Wall of text - beware -

duhblond

I checked and it is not available for Kindle but is listed on Amazon.

I bookmarked the page Thank you for the reading suggestion and looking into it for me I will check it out soon as possible

I agree with a few of the previous posters - it sounds like you have an incredibly busy schedule looking after your son.
If it was me, I think I would just accept that at this point, focussing on weight loss might not be a high priority.

Cooking and eating healthy food (for everyone in the family) and doing some regular exercise is going to be good for your general health and your mental health even if you don't see the scales changing. It will be a valuable lesson for your kids too, that they need to look after their bodies, especially for your daughter. This might be a better goal to set yourself at this point, than a particular number on the scale.

Is there any kind of exercise (walking, playing in the park or the garden) that you can do with your kids? I know that probably depends on your son, but if you can it might be great for all of you.

Or is there any kind of activity that he can do (therapeutic exercise class maybe?) that will give you an hour or so to go for a walk or to sit and have a coffee (or catnap!). I know it's easy for me to say, but you have to look after yourself to be able to look after your kids.

Good luck!

I do cook healthy and as much as possible try and incorporate the family in fun energy burning games and such - I do not log them as exercise as they are just a part of life lol My son is not able to be involved in most of these activities so I'm usually just carrying him on my hip or back, but I try and have my daughter help me garden, I chase after her when she goes bike riding, run around with her at the park, play wii games that require movement, go swimming and walk all over amusement parks so I'm confident that as much as I can, I keep my family active
I'm sure there is always more I could do, but I'm trying not to overextend myself

As for my son with the compromised immune his therapy all takes place in my home so I'm usually involved in those sessions.

My workout time in around his schedule but I do make sure to get that in on a daily basis - and free time if he is in my lap or playing in the bath is usually found on the computer or reading

Thank you your suggestions are appreciated

kateblue72

Wow, you are a woman to admire! Perhaps you should consider giving yourself a 'break' on the weight. Focus on the exercise 'just' to be healthy Keep up with lots of water, and if you want, perhaps consider Low GI - keeping suger levels to a minimum as it also tends ot even out your cravings, and energizes you through the day. Take care and good luck:flowerforyou:

duhblond

Wow, you are a woman to admire! Perhaps you should consider giving yourself a 'break' on the weight. Focus on the exercise 'just' to be healthy Keep up with lots of water, and if you want, perhaps consider Low GI - keeping suger levels to a minimum as it also tends ot even out your cravings, and energizes you through the day. Take care and good luck:flowerforyou:

You are very kind, thank you.
I hate to sound ignorant but does GL stand for glucose?
I will for sure try and lower my sugar intake.
Thank you for the input

sammielealea

Like all other posters, I truly admire how strong of a woman you are. Just a suggestion for yourself . . . Not sure how you feel about supplementing yourself with any additional vitamins, but I take B100 complex. "Recommended use: helps reduce stress levels, helps the body to metabolize proteins, fat and carbohydrates, contributing to enhanced energy production." I find it aids in my energy levels quite a bit, and I'm sure there are many other health benefits. Perhaps it's worth speaking to your Dr about adding this, or any other vitamin supplements?
Best wishes to you and your family.

duhblond

Like all other posters, I truly admire how strong of a woman you are. Just a suggestion for yourself . . . Not sure how you feel about supplementing yourself with any additional vitamins, but I take B100 complex. "Recommended use: helps reduce stress levels, helps the body to metabolize proteins, fat and carbohydrates, contributing to enhanced energy production." I find it aids in my energy levels quite a bit, and I'm sure there are many other health benefits. Perhaps it's worth speaking to your Dr about adding this, or any other vitamin supplements?
Best wishes to you and your family.

Thank you very much for your kindness.
I'm not against taking vitamins (currently I'm only taking a multi vitamin) so I will be sure to talk to my primary about adding something like that. Thank you for the suggestion, Much appreciated

duhblond

bump

wackyfunster

Have you had your thyroid hormone levels checked? I wouldn't be surprised if between the sleep deprivation, stress, and loads of cardio it sounds like you have done, your T3 levels are low.

