Poor sleep=No motivation

junipertnt43
junipertnt43 Posts: 2 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
This has been a week of next to no motivation. I have been sleeping poorly thus when the alarm goes off at 0430 I can seem to find the motivation to get up. I want to but the exhaustion has been too much.
Tonight I am home from work early (on time) so an early bedtime in the hopes I can wake up to workout. My early morning lifts and runs are my happy place and am missing them.
Any motivation tips when all your body wants is sleep is always welcome and am sure helpful.

Replies

  • zebasschick
    zebasschick Posts: 1,067 Member
    i find listening to relaxing audiobooks makes falling asleep easier. obviously nothing really exciting, scary or deeply involving - just interesting enough to take my mind of things. also doing physical things just before bed keeps me awake for a couple hours.

    i have a bedtime snack, which helps, too - something with protein for muscle recovery, and usually chocolate. then i like down without pressuring myself to fall asleep - which always keeps me awake, turn on an audiobook, and let myself get into the story. sometimes a few minutes of sketching or watercolor painting between the snack and the book helps even more...
  • snowflake954
    snowflake954 Posts: 8,399 Member
    Without adequate sleep, weight loss and exercise is a losing battle. Address the sleep issue---are you waking up frequently during the night? Do you need to go to bed earlier? Can you sleep later and fit in exercise at another time? Can you sleep later 4 mornings and get up earlier the other 3?

    As you can see, you may have to shuffle or redimensione your exercise.
  • claireychn074
    claireychn074 Posts: 1,604 Member
    Sometimes I just sleep. I train c10 hrs per week in 4 sessions but every now and then I miss one to sleep. That indicates to me that I need more rest. Can you review your exercise / sleep schedule? Can you make a pledge to leave work on time everyday for a week or two to give you more downtime? Or if work is manic, can you get out at lunchtime for a brisk walk instead? If you’re having problems with sleep then I agree with other posters that you need to sort that out first and foremost. Good luck!
  • MarieBuch10
    MarieBuch10 Posts: 25 Member
    edited January 2023
    When I'm struggling to adhere to my early morning workout routine (that I love) due to poor sleep or fatigue for any reason, I'll often swap it for something less difficult. So, instead of trying to hype myself up for a full on workout, get gym ready or even home workout ready, I'll promise myself a 15 (or 30 if I want a little bit of a mental challenge) minute walk around the neighborhood. Essentially I compromise with myself...I get to rest a bit longer, but I also get fresh air and some movement which at least brightens my mood for the day. Eventually I do get back to full workouts once I'm ready, but in the meantime I try to do ANYTHING to get in some movement. I hope you start feeling better soon.

    ETA: I often go on these walks looking like I just rolled out of bed because I did. I don't waste any of my precious energy trying to look "presentable." Only mentioning this because typically I DO put in some effort to look decent when I leave the house, but not when I'm exhausted and just trying to do what I need to do. I always have the invasive "what will my neighbors think if they see me looking like this," thought but truly IDGAF and I doubt they do either.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,416 Member
    Yeah, I don't think we can help you get motivated if you're not sleeping. Sleep is pretty important.

    If it's an ongoing problem you can't solve by getting into bed in time and not having caffeine or alcohol - then I guess a doctor's visit would be needed.

    Why aren't you sleeping?
  • ridiculous59
    ridiculous59 Posts: 2,908 Member
    edited January 2023
    Like others have said....sleep is the main issue. When I've gone through periods of sleepless nights i.e. newborns, or sick children, I've thought to myself "if I could just get a proper night's sleep I could probably save the world". But I now usually sleep great, and sadly, I have yet to save the world.....

    Unfortunately, motivation is a feeling. And feelings change. So when motivation fades, discipline has to kick in. Sometimes that's just what we have to do.
  • DoubleG2
    DoubleG2 Posts: 123 Member
    Sleep, like working out, is best if its consistent. Assuming you're not getting up to take care of little/loved ones, having a consistent bed-time is key. If you're getting up to work out at 4:30 a.m., you want to be in bed at 9:00 pm. I say this as someone who is naturally a night owl. My motto used to be "I'll sleep when I'm dead." I made the switch five years ago. It took me a few weeks to adjust, but I have found a consistent sleep schedule is key to a consistent workout schedule. Now motivation is another thing entirely as others have written. I can attest motivation is fleeting at best, but habit and discipline breed consistency (there's that word again). I do not bound out of bed eager to drive to the gym in the dark and the cold. But it is my habit and I have been able to maintain my daily schedule for years. If I can do this, anyone can - really.

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