New Here and Pretty Excited About Starting

[MarileeMariset]

So I waited a few weeks to post here.  I wanted to see if I'd actually stick to this stuff and after three weeks I am still at it.  It helps that my 11 year old that has autism is "helping mom live longer" as he says.  This for us is a dual edged claymore! we are both getting something from it.  For me the moving and getting out there is something I need for me to feel better about myself and yes lose a bit of the "sit and play world of Warcraft" baggage I've accumulated over the years, but its helping my son gain stamina, something he hasn't had due to his issues that come with his Autism.  I have tried so many other diets and plans, but this fits us.  the little by little changes that dont seem like a whole lot its working.  And my son will every day rain or shine say "mom lets go do our 10 minute walk".  It started out as 10 minutes and it's been 3 weeks since we started so like in game, its Tuesday resets and we are up to 20 minutes every day.  And he doggedly follows me making laps around our yard.  We use  the yard because its a comfort for him.  No truck, no loud noises, just outside and walking around the perimeter where the trees are and then up around the garden we put in again this year.  He is a big help when it comes to doing things because he doesn't let up.  Everything is a schedule for him and repetition and so he pushes me.  My youngest daughter walks with us now that summer is out but she doesn't last as long and will run off to play.  Our short term goal is to hit 60 minutes of walking by the last week of July.  After that we will be adjusting what we are doing and incorporating weights to the first 10 minutes and increasing those as we go too. We are also adjusting our food intake or rather what we are intaking as well.  We dont drink soda here (haven't for about 6 years) but its a matter of portion control and adjusting the kind of carbs we eat.  thats a small adjustment here and there, and this time doesn't seem too bad!  The long term goal is to have lost 100 lbs by next may, and to build my son's stamina to the point that he  can walk without taking multiple breaks in between and his posture and arm swing improves.  It was fortuitous stumbling over the nerd fitness page. And I can say I'm happy to start us out as scouts here.  

[gleagor]

Welcome, Marilee! I am new here, too. That is so rad that you and your son are doing this together. I love how into it he clearly is. This is going to be great for your whole family. Keep up the good work! -Laura

[JupiterStar]

Your son sounds wonderful and I'm glad you're helping each other on this journey!

[Eldgee]

Hi, welcome! That's awesome that your son is into helping you. I also have a ten-year-old on the spectrum, and wish I could get her that excited about moving around!

[MarileeMariset]

there are a lot of things he doesn't want to do Lauragee.  We have our days here too.  but he understand we have to do it and so he pushes me.  it helps we made it part of our routine.  and we started small.  I hope you can find a happy medium with your daughter and moving around.  It seems like its the hardest part of children on the spectrum.  I know for my son he is content to stay home 99% of the time and just do things quietly in the house so I push him a bit outside his box sometimes so he experiences more.  its not easy and its so nice to talk to someone else that has issues with exercise and their child on the spectrum.  this has been a fight for us for years.  

 

thanks for the support everyone.  I think that is something that is probably one of the most important parts of this journey that I didnt have with everything else I have  tried. 

[Eldgee]

7 hours ago, MarileeMariset said:

there are a lot of things he doesn't want to do Lauragee.  We have our days here too.  but he understand we have to do it and so he pushes me.  it helps we made it part of our routine.  and we started small.  I hope you can find a happy medium with your daughter and moving around.  It seems like its the hardest part of children on the spectrum.  I know for my son he is content to stay home 99% of the time and just do things quietly in the house so I push him a bit outside his box sometimes so he experiences more.  its not easy and its so nice to talk to someone else that has issues with exercise and their child on the spectrum.  this has been a fight for us for years.  

 

My daughter takes a martial arts class, which is pretty much the only physical activity (besides occasional swimming) that she's been at all interested in. Overall she wants to do it, but when it's actually time to go to class she usually doesn't want to...so yeah, it's kind of a day by day thing, but she spends so much time doing sedentary activities that I'm glad there's something that she has at least mixed feelings about.

[godjira1]

hey marilee,

 

welcome and good luck. i have a boy on the spectrum as well (non verbal, etc) and he's 11 too. We lucked out a little on the physical front as he loves to swim or if we can't make that happen often enough, bouncing on a little trampoline on the living room for a while is great exercise too. it took a lot of trial and error, and tough times as you might expect, to get to this point but onwards and upwards I suppose!