sleep.

I don't know about everyone else but sleep is the thing that I am the quickest to let go. So often I'm in the middle of a project of some kind that I don't want to quit. I'm on a roll...I always regret it in the morning when the alarm clock goes off at 6am. Yes! Six am every morning. The kids have to catch the bus at 6:50am so we're all now early risers. No matter what I've done the night before.

I'm going to bed much earlier now.

I'm convinced that when I'm getting consistent nights of sleep the pounds don't stick around quite so readily, life seems brighter and the world doesn't feel as stressful.

Look at the way you're living and see if you can give yourself the gift of consistent nights of sleep. You'll be glad you did.

Here are some tips I got from my health insurance company that may help you to sleep better:

• Use your five senses to become aware of your surroundings. Is your pillow too hard, is there an annoying buzz from the fan, or is it too hot? Little things like these can ruin your sleep, so take the time to find and fix them.

• Get rid of the clutter in your bedroom. Your sleep environment should be clean and peaceful. The last things you need to look at are bills on the desk and dirty laundry all over the floor.

• Adjust the temperature in your bedroom for optimum sleep. In the summer, it should be 74 degrees; in the winter set it at 67 degrees.

• Keep a writing pad on your nightstand so when you start to think of things you need to do, you can write them down and then forget about them. Your mind should be clear of pressing thoughts.

• Get the TV out of your bedroom. The light and sounds are stimulants and will keep you awake. Your body needs to associate the bedroom with sleep, not with watching TV.

• Exercise tires your body and prepares it for bed. Also, eating healthy foods with lots of antioxidants will rebuild your body during sleep, helping you feel refreshed when you wake up.

• Whole grains contain magnesium and typtophan, both natural sleep sedatives. Try munching on some whole grain crackers an hour before bed.

• The scent of lavender has special sedative qualities, like helping you sleep through the night. Place a lavender sachet under your pillow or burn essential lavender oil for a little aromatherapy.

I would add:

• No computer in the bedroom!
• Make a schedule for your evenings that will help you get into bed
• I've been taking a walk in the evenings and I consistenly weigh less on the following morning than I do mornings after no evening walk. My evening walk is just a nice, casual walk with the girls or as a family.

healthy. LIFE.