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Original poster

Can you overcome this?

17 replies

Flowersandwine12 · 28/04/2022 07:06

So I am an early bird by nature, I also love to exercise early, always have.

Currently this is an inconvenience to my husband (won't go into details but a valid one), he occasionally exercises in the evening and has asked me to move exercise to evening. My problem is I really struggle to sleep after evening exercise, I've tried in the past and have sometimes been awake at midnight when usually I'm in bed at 9pm and asleep by half past.

My husband can't understand what I'm talking about, he says exercise helps him sleep. I get it, good for him but its the opposite for me.

I'm not trying to bitch about dh, I'm just wondering if there is anyway to help me sleep better after evening exercise for a while? Currently I've missed a few sessions because I can't get there early and it's upsetting me

OP posts:
Bunce1 · 28/04/2022 07:09

Your say your husbands resin is valid. And so is yours, so a compromise must be reached.

Can he wear ear plugs so you don’t disturb him when you wake up? What’s preventing him from not sleeping through?

can you try a magnesium/b supplement to help you sleep. Try a warm shower before bed and a cup of sleepy tea before bed?

nearlyspringyay · 28/04/2022 07:13

I don't understand - are you waking him up by going out early? What does he expect you to do - lie in bed and not move until it's ok with him?

I exercise early, leave my gym stuff down stairs, roll out of bed at 550 no one gets woken.

PatchworkElmer · 28/04/2022 07:15

Compromise? Do some early and some late?

HouseyHouse21 · 28/04/2022 07:15

Can you explain why he prefers for you to exercise in the evening? Hard to envisage solutions otherwise.

Original poster
Flowersandwine12 · 28/04/2022 07:17

No its not that I'm waking him up, for a while he needs to heading out to work at 630am, he doesn't NEED to as such but it would be much better if he did for a while and I can see that

I'm just frustrated that he can't understand when I say I can't sleep after exercise but I am willing to try. I'd always have a shower after and ty and settle myself properly with a book but my body just doesn't feel ready for rest

I'll look into magnesium

OP posts:
ParisNoir · 28/04/2022 07:18

No, I could not overcome this.

I run, but I HAVE to do it early morning. I have the most energy then, feel happy doing it and it sets me up to feel great for the rest of the day. If I left it until evening I would struggle to motivate myself to do it, my performance isnt as good and frankly, I dont WANT to do it then, I want to relax after the day.

Neither of you are wrong, you're just different. I wouldnt be moving my exercise time though- its not fair of him to expect you to be the same as him when you clearly arent!

hihellohihello · 28/04/2022 07:27

Maybe you could change your exercise up in some way so you can still exercise in the morning? What is it that clashes? If childcare and your children are still in bed maybe you could exercise at home. Or maybe you could go out earlier?

DolphinaPD · 28/04/2022 07:40

Flowersandwine12 · 28/04/2022 07:17

No its not that I'm waking him up, for a while he needs to heading out to work at 630am, he doesn't NEED to as such but it would be much better if he did for a while and I can see that

I'm just frustrated that he can't understand when I say I can't sleep after exercise but I am willing to try. I'd always have a shower after and ty and settle myself properly with a book but my body just doesn't feel ready for rest

I'll look into magnesium

Why does that stop you exercising in the morning? Do you have kids?

Can you switch your exercise up so you do something at home in the morning?

Original poster
Flowersandwine12 · 28/04/2022 07:54

Yes we havd children. Our pool and gym doesn't open until 630 so by the time I've worked out/ swam and got sorted and home it's 730.

I can't work out at home without waking the kids and unfortunately can't run.

I appreciate those trying to find ways to help me workout in the morning but my thread was more to see if I could overcome the "awakeness" that comes with evening exercise

I will look into magnesium.

It's not forever, it would just be for a period of 3 months. I didn't realise how much good exercise was doing my mental health until I missed a few sessions this last fortnight

OP posts:
WeirdManFromRummikub · 28/04/2022 07:55

I sleep appallingly badly if I exercise in the evening. Usually drop off easily but then wake at 1 or 2am- for around 2 hours. It's horrendous.
You'll need to work out a compromise- the days he needs to leave early, can you do a home workout - weights, yoga , joe wicks or whatever..... Or if you are a runner/ cyclist, propose you jointly buy a machine for home use.

rookiemere · 28/04/2022 08:22

Brisk walk in the morning if you can't run and maybe try walking in the evening- not as good as proper cardio if that's what you're used to , but doesn't impact my sleep pattern.
What about evening swimming that shouldn't be as bad for sleeping as other exercise?

Crazzzycat · 28/04/2022 12:11

Not being able to sleep after exercise is not unusual at all. I have the same problem and try and not to do intensive exercise late in the day for that reason.

There are a few things that might help:


  • don’t do anything too strenuous, but stick to moderately intensive exercise

  • make sure you are well hydrated before and during exercise

  • a bit of an odd one, but apparently lemon balm tea straight after exercise can help regulate the hormones that are released during and after exercise, which are the ones that keep you awake. It’s worth a shot. Pukka Teas do a lovely one, called Joy, which should be easy to find in larger supermarkets.

Kat1953 · 28/04/2022 12:14

I don't understand why you're looking into exercising in the evening when it doesn't suit your body and leads to poor sleep? Your dh doesn't get to dictate that you do Confused

Nothing to overcome. You do you, and he can do him.

nearlyspringyay · 28/04/2022 12:18

Can you work out at home in the morning then if it's just for three months?

I don't think there's a magic bullet that will help you sleep after exercising.

aoeu · 28/04/2022 12:53

Can you get the exercise in earlier in the evening? I also find I can't sleep too soon afterwards.

i.e. can your husband look after the kids while you exercise 6/7pm and eat later?

KatharinaRosalie · 29/04/2022 13:28

Different type of exercise? Cardio keeps me awake but not weights.

Watchkeys · 04/05/2022 00:33

What exercises do you do at the gym?

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