Good Sleep

S

Sekcy_Gymnast

Cathlete
Is having good sleep a good part of working out and fitness? I'm a 14 year old girl, and since I'm on summer vacation, I can focus on working out, and practice (Gymnastics) every day. I love working out, but realize that I don't get enough sleep. I sometimes get up early (maybe 2 times a week) to work out for about 3 to 3 and a half hours, then get on with my day w/ my Mom. However, is getting good sleep also important? I don't feel very tired much either.

Thanks for everyones help,:)
Adri
 
Good sleep is essentail IMO. I know that I can't perform at my best or lift heavy if I am too tired. You should try to get atleast 8 hours if possible. But, I have 2 little ones so I know how hard sleep is LOL!!!!


Maeghan AKA megadoo

http://www.3fatchicks.net/img/bar072/slider-but3/lb/203/145/156/.png[/img] [/url]

http://www.picturetrail.com/megadoo2
 
Yes, getting enough rest is very important though it's also quite easy to let slide. I know I tend to be a night owl so it can get me into trouble as I like to get up early also. My son sleeps until 9am most mornings but I am usually up by 6:15 because I like to wake up with some coffee, breakfast and sometimes a work out before my DS gets up for the day.

I'm off to read my book now...Good night ladies!
 
Good sleep is an essential part of effective working out and good health! Especially at your age, it's very important for good mental and physical development!
Without good sleep (recommended amount is 6-8 hrs/night but some people need upwards of 9-10 hrs/night) your immune system becomes compromised and you get sick a lot easier. Also, your workouts are not as effective and your body does not recover well. You tire faster during your workouts w/o good sleep as well.
 
Recovery (including sleep) is as important to fitness improvements as working out itself, and it's definitely an important part of health.

You may be at an age where you are very resiliant, and the negative effects of lack of sleep may not hit you now, but they will catch up with you later.
 
Hi -

Did I read correctly you are exercising 3+ hours? Even if that's only 2 days a week, that's too much for your body, your health. Be gentle with yourself, please. Spread out your workouts -- recovery, rest, social activities, and proper nutrition are also key players in your well-being.

Perhaps if something else is going on (that makes you want to exercise a lot), find a trusted friend to whom you can confide. Sometimes talking out anything and everything will help to lessen the icky-ness!

Or, come here and vent -- but definitely beware of falling into the trap of an exercise addiction...I promise you don't want to go there. You deserve only good...be kind to yourself!

Take good care,
Caroline
 
Yes, but she is a gymnast...
My best friend in high school uses to go to monesson 5 hrs a night everyday after school.She did the uneven and paralell bars.Had a better build that most of the boys in school. Remember the gymanast is young. Her body can handle much more.
If you are not tired , i would say you are rested enough.
Eat well and enjoy yourself. You will know when you need a break.

I think you take great pleasure in working out. It isn't a chore, so 3 hrs is nothing.
Good luck and do the best you can do...
Anne
http://www.picturetrail.com/acatalina
 
Thanks for all your help everyone, but I just wanted to say that I work out everyday, but sometimes do it early in the morning, rather than at night. At gymnastics, its 3 days a week for 4 hours, and when I work out at the gym, (all the other days) its for at least 3 to 3 and a half hours. I dunno... I guess I'm used to working out for a long time at practice, I do the same at the gym:7

Anyway, I learned from all of you that I should take some time to relax too...I can't remember the last time I accually took a WHOLE day off from working out. But I know I should.

Thanx everyone!

~Adri;-)
 
Hi Adri,
Boy, your post really caught my eye. My daughter is 14 and a gymnast, level 7. What level do you compete at? What's your favorite event?

Yes, good sleep is essential as is a day's rest every week. And good nutrition is important too. If you're working out that much, good nutrition is every bit as important as good sleep and giving your body a rest. It is the fuel that allows your body to develop and take the "abuse" (and I mean that in jest).

