Can too much exercise lead to poor sleep?

devan44

I'm wondering if these 2 things are related or if I'm overthinking it. When I first started on MFP I was walking 4 miles a day and then doing the 30 Day Shred at night burning around 950 calories a day. I ate some of them back but only if I was hungry. During all this I slept horribly. I'd fall asleep and then wake up several times a night and have a hard time sleeping. Recently I've only been walking and I haven't been doing the shred at night because of some family stuff that's been going on. So my question is does too much exercise equal poor sleep?

Also, if I can only do one should I walk 4 miles (about an hour) or do the 30 Day Shred? Technically I think the walking burns more calories but the 30DS moves more.. I don't know what to do!

JenMc14

It may have been when you were exercising, not the amount. Since exercise can release endorphins, and get our energy up, if you're doing it within an hour or two of bedtime, it can affect your sleep.

Tercob

I am interested in finding out the answer to this as well. I am sleeping okay but that way I kow should the problem arise.

devan44

Oh, I was doing it about an hour or so before bed. Thank you!

JenMc14

And that's not for everyone, but it could be the case if you were doing it within an hour of bedtime. I'm assuming from your post that you're sleeping ok not doing it. Could you do it earlier in the day or perhaps switch your walking and 30DS? I'm wondering if the less intense walking would give you any issues.

Jess6385

It depends on when I exercise. Most often I exercise after work around 6-7 ish. This can sometimes mess with my sleep. On nights where I have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep I just take a benaydrl - works like a charm every time. I have to get my 8 hours! Good luck!

Overboard_Eater

I have read that exercising at night can lead to sleep or getting to sleep issues. But have no real evidence. Also, could caffeine be an issue? Meaning were you you using it to help complete your nightly exercise but now aren't?

It depend on your goals for the exercise. Walking is a great slow burn and 30DS I think helps maintain Lean Body Mass. So maybe alternate? they both have their benefits, in my opinion.

devan44

Thank you all fory your help and I should clarify that I've been sleeping a lot better since I stoped doing 30DS at night.

Mimisam45

Great question. . . . I too have a difficult time sleeping after evening excercize - even when exhausted.

For example: yesterday I did a great early morning (5am) workout with my daughter for over 1.5 hours. Worked all day, attended a late meeting and then ran with a co-worker at 6pm. Because I get up at 4am, I go to bed about 9pm and did not sleep all night-kept waking and tossing, it is awful!!!

neandermagnon

It may have been when you were exercising, not the amount. Since exercise can release endorphins, and get our energy up, if you're doing it within an hour or two of bedtime, it can affect your sleep.

^^^ this

it affects me, but not everyone will be affected by it, it depends on the person. nothing wrong with exercising in the evening if it's not affecting your sleep

devan44

Exactly! I'll be so tired and then get in bed and it's like I cannot sleep at all. Very frustrating. I guess I will alternate days with the walking and the 30DS from now on.

devan44

I was taking that new zzzquil stuff like everynight and I'd still wake up at 2 or 3 and not be able to go back to sleep. :sad:

carrieous

working out at night absolutely disrupts my sleep.

Shock_Wave

I'm wondering if these 2 things are related or if I'm overthinking it. When I first started on MFP I was walking 4 miles a day and then doing the 30 Day Shred at night burning around 950 calories a day. I ate some of them back but only if I was hungry. During all this I slept horribly. I'd fall asleep and then wake up several times a night and have a hard time sleeping. Recently I've only been walking and I haven't been doing the shred at night because of some family stuff that's been going on. So my question is does too much exercise equal poor sleep?

Also, if I can only do one should I walk 4 miles (about an hour) or do the 30 Day Shred? Technically I think the walking burns more calories but the 30DS moves more.. I don't know what to do!

When I do cardio and weight lifting on the same day which is often for me I constantly have this exact insomnia problem but I have a hard time even getting to sleep as well. I take my sleeping pills its the only way I can shut my self down or I will stay up until the wee hours in the morning which sucks.

Edit: I work out in the day time and it still happens at night. Its like I ramp up my metabolism into over drive and it just doesn't come down.

devan44

I'm wondering if these 2 things are related or if I'm overthinking it. When I first started on MFP I was walking 4 miles a day and then doing the 30 Day Shred at night burning around 950 calories a day. I ate some of them back but only if I was hungry. During all this I slept horribly. I'd fall asleep and then wake up several times a night and have a hard time sleeping. Recently I've only been walking and I haven't been doing the shred at night because of some family stuff that's been going on. So my question is does too much exercise equal poor sleep?

