Swimming & Sleeping
Recently, I have discovered a less painful way of exercising instead of the self-mutilating method of running.
Since 3 weeks ago, I have been swimming on a regular basis. I must say that it is less strenuous than running and much more relaxing. It has also kept me more awake (most of the time) during my office and preaching hour. However, I cannot say that it has made me any slimmer (yet?).
The reason I am not slimmer yet could be due to the fact that I had been eating a lot of chocolate lately. Thanks to all the Tim Tams, Dark Chocolate, Peanut Butter Chocolate bar etc... I have not been able to shed any pounds.
What I try to do is to swim at least 2-3 times per week. I swim for no longer than 30 minutes and no less than 500 meters at a go (I believe that is around 10 laps in an Olympic size pool). I do the breast stroke and not the front crawl because water tends to get into the ears with the latter stroke. I cannot do butterfly but moth style may be a possibility that I have yet to explore!
If you any tips to maximize my swimming hour, please let me know and I will gladly try them out.
On the down side; perhaps swimming has caused me to be so awake that I could not sleep at night. For the past two nights, I slept really badly. I was tired but I just could not sleep. This is most frustrating; tossing and turning when I should be lying dead in the sack.
One good friend suggested that I take Kiwi fruits before sleeping. It is suppose to help. I have yet to try that. Some suggested warm milk mixed with honey. Yet to try that but the milk and honey are all in the fridge.
I had even tried sleeping pills before and it did not work. Sometimes I wonder if I were to go for operations, would I also stay awake even when under anesthesia!
Again, if you have any tips on this, please let me know. One suggestion is to take up a new job as a night guard. That’s an extra income source worth considering…
Another possibility is to buy a water bed. In that way, I can then sleep and swim at the same time. Now, how cool is that!
Since 3 weeks ago, I have been swimming on a regular basis. I must say that it is less strenuous than running and much more relaxing. It has also kept me more awake (most of the time) during my office and preaching hour. However, I cannot say that it has made me any slimmer (yet?).
The reason I am not slimmer yet could be due to the fact that I had been eating a lot of chocolate lately. Thanks to all the Tim Tams, Dark Chocolate, Peanut Butter Chocolate bar etc... I have not been able to shed any pounds.
What I try to do is to swim at least 2-3 times per week. I swim for no longer than 30 minutes and no less than 500 meters at a go (I believe that is around 10 laps in an Olympic size pool). I do the breast stroke and not the front crawl because water tends to get into the ears with the latter stroke. I cannot do butterfly but moth style may be a possibility that I have yet to explore!
If you any tips to maximize my swimming hour, please let me know and I will gladly try them out.
On the down side; perhaps swimming has caused me to be so awake that I could not sleep at night. For the past two nights, I slept really badly. I was tired but I just could not sleep. This is most frustrating; tossing and turning when I should be lying dead in the sack.
One good friend suggested that I take Kiwi fruits before sleeping. It is suppose to help. I have yet to try that. Some suggested warm milk mixed with honey. Yet to try that but the milk and honey are all in the fridge.
I had even tried sleeping pills before and it did not work. Sometimes I wonder if I were to go for operations, would I also stay awake even when under anesthesia!
Again, if you have any tips on this, please let me know. One suggestion is to take up a new job as a night guard. That’s an extra income source worth considering…
Another possibility is to buy a water bed. In that way, I can then sleep and swim at the same time. Now, how cool is that!
posted by Jeff Chong at 9:17 pm
26 Comments:
you can try music, soft one, preferably worship song. not sure it works, but it works for me. ya agree that running is not neccessary the best but is good exercise, cos personally i am a runner. a active mind in the night will affect our sleep. so take note ya.
Try some red wine. It may work. LCK
heh pastor. i think swimming doesn't actually help you to lose weight.. 'cos it's a cardiovascular exercise. it helps you to tone your muscles and improve your respiratory capacity. hehe.
not sure about the active mind at night though. i usually fall asleep after i swim.
I agree swimming is very relaxing too. 3 tips to share: (i) breathe out while underwater, (ii)glide as much as possible (count no. of strokes per lap & try to decrease it over time) & (iii)try the dolphin style (www.goswim.tv).
For front crawl, Check out http://www.limmatsharks.com/crawl/freestyle.html
One adv of swimming is less punishing on the joints, esp knees. Which is good for 30++ years old =)
haha. pastor jeff, that was a funny post about the operation and water bed! LOL!
xoxo.
Thanks for all your comments... it is most helpful. I will try music and wine (sounds like pubbing to me :) )
Special thanks to you Soo Guan for the website. Yes, swimming is better than running for 30+ people!
Do give me more tips please..... keep them coming.
it would help if you first identify the problems before trying out the solutions.
-feeling uncomfortable due to heat, humidity?
-thinking too much, aka, worrying?
-too much energy, due to eating too much chocolates?
-disrupted sleep pattern?
-eating habits, some ppl can't slp on a full stomach, some ppl can't sleep when they're hungry.
-caffeine intake?
-Taking in too much fluid before you goto bed?
I don't suggest taking alcohol, as studies have shown that as time goes by, the alcohol-induced sleep will become less restful, and the lasting effect will shorten, causing you to wake up in the middle of the night.
Hi Pastor
Just eat lar... its okay....
