Insomnia : A bodybuilder's nightmare [Forum Archive]

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Insomnia : A bodybuilder's nightmare

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Posted by: Deeznuts

I train hard, I eat right, but I just can't seem to sleep tight. Everyday the schedule is the same a good small meal every 2 hours or so keeping me down to competition weight, a decent to awesome workout and lots of cardio a week before a meet. But when it's time for bed and to let my body rest i'm lacking. So help me god I can't sleep...I usually operate on 4-6 hrs. of sleep which ISN'T good. Especailly as active as I am. If it weren't for epehdra and caffiene I very much doubt i'd be sitting first in my region right now. Please help guys, what should I do? I need at least 8-10 hrs. a night.

Posted by: oaktownboy

have you tried a really hot shower before bed to loosen up the muscles??how about some melatonin?

Posted by: jadakris31

ive heard that overtraining can cause that problem... not saying saying its your problem persay, could try a few days off or changing up your routine or how active you really are.

Posted by: Mudge

I've had it my whole life! No need to tell me about how badly it sucks

Melatonin has impressed me so far, I ran into it at Walgreens and finally gave it a try. I have been sick and it has really helped me sleep, I have tried 3mg and 6mg (2x dose) as well. You can find it as low as 1mg.

Things that can affect sleep

* Depression (serotonin regulates melatonin production)
* Stresses of life
* Crap you put in your body that interferes (alcohol, etc)

Posted by: oaktownboy

true overtraining also causes insomnia

Posted by: CowPimp

Marijuana always puts me to sleep... I don't know if you're willing to try illegal drugs to help your problem, but that is definitely one area where marijuana excels.

There is also valerian root, which didn't do crap for me. I used to have some sleeping problems, but lifting has actually helped that a lot.

You could also try reducing your intake of ephedra and caffeine...

Posted by: Premo55

It would be nice if I could go back to sleep quickly after taking a tinkle in the middle of the morning...

Peace.

Posted by: oaktownboy

^lol

Posted by: Willdebeast

hmmm just a thought here. EPHIDRINE AND CAFFIENE

Posted by: JLB001

Melatonin

Posted by: Downtown Guy

To sum up the two great pieces of advice you've been offered multiple times now:

...trade the epehdra and caffiene in for a bottle of melatonin and I'll bet you'll find yourself competing for the state championship. Good luck!

Posted by: Mudge

Just drop the EC/ECA a few hours before bedtime, I only used that stuff for workout energy myself.

Posted by: bandaidwoman

Sounds like a combination of overtraining and the ephedra and caffeine. Sleep studies in people (both athletes and non) show a direct correlation between how ephedra- like compounds and caffeine use affect sleep, not so much by the amount or quanitity used during the day, but how late in the day it was used. The rule of thumb was, the same amount of caffeine, stimulant used before 11 am did not affect sleep as much as a lesser amount used after 11 am.

Posted by: Prince

ZMA might be worth a shot, it promotes sleep, I take it every night.

Posted by: bandaidwoman

Quote:

Originally posted by Prince
ZMA might be worth a shot, it promotes sleep, I take it every night.

It's quarter till two in the am here, (I'm at work)...isn't it close to your bedtime now out west?

or are you having a touch of insomnia now?

Posted by: Prince

it's almost mid-night here, I am about to retire...the only reason I am up so late is because I slept in today (Saturday), and I will sleep in again tmorrow.

Posted by: Big Smoothy

Deeznutz never stated what he thinks *may* be the cause of his inability to sleep. There can be many reasons. Psychological, physical, stress. Maybe even "thinking too much."

Melotonin, some relaxation strategies, reading a book, to tons of things.

Since he is competing, I think going to an Insomnia clinic or a specialist (doctor) who can provide possible info. and strategies would be good.

(And I'm not the type of persone who thinks people should run to the doctor for every little "this and that," either).

Posted by: Skib

Quote:

Originally posted by Deeznuts
I just can't seem to sleep tight.

Quote:

Originally posted by Deeznuts
If it weren't for epehdra and caffiene I very much doubt i'd be sitting first in my region right now.

how about if it weren't for ephedra and caffeine you might actually be able to sleep at night?

Posted by: Deeznuts

Thanks everyone for replying.

I should have been more specific in my post. I usually do the E/C earlier in the day (before noon) to give me an energy boost for a workout. I normally feel pretty tired after that until I actually go to bed. My mind just travels from one subject to another and I just can't pass out. I've purchased some ZNA as i've heard it enables you to rest better, but I think I might give this Melatonin a shot. What's the best stuff to get?

Thanks again for all the replies!

Posted by: Mudge

I very rarely like legal supplements, but I have to admit to liking Melatonin very much so far, good stuff. If that opinion changes within a week or so I will post on it, for now though I believe in it.

Posted by: Flex

some things that i've heard help you sleep better.......

-don't eat or drink anything leading up to the time b4 you go to bed (even though i eat/drink up to the second i go to bed......no wonder i always gotta wake up and pee)

-relax in the time leading up to bedtime (i notice whenever i workout late at night.........even after a hot shower and some food, i'm reeeeal relaxed from the shower and beat from the w.o., yet when i lay down i can't fall asleep). watch tv, listen to music or whatever........

