So I've been lifting heavy for a while, and am stoked about how much more tone I'm getting. But I'm sleeping a lot less. I'm usually home from work around midnight. Not falling asleep til between 2 and 3. I wake up between 8 and 9. So I'm averaging between 5 1/2 to 6 hours sleep.
I feel ok, but I look tired. Is this normal for anyone else? I don't think I'm waking up hungry. I started doing a protein shake before bed and it hasn't made a difference.
I slept between 7 1/2 and 9 hours before. I just wish I could get a little more sleep. Feel more rested.
Thanks!

Are you weight lifting at night? Lots of people find that exercise at night disrupts their sleep. I've been finding that I need more sleep when I'm lifting.

I've found that I start to sleep less when I'm working out too much - it's counter-intuitive, but that's what I've noticed in myself. The first time I noticed the phenomenon was when I was walking for 35-50km/day for several weeks in a row. I was sleeping less, more deeply but it didn't feel as restful. I bring this up, because maybe this is a way for your body to communicate it needs a deload week?

Alternatively, maybe try experimenting with afternoon naps, to add to your total daily resting period. Or examining your sleep hygiene may help (eliminating ambient light, removing electronics from the room, etc.). Finally, consider playing around with your macronutrients; I've personally found that when I up fat and pull my carbs down a bit, my sleep improves. Experiment a bit, and see what works for you!

I second Nelie. If you're working out in the evening, that may be the issue. I always loved night time workouts when I was in school. Once I started working and having to get up earlier in the mornings though, I noticed I couldn't sleep if I didn't wrap up my workout by about 7pm. It's a shame. I miss how empty the gym is late in the evening.

Thanks for the tips. I work out somewhere between 10 a to noon. I work 3 to 1130pm. Then try to get to bed by one am or so. So I don't work out too late. It could have been excessive training. I took off two days in a row this week and I feel a little better. I'll try playing around with diet too and see if that helps.

I make sure my room is totally dark, I have a fan and no electronics an hour before bed. The last part is the hardest. :P. I did night shift for too many years.

I sleep 5-6 hours a night.

No problem. It's one of the joys of weight loss. You need less sleep. I used to sleep 9-10 hours a night often with day naps at the weekend.

Not no more.

If you want to fall asleep quicker, add a cardio session to your day.

You will sleep as soon as your head hits the pillow.

I haven't found the sweet spot for myself yet, but I went from 3 weight lifting sessions a week to 4 and I found it really wreaked havoc on my body (partly my fault, as my squat form was incorrect). I was exhausted, which made me irritable.

So, like you said, maybe you're working out too much for your body right now. I'd try modifying your workout schedule to every other day for weight lifting and see if that helps. Also, make sure you're drinking plenty of water.

One of the best ways I found to control myself from working out at night is to not get a membership at a 24h gym. It's way too tempting to just go there at like 2-3am to workout where you have the whole gym to yourself.

But yeah, I find as I get fitter, the less sleep I need.

It ended up being temporary and resolving itself. I only lift 3 days a week and cardio two days. Seems to work out ok. I increased my calories too and that seemed to help. I'm in a holding pattern on the weight loss. But since I'm fairly close to goal...it is what it is.

When i started my training as an athlete then my sleep were increases about 2-3 hours. I don't know what was the actual reason, but without sleeping about 8 hours i was unable to feel good in training and everyday life. Sleeping also helped me much in preventing muscle soreness after workout, which helped me much in increasing my workout intensity. I followed some tips to stay fit and healthy. The most important for me was rest and recover, which helped my muscles to stay strong while doing workout.

Fight on guys! Hark work will pay off soon.