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Eat Better, Sleep Better


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Like a lot of Rebels, my worst failures fall under these two challenges: food and sleep.

 

I love to eat. I used to be a picky eater who grew up on Chef Boyardee, Hamburger Helper, and Campbell's soup. Add in sandwiches and you have the standard diet for an 80's child of a divorced mother trying to do her best. I despised most vegetables, though, and rarely tried anything unfamiliar. As an adult, though, I decided to expand my palate and try new foods. Now, I'm known to go out to eat with my wife, hand her the menu, and say, "Surprise me." And so developed my love for tastes of all kinds. The problem is that sometimes I eat too much of the wrong things. Too many sweets, not enough vegetables, for example. Recently, I have noticed that sometimes I eat just to be eating, not because I'm hungry. This worries me.

 

So, my solution to help respawn my healthy eating habits?

  • Be mindful of the difference between hunger and a craving
  • Eat mindfully ("Don't just hork it down!" -- Remy, from Ratatoille; also see Savor by Lilian W. Y. Cheung and Thich Nhat Hanh)
  • Make diverse selections that taste great and are good for you (e.g. omelets with veggies cooked in coconut oil).
  • "Eat real food, not too much, mostly plants." -- Michael Pollan
  • Drink more water with food

 

As for sleep, I'm working on it. Once I get to sleep I'm fine. It's getting myself into bed that is the struggle. I guess I've held onto my habits from youth of staying up late, and it's difficult to turn down my mind. I've been working on this obstacle for a few years, and now I think I'm finally taking some proactive steps:

  • Per recommendation via Dave Asprey (the Bulletproof Diet guy) I downloaded a free app: Pzizz.
  • I'm meditating throughout the day, especially late evening, to help relax my mind.
  • Go to bed and stay in bed
  • No eating/snacking after 8:30pm
  • Limit (or eliminate) screen time; install blue light filter if necessary (just installed f.lux; my Adroid uses Twilight)
  • Again, be mindful of my body's needs.

If any other rebels struggle with these two and want to share their tips, feel free.

Who am I? -- My NF Character

Current Challenge: WolfDreamer Enters Spartan Training

Past Challenges: 

Spoiler

Winter is ComingWolfen Strengthens His Heart, Body, Mind, and Spirit, Wolfen Becomes One of the PeopleWolfen Strengthens His ChakrasWolfen Welcomes Summer and Gets Primal, Soulcon and Spartan, Wolfen Develops Mental ToughnessWolfen Joins the Wander SocietySoulcon, Spartan, School, and Stranger ThingsWolfen Becomes a Warrior EliteWolfen Goes Here and There and Back AgainWolfen Becomes a Soulcon Warrior EliteWolfen Returns to His RootsWolfen Wanders in Soul, Spirit, and BodyWolfen Owns the DayWolfen Searches for His Wild Heart, Wolfen Runs for His LifeWolfen Hits the TrailsWolfen Becomes an Explorer and Joins the ResistanceWolfen Goes Back to the SourceWolfen Begins the Hero's JourneyWolfDreamer Returns to the People,  WolfDreamer Pushes BackWolfDreamer PrioritizesBurpees, Books, and BrainworkBurpees, Books, Brainwork, and BodyworkWolfDreamer Masters the Four ElementsWolfDreamer Continues to Master the Four ElementsWolfDreamer Returns to SpartaWolfDreamer Returns to Middle EarthWolfDreamer Continues His Middle Earth AdventureWolfDreamer and the FallWolfDreamer Forges His Own PathWolfDreamer Has HopeWolfDreamer Returns to Middle EarthWolfDreamer Reads Harder, Breathes Harder, and Journals MoreWolfDreamer Embraces His Wild PoetThe Mad Poet Becomes SupernaturalWolfDreamer, The Mad Poet, Becomes SuperhumanWolfDreamer ElevatesWolfDreamer Becomes IronBornWolfDreamer Wakes the White WolfThe Mad Poet Recovers by Keeping it SimpleWolfDreamer Clears His Mind to Find His Wild HeartWolfDreamer ResetsWolfDreamer Strives to Become an Eminently Qualified Peaceful WarriorWolfDreamer Springs ForwardWolfDreamer Returns (For Real This Time)WolfDreamer is RespaWinningWolfDreamer RebootsWolfDreamer Thinks About the Roman Empire

I'd rather sing one wild song and burst my heart with it, than live a thousand years watching my digestion and being afraid of the wet.” -- Jack London

“I wanted movement and not a calm course of existence. I wanted excitement and danger and the chance to sacrifice myself for my love.” -- Leo Tolstoy

"I feel love rising in my chest again
Rising like a burning sun into the day..." -- Gungor, "Hurricane"

"...wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Corinthians 3:17b

 

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Congrats on broadening your food choices!  That Michael Pollan quote is a great guide.  Love his writing and thinking.

 

These are two areas I really struggle with too, so all I can say is that you're off to a good start by focusing on food and sleep.  Working out hard helps my body remind me to get to sleep on time.  And I've had some success with intermittent fasting.

 

Keep at it!

Once and future ranger.

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