an almost a two-fold increased risk of being obese for both children and adults.
Thatās a pretty significant connection, wouldnāt you say?
So while you are considering your family fitness plans for 2009, remember to eat good wholesome foods, get lots of exercise, and also allow your body proper rest each and every night. Yes, even at the expense of reading my blog. Thatās the kind of girl I am. Purely looking out for the health of my readers.
And while Iād love to go on and on about this subject, I am choosing to end my blogging session to head to my brand new king-sized bed, with super soft sateen sheets and down comforter, so I can get a really good nightās sleep.
I simply can’t afford to be napping every day. What with the economy being what it is, who can afford to keep buying baby wipes and lip gloss?
Good night!
Sources for this post:http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/alerts/nutrition_weight_control/JohnsHopkinsHealthAlertsNutritionWeightControl_306-1.html
http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20050110/less-sleep-could-mean-more-weight
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/533105
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/07/060713081140.htm
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It is 4:30 am in Phoenix and I'm reading your blog. Hmm …maybe I need to head back to bed and get some more zzz. But I have my cup of java and I couldn't wait to read your blog. I love blogging too and I love catching up on my blogging friends.
But Sandy, you're so right! We also need our rest. It's all about balance. Too much sleep isn't good but not enough is really bad.
When I get a good night's sleep, I feel refreshed and more ready to face the day. I have energy to exercise and that also gives me more energy. And regular exercise helps with sleep. I guess one is good for the other.
And about that belly fat post I wrote, AFTER we get a good night's sleep let's get moving and eating healthy. Tonight I'm getting to bed early. Thanks Sandy!
It is 4:30 am in Phoenix and I'm reading your blog. Hmm …maybe I need to head back to bed and get some more zzz. But I have my cup of java and I couldn't wait to read your blog. I love blogging too and I love catching up on my blogging friends.
But Sandy, you're so right! We also need our rest. It's all about balance. Too much sleep isn't good but not enough is really bad.
When I get a good night's sleep, I feel refreshed and more ready to face the day. I have energy to exercise and that also gives me more energy. And regular exercise helps with sleep. I guess one is good for the other.
And about that belly fat post I wrote, AFTER we get a good night's sleep let's get moving and eating healthy. Tonight I'm getting to bed early. Thanks Sandy!
Sandy,
A good night's sleep is so important. I have been struggling with waking up at 3:30 'ish each morning for a bit now. And extreme fatigue through the day. I do believe it is a change in the heart medication though and am anxiously waiting for my system to level out so I can get back to proper sleep patterns!
Great post!
Happy Friday to you!
Sandy,
A good night's sleep is so important. I have been struggling with waking up at 3:30 'ish each morning for a bit now. And extreme fatigue through the day. I do believe it is a change in the heart medication though and am anxiously waiting for my system to level out so I can get back to proper sleep patterns!
Great post!
Happy Friday to you!
You know I hate exercise and c'mon, I'm a true Southern Belle and think butter oughta be a food group by itself, so for me to enjoy a blog about fitness…only you could make me laugh and wanna tune in every Friday! Thanks for the link to Debbie's "Belly Fat" article. That is so where I am now. Help me help myself, Jesus! Love you girl! Jean H
You know I hate exercise and c'mon, I'm a true Southern Belle and think butter oughta be a food group by itself, so for me to enjoy a blog about fitness…only you could make me laugh and wanna tune in every Friday! Thanks for the link to Debbie's "Belly Fat" article. That is so where I am now. Help me help myself, Jesus! Love you girl! Jean H
My husband and I were just talking about this. We do NOT get enough sleep. We aim for a bedtime of 10:00, but we usually actually get in bed around 11:00. And then inevitably one of the kiddos gets up – they each get up at least once a night.
Kris, my husband, leaves for the gym at 5:15 so that he can be at work between 7:30 and 8, and I get up when the kids get up which lately has been around 6:30.
Wednesday night my husband and I were SO exhausted that we went to bed at 9:00. It was exciting in our House!!! I worry about my husband more than I do myself. I know that it's just not healthy for him. He is not overweight by any means (6'2" weights 205). He's actually one of the most athletic man I know. But he's gotten sick this winter more than I ever remember him being sick even when we were dating (and we've dated since we were 9 years old!)
Get post, now I'm going to go take a nap…. I wish!!
My husband and I were just talking about this. We do NOT get enough sleep. We aim for a bedtime of 10:00, but we usually actually get in bed around 11:00. And then inevitably one of the kiddos gets up – they each get up at least once a night.
Kris, my husband, leaves for the gym at 5:15 so that he can be at work between 7:30 and 8, and I get up when the kids get up which lately has been around 6:30.
Wednesday night my husband and I were SO exhausted that we went to bed at 9:00. It was exciting in our House!!! I worry about my husband more than I do myself. I know that it's just not healthy for him. He is not overweight by any means (6'2" weights 205). He's actually one of the most athletic man I know. But he's gotten sick this winter more than I ever remember him being sick even when we were dating (and we've dated since we were 9 years old!)
Get post, now I'm going to go take a nap…. I wish!!
Sandy, you always cheer me while informing me at the same time. I stopped over because I didn't want you to think I've been MIA. Love you much and get some REST SISTER.
Sandy, you always cheer me while informing me at the same time. I stopped over because I didn't want you to think I've been MIA. Love you much and get some REST SISTER.
This is such a great post — and my mouth just opened as I read that Debbie was writing you at 4:30am!!!
I have been staying up until 11pm catching up on my friend's blogs and that is late for me. I automatically get up around 5 to 6am … so I need to go down as early as I can.
Thanks for the prompting!
Love,
Beth
This is such a great post — and my mouth just opened as I read that Debbie was writing you at 4:30am!!!
I have been staying up until 11pm catching up on my friend's blogs and that is late for me. I automatically get up around 5 to 6am … so I need to go down as early as I can.
Thanks for the prompting!
Love,
Beth
I am such a huge proponent for sleep–ever since I got mono in college I have made sure I get plenty of sleep. And when my kids were little I made sure they got to bed early so I could get to bed early. I'm neurotic about it, I have to say.
When my kids were in late-elementary and middle school they used to complain about their early bedtimes ("Mom, everyone else in my class goes to bed earlier than we do!"), but I'd calmly respond, "Yes, but who's the smartest kid in your class?" I strongly believe in the correlation between sleep and brain cell growth. š
I am such a huge proponent for sleep–ever since I got mono in college I have made sure I get plenty of sleep. And when my kids were little I made sure they got to bed early so I could get to bed early. I'm neurotic about it, I have to say.
When my kids were in late-elementary and middle school they used to complain about their early bedtimes ("Mom, everyone else in my class goes to bed earlier than we do!"), but I'd calmly respond, "Yes, but who's the smartest kid in your class?" I strongly believe in the correlation between sleep and brain cell growth. š
I love blogging too :0). And I miss you!! Hope all is well!
Hugs,
Lindsey
I love blogging too :0). And I miss you!! Hope all is well!
Hugs,
Lindsey
Hi Sandy,
Thanks for visiting my blog! Come back anytime!
I recently read this information about sleep too, and I thought what you did…if you are awake more you will burn more calories….how wrong I was!
Take care š
Tracey
Hi Sandy,
Thanks for visiting my blog! Come back anytime!
I recently read this information about sleep too, and I thought what you did…if you are awake more you will burn more calories….how wrong I was!
Take care š
Tracey