Novice lucid dreamer

Hi!
I am a new-comer to this board
and i have just started learning the fascinating lucid dream techniques...

gradually.....i began to know i was dreaming in dreams..
but when i realize it...the image immediately blackens....and then when i open my eyes....i found i have woken up..

and i also tried to use spinning.....but before i can use it, the image blackens immediately....

Any suggestion?

btw,
i would like to ask...
if i use lucid dreaming.....am I still resting?

or better to say....
if I have a lot of lucid dreaming in a night.....would it mean that I would be very tired on the next day?

thx

If spinning doesn't work, try anything that stimulates a tactile sense, like rubbing your hands, or hitting yourself with a dream metal pipe... Yes you're still resting if you're lucid dreaming. As far as the faded imagery, I can't really help you there, since all of my dreams are fairly washed out, even lucid ones... One thing though, if you wake up, try doing a reality check, you might still be asleep and only dreamed of waking up...