Changes in sleeping after starting the gym

lemonsurprise
lemonsurprise Posts: 255 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I used to sleep 8 hours, flat out, every night. Now I've started the gym it's much closer to 5 or 6. I don't have trouble getting to sleep (usually because I'm knackered from the gym!) but I'll naturally wake up a few hours later and not be able to get back to sleep.

I can't think of anything else that has changed, but could it be possible that it's the working out? Baring in mind I literally DID NOT exercise at all, and now I'm going to the gym every day for an hour (40 min weights/20 cardio)?

Replies

  • healthygreek
    healthygreek Posts: 2,137 Member
    Work out earlier in the day. Working out gets me hyped up so I workout in the morning.
  • chubbamamma3
    chubbamamma3 Posts: 11 Member
    I started working out 2 weeks ago and my sleep pattern has been awful, like you only 5-6 hours instead of 8. However, last two nights I've slept well so I'm thinking my body is getting use to the changes now. Maybe it just takes time to adjust.
  • 47Jacqueline
    47Jacqueline Posts: 6,993 Member
    I sleep less than I used to most of the time. If I am really active, I'll be exhausted and go to bed an hour or two earlier, but then I wake up earlier. Thomas Edison used to live on frequent small naps rather than a regular sleep at night schedule, so it's a personal thing I think. Also, as opposed to popular thought, older people sleep less, not more.

    Not exercising close to bedtime is helpful to better nighttime sleep. I'm always too hopped up to sleep if I work out at night.
  • 2013sk
    2013sk Posts: 1,318 Member
    I am exactly the same, Ever since I started the gym - My sleeping pattern changed!

    The reason is because I work out so late I think, and my body is still burning calories & not in 'sleep mode'

    I now try to workout around 6pm - 7.30pm. But before I worked out at 8pm - 10pm due to my lifestyle.

    I think the earlier you can workout the better. I wish I could workout before work, but I cant, I need to leave my house at 7am every morning to be at work for 8am.

    Also aswell if I don't eat enough during the day, after a really good workout, I could wake up 4 hours later & be starving!

    Make sure your hitting your calories, and fuelling your body. It was awful!!

    Try getting some of that sleeping lavender spray you spray on your pillow... : )

    But luckily for me, I am sleeping better now... I think because I am eating a lot more & carbs to fill me up : )

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