Training While Working Full Time - How Do You Do It?

So I just started a new job, 8AM-5PM + close to an hour each way commute during rush hour, which forces me to wake up at 6AM and not get to train until 7PM so by the time I'm done training it's 10PM already and to get a full 8 hours of sleep I need to go straight to bed which isn't possible because I need to eat, do errands, shower, unwind, etc.

So basically my sleep has suffered tremendously, from the 8 hours a night I'd always make sure I got to a pitiful 5 hours a night MAX. So how do you guys do it? It's only been a week and I can already tell that my overall energy levels are way lower. I'm not willing to sacrifice training, so I've been sacrificing sleep instead which is very counter productive. Also, as you guys know, when you don't sleep enough you stay sore longer, which sucks.

So those of you who work full time and train, how do you do it? Do you just try to catch up on sleep on weekends? Are there supplements/vitamins/certain foods that I can eat to help counteract a lack of sleep? I'd love to hear some suggestions. Thanks!

Your body will get used to it over time. I work with 4-5 hours a day sometimes when I have things to do I just dont sleep till the following night. Sleeping is the easy part, getting up that is hard but I have my four year yell at me untill I get up. It works

I suck it up and kill myself all week and then on a day off sleep til training.

My hours and commute are very similar, and I have two kids. I miss most of my classes, at least the first 30 minutes - Monday and Wednesday. On Saturday, I go to various gyms that offer open mat for $10. Other than that I have a daily stretching regimen and practice technique

sleep whenever you can. and muscle pharm assault, mp verison of no xplode

jesus christ are you serious? I work 2am to 4pm train from 7-830pm stop crying and welcome to the real world

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Originally Posted by Dean Nowling

jesus christ are you serious? I work 2am to 4pm train from 7-830pm stop crying and welcome to the real world

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Shit what line of work are you in?? That's some crazy shit

Just keep training.
Your body will adapt to the abuse.
And as you get better you will learn to be more efficient; ie you will get less tired and beat up.

Who the hell gets 8 hours a sleep per night?


Proper diet, and dedication. In order to get something you want your going to have to make sacrifices, its part of the game.

Im a milkman, I got 5 kids, train 4 days a week and sleep about 4 hours a night. I use Gaspari products...

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Originally Posted by DarbyBarby

Shit what line of work are you in?? That's some crazy shit

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Also, think about what you are training for: health, knowledge, competition, ect. I am not training for competition, so if I don't have time to train one week, I don't fret. I just make sure I don't miss a stretching day.

You all gotta admit it still sucks though sometimes. But , ya gotta do what ya gotta do. I feel your pain brah. Keep chuggin.

Im just tryin to get good enough to supplement my income, then work part time. Then, if everything goes right, my gym. We'll see.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PR_rzF8ofw

i don't want to sound like a dick but i usually don't like rolling with people that head to the gym straight from work because....well....they reak of that work BO....make sure you at least axe your balls.

I work in an office setting, so I am in about the same shape at the end of the work day.

I work 13 h nights run a moon and try to keep in competition shape. Mr coffee is my friend. Yes you can run on very little sleep but not forever. About 5 years ago my Doc told me I was going to die and it was all from running in the red too long. My body failed. Made some changes but old habbits die hard, me too:)

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Originally Posted by lates85

i don't want to sound like a dick but i usually don't like rolling with people that head to the gym straight from work because....well....they reak of that work BO....make sure you at least axe your balls.

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I shower before training 100% of the time, I'm very considerate when it comes to that because I hate rolling with stinky people.

For those of you who are saying just suck it up, please understand that I'm not complaining and I know plenty of people have much worse schedules than myself. I'm simply asking for advice because this is the best place to go to get some friendly advice about improving my jiu jitsu training right? At least it's supposed to be the best place... lately people seem to love to jump down the throat of the thread starter if they find ANYTHING off about the post. Again, I'm not bitching because I'm comfortable ignoring the unproductive comments, but I do notice it's getting worse and I hope we don't continue down that path.

Anyway, thanks for the advice guys, keep it comin! :)

You jsut have to use your passion to keep moving thru... I work a 60 - 70 hour a week job, on call 24 hours a day, have a 19 mth old child, and travel 10 hours to train at my closest 10th planet school as much as i can, as much as i get tired it's the missing out on time with my wife and kid thats does me in... but in saying that i find it hard to have a night off.

it's all about the drive, if you truely love this game you'll justify everything you have to do to get where you need to go.

as for lack of sleep, i've got no real answers, your body does adjust, but only for so long, just be mindful of it, you'll no the difference between being tired and your body reacting negatively.