-def. don't take any CNS stimulants anywhere near bedtime (i took ephedrine one night before a w.o. and i barely slept at all that night)

hope this helps.......

Posted by: oaktownboy

Quote:

Originally posted by Flex
some things that i've heard help you sleep better.......

-don't eat or drink anything leading up to the time b4 you go to bed (even though i eat/drink up to the second i go to bed......no wonder i always gotta wake up and pee)

-relax in the time leading up to bedtime (i notice whenever i workout late at night.........even after a hot shower and some food, i'm reeeeal relaxed from the shower and beat from the w.o., yet when i lay down i can't fall asleep). watch tv, listen to music or whatever........

-def. don't take any CNS stimulants anywhere near bedtime (i took ephedrine one night before a w.o. and i barely slept at all that night)

hope this helps.......

haha i bet the kind of music u and me listen to would keep us up, not put us to sleep

Posted by: myCATpowerlifts

one time i took some hydroxycut within say 3 hours of sleeping...
Got abo;ut oooohhh 3 hours or less if i remember correctly

Posted by: oaktownboy

Quote:

Originally posted by Deeznuts
Thanks everyone for replying.

I should have been more specific in my post. I usually do the E/C earlier in the day (before noon) to give me an energy boost for a workout. I normally feel pretty tired after that until I actually go to bed. My mind just travels from one subject to another and I just can't pass out. I've purchased some ZNA as i've heard it enables you to rest better, but I think I might give this Melatonin a shot. What's the best stuff to get?

Thanks again for all the replies!

no specific brand is better than others..but i like twinlab's personally

Posted by: Flex

Quote:

Originally posted by oaktownboy
haha i bet the kind of music u and me listen to would keep us up, not put us to sleep

Oops, bad idea.....

don't listen to music in that case haha.

nah, but in all seriousness, i DONT think its a good idea to listen to music........

i fuckin hate when i'm trying to go to bed and i got a song stuck in my head............

Posted by: KiDNotorious

i usually drink green tea in the morning, and 2 ephedra pills a day, one about 15 mins before a workout and my workouts are from 7:30-9:10, (10 mins in the sauna)

My sleeping problem isnt the caffine or the pills, im dead tired after my shower, its just school...

Posted by: Deeznuts

I started taking ZMA today and i'm going to pick up some melatonin after my workout. I'll post the results!

Posted by: Flex

i need a nap EVERY day to feel "right".

whether i wake up and feel groggy or refreshed...it don't matter. as long as i get a nap, psychologically i feel "rested", so i'm good for the rest of the day......

try napping bro

Posted by: plouffe

I go St.Johns Wort + Melatonin about 45 minutes before I take a hot long shower. Then I just basically pass out..

Posted by: PreMier

Quote:

Originally posted by Premo55
It would be nice if I could go back to sleep quickly after taking a tinkle in the middle of the morning...

Peace.

I hate this.... F'king pisses me off when I have to piss early morning.

Posted by: Mudge

Quote:

Originally posted by plouffe
I go St.Johns Wort + Melatonin about 45 minutes before I take a hot long shower. Then I just basically pass out..

St Johns lowers the effectiveness of many meds, just something to keep in mind. You can look into grapefruit juice for increasing effectiveness of orals.

I have used St Johns but not at night.

Posted by: BUSTINOUT

Ambien

Posted by: Deeznuts

Drank some green tea right after dinner, finished my third day on ZMA, and took a hot shower before bed last night. I was in bed at nine and asleep by ten. Still not the type of "passing out" i'd like to do, but it's an improvement.

I'll look into purchasing some melatonin later this week.

Posted by: Mex

Hey how about laying off the ephedra and the caffeine... that's probably not helping :P You should take a week off training, sounds like overtraining.

Posted by: plouffe

Quote:

Originally posted by Mudge
St Johns lowers the effectiveness of many meds, just something to keep in mind. You can look into grapefruit juice for increasing effectiveness of orals.

I have used St Johns but not at night.

Give it a shot, feels alot more effective than just the melatonin alone. Why is that grapefruit extract / juice increases the effectiveness of orals? Thanks.

Posted by: Rissole

Quote:

Originally posted by PreMier
I hate this.... F'king pisses me off when I have to piss early morning.

Same...

I get up everynight between 2 and 3 for a wizza....

One thing i think helps me go to sleep is a good root

Posted by: DrChiro

melatonin is the best thing to try because it is cheap and usually works.

GNC's ZMA has valerian root and hops added to it which also help with sleep and i agree with Prince...it is a great supplement to be taking all the time.

If neither of these work, 5-HTP will work but it is a bit costly as it requires about 4 capsules to induce sleep...it is a form of Tryptophan...in addition it elevates mood and can curb the appetite (i like oral labs 5-HTP from GNC)

Posted by: JLB001

AMBEIN...........LOL Works wonders!

Posted by: donescobar2000

Quote:

Originally posted by PreMier
I hate this.... F'king pisses me off when I have to piss early morning.

Lol. Got damn water! You need it but it freagin bothers you when you try to sleep.

Posted by: PreMier

Quote:

Originally posted by JLB001
AMBEIN...........LOL Works wonders!

I would never recommend this! I used it once, and woke up the next day feeling like absolute shit!

Posted by: Vieope

How can you have nightmares if you have insomnia ?

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