As a developing teen, you probably need anywhere from 8 to 10 hours sleep a night. However, everyone is different so you may feel better on less or more.

Out of curiosity, how long have you been working out at this pace? As a mom, I'm concerned that you may develop an overuse injury. My DD just finished recovering from a stress fracture in her back due to too many back walkovers on beam (her nemesis). It really cut into her competition season this year. But if you aren't feeling any aches and pains, that's great.

Claude

"Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." Satchel Paige
 
Hi Claude!
I'm acually a Level 5 gymnast:-( :-( . This is because I started gymnastics when I was about 11 or 11.5. Since I was really old when I started, my muscles weren't very flexible, but they have come far now! Anyway, my favorite event is probally beam... I like the feeling of trying to balance and being graceful as best you can at the same time. Just asking.. Is your daughters name Marina? At my gym, there was a girl (Marina) who suffered from a stressed back due to walkovers, handsprings, stepouts, ect. If not, thats ok, just wondering.

Thanks for talking!
~Adri;)

Oh, I forgot to say that I've been working out at this pace for about 5 years at the gym (Fitness Center) and about 3 years in gymnastics. Hopefully I'll be a Level 6 this year!
 
Hi Claude!
I'm acually a Level 5 gymnast:-( :-( . This is because I started gymnastics when I was about 11 or 11.5. Since I was really old when I started, my muscles weren't very flexible, but they have come far now! Anyway, my favorite event is probally beam... I like the feeling of trying to balance and being graceful as best you can at the same time. Just asking.. Is your daughters name Marina? At my gym, there was a girl (Marina) who suffered from a stressed back due to walkovers, handsprings, stepouts, ect. If not, thats ok, just wondering.

Thanks for talking!
~Adri;)

Oh, I forgot to say that I've been working out at this pace for about 5 years at the gym (Fitness Center) and about 3 years in gymnastics. Hopefully I'll be a Level 6 this year!
 
No, her name is Shallyn and we're in CT. But stress fractures in the back are very common in gymnastics. I'll bet every gym has at least one gymnast with that injury.

Anyways, sounds like you're really on your way with gymnastics. To be working that many hours at Level 5 must mean your coach thinks you have lots of potential. Just remember to give your muscles recovery time. That's key.

Good luck with Level 6 - that's where you need that back walkover on beam. And remember, pain isn't good. It's ok to be a little sore but it shouldn't last more than a day or two. If you feel pain - stop, rest, ice, and if it persists, get it checked out. That's what we did wrong with my DD's back. We thought it would go away (that's what her coach said) and she worked out with that fracture for several months before we found out what was wrong. She ended up doing only conditioning for four months!! So take care of your body in order to keep doing gymnastics. (I know, I know - I sound like a mom, well I am, you know, it's a hard habit to break).
:D

Claude

"Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." Satchel Paige
 
No, her name is Shallyn and we're in CT. But stress fractures in the back are very common in gymnastics. I'll bet every gym has at least one gymnast with that injury.

Anyways, sounds like you're really on your way with gymnastics. To be working that many hours at Level 5 must mean your coach thinks you have lots of potential. Just remember to give your muscles recovery time. That's key.

Good luck with Level 6 - that's where you need that back walkover on beam. And remember, pain isn't good. It's ok to be a little sore but it shouldn't last more than a day or two. If you feel pain - stop, rest, ice, and if it persists, get it checked out. That's what we did wrong with my DD's back. We thought it would go away (that's what her coach said) and she worked out with that fracture for several months before we found out what was wrong. She ended up doing only conditioning for four months!! So take care of your body in order to keep doing gymnastics. (I know, I know - I sound like a mom, well I am, you know, it's a hard habit to break).
:D

Claude

"Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." Satchel Paige
 
Claude,
Thanks for helping me! You're acually starting to sound like my mom too! LOL. Thanks for all you help. I hope Shallyn gets better soon!

Thanks,

~Adri;-)
 
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