Matt, just saw your location Mt Gambier, thats where I was born, small world.

Anyway, yeah in regards to the sleep thing just think it takes time to adjust. I was always an afternoon gym guy then found there weren't enough hours in the day to get everything in so now I have a joyful alarm time of 4.50am and straight off to the gym before work.

Just takes sacrafice if it's what you really want and giving yourself time to adjust.

Eating clean, vitamins etc, play a huge part. You can get away not looking after yourself if you just doing the 9-5 job and thats it but put gym, bjj, walking your dogs and life shit on top of that and it takes routine, dedication and commitment.

I agree about people jumping on you about 'suck it up' and stuff to. It's not what you're looking for when all you did was ask for advice.

Give it a month or two IMO and it will get better. Still not going to be easy, but who wants easy really.

i also work an 8am to 5pm job, sometimes i have to stay late. The answer is yes, you catch up on sleep during the weekends.

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Originally Posted by Tim Bruhn

Matt, just saw your location Mt Gambier, thats where I was born, small world.

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No shit Definatly, well maybe a small country anyway. i've got a lot of mates that have moved over there...

Hey if your ever back in the mount drop me a line and call in to our local school for a roll. always looking for new people to train with etc.

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Originally Posted by Chris Herzog

Who the hell gets 8 hours a sleep per night?


Proper diet, and dedication. In order to get something you want your going to have to make sacrifices, its part of the game.

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Thanks Coach! Thanks to your help and Brandon and Tyler's hard work in establishing the Miami Hotbox I'm more dedicated to jiu jitsu now than i have ever been in my entire life! That's why I'm willing to make whatever sacrifices I need to to continue to train hard and compete well and learn and grow as a person and as an athlete.

Matt,
Make sure that you get a QUALITY sleep, even if it's 5 hours. Turn that thermostat down to 66 degrees, make sure you're showered up before bed, keep your room clutter free and tidy *yes, that affects the ability for your mind to relax.* I'm sure I don't think I have to mention how diet affects your energy levels, recovery speed, etc. So dude, no more freaking McDonald's/Fast food battered fried crap dunked in fat sauce/you know what I'm talking about. Get your anti-oxidants in. Yes, coffee is awesome. If a full time job is your only big hurdle, consider yourself lucky. Lots of us have kids, a wife, multiple girlfriends, a high maintenance goldfish or hamster, on top of a job and school. You're in a good spot brother. Make the most of it. I'm rooting for you the whole way.

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Originally Posted by bobby rivers

You all gotta admit it still sucks though sometimes. But , ya gotta do what ya gotta do. I feel your pain brah. Keep chuggin.

Im just tryin to get good enough to supplement my income, then work part time. Then, if everything goes right, my gym. We'll see.

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Brah? I thought only people from Hawaii say that. lol

I get alot of shit for it round here. Its contagious, got others sayin it too. Just feels right.. Nawmeen?

I work 10 hours a day, 6 days a week, Teach and train Jiu Jitsu and mma at the gym. Average about 5.5 hours if sleep. Eat clean and just wanna do it. I also squeeze in time for my wife and kids. Oh yeah... and I play video games like once a week :-P

I work at a Gym and personal train plus run a MMA brand I work around 55-60 hours a week , I train Gi Jiu Jitsu once a week with Gracie Barra, Then try to train the 10th planet system 2 times a week atleast. Also study the 10th planet system on my lunch break everyday and stretch as much as I can atleast 30 min a day. I've lost time to play video games or watch movies but I enjoy what I do.

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Originally Posted by Enrique "Kiko"

Matt,
Make sure that you get a QUALITY sleep, even if it's 5 hours. Turn that thermostat down to 66 degrees, make sure you're showered up before bed, keep your room clutter free and tidy *yes, that affects the ability for your mind to relax.* I'm sure I don't think I have to mention how diet affects your energy levels, recovery speed, etc. So dude, no more freaking McDonald's/Fast food battered fried crap dunked in fat sauce/you know what I'm talking about. Get your anti-oxidants in. Yes, coffee is awesome. If a full time job is your only big hurdle, consider yourself lucky. Lots of us have kids, a wife, multiple girlfriends, a high maintenance goldfish or hamster, on top of a job and school. You're in a good spot brother. Make the most of it. I'm rooting for you the whole way.

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+1 You Sir are quite enlightened. I couldn't agree more good luck man. Just find your balance. Hakuna matata
and whatnot.