Also, if I can only do one should I walk 4 miles (about an hour) or do the 30 Day Shred? Technically I think the walking burns more calories but the 30DS moves more.. I don't know what to do!

When I do cardio and weight lifting on the same day which is often for me I constantly have this exact insomnia problem but I have a hard time even getting to sleep as well. I take my sleeping pills its the only way I can shut my self down or I will stay up until the wee hours in the morning which sucks.

Edit: I work out in the day time and it still happens at night. Its like I ramp up my metabolism into over drive and it just doesn't come down.

So it's because my metabolism is working so hard that i can't sleep? That's a pretty good problem to have, i guess THanks!

retiree2006

I'm wondering if these 2 things are related or if I'm overthinking it. When I first started on MFP I was walking 4 miles a day and then doing the 30 Day Shred at night burning around 950 calories a day. I ate some of them back but only if I was hungry. During all this I slept horribly. I'd fall asleep and then wake up several times a night and have a hard time sleeping. Recently I've only been walking and I haven't been doing the shred at night because of some family stuff that's been going on. So my question is does too much exercise equal poor sleep?

Also, if I can only do one should I walk 4 miles (about an hour) or do the 30 Day Shred? Technically I think the walking burns more calories but the 30DS moves more.. I don't know what to do!

Why settle on either walking 4 miles or 30 Day Shred? Shred is 20+ minutes (about half an hour with warm-up, etc.) so you could walk for half an hour before or after the shred.

Confuzzled4ever

opposite is true for me. I didn't exercise yesterday and I slept like crap last night. When I exercise i sleep like a baby. and i exercise a lot. I cant' wait for work to be over.. short bike ride, followed by kickboxing (if i make the class) and/or day1 of the shred or tae-bo. Cant' wait!

Shock_Wave

I'm wondering if these 2 things are related or if I'm overthinking it. When I first started on MFP I was walking 4 miles a day and then doing the 30 Day Shred at night burning around 950 calories a day. I ate some of them back but only if I was hungry. During all this I slept horribly. I'd fall asleep and then wake up several times a night and have a hard time sleeping. Recently I've only been walking and I haven't been doing the shred at night because of some family stuff that's been going on. So my question is does too much exercise equal poor sleep?

Also, if I can only do one should I walk 4 miles (about an hour) or do the 30 Day Shred? Technically I think the walking burns more calories but the 30DS moves more.. I don't know what to do!

When I do cardio and weight lifting on the same day which is often for me I constantly have this exact insomnia problem but I have a hard time even getting to sleep as well. I take my sleeping pills its the only way I can shut my self down or I will stay up until the wee hours in the morning which sucks.

Edit: I work out in the day time and it still happens at night. Its like I ramp up my metabolism into over drive and it just doesn't come down.

So it's because my metabolism is working so hard that i can't sleep? That's a pretty good problem to have, i guess THanks!

I can't say for sure. It might also have some thing to do with stressing your CNS(central nervous system) or maybe a combo. I dunno exactly I am not a DR, but like you it happens to me to often.

Leadfoot_Lewis

opposite is true for me. I didn't exercise yesterday and I slept like crap last night. When I exercise i sleep like a baby. and i exercise a lot. I cant' wait for work to be over.. short bike ride, followed by kickboxing (if i make the class) and/or day1 of the shred or tae-bo. Cant' wait!

Same here, except I sleep well regardless if I workout or not. That said, I workout 5-6 times a week and sleep like a baby. I have never heard of a fast metabolism causing sleep issues. If that were so, I'd have sleep issues.

Shock_Wave

I actually did Lvl 1 of the 30DS last night, then took a shower and went to bed but I couldn't fall asleep because I had so much energy! It's known that exercise naturally makes you more alert and gives you a boost so you and I should definitely work out well before bedtime :flowerforyou:

I do 6 hours before bed time makes no difference for me... unfortunately.:frown:

Shock_Wave

opposite is true for me. I didn't exercise yesterday and I slept like crap last night. When I exercise i sleep like a baby. and i exercise a lot. I cant' wait for work to be over.. short bike ride, followed by kickboxing (if i make the class) and/or day1 of the shred or tae-bo. Cant' wait!

Same here, except I sleep well regardless if I workout or not. That said, I workout 5-6 times a week and sleep like a baby. I have never heard of a fast metabolism causing sleep issues. If that were so, I'd have sleep issues.

You're lucky for some of us we are not that lucky. If you have it figured out then please do tell and explain.