Body rhythms and timing workouts

tomatoey

If I work out during my preferred window, it sets me up for a nice sleep at 12-1. My body feels best and most optimally regulated in terms of energy and sleep when I work out mid-afternoon or early evening (3-8pm). That also happens to be the best time for me to do concentrated work, for which I need to feel calm and rested to really be productive. This conflict is annoying; I have to choose which I'm going to prioritize.

When I work out in the morning, I'm usually uncomfortably jittery for the rest of the day, which doesn't help with desk work. Working out at night interferes with sleep.

Obviously, people are different. Curious about how others feel, especially people who are sensitive to cues, or who are night owls. Especially wrt prioritizing mental vs. physical energy.

How does working out affect your energy levels for concentrated work and sleep? If there are conflicts, how do you manage them?

ana3067

It doesn't affect me. You also listed a like... 5 hour window. Are you saying that it takes you 5 hours to workout? Just do a normal workout and also your other work? Not seeing the huge issue.

tomatoey

Sorry, wasn't clear - after working out, even within that window, it's hard for me to chill out enough to really get back to the calm frame of mind I need, like it interrupts my flow. It's just worse when I work out in the morning or evening for different reasons. I have to decide whether I'm going to favour my physical well-being or the work I'm doing or my sleep. It's like options are

- a) work out morning, jittery all day
- b) work out evening, work is fine (done during the day) but sleep is affected
- c) work out mid-afternoon to evening, body feels great, sleep is great, workflow busted

I don't know, maybe I'm just weirdly sensitive.

ana3067

Then do your other stuff within that window and when you are done go do your workout? Again, seriously, you claimed that you have a "perfect" 5 hour window. This is more than enough time to get crap done and then move on to your workout.

tomatoey

I have to pick which one I'm going to do, either have an awesome workflow or an awesome workout/sleep. If you don't get it, you don't have to keep replying.

ana3067

Your workout takes 5 hours? Your other work takes 5 hours? You clearly are overthinking this. If you exercise best between 3 and 8pm and that is also when you work best, then work from 3-7 and workout from 7-8.

tomatoey

Anyone else?

tomatoey

ana3067 wrote: »

Your workout takes 5 hours? Your other work takes 5 hours? You clearly are overthinking this. If you exercise best between 3 and 8pm and that is also when you work best, then work from 3-7 and workout from 7-8.

That's verging on mess up my sleep time.

I'm not overthinking this, people are different. That's what makes the world interesting. I know myself. If you have a more regular, even body clock and can easily integrate workouts at varied times, that's great. I wish I were more like that. This is an issue for me, and if you don't get it, you don't.

CharlieBeansmomTracey

Im not a morning person so for me anytime after 8pm is my optimal workout time. I usually work out around 9 or 9:30. but sometimes earlier.I seem to sleep better but thats me,I would workout in the afternoon(after you do your work) and do some yoga (the relaxing kind) a few hrs before bed to calm and relax you.Are you consuming a lot of caffeine in the am to make you jittery along with your exercise? you shouldnt feel jittery but pumped up.if you are feeling jittery it could be low blood sugar or working too hard without warming up,if so eat a snack before you workout and after.make sure to warm up before you workout and cool down after. hope that helped

maxit

The perfect is the enemy of the good.

PokeyBug

I agree that people are different. For me, working out gets my energy up for an hour or two, then I'm ready to sleeeep. Unfortunately, I'm an at-home, homeschooling mom with kids in ballet and gymnastics, so I end up arranging my workout schedule around them. It kinda sucks, but only 8 more years until the youngest gets her license!

I am not a morning person. I've tried working out in the morning, but, since I get sleepy a couple of hours afterward, that tends to interfere with school. So, I end up working out after school, around 3pm. My husband gets home around 5:30, and I get to take a quick 1/2 hour snooze while he makes dinner. (Have I mentioned how much I love it that he cooks?)

Truth be told, if I could, I'd work out around 8 or 9 pm. But, my husband would like me to spend a little time with him in the evenings after the kids are in bed, so...

NoUglyOneYet

I like what maxit said. Try working from 2-7 (use the first hour to "get in your groove"), then work out from 7-8.

Sued0nim

You must be uniquely sensitive. I cannot empathise with your issue as I find it difficult to believe there is such a direct, causative physical link and such a distinct window that is not affected by other factors

obscuremusicreference

I find that it very much helps me TO concentrate. I can work out whenever, but it does take me a while to go to sleep if I time it too close to bedtime.

tomatoey

rabbitjb wrote: »

You must be uniquely sensitive. I cannot empathise with your issue as I find it difficult to believe there is such a direct, causative physical link and such a distinct window that is not affected by other factors

Who said there weren't other factors? Sleep is a problem. I'm addressing it in a few ways. Trying to fit in exercise in a way that supports a more regular sleep time is one of them, it's just tricky.

CharlieBeansmom wrote: »

Im not a morning person so for me anytime after 8pm is my optimal workout time. I usually work out around 9 or 9:30. but sometimes earlier.I seem to sleep better but thats me,I would workout in the afternoon(after you do your work) and do some yoga (the relaxing kind) a few hrs before bed to calm and relax you.Are you consuming a lot of caffeine in the am to make you jittery along with your exercise? you shouldnt feel jittery but pumped up.if you are feeling jittery it could be low blood sugar or working too hard without warming up,if so eat a snack before you workout and after.make sure to warm up before you workout and cool down after. hope that helped

Thank you, CharlieBeansmom. I just have one cup of coffee in the morning, and no other caffeinated drinks, so I don't think it's that. I know what you mean about the jangly nerves feeling with low blood sugar, I don't think it's that either. Maybe it is just being pumped up - it's like I just don't want to sit still. I'm restless and want to keep moving and being physical for the rest of the day, and feel edgy when I have to just sit and focus. You're right, I don't cool down, maybe that would help. Maybe I do work too hard, actually - I usually do interval workouts, and I try to push myself. The yoga is a great idea Thank you for your thoughts!

PokeyBug wrote: »

I agree that people are different. For me, working out gets my energy up for an hour or two, then I'm ready to sleeeep. Unfortunately, I'm an at-home, homeschooling mom with kids in ballet and gymnastics, so I end up arranging my workout schedule around them. It kinda sucks, but only 8 more years until the youngest gets her license!

I am not a morning person. I've tried working out in the morning, but, since I get sleepy a couple of hours afterward, that tends to interfere with school. So, I end up working out after school, around 3pm. My husband gets home around 5:30, and I get to take a quick 1/2 hour snooze while he makes dinner. (Have I mentioned how much I love it that he cooks?)

Truth be told, if I could, I'd work out around 8 or 9 pm. But, my husband would like me to spend a little time with him in the evenings after the kids are in bed, so...

Someone who understands! Aw, must be tough to have to work around those schedules. I'm sure your kids and husband appreciate it, though and it's great that he cooks, that's lucky!

It's interesting that both you and CharlieBeansmom prefer later workouts. I like them too, because my energy's naturally more up then, it's just that doing it then often keeps me up until ridiculous o'clock.

The consensus seems to be to shoot for 7 or 8. I worry it might be pushing it, but I'll try it and see how it goes.

Thank you for all the helpful answers!