Eat & sleep

[Hulking2016]

Have my meals planed out but was wondering if sleep is just as important as eating, I have a very hard time getting to sleep and was wondering if any one knows if taking pills or whatever that put you to sleep take away with any of the benefits.

[Gaspaco]

Rest is as important as eating!

Get at least 8hours/night.

Try to take some magnesium/zinc/b6 before bed.

[gbrice75]

Just like training and nutrition, rest/sleep is part of the equation. If one of the 3 is lacking, results will usually be sub-optimal.

Unfortunately, due to my schedule, I get 6 hours a night, and that's on a GOOD night. Further, they're usually not 6 uninterrupted hours (I tend to wake up, very alert, right in the middle of the night/early morning). As a result, I believe my progress has suffered immensely.

What kind of pills are you thinking about taking?

[Hulking2016]

Just like training and nutrition, rest/sleep is part of the equation. If one of the 3 is lacking, results will usually be sub-optimal.

Unfortunately, due to my schedule, I get 6 hours a night, and that's on a GOOD night. Further, they're usually not 6 uninterrupted hours (I tend to wake up, very alert, right in the middle of the night/early morning). As a result, I believe my progress has suffered immensely.

What kind of pills are you thinking about taking?

I have no idea haha, I have't done to much research yet but I would think something that is made with all natural ingredients would be best

[Back In Black]

L-tryptophan is touted as being a natural assist for sleep. You can buy it in tablet form or eat a food with it in eg turkey or warm milk.

[barrybulkers]

I take tryptophan and it really improved my sleep! Its a relaxing essential amino acid. It also helps with good mood en decreases stress. I really notice a difference in my sleep when i dont take it. All my sups are from scitec nutrition but other brands will work too.

[gbrice75]

I have no idea haha, I have't done to much research yet but I would think something that is made with all natural ingredients would be best

L-tryptophan is touted as being a natural assist for sleep. You can buy it in tablet form or eat a food with it in eg turkey or warm milk.

I take tryptophan and it really improved my sleep! Its a relaxing essential amino acid. It also helps with good mood en decreases stress. I really notice a difference in my sleep when i dont take it. All my sups are from scitec nutrition but other brands will work too.

Look into Schiff Melatonin Plus as well, some come packed with other 'ingredients' (theanine, etc) that are supposed to help.

http://www.amazon.com/Schiff-Melaton...m/B000FCEB2G/2

[baseline_9]

If you were to look at the 3 things we talk about most as far as being required to grow as a bodybuilder, eating, sleeping and training.... The sleep is the least important part of that equation....

I'm not saying its important, it is... I'm saying that the other two things are more important if your goals are to gain LBM....

Have you tried eating a large meal and having a how shower late at night?

Are you limiting your carbs at night?

[barrybulkers]

Look into Schiff Melatonin Plus as well, some come packed with other 'ingredients' (theanine, etc) that are supposed to help.

Thanks GB, definitely gonna give it a try! Just went trough hell the last couple of months sleeping 3hrs tops at night. Had to smoke myself silly just to get a few hrs! But i blame that on the competition prep. Sleep is slightly improving since then! But i work in shifts (morning, midday, nights) so i always have trouble sleeping. So hopefully the melatonin will work! Thanks man!

[Dadstrength]

Melatonin and 5-htp. Natural and available at most pharmacies and grocery stores. You should know however with these sleep aids and others you have a 'window of opportunity' that is usually only about 20-40 minutes to get to bed.
My 2 cents..

[gbrice75]

Thanks GB, definitely gonna give it a try! Just went trough hell the last couple of months sleeping 3hrs tops at night. Had to smoke myself silly just to get a few hrs! But i blame that on the competition prep. Sleep is slightly improving since then! But i work in shifts (morning, midday, nights) so i always have trouble sleeping. So hopefully the melatonin will work! Thanks man!

Didn't know you were in contest prep. This raises the question Baseline asked earlier (and I assume the answer will be yes) - are you limiting/cutting out carbs in the evening?

Also, have you ever looked into GABA?

gamma-Aminobutyric acid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[barrybulkers]

Didn't know you were in contest prep. This raises the question Baseline asked earlier (and I assume the answer will be yes) - are you limiting/cutting out carbs in the evening?

Also, have you ever looked into GABA?

Yeah i had a contest last sunday. And indeed, my carb intake was pretty low.. Since then i've doubled my carb intake. I have to add, my 2 last meals of the day contain no carbs. Just some veggies on the first plus 40gr olive oil, the last meal is 30gr casseine with 40gr mct oil. Could this have an effect on my sleep? I know de carbs help the quality of sleep, but i also read that healthy fats do the trick too.

