Sleep - an unscientific survey
Discussion
I keep hearing that sleep is good for you. It's when your body recovers, it's great for losing weight, it improves your immunity, it's great if you're trying to build muscle, it's great for avoiding the burglar prowling around downstairs. But how useful do you find sleep in general.
So, what I want to know is
1) How much sleep do you get?
2) Is it quality sleep or do you find yourself waking up all the time?
3) Are you overweight?
4) Are you trying to lose weight?
5) Are you trying to build muscle?
6) Are you achieving the fitness/weight goals you've set yourself?
7) Any further comments/thoughts?
I'll start first:
1) 5-6 hours a night.
2) I wake up quite regularly but immediately aim to fall asleep again rather than get up to do something.
3) I'm "mildly" athletic; not ripped (or powerfully-built!), no impressive 6 pack.
4) Considering shedding excess bodyfat but not entirely sure if it's that healthy or important.
5) Yes.
6) Kinda - my current fitness level allows me to enjoy my sports activities.
7) See paragraph 1. I do notice that if I don't get enough sleep for too many nights, I get a cold but that may be coincidence. Plus, the more I sleep, the less I eat.
So, what I want to know is
1) How much sleep do you get?
2) Is it quality sleep or do you find yourself waking up all the time?
3) Are you overweight?
4) Are you trying to lose weight?
5) Are you trying to build muscle?
6) Are you achieving the fitness/weight goals you've set yourself?
7) Any further comments/thoughts?
I'll start first:
1) 5-6 hours a night.
2) I wake up quite regularly but immediately aim to fall asleep again rather than get up to do something.
3) I'm "mildly" athletic; not ripped (or powerfully-built!), no impressive 6 pack.
4) Considering shedding excess bodyfat but not entirely sure if it's that healthy or important.
5) Yes.
6) Kinda - my current fitness level allows me to enjoy my sports activities.
7) See paragraph 1. I do notice that if I don't get enough sleep for too many nights, I get a cold but that may be coincidence. Plus, the more I sleep, the less I eat.
Edited by RemainAllHoof on Wednesday 28th September 12:45
1) How much sleep do you get - 7-8 hours
2) Is it quality sleep or do you find yourself waking up all the time - wake up a couple of times
3) Are you overweight - no
4) Are you trying to lose weight - no
5) Are you trying to build muscle - no
6) Are you achieving the fitness/weight goals you've set yourself - i'm doing ok, recently did a 10 mile race in 65 minutes, but always want to be faster
7) Any further comments/thoughts - this study may prove pointless?
1) How much sleep do you get? 6-7 hours
2) Is it quality sleep or do you find yourself waking up all the time? nothing will wake me once asleep
3) Are you overweight? could do with losing a stone, yes
4) Are you trying to lose weight? yes
5) Are you trying to build muscle? yes
6) Are you achieving the fitness/weight goals you've set yourself? yes, slowly
7) Any further comments/thoughts? can survive on less sleep during the week providing I have one catch up day at the weekend.
2) Is it quality sleep or do you find yourself waking up all the time? nothing will wake me once asleep
3) Are you overweight? could do with losing a stone, yes
4) Are you trying to lose weight? yes
5) Are you trying to build muscle? yes
6) Are you achieving the fitness/weight goals you've set yourself? yes, slowly
7) Any further comments/thoughts? can survive on less sleep during the week providing I have one catch up day at the weekend.
1) How much sleep do you get? 7-8 hours
2) Is it quality sleep or do you find yourself waking up all the time? waking alot
3) Are you overweight? no
4) Are you trying to lose weight? no
5) Are you trying to build muscle? yes
6) Are you achieving the fitness/weight goals you've set yourself? yup
7) Any further comments/thoughts? Rarely have a solid nights sleep, young daughters usually wake me, though recovery seems not to be hampered. I do enjoy sleeping though!
2) Is it quality sleep or do you find yourself waking up all the time? waking alot
3) Are you overweight? no
4) Are you trying to lose weight? no
5) Are you trying to build muscle? yes
6) Are you achieving the fitness/weight goals you've set yourself? yup
7) Any further comments/thoughts? Rarely have a solid nights sleep, young daughters usually wake me, though recovery seems not to be hampered. I do enjoy sleeping though!
1) How much sleep do you get? 4-5 hours
2) Is it quality sleep or do you find yourself waking up all the time? Quality
3) Are you overweight? Yes
4) Are you trying to lose weight? No
5) Are you trying to build muscle? No
6) Are you achieving the fitness/weight goals you've set yourself? No
7) Any further comments/thoughts? No
2) Is it quality sleep or do you find yourself waking up all the time? Quality
3) Are you overweight? Yes
4) Are you trying to lose weight? No
5) Are you trying to build muscle? No
6) Are you achieving the fitness/weight goals you've set yourself? No
7) Any further comments/thoughts? No
1) How much sleep do you get?
Depends, sometimes 8 hours, sometimes longer, sometimes shorter. Monday night was 3 hours, last night was nearly 12 hours.
2) Is it quality sleep or do you find yourself waking up all the time?
