Since I returned from Greece in September, and I guess in Greece, I have been getting about 10 hours of sleep a night. Before leaving my normal amount of sleep was about 7-8 hours a night. As interesting as I'm sure I am to all of you, I am going somewhere with this.
Since getting 10 hours of sleep regularly, my lifts have been steadily increasing while my body fat has been decreasing! I feel better than ever, and have great workouts every single time, even though I only take one day off a week.
What does this mean for you? Well, if you are like me you have been reading everything you can about training since you were 15 years old. Every single training book or article mentions off hand that you should strive for 10 hours of sleep a night, but who does? I sure as hell haven't until recently.
Years ago I followed a 12 hours of sleep regime and I never felt better. 12 hours became too hard to stick with though as I was self-employed (working 76 hours a week for peanuts) and competing in powerlifting, plus had a girl friend and a healthy social life (booze). Still, for the two weeks that I slept for 12 hours every night, I felt like a million bucks.
We have all read how getting the proper amount of sleep each night improves your insulin sensitivity, improves your hormone profiles, helps you burn fat, helps you physically and mentally recover from tough training and most importantly perhaps improves your mood, right? So why don't we sleep more? As Dan John often says, recovery is not a drink or supplement, recovery is sleep. Plus,. sleep is free and enjoyable!
Bringing this back around, these days I sleep 10 hours a night, and it is working! I am gaining strength, muscle mass, and losing weight. I think I have finally realized the power of sleep in achieving my health and fitness goals. As for you, if you really want to take your body to the next level, be it in performance or aesthetics, then turn off the TV, turn out the lights, and turn in early.
Need more information? Check out this great article.
Since getting 10 hours of sleep regularly, my lifts have been steadily increasing while my body fat has been decreasing! I feel better than ever, and have great workouts every single time, even though I only take one day off a week.
What does this mean for you? Well, if you are like me you have been reading everything you can about training since you were 15 years old. Every single training book or article mentions off hand that you should strive for 10 hours of sleep a night, but who does? I sure as hell haven't until recently.
Years ago I followed a 12 hours of sleep regime and I never felt better. 12 hours became too hard to stick with though as I was self-employed (working 76 hours a week for peanuts) and competing in powerlifting, plus had a girl friend and a healthy social life (booze). Still, for the two weeks that I slept for 12 hours every night, I felt like a million bucks.
We have all read how getting the proper amount of sleep each night improves your insulin sensitivity, improves your hormone profiles, helps you burn fat, helps you physically and mentally recover from tough training and most importantly perhaps improves your mood, right? So why don't we sleep more? As Dan John often says, recovery is not a drink or supplement, recovery is sleep. Plus,. sleep is free and enjoyable!
Bringing this back around, these days I sleep 10 hours a night, and it is working! I am gaining strength, muscle mass, and losing weight. I think I have finally realized the power of sleep in achieving my health and fitness goals. As for you, if you really want to take your body to the next level, be it in performance or aesthetics, then turn off the TV, turn out the lights, and turn in early.
Need more information? Check out this great article.