Can I exercise if I didn't sleep at all the night before

chillakiss
chillakiss Posts: 33 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So last night I got like, NO sleep at all. I didn't stay up late or drink anything that would keep me awake. I've literally tried to sleep for the past 8 hours, but nothing worked. I kept tossing and turning, hoping that I could sleep...but it just wouldn't come...eventually I had to get out of bed and get ready for work. I feel so drained, and I just wanna cry really hard because my body is hurting so much from not being able to get enough rest...however, I want to work out (because I don't wanna miss a day since I missed one day already yesterday)...would it be wise to work out if I'm really weak?

I'd normally go with what my body is telling me (to rest), but I've seen a lot of posts where people say to tough it out even though your body is really tired, or I've seen people say "no pain, no gain, suck it up and just exercise"...

Should I still work out today? I feel insanely tired and sick, even :(

Replies

  • esaulx
    esaulx Posts: 17
    Only your body can tell you whether you're up to work out or not. If your body feels you need rest, then rest. Don't beat yourself up over a missed workout in the first place, just move on. You'll work just as hard at your next workout!

    But really, listen to your body.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    Why not work out? I do it on zero sleep often.

    There is a lot of discipline to be gained by working out when you don't want to, or "can't".
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Go take a nap instead
  • MissBenes
    MissBenes Posts: 18
    Why not work out? I do it on zero sleep often.

    There is a lot of discipline to be gained by working out when you don't want to, or "can't".

    I have to disagree with that. There is a difference between making up lame excuses and being really tired.
    I mean, I am one of those people who can't do ANYTHING right if they don't get good night sleep and it's no excuse.

    My advice would be, if you are tired, go with some lighter exercise that day (take a walk or ride a bike, go for a relaxing swim), and work a little bit harder the next day.
  • Cliffslosinit
    Cliffslosinit Posts: 5,044 Member
    SLEEP!
  • DrNerdy
    DrNerdy Posts: 168 Member
    Some of my best gym days are when I wasn't feeling 100%. If you happen to be in pain, I wouldn't force it, that deserves a rest day.
  • KristysLosing
    KristysLosing Posts: 683
    You are saying you are tired to the point of feeling sick? Go to bed. Your body needs rest to function.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Personally, I'd take a nap...
  • MsEndomorph
    MsEndomorph Posts: 604 Member
    I have a disease that affects my adrenal glands, so my entire life revolves around avoiding/managing situations that are stressful on the body.

    Not sleeping (especially when you're used to sleeping) is stressful on the body. Exercising is stressful on the body. The two together are super stressful. There's a difference between "ugh, I'm tired from a long day," and crying from exhaustion. If you're already feeling lousy, sleep. You'll feel even better tomorrow and get a better workout in.
  • bigjretrac
    bigjretrac Posts: 80 Member
    Your body hurts, and you say you feel sick? By all means, go home and get some rest.

    It's not a question of discipline, it's a question of wisdom.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    Why not work out? I do it on zero sleep often.

    There is a lot of discipline to be gained by working out when you don't want to, or "can't".

    I have to disagree with that. There is a difference between making up lame excuses and being really tired.
    I mean, I am one of those people who can't do ANYTHING right if they don't get good night sleep and it's no excuse.

    I have pretty wicked insomnia. I used to feel that way, then I realized I couldn't let a lack of sleep for a day or two shut down my life. It's a matter of making the best of what you have. If I gave up and didn't workout whenever I was tired, I'd never work out.

    OP - you'll get a lot of well meaning advice saying go take a nap. That's the easy route. You'll make a good decision.
  • MissBenes
    MissBenes Posts: 18
    Why not work out? I do it on zero sleep often.

    There is a lot of discipline to be gained by working out when you don't want to, or "can't".

    I have to disagree with that. There is a difference between making up lame excuses and being really tired.
    I mean, I am one of those people who can't do ANYTHING right if they don't get good night sleep and it's no excuse.

    I have pretty wicked insomnia. I used to feel that way, then I realized I couldn't let a lack of sleep for a day or two shut down my life. It's a matter of making the best of what you have. If I gave up and didn't workout whenever I was tired, I'd never work out.

    OP - you'll get a lot of well meaning advice saying go take a nap. That's the easy route. You'll make a good decision.

    Well, if you have a pretty wicked insomnia, you have your own problem to solve.
    People who don't have wicked insomnia aren't and shouldn't be used to being tired. Neither should you.
  • NoeHead
    NoeHead Posts: 516 Member
    I've worked out on lack of sleep and it sucks. I don't have insomnia and thought I'd tough it out and honestly I may have burned calories but i'm not sure it was worth me feeling worse afterwards. Also one thing to consider is safety. If you're tired and feeling woozy you may fall on the treadmill.

