I knew stress was bad for you. I also had an inkling it would make you gain weight. I now know that stress causes cortizon which causes belly fat. Of which I have about 20 extra lbs. I'm going to go and destress now. I'd like to get rid of the belly fat. (doesn't that sound gross).
I wonder how many of us have gained weight through this? I just can't seem to stop "consoling" myself with just a little dab (!) of ice cream after I get him to bed at night..
Did anyone read CNN's article on stress. They recommended Tai Chi, being in nature and knitting to help combat stress?
Haven't tried Tai Chi yet - it is on the list after he goes and I have more time, does walking the dogs count as being in nature? Love to knit and wish I had more time for it. Would crocheting, counted cross stitch, quilitng, silk ribbon embroidery or anything like that also fill the bill? Wish I had more time for those too.
They didn't mention yoga and my favorite - yoga on the ball.
Shall we all do 10:00 ice cream? maybe banana splits?
Ladies, I have been on a weight roller coaster ride all of my life (and four pregancies to boot) and have gone from size 8 to 22 and back again several times over the years. I've put on a lot since my husband was diagnosed, and there are three reasons: 1) by the time I get home from work, take care of him, the dog, the house, cook dinner, and clean up, I am exhausted; 2) I had to give up my after work water aerobics class once my husband was diagnosed (I'll go back to it after); and 3) I love to eat - (those banana splits were the first ones I had made in years!) it brings me pleasure to taste foods I enjoy - even though I don't fry food (only boil, broil or bake), don't fix fatty foods, eat a lot of fruits, veggies and chicken - the scales seem to think I'm gaining weight. I argue with them and have about as much of a chance of winning that argument as I would with ________ (fill in the blank).
10:00 is perfect for the next banana split party! See you then! :)
About 30 years ago when I quit smoking, I took a knitting class to help me with the withdrawal. Knitting made me so nervous I ended up smoking twice as much. Happy ending: I did quit smoking 26 years ago and took up crocheting instead. Life is good!
i lost 12lbs on nsystem over the last 6wks. then i had a decline or 'stress' came to visit and i started with bluebell in the pm :) or a coke float:) plus dark choc antioxidant brownies on top...i am starting my diet again but it will be slow. its the Cortisol that makes belly fat particularly stressed out women. i have 'stress' for lunch every few days thus belly bulge too. this is really the hardest fat to conquer. divvi i have gone from size 4 when married to 14 and now down to 12. yick.
Yeah, that size 12 sucks, I was a 6/8 for years. I have size 7 jeans hanging in my closet. Yeah, like I'm really going to get back into those. It's hard to let go of them. I packed a bunch of shirts away that I can no longer squeeze into. Stress, stress, stress. I don't think my diet has changed.
Hi, Sandy! Welcome. As a dementia spouse I am also dealing with my own disabliilty, which pretty much keeps me homebound as well, and yes we've done the "no longer driving issue". I have found visiting this site helps, as does e-mailing friends and family. I read A LOT. TV is 'company' in the evening after he goes to bed (6-7pm). I have a small collection of very realistic baby dolls, and am planning to knit some blankets for them--one-of-a-kind for one-of-a-kinds. Talking books might be another choice. If you can do it check out the exercise programs available on tv--my Mom does one of them that is designed for people with some disability as well. It is still too demanding for me. Listening to music is nice too. Actually, anything that you can really get involved with and that will hold your focus makes a good respite activity. Get connected with local services available and see what respite care is available, which would help you get some down time, even if it's being there to care for him while you take a nap, shower and give yourself a manicure/pedicure, etc.
As for comments on the weight gain---I thought mine was all my fault, because when he was hospitalized(and diagnosed) I completely lost the controlled diet I'd been following for my IBS/sugar intollerance/milk (all milk products) allergy. Still have failed to get completely back to it. Had lost over 30 pounds in 2 years and it's all back--maybe more. The hardest part is that I am not physically up to any exercise routine. My everyday activity is all I can manage. I had lost all that without an exercise program and now I'm trying to get back to the system I had that was working.
Sprinkles coming right up! Seriously, I lost almost 25 lbs during Nov-to Feb. This is August--6 mos later. I have regained 18 lbs. I checked it this morning. Dang! I know I eat from stress. I have a very harad time sleeping. I get up and prowl about 2-3 a.m. Then knowing what I'm doing I make myself a p-nut butter sandwich and a glass of milk. At that time of the morning. Is it any wonder I'm gaining weight? When I was losing weight, I slept well, was doing water aerobiccs every day, walking,etc. Since Feb. I've had to quit water aerobics (don't drive at all) and just can't get my rear in gear to go for a nice walk. So, here I am in August fat as a bear and going to my 60th high school reunion next weekend. I'm going to see all those folks for the first time in 10 years and I'm the one going to be FAT. Ugh. I don't feel like doing a crash diet either. So, went shopping with granddaughter. She picked out the great top to go with a pair of black slacks and I'm good to go. Those other old people aren't going to be looking a whole lot better than me. And that's my story and I'm sticking with it.
And when are we having that ice cream with the sprinkles? Put some chocolate syrup on mine and I'll be good. :)