maybe you need a higher dose of provigil? or perhaps need to take it differently... for instance, i set my alarm clock for 30 minutes before i want to wake up. when it goes off, i sit up and eat half of my 200mg pill and go back to sleep for 30 minutes... then when the second alarm goes off, i wake up and am really feelin awake. otherwise, i just lie in bed and bleh and be comfortable and stuff and may do that for an hour or so before i get out of bed and take my pill.
i have also found, at least for me again of course, that if i take my provigil and i dont do anything and just kinda sit and watch tv or something that i WILL get tired and pass out usually. i dont have to be doin anything too physical, but like when i watch a movie on my computer or something, i have a small dumbell right next to my chair so every 15 minutes or so i will do a few sets of reps. i just use a light weight too so its not exactly like im trying too hard at building muscle this way..
as for jobs - i work in a short order/grill restaurant kitchen.. its locally owned and always has some down time so that has helped in the past a lot by being personal level with the owner/boss and such. i also play music, but not as much as i used to, but more than i did during the onset of narcolepsy... that was one of the worst cuz i WANTED to play and would have ideas for new songs and i just couldnt motivate myself.
and yes, s-u-gar!! OHH GOD SUGAR!!
i do pretty well at staying away from it, but once or twice a month i go and satisfy that part of me. tonite was one of those nights actually, and i hate that i shoved like 1000 calories down my throat, but its okay cuz its not often.. ben and jerrys is the shizzzle. i find i can curb my sugar cravings if i maintain a high protein intake or by just stuffing myself with a big salad or something... a big salad always seems to suppress my hungers for anything, at least temporarily.
dpsnutrition.com has the best deals that ive ever found on protein powders btw... if you have a blender, its even better. for breakfast i throw a banana, couple scoops of whey protein, cup or so of milk, small scoop of peanut butter, and a few ice chunks and blend it all up. this is more like a 'snack' really, but it works good and doesnt tire you down at all. then a few hours later if i am at home instead of work ill use 2 or 3 eggs and make an egg white omelete with some cheese and maybe veggies in it. lunch is a copule hours after that and usually is a small sandwich and salad or something light like that. hour or so later i get the blender goin and make a drink thats half carrots, 1/4 celery, 1/4 peeled apple... or some other fruit maybe depends all on how im feeling. dinner rotates from being chicken, fish, tofu, or occasionally a cut of beef, always with a couple servings of veggies, some white or brown rice.
i think the most important thing for sticking to a diet plan, aside from being able to cook lol, is to give yourself a free day. mine is sunday. i eat whatever i want. i dont eat WHENEVER though, i try to stick to the basic 2 snacks 3 meals, or 4-5 small meals, type plan.. but for lunch i mite end up eatin burger king.. its really reallyimportant to do this. not only does it help sort of 'satisfy' your cravings, but it gives you something to look forward to and something to works towards. i mean, sure, maybe you want ultimately towards weight loss or fitness or improving the life with narcolepsy thing, but those are all long term and are so distant at times you feel hopeless, but that free eat whatever you want day becomes your new sex almost.
sadly, ive never learned any little tricks for exercise like i did for dieting. you just have to start doing it, and that can be the toughest part is starting out...but once you get going with a workout routine, after the first week or so it becomes easier and enjoyable actually. supposedly similar endorphins are release during a workout as are released during sex...
good luck with the graphics deisgn thing. i considered it at one point, but i just dont have the talent i dont think. i have creativity and can express my ideas, but i can rarely fully realize them becuz i just dont work that way; cant paint, cant draw, cant digital art wtc
oooo i do have a good idea for easing into an exercise routine btw! go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3vLZqPZxZE and watch it and just start out doing that video and her second video. do them each day at some point for a week or two, then after a couple weeks start adding more by jogging after your 15 minutes of yoga or doing pushups/situps/crunches/lunges and such. yoga SEEMS easy, but you will definitely feel the burn the first couple times you do it if you arent in shape for it.