Hello! Day One Done - anyone want to join me?

[SharkSkinThing]

Just wanted to say hello and see if any other new starters wanted to buddy up for support and advice?

I've got 3 - 4 stone to lose, all gained AFTER having my DS who is now - god help me - 5. All down to long-term sleep deprivation and sugar reliance, and forming terrible habits. And wine to help me cope with the sleep deprivation,

Anyway, hoping to finally turn things around now that he's finally sleeping (sometimes until 5.30am!). Would love to chat to others who are finding that this WOE works for them.

xx

pretty happy about the diagnosis
I bet, it must give you a sense of closure and hope of moving forward.
I was dignosed with dyslexia when very young and knowing I had a condition made me work harder at conquering my difficulties rather than feeling stupid and incompetent. Dd (also dyslexic) and ds (multiple SENs) feel the same.
(As an adult my only problem is a very poor short-term memory, which can be frustrating and embarrassing at times. Forgetting what you were going to say mid-sentence can be quite challenging. )

I've been really struggling lately. [hug]

How has it been affecting you?
Have you been offered support?

It must be quite overwhelming as an adult with a growing family, work and extra responsibilties.

It's odd being diagnosed with what is considered, not just a kid's issue, but primarily a boy's issue (especially in the 80's and 90's when they didn't think girls could have ADHD), at 35, after decades of coping and struggling and always thinking it was something else (depression, bi polar, anxiety, eating disorders, low self esteem, etc).

I'm not sure how much I've said about my past on this thread, but I've struggled with anorexia, binge eating, suicidal thoughts and attempted suicide. And now, looking back it's like "Oh, that's why!" and it makes me a bit angry that no one ever said "Oh perhaps her over active imagination and her inability to pay attention might be XYZ" when I was much younger.

On the other hand, I'm amazed I've done so well academically and in my job to this point. It's really just the juggling work, my Master's, my children and my DH that my coping mechanisms started to crack. DH and the kids don't accept my acknowledging them and saying yes, and then trying to figure out later what they were trying to tell me, among other things.

The only thing at the moment is that I wish I could talk to my parents about it, but that won't happen because they don't talk about "mental health issues" which is probably another reason I wasn't diagnosed earlier.

You've really gone through the mill. [hug]

Yes, you have done wonderfully in juggling everything, including your master, especially with your dh not being able to help as much with the children at the moment.

I understand your anger at the lack of an earlier diagnosis due to the amount of hoops I had to jump through to get a diagnosis for ds but I also understand the reluctance your parents would have had in seeking help. A diagnosis for ds didn't bring any help but rather the opposite: he became a label.
After almost 3 yrs of seeking help for the multiple SENs, we gave up asking and started researching everything from scratch. I had very little interest in neurology then. I discovered how chemical imbalances, especially in the dopamine pathway, affect the audiovestibular system. These chemical imbalances are shared by dyslexia, ASD, ADHD, eating disorders, depression, bipolar and schizophrenia.
Until I met Ian Jordan -who is a behavioural optometrist who works with SENs children (in particular dyslexic, autistic and ADHD)- I had little hope for ds. His free book is an eye (!) opener.

Further research took me to the Paleo/Primal diet and, further still down the line, I discovered dr Perlmutter. I'm now really curious to read his latest book Brain Maker.
The following video is really interesting: it explains how gut flora affects our brain and weight. (the first ~5mins are a bit slow but it really speeds up with lots to learn!)

And himself.

I must be the only person in the world to go on ADHD medication and gain weight. Up 4lbs!

The weight will be temporary. You are just adjusting to the medication. In the first video, Prof Cardin explains how the brain and gut are interrelated (brain-gut axis) and he also shows the effect of medications upon the gut flora. Are you, at least, getting relief with the medication?

