[[Side Notes: Tired Eyes
There are some days where I just don't get enough sleep and I'm exhausted. Add in driving off road up to 100+ miles a day for work, in the heat of the sun or cold of the wind, with not a lot of things to keep you entertained, you can see that staying awake while out in the field can be quite difficult.
This has been my problem lately, which I believe is from several factors, including a health issue and lack of good sleep at night. I have been trying to work on the sleep part (lights out at 9.15 every night!) and am currently working with a doctor to figure out the health woes, but as it's a work in progress, there is only one things that seems to help keep me awake whether my body needs it or not: FOOD.
I've talked before about eating when I'm emotional, not eating when I'm stressed, over exercising, etc. Lately the emotional and stress haven't been too bad (ok, that's a lie, the stress part has. Searching for work is very stressful in the winter for a field biologist) but being tired has and I'm eating like I'm training for a marathon! I don't know that holding onto a steering wheel for dear life while driving burns many calories, but this is what caused some serious stress as I eat to stay awake...do you see the cycle?
Work and get tired --> eat to stay awake --> keep working and not be able to exercise (and I'm injured, that doesn't help) --> eat to stay awake --> stress out over not exercising and disordered thoughts return --> stress out over returned disordered thoughts --> emotionally restrict over overeat
It's seriously a never ending battle. I just need to figure out the exhaustion part and maybe it will end. And yes, I've been drinking coffee, although I don't like to. I believe that our bodies should be able to stay awake naturally and without a jult, but that's just me...
So I need suggestions on some energy high foods/snacks to have! I've noticed that I have to snack and not eat a meal, because then I go into a food coma and I'm falling asleep or have to pull over to take a nap, so snacks are good if you've got them! ]]
In other news, I took care of a sick Whit this weekend, and did some shopping to get ready for winter. I’m on a flannel kick so I’ve already bought two from Target…this also goes to show that I’m my father’s daughter; the man loves his flannel shirts!
Anyhow, only food picture from this weekend today was my dinner:
Sorry for the gross colors of the picture, but I swear it tasted good! Daiya cheese with a griller’s patty, roasted veggies from my produce box, and unpictured salsa for dipping!
Ok, early night tonight because I’ve got a full week ahead of me…yeesh.
On of my favorite on the run snacks is walnuts with dark chocolate squares!
Gross colored food always seems to be really tasty in my book haha
Good luck with everything this week!
Okay so I am in the first year of my PhD program right now, and I am pretty much in the EXACT same situation you find yourself in with the snacking. It was really having a negative effect on me because I just… I am sick of hating myself because I come home from a seminar at 9pm, and proceed to eat way too many spoonfuls of pb from the jar almost accidentally.
Lately I’ve replaced my so-called “snack” with something obviously protein-heavy and satisfying. I will either make myself a yogurt-bowl, with a half a cup of ff fage, a handful or two of high fiber cereal, and a little spoonful of no-sugar added fruit preserves, OR i will pop a boca burger into the microwave, one of the family-sized vegan ones, and eat it with lots of ketchup, mustard, and hummus for dipping. it sounds weird, but i think i end up feeling way better (and stopping when the bowl is empty, for that matter!) and i don’t feel like i am overdoing it at all.
also: i have found that upping my water-intake has helped a lot, too.
but this is hard. i understand. thoughtless eating is the worst.
I go for nuts (generally almonds because I can get them unsalted), hummus and veggies (works ok in the car), or muffins (I have an excellent applesauce muffin recipe I can send you…). Sometimes I slack and end up eating reese’s peanut butter cups or other candy to stay awake, but I try to not do that. I will also end up drinking copious amounts of water to try and stay awake as well, which can be a bit of a bad idea when I’m driving out here where it’s an hour between bathroom stops and no bushes/trees along the road for emergency breaks!
I also find that if I bring along music that I can sing along to, I’m more apt to stay awake as well. Stuff that I know really well, that I love, or something with an excellent beat. I don’t like relying on coffee either, so I hear you there. I’ve also been known to pour a small amount of cold water on my head (most so in warmer weather) to help keep myself awake when driving.
Good luck and let me know what you’re figuring out with your doctor…
ooh i can relate! I am EXHAUSTED this week and having to rely on either food or coffee to keep me awake! here’s hoping I can get to bed on time tonight! (and that you rest up too!!
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I find that my water intake has a lot to do with my tiredness. On the weekday I drink around 72 oz of water (not counting tea & coffee) and I feel great. On the weekends when I don’t drink as much I am noticeably more lethargic and tired.