For Women with ADHD ADD Who Want to Connect

How do women with Inattentive ADD stay organized enough, focused enough, and not get bored enough to lose say 20 to 30 lbs?

Hello out there: Are there other women out there that are having problems losing weight because you can't get and stay organized enough to follow and stick to a plan? Do you get bored with it all and need a break, and then get off the wagon? Do you crave sugar, or chocolate and it wrecks your diet? Are you an all or nothing perfectionist that if you go off for one of the many ADD reasons you have a harder than heck time starting again? If any of this is you and you can relate ....please answer! I need all the help I can get here in my quest to lose even 20lbs. Thanks! Mary

Tags: add, adhd, and, for, loss, weight, with, women

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Permalink Reply by Jo Ellen on February 17, 2010 at 2:51pm: Taking a walk can sometimes chase away the boredom. It could also help clear your head, esp. if you are trying to come up with the real reason why you are bored or just trying to avoid doing whatever it is you have on your plan. And, walking is one of the better ways of exercising. Walk the dog if you have one. Take your kids for a walk. I am not sure where you live, but if you have been hit by all the nasty wintery weather, go to the mall and just walk at a go pace and avoid window shopping. That can come later when you've lost your 20 lbs as a reward.

Best wishes, Jo Ellen; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by mary on February 17, 2010 at 3:30pm: yes, I know there is no easy answer, it is just taking it one day at a time and doing the best one can, and setting the intention for the hour or two ahead. Always trying always trying to stay focused. That is what will help. We aren't perfect. I thought there might be a good diet out there specific to Women with ADD....know of any?

Jo Ellen said:
Taking a walk can sometimes chase away the boredom. It could also help clear your head, esp. if you are trying to come up with the real reason why you are bored or just trying to avoid doing whatever it is you have on your plan. And, walking is one of the better ways of exercising. Walk the dog if you have one. Take your kids for a walk. I am not sure where you live, but if you have been hit by all the nasty wintery weather, go to the mall and just walk at a go pace and avoid window shopping. That can come later when you've lost your 20 lbs as a reward.

Best wishes, Jo Ellen; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jo Ellen on February 17, 2010 at 3:36pm: Mary:

I hope you didn't think I was patronizing you. I know we are all looking for the 'magic' solution and as you said there really isn't one. I was just suggesting to keep it simple. And, be kind to yourself.

Jo Ellen

mary said:
yes, I know there is no easy answer, it is just taking it one day at a time and doing the best one can, and setting the intention for the hour or two ahead. Always trying always trying to stay focused. That is what will help. We aren't perfect. I thought there might be a good diet out there specific to Women with ADD....know of any?
/body>; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sandy on February 17, 2010 at 4:33pm: Lower carb, higher protein diets in general are better for many people with ADHD. You might even consider looking into the Paleo-Diet. I don't believe it's specific for weight loss but more of a lifestyle. I'm kinda thinking about it myself. I do better low carb. I have multiple food intolerances, most of which are carbs, so it would work for me.

The tip on walking is a pretty good one. Through avoiding foods I can't digest and walking I've lost about 30 lbs since July-ish. The thing about exercise is you have to find something that you can do without really thinking about, something that you can enjoy. I enjoy walking as it gives me space to allow my brain to roam. I don't have kids so I probably have more free time, but after work most days I change into something comfy, grab my ipod and go out for about 45 minutes. I also try to take a walk every day on my lunch break as it helps me burn off stress and concentrate. With all the snow we've had lately I haven't been able to get out as much but it's finally starting to melt, which is good, because I've gained a couple of pounds back the last few weeks. Me, trapped inside, stressed=not good. I also try not to have too many unhealthy snacks around. A few treats and maybe a slightly better alternative seems to work. Except tonight I was stressed and had the house to myself so I had cookies and tortilla chips for dinner.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by jen on February 17, 2010 at 7:54pm: The number one thing that will get the weight off of you faster than anything is to lift HEAVY weights. Check out the New Rules of Lifting for Women. I suggest as someone with ADD you get addicted to weightlifting. It will solve all of those problems because at first you won't even have to diet. I went from 160 after pregnancy to 124 with no cardio whatsoever. Now, don't get me wrong, if you lift like you are supposed to you will be out of breath lots of the time. In my whole life this is the only thing I have ever stuck to. So far I have gone for over a year with a few breaks for illness and injury (about to come off of one of those next week) but other than that working out 3 times a week sometimes 4.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lyn on March 7, 2010 at 9:02pm: I soo understand how you feel. I have all these great ideas on what to do to lose weight. In fact, I have lost it before, but it seems to get harder and harder. I get bored just working out. I have to have everything "perfect" in order to work out, but of course I can't ever find everything all at the same time. It's utter chaos... I wish I had the answer. Just wanted to let you know you weren't alone.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by jean on March 8, 2010 at 3:58pm: iT'S KIND OF SIMPLE, BUT THATS ONLY ON PAPER. THE RULES SEEM EASY ENOUGH BUT TO AACTUALLY TRY TO ADHERE TO THEM IS ANOTHER STORY.
FIRST OF ALL, YOU HAVE TO GET ALL OF THE JUNK FOOD OUT OF THE HOUSE

NEXT GET LOTS OF FOODS THAT ARE LOW IN CALORIES, LIKE LOTS OF VEGGIES, WHOLE GRAINS, AND NON-PROCESSED MEATS

FRUITS FOR SNACKS HELP.