I've never heard of GABA, definitely something i will look in to! Thanks!!

I have to add, i like your work on here! Today i came by your thread with all the questions and i'm hooked! Gained a lot of info! Unfortunately had limited time so got to page 3, the rest i will read later! thumbs up mate!!

[gbrice75]

Yeah i had a contest last sunday.

Ahh, ok... show already happened, thought you were still in prep. What was it - bodybuilding? Physique? How'd you place?

And indeed, my carb intake was pretty low.. Since then i've doubled my carb intake. I have to add, my 2 last meals of the day contain no carbs.

Same here. But with doubling carbs, you're still unable to sleep? How was sleep throughout contest prep? How about before that?

Just some veggies on the first plus 40gr olive oil, the last meal is 30gr casseine with 40gr mct oil.

Nice - what do you use, coconut oil, or something else?

Could this have an effect on my sleep? I know de carbs help the quality of sleep, but i also read that healthy fats do the trick too.

I guess it could, but if you were sleeping fine (on a relatively 'normal' carb intake) prior, then had the contest, now back to 'normal' carbs but can't sleep, it's probably something else. Anxiety?

I've never heard of GABA, definitely something i will look in to! Thanks!!

I have to add, i like your work on here! Today i came by your thread with all the questions and i'm hooked! Gained a lot of info! Unfortunately had limited time so got to page 3, the rest i will read later! thumbs up mate!!

Awesome, thanks brother!

[barrybulkers]

Ahh, ok... show already happened, thought you were still in prep. What was it - bodybuilding? Physique? How'd you place?

Yes bodybuilding 90+kg, came in second. I'll see if i can get a picture up here.

Same here. But with doubling carbs, you're still unable to sleep? How was sleep throughout contest prep? How about before that?

Normally i have no problem getting my 8hrs of sleep. During the prep i slept 3hrs max! My sleep is increasing since the show but its broken in blocks of 2-3hrs, but i fall back asleep pretty fast! So i guess its heading in the right direction!

Nice - what do you use, coconut oil, or something else?

I use coconut oil! I like the flavor mixed with the chocolat shake!

I guess it could, but if you were sleeping fine (on a relatively 'normal' carb intake) prior, then had the contest, now back to 'normal' carbs but can't sleep, it's probably something else. Anxiety?

I've never heard of GABA, definitely something i will look in to! Thanks!!

Awesome, thanks brother!

I just realise i have no idea how to highlight my answers, so my apologies if its difficult to read!


i'm the one on the right with the darkest tan

[gbrice75]

I just realise i have no idea how to highlight my answers, so my apologies if its difficult to read!


i'm the one on the right with the darkest tan

Wow man, amazing. Bodybuilding then, no physique - got it!!

PS - based on your accomplishment(s), I'm pretty sure it's you who should be advising me.

90-ish kg... how tall? You look way heavier than 90kg IMO.

[barrybulkers]

Wow man, amazing. Bodybuilding then, no physique - got it!!

PS - based on your accomplishment(s), I'm pretty sure it's you who should be advising me.

90-ish kg... how tall? You look way heavier than 90kg IMO.

Haha thanks for the compliments mate! I may add that im not a newby in the sport, but i realize there is so much info out there and so much to learn from other guys! I think thats also one of the beautiful things in this sport, ur always learning and everyone has his/her input and experiences! Thinking that the biggest guy has tho most knowledge is a big misconception! Im 24 years old and have been training since i was 16, with 2 years off. But im really strict en have made it a lifestyle which i cant live without anymore. And everyday i come on here i learn some new stuff! And thats what i like!

On stage i weight 95,5kg, now i'm back at 104. Im 1.80m tall. Went really deep and felt like shit that day! Also the show had some delay, so i had been without water for more than 24 hours! When i came of stage, i had no need for food, the only thing i needed was water! Haha afterwards got a milkshake

[gbrice75]

Haha thanks for the compliments mate! I may add that im not a newby in the sport, but i realize there is so much info out there and so much to learn from other guys! I think thats also one of the beautiful things in this sport, ur always learning and everyone has his/her input and experiences! Thinking that the biggest guy has tho most knowledge is a big misconception! Im 24 years old and have been training since i was 16, with 2 years off. But im really strict en have made it a lifestyle which i cant live without anymore. And everyday i come on here i learn some new stuff! And thats what i like!

