Question:
I am 1 1/2 years out and at goal. I wake up every 2-3 hours because I am hungry.

(anyone else) Any ideas I am extremly tired due to the lack of sleep. Thanks.    — Christi S. (posted on March 24, 2004)

March 24, 2004
Are you eating enough throughout the day? Are you eating enough protein to keep you satisfied? Are you keeping the carbs low to avoid hunger and cravings? Are you exercising regularly to help you sleep at night? Are you taking any medications that would cause you to have restless sleep or increased hunger?
   — Yolanda J.

March 24, 2004
I asked "my" nutritionist about the hypoglycemia I was experiencing. She said sometimes adding a little fat to meals helps assuage that. Possibly having a slightly fattier dinner or snack may help sustain you through the night. Also consider having a protein supplement an hour or two before bed (try Isopure, 20oz 160cal 40g protein - tastes _funky_ at first but you can get used to it. I rather like it now. GNC, glass bottle, 5 fruit flavors.) See your doc and nutritionist. I sleep through the night easily, I can go HOURS without eating - up at 7am, eat at noon some days (though even then I have water and Isopure)
   — Calleigh Q.

March 24, 2004
I have had trouble sleeping since surgery. I wake up in the middle of the night and it takes forever to get back to sleep. I told my sister, who had this surgery 18 months ago, and she told me to eat some protien when I can't get back to sleep (she has a bag of trail mix on her nightstand and has a handfull). I read the same suggestion in Barbara Thompson's book. She states "This may be caused by low blood sugar. Try eating some protein just before going to bed, or have some protein at your bedside, such as nuts." I eat a spoon of peanut butter now and it seems to do the trick.
   — pickle lady

March 25, 2004
Maybe you need help with staying asleep. Ask your PCP for a short course of Ambien. I love it. Sometimes for whatever reason your system just needs to be retrained to stay asleep. 5-7 days of Ambien works for me. You sleep for a full 7-8 hours and awake refreshed. I'd also heed the others who asked if you are eating enough during the day and eating good dense protein. I'm not in favor of having snack foods, even good ones, by the bedside. Its a habit that you want to get out of, otherwise I can see your system training itself to wake automatically for it's snack. Why not train it to stay asleep?
   — Cindy R.