naps and eating

i don't know if anyone else has this problem, but it seems like everytime i take a nap, i wake up and just start binging. it doesn't happen in the mornings after a full night's rest, but usually in the afternoon or evenings, even if i've eaten a short while ago. today it happened and i've eaten sooooo much :(. yuck. i really need to work out now. i feel so lousy.

I know some people think naps are healthy. Personally I disagree. To me, the need for a nap is a sign that sleep deprivation has occurred.

How much sleep do you get each night?

i usually get at least 6 hours, but lately i've been getting more. i just very tired all the time and have a lack of energy. i basically just want to eat and sleep. i have to actually force myself to do stuff.  

I would go to the doctor. Something about that doesn't seem right.

Feeling the need to sleep all the time can be a symptom of depression.  When I was battling depression it sometimes took every bit of strength in my soul to get out of bed in the morning.  I also found comfort in food.  ...not a good combination.

Exercise is supposed to help elevate your mood, but that didn't always work for me.  You may also not be getting good, restorative sleep.  Stress can cause sleep disturbances, so even though you're logging around 6 hours, your body may not be getting the full REM sleep that it needs.

I have a tendency towards insomnia, but have found that I'm getting better sleep and requiring fewer naps now that I'm doing yoga.  I've been recommending yoga to anyone who will listen because it's done wonders to help my moods and I can sleep without popping Ambien.  :)

I have noticed that when I am tired I tend to get more "munchies". If I happen to take a nap, I usually wake up a little groggy and tired feeling. So, possibly that is what you are experiencing. Also, you may not be getting enough sleep at night. I know I need at least 8 hours to operate at my optimal level.

Yeah, I second the depression possibility.  Chronic fatigue and wanting to eat/sleep all the time are sure warning signals.  Been there myself, exactly like that.  It's also true that maybe you aren't getting enough sleep for you, that your sleep needs have changed and you might now need more than what you're accustomed to (happened to me), or that you aren't getting truly restorative sleep.  A sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea, might also be the culprit.  Overweight people seem to be more prone to this disorder, and it can be affected by your degree of being overweight and your body type (i.e., where you carry your extra weight and just your upper body anatomy in general).  Daytime sleepiness is ONE sign of sleep apnea.  On the other hand, so is just garden-variety not getting enough sleep at night! 

Drinking too much caffeine close to bedtime also might do it.  Please don't misunderstand me when I say "caffeine."  I'm not trying to minimize your problem.  It might be this or it might not.  Some people are seriously affected by caffeine close to sleeptime.  I, myself, am not.  I can drink a pot of strong black coffee and go right off to a restful sleep!   Infuriates my husband, who is a terrible sleeper (read:  jealous.  Hehe).  In any case, it sounds like it would be a great idea for you to see a doctor and explain ALL your recent symptoms and tendencies and the problems you are experiencing, which don't sound normal, and certainly sound as though they may become counterproductive to your goals and infringe upon your quality of life.  It might help you out a lot and certainly couldn't hurt anything.  Good luck!

I do that too. It's annoying, but I'm over it. If I wake up hungry I drink some green tea, and then chew some really minty gum.

I am a napper too! I always wake up hungry too.  I try to drink some tea and move around. I used to get up and munch, probably that is one reason I got so darn fat!

I always feel blech after I take a nap; not that I want to eat more but like I feel overstuffed, even if I didn't. I eat 5-6 small meals a day and, unless I nap just before my next meal, I can't do it.

saaaaaaame freakin here it SUCKS! like ill be totally fine and not hungry when i go to sleep for my nap then when i wake up idont wake up hungry like for real food,just for snacks and i eat soo much. so now i just dont nap