My advice: ditch the cardio for now. Do 3 days/week heavy resistance training, around 1 hr/day. Take a day off after each training day. Caloric intake looks fine, but protein should be 1g/pound lean body mass, or 1.5g if you are doing resistance training. Drink lots of low/no-cal fluids. Look into intermittent fasting... I personally am a huge fan, and have had people who have not seen results with anything else get great results with it... might be good with your lifestyle as well. Not having to eat for 16 hrs/day frees up a lot of time. There is a group here with a lot more info on that topic. Make sure you're taking a multivitamin, and getting enough vitamin D (2000IU/day is a good dose... make sure you get AT LEAST the RDA, which is 600).

One thing to be conscious of, because stress/sleep deprivation, even when you DO start losing body fat, it is likely to be obfuscated for periods of time (weeks maybe) due to water retention. That is normal when on a caloric deficit, and sleep dep and stress both exacerbate the problem. Sounds like you can still have a decent idea of progress, as you are using multiple ways of tracking your weight loss, which is awesome.

I hope that this is helpful to you. Sounds like you have the drive, and just need to find a regimen that works for you! You can do it!

duhblond

Have you had your thyroid hormone levels checked? I wouldn't be surprised if between the sleep deprivation, stress, and loads of cardio it sounds like you have done, your T3 levels are low.

My advice: ditch the cardio for now. Do 3 days/week heavy resistance training, around 1 hr/day. Take a day off after each training day. Caloric intake looks fine, but protein should be 1g/pound lean body mass, or 1.5g if you are doing resistance training. Drink lots of low/no-cal fluids. Look into intermittent fasting... I personally am a huge fan, and have had people who have not seen results with anything else get great results with it... might be good with your lifestyle as well. Not having to eat for 16 hrs/day frees up a lot of time. There is a group here with a lot more info on that topic. Make sure you're taking a multivitamin, and getting enough vitamin D (2000IU/day is a good dose... make sure you get AT LEAST the RDA, which is 600).

One thing to be conscious of, because stress/sleep deprivation, even when you DO start losing body fat, it is likely to be obfuscated for periods of time (weeks maybe) due to water retention. That is normal when on a caloric deficit, and sleep dep and stress both exacerbate the problem. Sounds like you can still have a decent idea of progress, as you are using multiple ways of tracking your weight loss, which is awesome.

I hope that this is helpful to you. Sounds like you have the drive, and just need to find a regimen that works for you! You can do it!

Thank you for responding.
I get a yearly physical just to be aware of my health - my thyroid levels are perfect - Internally I'm in great shape lol
I will look into the ideas you have recommended. Some of them I have tried others are new to me.
Thank you for your encouragement and for taking the time to reply

JoniRiaya

I don't have any other great ideas than those already given but I have to tell you that you have inspired me today. You are an amazing and courageous woman and your family is so blessed to have you. I pray that you will find something that works and you are able to reach a weight you are comfortable with. I wish you all the best.

duhblond

I don't have any other great ideas than those already given but I have to tell you that you have inspired me today. You are an amazing and courageous woman and your family is so blessed to have you. I pray that you will find something that works and you are able to reach a weight you are comfortable with. I wish you all the best.

Thank you....So very much

Pocket_Pixi

Stop trying... you have so much going on in your life with your child(ren) and stress etc. Worrying about calories burned and calories eaten are important but if you focus to much on them you will start stressing with out even realizing.

I have been at this for 2 years and to be quite honest, I didn't loose a single pound until I just stopped thinking to much about it. I still watch what I eat, I still weigh and measure everything but if I don't work out one day its no big deal, if I don't burn as many calories in a work out w/e its no big deal... and guess what started happening? I started losing weight, and am still losing.

duhblond

Stop trying... you have so much going on in your life with your child(ren) and stress etc. Worrying about calories burned and calories eaten are important but if you focus to much on them you will start stressing with out even realizing.

