The sleep and fitness equation

November 21, 2011

I feel like every day the past 3 months I’ve written something about being exhausted. I am awaiting my results from the various tests I underwent (including saliva and sleep), and am anxious to see what my functional medicine doctor has to say about my hormone levels and how to try to get them under control.

With this stress and exhaustion, my training has changed. I was a 5 day a week-er, no excuses. I stopped seeing weight changes in April. Ever since then, I’ve been beating my head against the wall, which hasn’t helped my stress any.

At the end of August, I started training with Jim Laird and Molly Galbraith of J&M Strength and Conditioning. Here’s a video from my first workout there.

Jim and Molly have encouraged me to NOT workout if I’m tired or stressed (which feel like all the time lately). They don’t question if I miss a session or two, or two weeks worth. Instead of stressing my body with heavy training when I’m tired, they’ve encouraged me to just go for a walk. So, walking it’s been. The problem is that this approach is so counterintuitive from what I’m used to.

After my workout Saturday (thus my haggard appearance), I sat down with Jim to discuss this. We cover:

  • Why is rest so important?
  • How do you know if you’re really tired or if you’re just being a slacker?
  • But people like The Biggest Losers work out 8 hours a day and lose weight – why can cutting back actually help me?

The video is 12 minutes long, but it’s all great stuff. Jim’s got a podcast on BlogTalk Radio which is full of great information as well. Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

  • Debra Roby

    Yep.  I’ve gotten to the point that I see Sleep as one of the most important considerations when it comes to both living healthy AND losing weight.  Hope you find the reasons behind your sleep problems soon.  I LOVE the intelligence of your trainer.  Cool guy.

  • Ejburns7471

    Sleep definitely makes a difference in my workout. But it is important to keep on moving. Walking is great but try walking inclines and using hand weights. Also, vary your speed. Hope this helps!

    • Jim Laird

      Keeping moving is important, when your burned out you need of work “IN” first not work out.  Adding resistance at the wrong times will just dig a bigger hole. 

  • http://twitter.com/retta Retta

    John just started working out with Jim! I’m more excited now that I watched this video. I like what he has to say!

  • Abigail Laub

    Great stuff!

  • http://onmyweightohappiness.blogspot.com/ Sarah

    Great post with great information! I have really learned that sleep and rest is important in this journey, whenever I am sick I force myself to rest and relax to recoop.

  • http://twitter.com/Schmiet Diet Schmiet

    Thanks for asking the question…. very interesting!

  • Anonymous

    Thanks so much for sharing that!  I think I put far less emphasis on how important the sleep component of the plan is and I need to start working on that.  I’m a 6 hour a night girl, always have been but I’m not 17 anymore so I need to give my body the time it needs to repair instead of worrying about catching the late night reruns of Golden Girls.  ;-)

  • http://twitter.com/nycpatty Patty

    What a fantastic video. The questions were so interesting and informative. Thanks for the great advice.

    • Jim Laird

      Thank you:). This is something I am very passionate about. There are so many people working so hard when they don’t have too. Find out what your dealing with then adjust accordingly. Training smart is the key for long term health and wellness.

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