Hungry when tired?

mamakira

Hi, I am a mom of four and relatively new to this site here.
I noticed that when I am overtired which I sometimes happen to be during the weeks I get so hungry that it is hard for me to keep with my calories.
When I got enough rest instead it is way easier.
I know, I should sleep more then. But that is hardly possible.

Has anyone any suggestions? Other moms with a bunch of kids who have the same problem?

bridgie101

My sister always demanded every child in the house lie down from 1 till 3pm. No matter what. Even if they were nine years old - if they were home at that time, eg for school hols, they could go lie on their bed and read. And she would get a nap.

I used to find that even though I would seem to wake more groggy and exhausted than when I had lain down, after a cup of tea and a cracker with cheese I'd be starting to function again, and function way better than if I hadn't had that rest.

Are you able to bully them all into submission? Lock them in their beds somehow? Gain that chance to lie down and rest at all? It's really the only answer I can think of, sorry.

peachNpunkin

If your children are old enough, give them responsibilities to do around the house. Have one help set the table and do the dishes after meals. Have one help with laundry. Little things like that. And don't over activity them to the point where you can't rest yourself. Also, give them a set bedtime, so that you too can get to bed at a decent time. Or do like the person above suggested. Make them go to their room and nap or read for a couple of hours so you can have some me time and maybe get a nap yourself.

Too cut your fruits and veggies so that you can snack on them throughout the day. Put them in baggies and throw them in your tote to take them with you if you have to run errands. That way you have your snacks with you and you can eat them at your pace when you are hungry. And make sure you are eating enough calories to sustain your activity.

aalpass

Just stumbled across this outdated post but I'm seeking tips and advice! I have times of binge eating/over eating. It generally happens at night and I know I'm not hungry when this occurs. I thought it was loneliness.. then i thought it was reward.. now i've pinpointed that it's tiredness! I crave sugar when I'm tired. I already go to bed at 8, and usually try and get between 10-12hrs a night. I drink ample water and my doctor has given me the all clear with all the tests, except for a mild case of PCOS, and thinking I'm a high functioning chronic fatigue (which I'm not). I'm a single mum, work and study, and excercise doesn't pep me up, infact it exhausts me further - but i persist. My food diary isn't looking too crash hot due to birthday parties and functions the last few weeks, but even when doing a calorie controlled lite and easy still experienced this tired + craving sugar. Any recommendations would be super!

cjh022

I am not a parent by any means but between college finals and working out early in the mornings i get pretty exhausted some days. Have you tried taking a vitamin B pill? I take one every morning before I workout and i have found that i actually have more energy through the whole day. And they're cheap! Maybe if you are more tired at night you could take it later in the day like lunch time? Pretty random suggestion but unless I am beyond exhaustion I find naps only make me more tired, plus they take time away from an already busy day! Also, I have heard oversleeping too much can cause tiredness, stay up later for a night or two and see if it helps? Just trying to throw ideas out there good luck!

wackyfunster

It's not your imagination, that is a normal biological response. My advice: reduce caloric density of foods so you can eat more quantity-wise (lean turkey, rice, pasta with low-calorie sauce, quinoa, etc. are all great, along with non-starchy veggies. You can eat literally POUNDS of that stuff and still be under whatever target you are shooting for), try to eat 1-2 HUGE meals per day, and count your calories and make sure to stick to your targets. It is OK to feel "hungry" (I think most people don't know what it actually feels like to be hungry... you don't get real feeling of biological hunger until at least around 24 hours without food... most people equate the hormonal cues of entrained eating schedules as biological hunger rather than psychological hunger).

Just my 2c.

eandrsmom

Story of my life!!! That is, in a nutshell, how I ended up here. 5 kids + 3 hours of sleep per night = 60 extra pounds in my world. I have good news and bad news. Good news? Sleep will end the cravings. Bad news? It took until my youngest was in kindergarten to finally start getting some. My advice is to find a way to let go of the things that you "must" do at 3am. They will still be there tomorrow. So you don't change all the sheets every week or mop the kitchen floor every three days. And the laundry will never be caught up, so it's okay to always have a few loads left. My nutritionist said the single biggest factor hindering my weight loss was my lack of sleep. I started sleeping at least 6 hours a night, and it has been smooth sailing since. Hang in there, good luck and love on them before they get too big to want hugs, kisses and cuddles!