Depressed mommy :(

I'm sorry to hear about the struggle you're going through. I was fired from my dream job and I gained so much weight from depression. I found the best way to get out of the funk is to create a routine and not let yourself sit with your thoughts too much. If you haven't gotten a job yet dedicate a few hours a day (maybe during school hours when you're not distracted) applying to jobs. Once that is done, do some things that make you happy or tidy up (cleaning burns calories too ). A suggestion someone mentioned earlier about taking walks with your son was a perfect idea. My mom did this with me when I was your son's age and it was some great memories and put me into a lifelong habit.

I can't begin to understand what life is like being a mother, so I'm going to skip over giving you any emotional advice and leave that to the more experienced And as others have said on here, it's not important what I think of your shape in a bikini, but what YOU think that matters.
So, since you do want to lose some weight, I'll just share with you some things that I got into, that has helped me go from 136 pounds, down to 114 pounds in the past year and a half or so.
I watched a film on nutrition called Forks Over Knives, and another called Planeat. Both of those films showed me how to live a lifestyle where the weight easily came off, without me having to do much more than do moderate exercise. Tons of people have had successful weight loss from what I'm doing, without having to change their exercise in the least. It's not a diet where you can't eat. You can actually eat as much as you want. And it works.
Try reading the books The Starch Solution by John McDougall, The McDougall Program for Maximum Weigh Loss and see if those help you There's also a book that goes with the movie Forks Over Knives, called, well, Forks Over Knives. It has 125 recipes in it that are pretty dang good.

I can only empathize with how you feel. My oldest son (Gene) was born with Cerebal Palsy. Watching him throughout the day can make me feel guilty for how easy I have it. He works harder to get dressed than I do all day, and yet there are so many areas that I have fallen short of. It was when Gene was about 7 that I came to the realization that if I could accept Gene for who he is and tell him his best was good enough: why couldn't I accept myself & let my best be good enough. Don't forget to breathe, & give yourself credit for what your doing. Beating myself up doesn't help Gene learn how to accept himself. But if instead I focus on doing my best, and being an example of showing up even when it's hard. Gene & I can talk through the things that come up in his life that are hard, & we can get through them together.

You look great! But please remember to give yourself a break. Life with handicap children is not for the weak of heart. It can be an emotionally & physically draining life. But he didn't pick just anyone, he picked you!

That which does not kill us makes us stronger. use what you are going through to motivate you to do better and also help others that will help you as well good luck and stay strong




“For me life is continuously being hungry. The meaning of life is not simply to exist, to survive, but to move ahead, to go up, to achieve, to conquer.” Arnold

Oh my gosh, he is so stinking cute! Now that I have said that, I can see where you are coming from. Not only do I have a 14 year old son with an anxiety disorder and developmental delays (no not nearly as severe as downs syndrome, but still very difficult), I also am a special education ed tech. I know how a child can be one way at school and a totally different child at home and how difficult that can be. It can be so overwhelming and exhausting taking care of him all of the time. It is ok to ask for help and take some "me" time. If your son is anything like the children I work with, I'm sure he is a bottle full of energy and would love for you to take him out for walks and join you in some "mommy and me" activities to keep you both active and moving. Feel free to add me as a friend if you would like. You can send me a message anytime even if it is to vent about a tough day and I will try to get back to you as soon as possible.

I think you look amazing so stop beating yourself up. Even though our children are our greatest joy they also are our greatest challenge. Being down once in a while is a given, but if it gets to be too much, you need to seek help. Please speak to your Dr. ASAP! You need to be there for your little guy. God Bless.

Hi this is so strange I was feeling very depressed myself about my weight and I myself am not working right now either. I know it must be a challenge to take care of a baby with DS but I think you are a very brave mommy and I know God will get you out of your hole just exercise and try to help yourself a little, its true about the endorphins. I struggle with depression a lot and I am a mommy of 3 and life just seems dark at times, but I notice when I pray and work out I get through another one of those gloomy clouds. You can add me if you like. Its 8:47PM and I am gonna try to make it to the gym before it closes no more being gloomy!