    Either way, in this particular situation don't look at it as an easy way out or a tough it out thing. It's a will it cause injury because i'm not focused enough kind of thing.
  • bigjretrac
    bigjretrac Posts: 80 Member
    Again, if lack of sleep is par for the course, then by all means go. I'm a grad student, and have gone to the gym on severe lack of sleep, but my body is already used to the lack of sleep (not saying that's good...).

    If you've already thrown your body a curveball with your erratic sleep, let it adjust before you go hit the gym. The fact that you feel sick and achy from not sleeping says that you need to take a rest. If you routinely don't get enough sleep, you need to make some changes.

    BTW, OP-- what did you decide to do?
  • doctorsookie
    doctorsookie Posts: 1,084 Member
    take a day off... tomorrow is another day. you don't want to injure yourself and then not be able to work out for a long time.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    Why not work out? I do it on zero sleep often.

    There is a lot of discipline to be gained by working out when you don't want to, or "can't".

    I have to disagree with that. There is a difference between making up lame excuses and being really tired.
    I mean, I am one of those people who can't do ANYTHING right if they don't get good night sleep and it's no excuse.

    I have pretty wicked insomnia. I used to feel that way, then I realized I couldn't let a lack of sleep for a day or two shut down my life. It's a matter of making the best of what you have. If I gave up and didn't workout whenever I was tired, I'd never work out.

    OP - you'll get a lot of well meaning advice saying go take a nap. That's the easy route. You'll make a good decision.

    Well, if you have a pretty wicked insomnia, you have your own problem to solve.
    People who don't have wicked insomnia aren't and shouldn't be used to being tired. Neither should you.

    Thanks mom.

    Simple fact of the matter is, at the level of intensity that someone who asks if they can exercise, there won't be an issue. None. If there would, I just couldn't imagine how people who can't sleep would ever function in trades, or physically demanding jobs.

    The op can correct me if I'm wrong, but she's not going out for a 5 hour trail run on zero sleep.
  • MissBenes
    MissBenes Posts: 18
    Why not work out? I do it on zero sleep often.

    There is a lot of discipline to be gained by working out when you don't want to, or "can't".

    I have to disagree with that. There is a difference between making up lame excuses and being really tired.
    I mean, I am one of those people who can't do ANYTHING right if they don't get good night sleep and it's no excuse.

    I have pretty wicked insomnia. I used to feel that way, then I realized I couldn't let a lack of sleep for a day or two shut down my life. It's a matter of making the best of what you have. If I gave up and didn't workout whenever I was tired, I'd never work out.

    OP - you'll get a lot of well meaning advice saying go take a nap. That's the easy route. You'll make a good decision.

    Well, if you have a pretty wicked insomnia, you have your own problem to solve.
    People who don't have wicked insomnia aren't and shouldn't be used to being tired. Neither should you.

    Thanks mom.

    Simple fact of the matter is, at the level of intensity that someone who asks if they can exercise, there won't be an issue. None. If there would, I just couldn't imagine how people who can't sleep would ever function in trades, or physically demanding jobs.

    The op can correct me if I'm wrong, but she's not going out for a 5 hour trail run on zero sleep.

    First of all, you really don't have to be an *kitten* and call me "mom" just because I pointed out that you have a problem if you are an insomniac. If you think it's a cool accessory, that's fine with me.

    Second, I used to be in the sport where being sleepy and having bad concentration could cost you a spine fracture and very early on I've been taught, if you are not 100% in the gym, you shouldn't be in the gym at all.

    And third, the girl hasn't said what type of exercise she's doing. And my advice actually WAS to go with some lighter form of workout (such as swimming or talking a walk) if she's too tired to do something more serious.
  • ieatlunch
    ieatlunch Posts: 1
    i just found this answer on yahoo answers cause i was searching for the same info,,..slept about 5 hrs last night and also drank too much beer! been at work all day and am still considering hitting the gym but maybe not...

    Generally, if you have had under 5 to 6 hours of sleep, but your specific body requires a lot more, then this can cause all sorts of physiological disruptions (internal problems). One problem being cortisol release. Cortisol is a stress hormone that secretes from the adrenal cortex in order to help your body cope with the stress of being sleep deprived. Although this is not a bad thing per se, cortisol also breaks down muscle tissue and glucose, which is opposing to exercise. On top of that, exercising itself causes proteins to breakdown, burns glucose and can even raise cortisol levels even higher. In other words, you will cause yourself to shrink if you workout while sleep deprived. And it does not matter how intense it is because your body is already stressed, so any more stress will only make it worst. This is why sleep is so essential to exercise and recovery. If I were you I'd make sure I was feeling up-to-par before exercising. Just consider a sleep deprived day a rest day and make the next day hump day!
    Source(s):
    Personal Trainer
  • turtleball
    turtleball Posts: 217 Member
    I take melatonin (3mg) to help me sleep.
    First when I take it I dont notice anything but when I get in my bed and close my eyes it sneaks up on me.

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