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A few weeks ago I decided to start waking up much earlier than I normally do. (5AM-7AM)

I always get 7-8 hours of sleep and the past couple of mornings I’ve woken up naturally before any alarm I’ve set so I feel like I’m starting to adjust to it.

The mornings are great. I’m super productive and feel energized and motivated.

It’s all great until around noon. I start to get tired and then for the rest of the day I’m exhausted and just feel miserable. Which sucks because I usually work out in the evening and the exhaustion has caused me to skip working out twice this week.

Is this just my body not used to the new sleep cycle or what? Will I eventually adjust and not feel like shit?


[–]apoc205012 points13 points  (4 children) | Copy Link

Do you drink caffeine?

Also why the fuck are you skipping workouts, suck down some pre-workout if you have to. You don't skip lifting.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (2 children) | Copy Link

I drink coffee, does it have - negative effect?

[–]apoc20505 points6 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

For me, if I drink too much caffeine in the morning I tend to crash hard in the middle of the day. Just something to think about.

[–]treehauz0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

I was gonna ask the same. Coffee actually uses your extra supply of energy which was supposed to be used for later the day. So when it is "later the day" you dont have anymore. Try replacing coffee with water in the morning. Your pee has to be clear ALWAYS. Do you drink enough water?

[–]Pill-de-Blasio[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

I try to ingest as little caffeine as possible but since I started the new sleep schedule I’ve been taking 200-300 mg a day in tablet form.

And yeah I know I slipped up a bit and rationalized not going to the gym by telling myself that it’s alright to skip a day since my body isn’t used to waking up so early. Pretty stupid. Unfortunately pre-workout gives me a massive headache when I lift so I don’t use it anymore.

[–]MisterRoid3 points4 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

Yes, you will feel tired if you don't sleep during your normal sleep cycle. I have always felt like shit when I have had to wake up at 7-8, despite working 8-16 most days of the week for several years. I feel better sleeping 6 hours until 10-12 than 8 hours until 6-8. The earlier it is the worse I feel.

[–]AscensionExperiments3 points4 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

Yeah it's gonna take some getting used to. The Circadian Rhythm is king. Take the caffeine tablets just before you hit the low and a bit before the gym. Just don't stay reliant on them, ween yourself off after you've overcome the hump.

[–]lokilis1 point2 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

You should get used to it eventually. If you wake up before your alarm then it's fine.

[–]Bleu_Cheese_Pursuits0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

Every individual has an optimal window within which they will reap the most beneficial effects of sleep, and that window varies from person to person. For example; your sleep is when your body is most prolific in removing reactive oxidative species (chemicals which, while being a natural byproduct of metabolism, can eventually culminate in chronic disease) It has been demonstrated that people who work overnight shifts and sleep during the day do not show as much of this activity, even if they get the same amount of sleep as is prescribed for a healthy person. However, far and few in between, you'll find people for whom this kind of schedule is actually optimal. Anyway we are adaptable creatures so you will eventually settle into whatever you force your body to do. But if you are trying to maximize your productivity/energy levels, the best thing to do would be to go a week or two without consuming any mind-altering substances whatsoever, and see where your schedule ends up. Presuming that you are eating well and are otherwise healthy, your default natural cycle is going to be best.

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