I've been extremely tired around 3 pm and having to nap...??

You might be getting too much sleep. Typical sleep should be 6-8 hours and you are getting 11. Also, depending on what you eat when, you could have a drop in your blood sugar around that time.

Avoid being in situations where you are liable to fall asleep around 3pm. And avoid doing activities other than sleep, like reading or tv watching, in bed. Use your alarm clock and get up at 6 am instead.

Good luck!

Are you getting too much sleep? I know that sounds crazy, and I don't know you, but I know with my kids, sleep begets sleep. The more they sleep, the more they want to sleep. Also, are you getting enough protein? If you crash around 3pm everyday, I would try drinking 8 to 16 oz of water and having a high protein snack around 2:45pm. Something like an apple with peanut butter or cheese with a small piece of fruit. Hope that helps!
Nan

I've had this problem too. Do you take a multivitamin? I figured out that if I would take half of it in the morning with breakfast and the other half about 2 pm I wouldn't get so tired. I think it might have to do with iron, so if your not getting enough in you diet the vitamin may help.

Well, I checked out your food diary, and I'm not sure how accurately you track, but most of the entries I saw, you were averaging around 1000 net calories. I've had this "sleepiness" trouble before and especially in the afternoon when I hadn't eaten enough that day. Try upping your calories during the day a bit and you might be surprised by the boost of energy. also it'll give you the energy to work out too!

so first's I'd have to echo Channing's words, you're diary is all over the place, if it's accurate, I'd say put a better effort into consistency.
When I looked at the diary, it's a up one day, down the next, up the next...etc. really you want to try to stay within 100 calories either way of your goal, you do that and you'll be better able to judge whether it's an energy thing.

If you do make this modefication, and you still have this issue, you should examine 2 things (IMHO). 1st whether you're giving yourself enough calories, and 2nd are you having a good complex carb at lunch. if it's the first, well that's easy to fix, if it's the second, just eat something with some complex carbs in it around 12:30 or 1:00 and you should perk right up!

remember, energy depletion can be a sign of too few calories!

You might want to ask your doctor. I was having this problem and she took some blood which revealed a Vitamin D deficiency. After treating that, I have more energy than I've had in years. It could be your thyroid or you could be anemic. I think a physical might be in order here.

As a thyroid disorder patient, when I read your post I immediately thought of a thyroid problem. It could be anything, or it could be something. I say print your food diary and visit your doctor. It is better to be safe than sorry as a thyroid disorder can wreak havoc with your body.

I've been going through the same thing, but found out that I have sub-optimal adrenal glands. Research that a little to see if you have the other symptoms. There are other symptoms related to this, but you may find it helpful. It's not you, it could be a gland problem which is totally repairable, not a disease. Look up Adrenal Fatigue.

Just to echo Channing and Sheboss, I felt that way when I was severely undereating. My calories should be 1800 just to lie around comatose, and I was eating 600-1200 on average. I was SO tired after I ate, as well as every afternoon that I'd sneak catnaps in the bathroom for 3 minutes (sitting on the commode!). It's a horrible way to feel. Since I've increased my calories, I do not feel this way during the day. Ever. I actually enjoy my afternoons and early evenings (used to be so desparate for a nap it's all I could think about).

One other thing...I stopped eating almost all processed foods. No white bread, HFCS additives, or artificial flavorings/sweeteners anymore. The fiber and nutrients in whole foods helps keep my blood sugar/insulin levels even.