Eat oredi then sign up for the Standard Chartered run happening in December (I think)... That run will sure help you shed those pounds =P
I will be signing up. Do join me if you interested k? Promise I will jog not run cos I also CMI one... Ha ha...
On a seperate note, thanks for your preaching for last sermon. Looking forward to this week's and more lives converted.
Cheers!
You could try closing your eyes. ;D
Hey Danny, thanks for your very clinical take on this sleepless issue. I like it.
Think my issue is a bit due to worrying and a large part due to taking too much fluid before sleeping. Makes me visit the loo often.
Thanks Andrew for the invitation. I can't make it for the run as I will be speaking in the Malaysia National Convention during the same period. But even if there is no convention.... i am not sure if I can make it or not. I am basically also the CMI type!
Closing my eyes!?! Why didn't I think of that?!?
you're welcome.
i'm surprised though, a pastor worrying. >.<
Hi Pastor Jeff,
I lost 13kg, thanks to the picture on your blog :) kekeke Now plateau. I am reviewing my progress. Jogging can burn a lot, but the price I pay is the severe back aches. I am also lao liao. Body cant take any more punishments. Finally, I decided I should switch to swimming. I hope to resume jogging when I lost enough weight. (Hope to run Stand Chart year end too)
Some info http://www.nutristrategy.com/activitylist4.htm
Summary numbers you may interested.
Brisk Walking - 345Kcal/hr (for me)
Swimming - 864Kcal/hr (for me)
Jogging - 614Kcal/hr (for me)
I am seeing doctor this week for some help. I may want to try Duromine (15mg may have some side effects so becareful) Lasix (water retention) and Mediaxal (Fat burn)
I don't recommend drugs unless you are severely obese like me; 30 kg overweight.
Hope this helps
Skip all caffeine; coffee, tea, n carbonated drinks such as coke.
Hi Ps Jeff
This blog entry was fun to read! But the comments were even more fun to read! : ) we are back in auckland...thank you for your fellowship and encouragement when we were back in singapore. MUCH appreciated!
Yo Pastor, really enjoyed your sharing. I think wine is the best one, drink 2 glasses of reds before bed, it'll surely help. Remember not to eat within 1 hr before bed.
Oh ya, swimming is good, it can help you to grow taller as well, just look at all the swimmers in the world, ehhehe..... GBU.
Boy from Hope Brisbane
Hi Pastor,
For me, I think, swimming it takes longer to feel u have burnt alot of energy due to the slower speed compared to running. But maybe thats coz I only swim >1 hr. I THINK swimming can help u to lose weight only if you do it regularly and >30 mins. However it also makes u feel more hungry (works all your major muscles). Just eat the same and swim more lor. And by right after a good swim you should feel very sleepy? That is my own sec-university swimming days experience hehe..
Agree with the other comments from Xinying (except the don't help lose wt part), although I don't understand how there can be very FAST skinny/fat/tone/flabby swimmers around. There doesn't seem to be a consistent swimmer body unlike long distant runners.
u can alternate between swimming, holding on to a kickboard and do kicks. U can get ear plugs if water gets in your ear (though i never use).
Frontcrawl/freestyle is good as it makes u stretch your hands and to the sides and u are constantly moving something. Butterfly, I advise only when you have stronger muscles and flexible back. Breaststroke is a good warm up and cooldown stroke but need to be careful for the knees (if u are the kick too hard type). Backstroke to use opposite muscles from freestyle and if you can swim straight without looking.
Not bad that u can swim 10 laps at a go! Hear some church stuff swims 50 laps hehe.. keep it up!
Thanks Simon for the tip. So proud of you to have lost 13kg. You did good bro!
Hi Angela, we are so glad to help. People like Shirley and her team are always so ready to serve in whatever ways that we can. We are in this Kingdom assignment together!
I have been avoding caffine of all sorts and I will continue to do so.
Red wine or red wine, that is the question! But I like the growing taller part. By faith, I will grow somemore!
Wow... JM, you sound like a swimming coach. Should consider moonlighting as one :)
Don't eat after 8, it may not help you fall sleep but when you do, you'll sleep better because the work of digesting is really work. If all our advices fail, listen to opera. let me know i'll pass you some really powerful ones...
Hey HT, opera? May fall asleep but may have bad dreams lah or never wake up again!
Sorry Albert by keeping calling you Simon. I do not know why but I keep remembering you as Simon. My sincere apology...
death by opera!! you know what they say ... it's not over til the fat lady sings.
For me, reading certain kinds of blogs can put me to sleep. Maybe you can try likewise.
haha... hope this blog does not put you to sleep :)
No worries, your blog doesn't qualify to put me to sleep...zzz (yet). When/if it ever does, you will know - No more comments from me for one year or more. (assuming the Lord has not called me home) Ha Ha :) Keep on blogging and one day become the greatest blogologist* of all time!
*Check the latest Coxford dictionary for exact definition. (to be published in the year of the Lord's return)
hi pastor,
i had insomia for some time but am better now. the feeling of not being able to rest is really bad. you could read my entry and gather some info on how to have a good night sleep.
http://mrbao.multiply.com/journal/item/5/Sleeping_Disorder
Thanks Poh Wai for the link. Will check it out!
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