I tend to sleep without waking, unless the cat wakes me up during the night!
3) Are you overweight?
Yes.
4) Are you trying to lose weight?
Yes, another stone to go.
5) Are you trying to build muscle?
Yes.
6) Are you achieving the fitness/weight goals you've set yourself?
To a degree, weight loss has hit a brick wall, but fitness is still improving!
7) Any further comments/thoughts?
Nope.
Depends, sometimes 8 hours, sometimes longer, sometimes shorter. Monday night was 3 hours, last night was nearly 12 hours.
2) Is it quality sleep or do you find yourself waking up all the time?
I tend to sleep without waking, unless the cat wakes me up during the night!
3) Are you overweight?
Yes.
4) Are you trying to lose weight?
Yes, another stone to go.
5) Are you trying to build muscle?
Yes.
6) Are you achieving the fitness/weight goals you've set yourself?
To a degree, weight loss has hit a brick wall, but fitness is still improving!
7) Any further comments/thoughts?
Nope.
1) How much sleep do you get? 6-7h
2) Is it quality sleep or do you find yourself waking up all the time? Quality
3) Are you overweight? No
4) Are you trying to lose weight? No
5) Are you trying to build muscle? No
6) Are you achieving the fitness/weight goals you've set yourself? Yes
7) Any further comments/thoughts? Maybe you need an age question - oldies sleep less
1) How much sleep do you get? 6-7hrs
2) Is it quality sleep or do you find yourself waking up all the time? Pretty Good
3) Are you overweight? Not really. BMI: yes, visually/body fat: no.
4) Are you trying to lose weight? no
5) Are you trying to build muscle? yes
6) Are you achieving the fitness/weight goals you've set yourself? No goals set, but I am looking better
7) Any further comments/thoughts? I seem to need less sleep after being to the gym, I know recovery should need more, but I'm just not as sleepy at night/early hours and don't end up in bed till later than I normally would. I also eat more, snacking on a pack of buscuits or whatever I can find in the kitchen in addition to a good large meal.
2) Is it quality sleep or do you find yourself waking up all the time? Pretty Good
3) Are you overweight? Not really. BMI: yes, visually/body fat: no.
4) Are you trying to lose weight? no
5) Are you trying to build muscle? yes
6) Are you achieving the fitness/weight goals you've set yourself? No goals set, but I am looking better
7) Any further comments/thoughts? I seem to need less sleep after being to the gym, I know recovery should need more, but I'm just not as sleepy at night/early hours and don't end up in bed till later than I normally would. I also eat more, snacking on a pack of buscuits or whatever I can find in the kitchen in addition to a good large meal.
1) How much sleep do you get? 7 hours weekday, 10 hours weekend
2) Is it quality sleep or do you find yourself waking up all the time? out like a log
3) Are you overweight? 26 BMI
4) Are you trying to lose weight? no - see below
5) Are you trying to build muscle? yes but not doing much atm, was a few months ago....new job+lapsed membership
6) Are you achieving the fitness/weight goals you've set yourself? No - 2 takeaways/meals out a week sees to that!
7) Any further comments/thoughts? No
2) Is it quality sleep or do you find yourself waking up all the time? out like a log
3) Are you overweight? 26 BMI
4) Are you trying to lose weight? no - see below
5) Are you trying to build muscle? yes but not doing much atm, was a few months ago....new job+lapsed membership
6) Are you achieving the fitness/weight goals you've set yourself? No - 2 takeaways/meals out a week sees to that!
7) Any further comments/thoughts? No
1) How much sleep do you get? Around 7 hours
2) Is it quality sleep or do you find yourself waking up all the time? I'll usually wake up to wee
3) Are you overweight? No
4) Are you trying to lose weight? No
5) Are you trying to build muscle? Yep
6) Are you achieving the fitness/weight goals you've set yourself? yep
7) Any further comments/thoughts? Without a good nights sleep I can push through a workout. Once I start I'm okay, but getting started it tough. Caffeine helps. If I have a few night sleep with <6 hours or bad sleep training becomes very tough and I'm grouchy. I also have varied days. Some days I got to bed at 10.30, and get up at 5.30, others I got to bed at 12, and get up at 7. I feel much fresher having the same amount of sleep but getting up later. No idea why.
2) Is it quality sleep or do you find yourself waking up all the time? I'll usually wake up to wee
3) Are you overweight? No
4) Are you trying to lose weight? No
5) Are you trying to build muscle? Yep
6) Are you achieving the fitness/weight goals you've set yourself? yep
7) Any further comments/thoughts? Without a good nights sleep I can push through a workout. Once I start I'm okay, but getting started it tough. Caffeine helps. If I have a few night sleep with <6 hours or bad sleep training becomes very tough and I'm grouchy. I also have varied days. Some days I got to bed at 10.30, and get up at 5.30, others I got to bed at 12, and get up at 7. I feel much fresher having the same amount of sleep but getting up later. No idea why.
1) How much sleep do you get?
Depends - at the moment I don't have to get up early for work, so I'll often get 10+ hours. When on a regular schedule, It'd be 5-9 weekdays, and 10-12 weekends.
