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I can't be easy making a transition from "easy" junk food to cooking wholesome meals.

When I moved in with my hubby he had one packet of frozen veges in the freezer. I binned that and dragged him off to the fresh produce market down the road from us and introduced him to stir fry and steamed veges and salads.

From your description of what you were eating before you changed your diet, it seems we have been eating healthily for several years - but what concerns me is that we are both exhausted. Neither of us sleeps well, and we feel sluggish and dull during the day. I've long thought it was something lacking in our diet, but I just can't figure out what it is. On the other hand, I almost never get sick, and my hubby only catches a few colds or flu during winter.

Hmmm...What have you tried to get a better night's sleep? I've read that a cal/mag supplement helps with sleep, but of course, it's always better to get vitamins and minerals from food.

Maybe a new mattress? Just brainstorming here because sleep is soooo important and can really affect your quality of life when you're not getting enough. Believe me, I know. I have a toddler who still wakes up overnight!

Well, following a sleepless night listening to a neighbour's demented dog bark from midnight to 4AM, on what was the first cooler night after two days of going to bed while it was still 30 degrees C (86F) and suffering sleeplessness due to extreme heat discomfort - I am beginning to believe we are simply cursed. (sigh)

We haven't tried everything, but so often it is an external issue like neck pain or a dog barking. And it just goes round in a vicious circle. Then when everything should be ideal for a good night's sleep, the body or mind just rebels and says "Hey, night time is wake time!"

Have you tried the old home remedy of drinking some milk before bed? Sometimes this works for me - I can't remember what ingredient they said that milk has that helps get you to sleep.

Where do you live in Melbourne - I lived there from 1996-2000 - but orginally from Adelaide. Now I'm in Dallas USA. We're planning a trip back in May to see my parents. Melbourne is a great city!

I too was having restless nights, and when I started walking more it really seemed to help overall, with stress and sleeping. My muscles seemed to relax more, which of course helps with sleep. Also, I drink a cup of warm tea at bedtime (no caffiene) and that helps me relax too. Good luck!

Sandy

One thing that helped me get a good night's sleep despite my husband's snoring was a self-hypnosis CD by Glenn Harrold. I put on my headphones and listen to this guys' British accent and drift off to a deep sleep. It's great!

Other things that help with a good night's sleep is exercise, doing something relaxing before bed, like a warm bath or some yoga stretches, and not violent TV shows and the like.

Calcium and magnesium supplements also help.

Some great advice - thanks all. I do think I need to get more exercise. I was nearly falling asleep at my desk one day so I did some quick exercises and it really woke me up. I felt so much better.

Dani - We're in Knox, in the south eastern suburbs of Melbourne.