What's More Important - Sleep or Exercise?

[Cassaba]

I am an early morning exerciser. However, lately I've been so tired that it has been hard for me to get up to exercise. Assuming that I can't exercise after work, is it better for me (and my baby) to get the extra sleep, or to get up and get the exercise in?

[momasana]

It is always best to listen to your body and if you are tired you should sleep. I have found that during pregnancy if I skimp on sleep to exercise I will just feel 10x more tired later in the day. (As opposed to non-pregnancy when it helps perk you up and have more energy during the day)

On the days that you sleep in the morning can you get little spots of exercise in throughout the day?

[fruitfulmomma]

[aikigypsy]

Exercise can help some people sleep better, so for many it's not an either-or question. For myself, I pick sleep first, but try to fit in some exercise a couple of times a week even if I'm feeling sluggish. So, I'd say to cut back on the exercise in order to sleep more, but don't let it slide down to nothing at all.

[lillymonster]

sleep. You can't function without sleep.

[JessieBird]

Sleep, no doubt about it.

Find other ways to work exercise into your day, like by taking the stairs instead of elevator whenever possible. Little things like that will add up and make you feel like you're not slacking.

[gradstudentmommy]

I think when we're pregnant we really need the extra sleep.

[Just1More]

Sleep!

I used to try to push through and do what I needed to do each day, and sleep when I could. Finally, I realized that if I would just sleep, then everything was easier, and there was a lot less "pushing through" involved.

If you sleep when you really need to, you may have to take a short break from exercising, but I think you'll find you'll have plenty of energy to do what you need to do and can maybe work in a bit here and there throughout the day.