The Energy Cycle
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – energy is by far the biggest factor in any fitness or weight loss goal. Your fitness success literally depends on it, more than anything else.
Unfortunately, among the many clients I’ve had over the years, energy has been the most common roadblock to overcome. We live pretty busy lives nowadays, and it can make energy a difficult thing to come by.
And the biggest factor in your daily energy level is sleep. Without a good night’s sleep, there’s little you can do to get your energy back.
If you’ve heard of the circadian rhythm before you have an idea that our clock revolves around the 24 hour cycle and disrupting the clock causes a ripple effect when it comes to your hormone cycle which also effects your ability to be happy, have enough willpower to overcome cravings, have a healthy metabolism and consequently keep weight off your midsection.
If you’re following me here than these 3 tips will help you improve sleep and get your energy levels back on track.
Follow these easy solutions for improving your sleep, and I guarantee you’ll see improvements across the board, from losing weight to building muscle.
3 Tips for Waking Up Energized
Exercise Earlier in the Day
People often overlook this one, but exercising too close to bed can be one of the biggest, energy-draining mistakes you can make. Both weight lifting and cardio increase your body temperature enough to keep you from falling asleep. Cardiovascular exercise is particularly bad for this.
I recommend getting your cardio done first thing in the morning, to jumpstart your metabolism and get your energized. As for weight lifting, try to fit in your workout before 4:00 PM. This kind of schedule will ensure the best results and recovery, as well as allowing you to cool off in time for a good night’s sleep.
Watch What You Eat Before Bed
Snacks and drinks before bed aren’t uncommon, but you’ve got to start being smarter about what you eat before bed. Skip the alcohol, as once it wears off, it actually acts as a stimulant and will wake you up. As for snacking, make sure it’s low in sugar and is light on calories. Foods like bananas, cherries, nuts, and complex carbohydrates are all good late night snacks.
If you like to have a drink before bed, go with something natural like chamomile tea, which actually promotes sleep. Herbal teas are also a great way to control cravings and suppress your appetite, giving your metabolism a little boost in the process.
Breathe a Little Easier
Breathing also plays a big role in sleep, and many people suffer from problems like sleep apnea that can wreak havoc on your sleep and totally leave you feeling tired and drained the next day. Snoring is one sign of sleep apnea, and even if your symptoms aren’t clinical in nature, breathing issues can still disrupt your sleep. Even if you have seasonal allergies, you may be suffering from breathing issues at night.
One easy solution is a neti pot or some other all-natural nasal flush (such as a saline solution). These things will help clear up your nasal passages and improve your quality of sleep. Breathe Right nasal strips are another great option that will help you breath – and sleep – better.
These are just a few easy solutions to improve your sleep and wake up feeling energized. If you’re still suffering from poor sleep and waking up tired, you might also want to try a natural herbal solution like Natrol Melatonin. People swear by this as a natural sleep aid, so give it a try!
Have any questions or feedback about How to Wake Up With Energy? Please leave a comment below…
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Thank you for visiting! Weight Loss and Training is a health blog which features all the best weight loss tips that I have learned over my 20 years of training. My background includes a degree in Kinesiology from the world renown Simon Fraser University, certification in nutritional sciences from UBC, and Personal Trainer Specialist certification from Can Fit Pro.