On stage i weight 95,5kg, now i'm back at 104. Im 1.80m tall. Went really deep and felt like shit that day! Also the show had some delay, so i had been without water for more than 24 hours! When i came of stage, i had no need for food, the only thing i needed was water! Haha afterwards got a milkshake

Agree w/ the bold, bigtime. In fact, most bodybuilders, at least in my experience, are pretty dumb, lol. Always good to see young bodybuilder's like yourself who have the thirst for knowledge, besides your own progress. I will make one suggestion though: seeing as you've done so well thus far, I wouldn't personally get *too* caught up in the science; obviously, whatever you've been doing has worked as you have an excellent physique (would love to see non-comp pics if you have em)... sometimes all this science can be counter productive as I see guys spending more time talking/arguing about training and nutrition rather than actually getting into the gym and kitchen and DOING something.

lol... a milkshake, eh? Can't blame ya - although along with that, I think I'd be having a huge bacon cheeseburger and fries.

You have a great attitude brother, I hope you stick around here.

[Sgt. Hartman]

I just realise i have no idea how to highlight my answers, so my apologies if its difficult to read!


i'm the one on the right with the darkest tan

Very impressive bud, nice job.

[gbrice75]

On stage i weight 95,5kg, now i'm back at 104. Im 1.80m tall.

PS - wtf is 1.80m in feet/inches? American here.

kg, on the other hand, I've learned the conversion for.

[kelkel]

PS - wtf is 1.80m in feet/inches? American here.

kg, on the other hand, I've learned the conversion for.

You're getting smarter as you age GB!

Barry you look great in your contest pic! Appears as if you should have won to me.

Stick around. Glad to have ya here.

[barrybulkers]

PS - wtf is 1.80m in feet/inches? American here.

kg, on the other hand, I've learned the conversion for.

Haha just looked it up its 5 feet 11 inches
You cant imagine how many times ive been on google converting the pounds and inches to kgs en meters

[barrybulkers]

Agree w/ the bold, bigtime. In fact, most bodybuilders, at least in my experience, are pretty dumb, lol. Always good to see young bodybuilder's like yourself who have the thirst for knowledge, besides your own progress. I will make one suggestion though: seeing as you've done so well thus far, I wouldn't personally get *too* caught up in the science; obviously, whatever you've been doing has worked as you have an excellent physique (would love to see non-comp pics if you have em)... sometimes all this science can be counter productive as I see guys spending more time talking/arguing about training and nutrition rather than actually getting into the gym and kitchen and DOING something.

lol... a milkshake, eh? Can't blame ya - although along with that, I think I'd be having a huge bacon cheeseburger and fries.

You have a great attitude brother, I hope you stick around here.

I know what you mean. But i know the basics and yes they work, but i wanted to know the science behind it so i can fully understand what im doing and maybe tweak my diet and gear usage! But imo, if its not broken, dont fix it! So i keep going on

And u would think i would grave a cheeseburger or something, but i tried the shitload pre contest some of the members here explained really well and i have to say, when i came of stage, the thought of it made me sick haha some fluids were all i needed!

[barrybulkers]

Very impressive bud, nice job.

Thanks a lot man!

[barrybulkers]

You're getting smarter as you age GB!

Barry you look great in your contest pic! Appears as if you should have won to me.

Stick around. Glad to have ya here.

Thanks! I sure will! Checked out different forums before, but little with the knowledge and willingness to help in comparison with this one!! Props to you guys!

[Hulking2016]

I just realise i have no idea how to highlight my answers, so my apologies if its difficult to read!

<img src="http://forums.steroid.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=137763"/> i'm the one on the right with the darkest tan

DAMM how long have you bin lifting and bodybuilding for?

[barrybulkers]

DAMM how long have you bin lifting and bodybuilding for?

Been lifting for about six years now. But the best gains ive made since a year when ive been working on my diet with a coach who is a big name in the bb world here in belgium and holland! Since then it all went fast forward! I began measuring my meals. Before i knew the right things to eat but never new exactly how much calories etc. i was taking in.

[austinite]

Looking great man. Keep it up and welcome aboard!

[barrybulkers]

Looking great man. Keep it up and welcome aboard!

Thanks a lot!

[Back In Black]

Mate you look great, can't believe you are only 24

Belgian or Dutch you speak/write better English than most people here

[barrybulkers]

Mate you look great, can't believe you are only 24

Belgian or Dutch you speak/write better English than most people here

Thanks man!!
And i guess thats the convenience of an iphone with an english keyboard and spell check lol

[gbrice75]

Thanks man!!
And i guess thats the convenience of an iphone with an english keyboard and spell check lol

Bahahaha, THAT explains it!