I have been at this for 2 years and to be quite honest, I didn't loose a single pound until I just stopped thinking to much about it. I still watch what I eat, I still weigh and measure everything but if I don't work out one day its no big deal, if I don't burn as many calories in a work out w/e its no big deal... and guess what started happening? I started losing weight, and am still losing.

Congrats on your weight loss.
Thank you for your input.

happyfeetrebel1

GI stands for Glycemic Index...you can look it up on Google and learn tons about it

I have a daughter with Aspbergers ( a form of Autism) and a bunch of other disorders. Since the age of 3, she hasn't needed more than 3 hours of sleep, and by age 5, it was killing us. We felt lousy and were impatient/angry and unproductive. I know many, many people don't agree with medications, but we decided to put her on Trazodone for sleeping. It was literally our best move ever. She takes it at 8 pm and gets up around 6 am. She sleeps SOLIDLY thru the night now..and we are no longer so sleep deprived we are walking zombies.

It's a choice you have to make, many don't agree with it. For our family, it was a lifesaver

I wish you the very best of luck!!

pedraz

Just curious--sounds like you've tried everything except what your doctor and JC recommended. Why so resistant to their advice/assessment?

Not that I'm resistant, it just is not an option, I have severely handicapped child and one of the situations that occurs with his medical conditions is an inability to sleep so he will go 50+ hours or so without sleep - and as he is self harming, I have no choice other than to stay up with him.... and that happens a few times a month.
My only "choice" would be to institutionalize him, and I do not consider that a choice at all...

Okay, I can't believe I'm even starting this reply, but here goes.

I recently put my father (severe Alzheimer's) into a memory care facility. It was the hardest decision I ever made and I agonized over it for YEARS. Finally I really "heard" the adage that it's always harder for the care-giver than the cared-for to accept that "institutionalized" care can actually be better for the PATIENT, never mind how it affects the the care-giver. Placing my dad in a facility was, flat out, the best decision I have ever made. He is happy, loved and beautifully well cared for. And I get to sleep at night.

I am NOT saying that your son is anything like my father. I'm not saying that an institution is the best place for your boy. But I am saying that you owe to yourself AND TO YOUR SON to carefully consider whether an unhappy, unhealthy, stressed, sleep-deprived mother is the best care-giver for him.

Of course I'm sure you're mostly NOT that way, but still. It's worth looking at and thinking about. Just because you love him more than anyone else ever could, doesn't mean that others couldn't care for him equally well, while allowing you to care for yourself and be all the more "there" for him when it really matters.

Again, I am surprised at myself for posting this. Please accept it with the love it was sent with, and toss it away if it is inappropriate to your situation. I wish you all the best and applaud the incredibly brave choices you've made for your precious son.

Wow! This hit my heart. Brave, brave answer this! And especially heartfelt the last bit.

duhblond

GI stands for Glycemic Index...you can look it up on Google and learn tons about it

I have a daughter with Aspbergers ( a form of Autism) and a bunch of other disorders. Since the age of 3, she hasn't needed more than 3 hours of sleep, and by age 5, it was killing us. We felt lousy and were impatient/angry and unproductive. I know many, many people don't agree with medications, but we decided to put her on Trazodone for sleeping. It was literally our best move ever. She takes it at 8 pm and gets up around 6 am. She sleeps SOLIDLY thru the night now..and we are no longer so sleep deprived we are walking zombies.

It's a choice you have to make, many don't agree with it. For our family, it was a lifesaver

I wish you the very best of luck!!

Thank you for your reply
I appreciate the answer of what GI is - I did not want to play the google guessing game for definitions
Everybody needs to do what is right for their own family - I'm so glad you found some relief.
At this point the doctors would not recommend a sleep aid for my son as he is on enough daily medication already and because with his particular conditions they do not think it would be effective.
Thank you again for your response, and I'm so glad you were able to find something to help out you and yours

bloodbank

It sounds like you have more on your plate than most people can imagine. You're doing a great job, mama. You truly are.

