Debt and Caring

stymied

Your level of self awareness is inspiring. 

This means that’s the gym is a need not a want. Is there anything else you can put in that list?

Is there any way to turn eating and drinking as your example into a pattern so they consume lower mental energy? I assume it’s not that simple.

Cherryfudge

You explain that so clearly. It's not how I experience things but you help me understand better.

Here's to a productive week ahead for you.  

savingholmes

Hope you find the right solution while still balancing your budget 

WelshmansDaughter

Some ASD people mask with clothes, hair, jobs, diagnoses... The list of things you can mask with is unlimited really. I mask with food. I eat a crap ton of sugar and that makes my autism go away. In theory. In reality it means I have artificial ups and downs and something that almost looks like a schedule. 
It also leads me to where I am now and yet another 'dental emergency'. I have the teeth of someone who has been brushing with heroin and flossing with sugar cane. In the same day I found and bought 10 on sale creme eggs I also spent £15 on the emergency dentist. 
Long story short, I am on strong !!!!!! painkillers and antibiotics, I have registered with a dentist and am kicking myself while sucking in cold air to dampen down the pain. 
On the bright side, spending the day mostly in bed means I haven't spent any more money. 

I went past the gym I was planning on joining (side note- I walked 8km, cycled 6.1km on the same day as I ended up in the dentist. ASD is f**ked up) around the time I was thinking of going and the car park was full. So that did make me think. 

The food thing may require professional help, stymied. I did try a dietitian before but she was very woo woo. And quite prescriptive- didn't see anything wrong with sending a non sedentary person out for the day on a single slice of toast with peanut butter. 
In the past I've tried many eating patterns but without the ASD piece of the puzzle they all went hideously wrong. At one point I ate nothing but broccoli, sweet potato and bacon.

I do think there is a way I can do things, I just haven't gotten all the pieces yet.  

PennysIntoPounds

Ouch, I'm sorry you're in pain. Well done on registering with the dentist.
This 
'I have the teeth of someone who has been brushing with heroin and flossing with sugar cane.'
is a superb turn of phrase 😂

Cherryfudge

Sorry to hear about the toothache, and the crowded gym car park (might be worth walking past at another time of day or asking the reception when are their quiet times).

I don't know the answer to the food thing, but I suspect if you advise yourself and treat it as a work in progress, you will find answers. For instance - toast and peanut butter is not enough to fuel your morning. Can you take a mid-morning snack? If stoking with sweet things raises your blood sugar level and enables you to override the ASD, would it help to have slow release carbs or protein to give you a longer period of raised blood sugar/energy and less of a slump? I used to think I was caffeine dependent till I realised I was actually self-medicating a tendency to be a bit dehydrated. The energy that I thought came from caffeine was actually from rehydrating.

Those are just my thoughts and obviously what works for me may not work for you. Also be aware things may change over time, and perhaps make a list (inside the kitchen cupboard door or on your phone -  somewhere it's findable) of the things that help.

How's the toothache now?

WelshmansDaughter

PiP you are the master and I the mere apprentice when it comes to turn of phrase.
<rescues phone from cat trying to sit on it>
I have discovered the cure for my interoception/alexithymia. Frequency. It turns out that even I recognise the stages of illness after two colds, covid, two vomiting bugs and a tooth infection. All within six months. Yesterday was full acceptance of illness plus some self flagellation. No choice, it occupied my entire mind. Today I am slightly back online as in I am a tad bored but still need frequent rest periods. Rather like a cat now that I think about it. 
Have spent money today on deliveroo as I needed milk but was not up to the five minute walk to Asda. Or more accurately, the five minute walk to Asda and the sensory assault. Opened the door to the delivery man and had to close my eyes so that was a good call.
Confession time. I have not worked at all this month. I only started in February and have been mightily distracted ever since. In February, my nephew was in hospital. In March, my brother and I went to Ireland for a week to help out. Then at the end of March my friend managed to sell her flat and I had to start thinking about moving. All of which has sent my mind spinning and made me panic about doing anything else. 

Cherryfudge

You've had a lot to cope with, no wonder you need time out.

We're only half way through the month so there's plenty of time for things to change, but it doesn't have to be right now.

LadyWithAPlan

Sorry you have not been well. Protein is seen as an important part of food balance - for ADHD at least - I am not sure  on your own medical issues.  I know if I dont eat enough protein then I feel awful and just mainline carb til I get more protein

I now floss every day without fail  as I used to eat a huge amount of sugar and have the fillings (and now 2 implants) to show for it.. so I am now a strict no haribo girl (it kills me) but I know my teeth are better for it..

doingitanyway

Sorry you have been in pain. Toothache is awful.

I agree with LWAP about protein. If I don't eat enough of it I eat more carbs and that plays havoc with my blood sugar, energy levels and mood