NEXT PLAN THE MEALS, , AND KEEP LOW FAT HEALTHY THINGS FOR SNACKS AND QUICK MINI MEALS. PEOPLE IN A HURRY TEND TO GRAB THE QUICKEST FOOS(i'M GUILTY OF THIS) AND THEY ARE FULL OF CALORIES.........mCdONALDS, bURGER KINS, COOKIES, DONUTS, CANNED AND BOXED THINGS. THESE HAVE WAY LESS NUTRITION TO THEM AND ARE USUALLY WORSE IN THE FAT CONTENT.

exercise......even if it's only walking the dog a few blocks at first, or walking to the store or bank. make the time for this. later you can walk farther and longer.

now the real challenge is to keep the rest of the family happy with the choice you made at the store. are they complaining that there's no junk food there, are they complaining about the healthy meals? that's when it's hard.

I bought a juicer and am trying to do juices twice a day or maybe three times. everything I can put in there, the better for me. I am trying to keep healthy snacks with me like hard boiled eggs, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, fruit, yogurt(plain) and berries, whole peanbut butter from the healthfood store with out the shortening and whole grain crackers.

the secret is to not cut the calories way bACK BECAUSE THEN THE BODY THINKS IT'S STARVING AND IT BURNS LESS. KEEP GIVING IT CALORIES BUT WITH LOTS LESS FAT.
Im trying to lose 20 lb by summer.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tara McGillicuddy on March 8, 2010 at 6:22pm: It might also be helpful to work with a professional like an ADHD Coach or mental health professional. An ADHD Coach can help you understand what's getting your way and help you develop a plan that will work for you. If what's getting in the way are some deeper emotional issues then could be helpful to address them with a mental health professional.

I also recomend Dr. Daniel Amen's new book Change Your Brain, Change Your Body.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tara McGillicuddy on March 8, 2010 at 6:30pm: I also wanted to make sure you all know about the Group here on Women with ADHD:

Weight problems & ADHD; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Addy on March 8, 2010 at 8:23pm: I lost about 50 lbs last year. It helped a lot that I was in physical therapy for a lot of old injuries, and the PT recognized that training is key to avoiding further injury; but it also really helped to have someone telling me what to do. On days when I don't work out with the physio guy I usually use a video to keep me focused. I really like Gaiam's Balance Ball DVD's. Balance balls are bouncy and fun, and it's easier to think of working out as "play" when you're on a big bouncy ball.

I should also point out that I'm on meds (Vyvanse) and that they've really helped with my ability to stick to my diet and my work outs.

I also wanted to say that it was only hard for the first week or so. Skipping seconds at dinner made me a bit hungry right before bed-time, and skipping high-calorie snacks was also a bit of a bummer at first. But once it started working and the weight started to come off, it became MUCH easier to ignore that brownie.

Good luck!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by KP on March 12, 2010 at 1:34am: I've found joining a gym that offers workout classes helps me to stay focused on my weight-loss goals! I've discovered Turbo-Kick (a cardio kick boxing class) and absolutely love it! The moves and music are both very fast paced which prevents you from becoming bored during the work out. One of my best friends and I looked at the class schedules and picked out a class to go to every day... so simply having someone to hold you accountable and motivate you helps as well! Lastly, I usually watch what I eat throughout the week but I also don't deprive myself of fulfilling my cravings. I find alternatives sweet foods to replace other high-fat deserts or if I'm really craving a high-calorie food, for example Dion's pizza, I'll allow myself to eat that on occasion but will just make sure I just work out a little longer that day! Anywho, basically what has worked for me is finding workouts I find enjoyable, doing them w/ a friend, and eating decently healthy the majority of the time!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Layla on March 18, 2010 at 5:48am: I second that about lifting weights - I went down 3 dress sizes doing this and a little cardio (about 5-10 mins a day) plus eating healthy food.

I used to crave sugary/fatty food a lot but by having a large breakfast with 70%+ wholegrain cereal and fruit the cravings have been drastically reduced.

Another thing that really helped was throwing out all the junkfood from the house and filling it with healthy food instead. have a fruitbowl in the room you spend most time in, if you get the urge to snack then fruit is what you'll grab. Also have exercise equipment where you can see it, you're more likely to use it. And if you go on the treadmill watch something on TV that you really want to watch while on the treadmill otherwise it's too boring. And go shopping with someone who will stop you filling the trolley full of junk.; ▶ Reply to This