It's a bit up and down because we slowly have to put up the dosage until we get the right amount. The one I'm on right now is to low. I can feel it help for a couple of hours but then it just gets replaced with a headache. But the psych wants me to stick to this dose for a month

Ouch! Unfortunately, you have to wade gently with medication. At least you are beginning to see a glimmer of what it would be like when you find the right dose. (((hug)))

Headache?! It just occurred to me that the medication (plus little food) might be lowering your electrolytes. Ask your doctor is drinking water with with some sea salt might help relive your symptoms (like it does in low carb). [fingers crossed]

I'll try that Favadi, I've been drinking tons more water then usual (and I already drink a lot) and I was thinking since I've lost my appetite I might get some hard candies to suck on, that way I'm getting at least a little sugar boost during the day. I would take a panadol but I hate taking pills ;P

Sugar?! Shudder!

You certainly need to get some energy, it sounds liquids might be the way to go.

Some ideas:

Broth with/without blended meat in it. Maybe with some gelatine in it. Or even blended veg.

Non-set yogurt or milk kefir.

Juices and smoothies. Joe Cross has some lovely recipes

:)

I'm eating blueberries today. :)

I hope everyone is doing well. :)

I had a good start to the week with ~1lb down.

I also rediscovered my love for seaweeds. I generally add them to a soup -especially a thai style- but today I used kelp as noodles/spaghetti and it really lends itself to multiple sauces. I just ordered some more (fresh and dried): can't wait!

I love seaweed. When I lived in Korea dry roasted seaweed was served as a snack with beer. Much better then peanuts!

Ds and I regularly snack on seaweed. I miss beer
Yesterday, I fried them in coconut oil and then added a curry.

You'll have to give us some Korean recipes. Please! :)

Another almost 2lbs off, it's clearly my week!

I've been doing a little experiment, after listening to an entire ( ) conference on the gut microbiota and in particular Prof Antonio Gasbarrini, a gastroentorologist.

Apperently, our first meal dictates what our gut microbiota will choose to absorb -second meal effect. If the microbiota feels is not fed, it will choose to absorb every calorie in the following meals; if it feels fed (i.e. high fibre, good fats and some proteins), it will absorb only the nutrients it requires.
I generally eat ~1kg of veg/day but distributed throughout the day/meals; the last few days I tried to have 500g+ in my first meal with a mix of fats and the usual protein...Only time will tell!
I've also added kefir and I'm fermenting my first batch of Sourkraut. is an interview with Dr Perlmutter in which he suggests fermented food as an aid to our gut.

LOL I was 23 and the most I could cook was pasta with jarred tomato sauce, so no Korean recipes from me!

Shame!

I had hoped to get an insight into an authentic Korean dish. I'll have to continue to rely on Rick Stein. :)

Any ideas on a healthy green smoothie for lunch Favadi? I've no appetite at lunch but I'm thirsty all the time so I'm hoping to get a nutrient/protein boost....

I know zilch, nada, zero about smoothies, other than my mother used to give me a V8 as a treat!
I found these for you, to any of those you could add coconut milk, nuts, cheese...I might try one myself to hide the taste of the kefir! :)

Thanks :)

hello, sorry I've been incommunicdo for a while. I've had a couple of frantic weeks at work, and haven't really been on MN at all. How is everyone?

I have been a bit lax about the low carbing, more lower carb than completely low carb. But back on track this week I think. My weight is now down to 11-7 which is the lowest I've been for a few years, so I'm pleased with that. However, I really need it to go down to under 11. Seeing a reading on the scales starting with a 10 would be bliss! I'm aiming at 10 - 4 as a realistic sustainable weight, so just over a stone to go.

This weekend coming is going to be challenging as we are going to the inlaws, which means a 5 hour drive - usually stopping off at a village we know half way, buying rolls in their bakery and doing a 20 minute walk to break up the tedium of the journey. I will have to take a salad with me, not sure about the journey home again. Dinner whilst we are at the in-laws is always at the local pub, think scampi, lasagne etc. Can't remember if the pub does steak but that will be the default option, with salad not chips! And I need copious amounts of wine to cope with MiL!!!

Well done on achieve your lowest weight in years.

On long journeys, I tend to stop at a supermarket to buy lunch and then we eat it in a nice park, before stretching our legs.
Steak sounds yummy, if the pub doesn't have it, it might have a roast on offer. Fingers crossed with MIL! :)