I go the gym late because I have to and I find that I cannot sleep anymore. I take Tylenol PM or Simply Sleep or some other sleep aid (OTC) and they're simply not working. Last night I took 2 TPMs at 11:00 and was still wide awake at 1:30.

I also kept waking up all night which I don't do on nights I don't work out. I'm wondering if it's exercising so late (between 7:30 and 9:30) and if so, other than switch to morning exercise, what I can do about it.

I do the same thing. I have to really try to get my exercise done by 7:30 or i am just wide awake and ready to go, all night. I dont know what the cure is for it...but i am definately there with you.

Is it possible to go to sleep early and wake up early to exercise? If not, maybe try some meditation or quick yoga before bed? I also heard eating some form of dairy before bed will help you sleep.

Oooh yes, hot milk with a smidge of vanilla and Splenda

I work out late, but usually I've worked so hard that I fall asleep easily!!! The only time I stay awake is if I've had caffeine-fuelled workouts

I used to work out at nite but just LAST WEEK switched to mornings and I thought I would hate it. I'm totally not a morning person, but someone I love it. Getting up earlier has made it easier to go to sleep earlier (and sleep well) and it's just so empowering to start off your day in that powerful way and get it over with. No "to do" list hanging on your back all day. Is there any way you could try to make the switch just to see? Working out late is really hard on getting to bed at a decent time. It's a natural invigorator and to try to sleep soon after seems counter to what your body wants to do.

Hi,

I believe working out late will power you up so you have difficulty falling asleep. So, how about trying to excercise early just to try it (as hrbabe suggests) or, taking a really long cool down with a bit of meditation to fully relax ?

I find the relaxing excercises helpfull as well, and also I fall asleep by envisioning myself on a beach & trying to see the coconut trees, the waves etc etc. maybe another picture works better for you, but for me the beach works.

rabbit

Thanks everyone. I can work out early but because of my job I never know when I'm going to be called upon to work til midnight or later. If I'm up since 5/5:30 (I get up at 6:30 now), I just can't do the late nights. If I do have to work late, taking an hour or so break to go to the gym helps me stay up and stay motivated.

It's not yet 6:30 am and I'm up now. I came home last night around 10:30 after working out for a hour and about 15 minutes. I had a protein shake, took 2.5 Tylenol PMs and did fall asleep well around midnight but as you can see, did not stay asleep (I woke up around 5:15). Getting up, getting out and getting to the gym is not a problem but if I have to work late, it gets to be an issue.

I may try some milk even though I am loathe to do so but I drink Lactaid...does anyone know if the "sleepy" properties in lactose free milk is the same as regular milk? (I hope it's not the lactose that helps you fall asleep).
Thanks!

I think it's the milk protein (casein?) that makes you sleepy. Not ENTIRELY sure though - just something that's surfaced to the front of my brain!!

AHa! Apparently it's Tryptophan - try eating turkey before bed!

I found this http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/T042400.asp

2F -- that was a very interesting article

Susan -- I have a very difficult time falling asleep too if I exercise a little too close to bedtime. Actually that's probably why I had a hard time falling asleep last night DH and I went for a bike ride and I was awake way past midnight , but I was awake at my usual time this morning 6:30... and I feel very lazy I don't really feel like going to the gym, but I know I WILL, I WILL, I WILL!!!! Anywhoooo... I agree with the article that carbs make me sleepy if I have something carby in the middle of the day all I want to do is sleep... I don't agree that apple pie and ice cream are a good thing BEFORE bed, oye the person who wrote the article obviously does not have a weight problem.... Maybe taking a calcium/magnesioum sup before bed would help too, I do take one, but obviously it didn't work last night ...

Anyways I AM babbling and stalling to go to the gym, cya all later