nap or exercise?

[ithappened]

Does anyone know or have read much about which is more beneficial for weight loss/well being if you are occasionally sleep deprived, working out or taking a nap?

On the days you aren't getting much sleep at night (eg less then 3-4 hours), does it help more for weight loss to workout or to nap if you only have time for one thing..?

I read that lack of sleep can cause hormones (or something) to cause you to eat more or retain/store fat faster.. but I wondered if exercising on top of exhaustion was beneficial.. ?

not sure if this makes sense, I need a nap

[funkymamajoy]

I'm not sure about the weight loss connection, but if I'm exhausted I'm more likely to get injured. So I nap.

[malayasmommy]

I work as a Wellness Coach (background is psychology but a lot of training in nutrition, exercise, etc.), and I know that the research shows that when you lose sleep in order to exercise and end up being even more sleep deprived...the damage you do to your body by being sleep deprived cancels out the benefits of exercise. That being said, I have a 2-year-old who still sometimes keeps me up a lot and often I will feel better after a brisk 20 min. walk. So maybe setting low expectations for yourself and making it something somewhat enjoyable to you (a nice spring-weather walk) as opposed to a vigorous workout would be helpful. Good luck! It's tough when they're so little! I didn't get back into exercise until 4-5 months after my little girl was born!