2) Is it quality sleep or do you find yourself waking up all the time?
Usually quality until the morning, when I go back to sleep repeatedly (woken by sounds/light)
3) Are you overweight?
Technically. I've got more fat than I'd like, and my BMI is crap - but my build isn't bad, so other than a slightly inflated stomach I'm more muscular than fat.
4) Are you trying to lose weight?
Not right now, currently bulking (which doesn't help the previous answer)
5) Are you trying to build muscle?
Yes.
6) Are you achieving the fitness/weight goals you've set yourself?
Currently on target, but not working to a strict schedule at the moment.
7) Any further comments/thoughts?
Sleep is a difficult one for me - I've always struggled with the 'going to sleep' bit, as I need to feel tired to do so, and it usually takes me 18+ hours of being awake to feel tired.
To mess that up more, I can't stay awake for 18+ hours and then sleep 6 comfortably - so I end up choosing between either being tired all the time, and keeping 'normal' hours, or staying up until I can sleep, and then sleeping for 10+ hours. At Uni I used to keep a 36-hour day, helped by not attending lectures.
Depends - at the moment I don't have to get up early for work, so I'll often get 10+ hours. When on a regular schedule, It'd be 5-9 weekdays, and 10-12 weekends.
2) Is it quality sleep or do you find yourself waking up all the time?
Usually quality until the morning, when I go back to sleep repeatedly (woken by sounds/light)
3) Are you overweight?
Technically. I've got more fat than I'd like, and my BMI is crap - but my build isn't bad, so other than a slightly inflated stomach I'm more muscular than fat.
4) Are you trying to lose weight?
Not right now, currently bulking (which doesn't help the previous answer)
5) Are you trying to build muscle?
Yes.
6) Are you achieving the fitness/weight goals you've set yourself?
Currently on target, but not working to a strict schedule at the moment.
7) Any further comments/thoughts?
Sleep is a difficult one for me - I've always struggled with the 'going to sleep' bit, as I need to feel tired to do so, and it usually takes me 18+ hours of being awake to feel tired.
To mess that up more, I can't stay awake for 18+ hours and then sleep 6 comfortably - so I end up choosing between either being tired all the time, and keeping 'normal' hours, or staying up until I can sleep, and then sleeping for 10+ hours. At Uni I used to keep a 36-hour day, helped by not attending lectures.
1) How much sleep do you get? 7-8 hours
2) Is it quality sleep - Generally yes, sometimes have poor sleep if I have over-trained
3) Are you overweight? No
4) Are you trying to lose weight? No
5) Are you trying to build muscle? Yes
6) Are you achieving the fitness/weight goals you've set yourself? Yes, putting on weight nicely now Ive lost the fat!
7) Any further comments/thoughts? I have been weight training for about 10 months now and its going well - currently bulking
2) Is it quality sleep - Generally yes, sometimes have poor sleep if I have over-trained
3) Are you overweight? No
4) Are you trying to lose weight? No
5) Are you trying to build muscle? Yes
6) Are you achieving the fitness/weight goals you've set yourself? Yes, putting on weight nicely now Ive lost the fat!
7) Any further comments/thoughts? I have been weight training for about 10 months now and its going well - currently bulking
1) How much sleep do you get? Somewhere between 7 and 8 hours
2) Is it quality sleep or do you find yourself waking up all the time? Sleep through the night usually
3) Are you overweight? Upper end of normal
4) Are you trying to lose weight? Not actively, just watching my diet.
5) Are you trying to build muscle? Nope.
6) Are you achieving the fitness/weight goals you've set yourself? Not really set a goal, as I said just diet and yes, sort of.
7) Any further comments/thoughts?
I'm on tricyclic antidepressants at the moment (for IBS, not depression) and these really affect my sleeping patterns. I find I struggle to fall asleep, then the next day if I don't set an alarm I could sleep for about 12/13 hours, something I've never done.
Something that does make me wake up throughout the night is alcohol. Obviously if I drink myself into a stupour I'm comatose until the next day, but 4-5 pints and I will be awake pretty much every hour throughout the night. Makes me feel bloody grim the next day even if I don't have an actual hangover!
2) Is it quality sleep or do you find yourself waking up all the time? Sleep through the night usually
3) Are you overweight? Upper end of normal
4) Are you trying to lose weight? Not actively, just watching my diet.
5) Are you trying to build muscle? Nope.
6) Are you achieving the fitness/weight goals you've set yourself? Not really set a goal, as I said just diet and yes, sort of.
7) Any further comments/thoughts?
I'm on tricyclic antidepressants at the moment (for IBS, not depression) and these really affect my sleeping patterns. I find I struggle to fall asleep, then the next day if I don't set an alarm I could sleep for about 12/13 hours, something I've never done.
Something that does make me wake up throughout the night is alcohol. Obviously if I drink myself into a stupour I'm comatose until the next day, but 4-5 pints and I will be awake pretty much every hour throughout the night. Makes me feel bloody grim the next day even if I don't have an actual hangover!
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff