So I'm kind of in a bad, binging space right now. But I recently had a lightbulb moment and could really lose some advice.
So I have known for about 10 years (since college) that I have ADHD. I have never taken medication for it, and instead managed with LOTS of exercise, being a gifted student, and allowing the pressure of deadlines to crank me into gear (led to a lot of good grades and all-nighters in HS and college). I would really rather stay away from medication for a variety of reasons, but also now in my adult life, I actually have a decent handle on things with routines and coffee as a morning stimulant when I need to focus the most.
Anyways, on with my lightbulb. So I have been doing the challenge, and the first few weeks went FANTASTIC. I was losing the weight on schedule (I have about 25 lbs total to lose) and I was feeling great.
Then a few weeks ago, I had family in town and I didn't track as closely. I thought I was still doing fine-- I generally track intermittently (my longest streak was 4 or 5 days of recording everything in MFP-- thanks ADHD!). My only real change was that I had a small container of honey that I had gotten for the guests' breakfasts. After they left, I was adding this honey to my plain greek yogurt, etc. Yes, I was eating too much of it-- but I typically eat around a 350 cal deficit of 1200. I figured that the worst that might have happened was I was eating at maintenance. But instead, I gained 3 lbs. Clearly either a) I was eating more than I realized, which gives me a sense of despair that I will ever be able to manage good eating habits without MFP and given that I can't seem to stick with tracking EVERYTHING, I feel myself losing hope or b) my body reacts weirdly to sugar, which since I like it so much, also makes me despair....
I tried to keep up my motivation, but it just went sprawling. Every craving for sugar and carbs has come roaring back and the candied nuts, chocolate, and GF granola in the house has taken a serious hit. There is not a doubt in my mind that I have gained everything back at this point, and I got really depressed.
Then I was doing some reading on ADHD and I realized that ADHD has actually been shown to make it more difficult to lose weight because a) we have trouble sticking with things (hence my trouble with MFP) and b) our dopamine deficiency enhances our cravings for sugar and carbs. It was a total HOLY CRAP moment for me when I realized that my 'lack of willpower' actually aligned perfectly with even more ADHD symptoms.
I tried researching some tips for ADHD last night and the best I found was eating small meals to maintain stimulation for the brain. Ummm, that didn't work today. My one small bowl of granola turned into 3.
SO! Is there anyone else out there with ADHD who can supply some weight loss tips?
Also-- anyone with experience with ADHD-- how do I separate out what is me really just not trying hard enough vs. what is actually the ADHD?
Please be kind, I hope this didn't sound too much like I am trying to pass off responsibility. IRL, I actually rarely blame anything on ADHD, I am just trying to figure out a way to take better care of my body while also working with my body, if that makes sense.
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