Terrible sleep after lifting heavy, cant recover

[drecar]

I had the same problem. Magnesium supplementation after lifting and before bed cleared it up right away. Natural Calm seems to work the best.

I also discovered magnesium and Epsom salt bath helped with sleeping deeper.

[rhett]

I have problems sleeping on workout days too. Mine is more due to weird sensations in the legs. Kind of a restless leg syndrome thing. I can't be still, the urge to move the legs becomes unbearable and it makes sleep difficult. But I smile when it happens because I just interpret if as progress. Grow you sonsabitches, GROW!!

[Tiburon]

This is a great article, and I don't normally link to outside training stuff because most of it is stupid. But I still want to know the details of Billy's situation. I'll bet he's not resting enough be tween sets and not eating enough. Either that or he's 55.

Great quote from that article:

"The only reason to lift weights is to stimulate a growth response. Lifting half what you’re capable of isn’t going to stimulate anything."

[Oldster]

I'm a little long in the tooth now, but even when I was in my early 30's I couldn't lift late in the day. If there is a reason I would have to start my session after 5pm, I'll wait for the next day. It just isn't worth it. My best time is about 7 am on an empty stomach, but usually end up lifting between 3 and 4pm. Even in the afternoon a good meal and a chance to recuperate lets me sleep as well as I possibly can.

Early a.m. gives me a chance for a breakfast, lunch and dinner and I sleep like a ......well....a fifty something year old generally sleeps.

[mkporter]

I had the same problem. Magnesium supplementation after lifting and before bed cleared it up right away. Natural Calm seems to work the best.

+1 for magnesium. Find something with better bioavailability than mag oxide. Magnesium glycinate is a good one. Magnesium supposedly helps regulate cortisol (stress hormone which adversely impacts sleep).

[Mark Rippetoe]

Yes, an overdose of MgO could easily cause an emergency for which being awake will be immediately necessary.

[mkporter]

Yes, an overdose of MgO could easily cause an emergency for which being awake will be immediately necessary.

Indeed.

[Tom Bryant]

To the OP, eat your way to 220 and rest 8-10 minutes between sets. Also, move the chins to Wednesday.

[Dilan]

Does anyone else have a drink before bed?

It works great for me.

A good whisky before bed is magic. But then, so is getting laid.

[sillybilly]

Thanks guys, I think I will try to extend the rest between sets.
I used natural calm in the bad situations but even that doesn't help.

Either way, I might try early morning workouts instead and see how that goes. Thanks everyone.