Did I read it right that you've been trying to lose weight for a few years without any success? If that's the case, even though your yearly physical & general bloodwork says everything is ok, I'd press my doctor to dig a bit deeper. It doesn't seem possible to me that you can be at a caloric deficit (extreme or modest) for that long, stress and lack of sleep aside, and not see any results without there being some other as-of-yet undiscovered factor.

That said, if there truly is nothing out of the ordinary... I'd try to just let it go. You're highly stressed and chronically under rested. I'd focus on eating nourishing, whole foods at a small deficit (maybe a 1/2 pound a week?), supplement whatever you might not be getting with a good multi-vitamin and some fish oil or whatever you might benefit from, and do 3 days/week of enjoyable cardio + 3 days/week heavy strength training with a full rest day (maybe your respite day would be a good choice?). You're not terribly overweight (199 at almost 5'10" is what, 25ish pounds to lose?) so I'd try to shift focus from "getting smaller" to just getting as healthy as possible in the nutrition and fitness areas. The weight really doesn't matter compared to a healthy mom and cared-for children.

nwlve1962

The first thing is to cut down or out your sugar intake and preservatives. I get very little sleep for the most part myself, however I'm down 128 lbs in the last year and a half. It is possible but I've been on 1200 calories. 45 grams of carbs per each meal and eat every 4 hours (never longer between meals). Get the most rest you can but even without that if you can cut out or limit sugars, gluten and as many preservatives as possible then hopefully it will work for you too (even with 37 hour days) Basically take a diabetic diet and go all natural with it. Good luck.

duhblond

It sounds like you have more on your plate than most people can imagine. You're doing a great job, mama. You truly are.

Did I read it right that you've been trying to lose weight for a few years without any success? If that's the case, even though your yearly physical & general bloodwork says everything is ok, I'd press my doctor to dig a bit deeper. It doesn't seem possible to me that you can be at a caloric deficit (extreme or modest) for that long, stress and lack of sleep aside, and not see any results without there being some other as-of-yet undiscovered factor.

That said, if there truly is nothing out of the ordinary... I'd try to just let it go. You're highly stressed and chronically under rested. I'd focus on eating nourishing, whole foods at a small deficit (maybe a 1/2 pound a week?), supplement whatever you might not be getting with a good multi-vitamin and some fish oil or whatever you might benefit from, and do 3 days/week of enjoyable cardio + 3 days/week heavy strength training with a full rest day (maybe your respite day would be a good choice?). You're not terribly overweight (199 at almost 5'10" is what, 25ish pounds to lose?) so I'd try to shift focus from "getting smaller" to just getting as healthy as possible in the nutrition and fitness areas. The weight really doesn't matter compared to a healthy mom and cared-for children.

Thank you so much for responding and your kind words.
Yeah I've been trying different methods for 5 or 6 years.
I've tried changing calories and different workout days - everything from 3 days a week to 144 times a week.
I've seen a few specialist and they all say the same thing about it being caused by lack of consistent sleep (or just sleep at all lol) and my high stress levels.
Internally I'm fit as fit can be - or so I'm told.
Thank you for the ideas and I'll talk to my physician again when I see her next.
My family is and has been my first priority and god willing it will always continue to be.
Thank you again

The first thing is to cut down or out your sugar intake and preservatives. I get very little sleep for the most part myself, however I'm down 128 lbs in the last year and a half. It is possible but I've been on 1200 calories. 45 grams of carbs per each meal and eat every 4 hours (never longer between meals). Get the most rest you can but even without that if you can cut out or limit sugars, gluten and as many preservatives as possible then hopefully it will work for you too (even with 37 hour days) Basically take a diabetic diet and go all natural with it. Good luck.

Congratulations on the weight loss - that is fantastic.
Sorry for the lack of sleep, I know how difficult that can be.
I will look into the ideas that you have mentioned - I've not tried a diabetic style diet because I've not wanted to give up fruit. the closest I got to that was the Jenny Craig where you are very limited on your fruit (like 4 whole strawberries for an entire day lol)
Thank you for taking the time to reply

Koorogi

Bump...

duhblond

Bump...

Thank you for the bump