Diet and Exercise | ADHD Information
Hey,
I was just wondering if you guys made an attempt to change your lifestyle like eating and activity before trying meds. Well....I did and I even spent money on vitamins, fish oil, and organic foods. I still take fish oil and exercise, but I don't buy organic foods anymore. Anyways, even when I dramatically changed my health(for about 2 years), my add symptoms were still there. I HATED the fact that I had to resort to meds, and I'm still not sure if they are helping. It has only been 3 weeks. If they are effective, I don't care, I'll take them forever.
And to everyone else(including you TAG), I do notice that when I exercise, I'm in a better mood. Since I've been kinda depressed and have ALOT of studying, I haven't worked out in a week like you trail seeker(like that name btw). I just can't get myself to do it. I think i'm going to tonight. Oh, and should I wait till my ritalin wears off?[/QUOTE]
Hehe, my memory is not entirely good... I just for some reason remembered what YOU were taking... don't know why... my selective memory is not tamed by MY will hehe...
I know that when you exercise your recieve dopamin in return... it calms you down, and motivates you....
You should exercise before your Ritalin wears off... beacuse your motivation and will to excercise propably wears of with the Ritalin...
[QUOTE=bcgirl1978] I think I'm going to go back on it.
[/QUOTE]
You really should... refined energies like carbonhydrates and sugar really enhance and make ADHD symptoms worse.... as you said, you'd never felt better, when you were on that diet...
[QUOTE=Taag Man]If my memory is correct... you are taking Ritalin... right? Aren't those supposed to work instantly? Anyone else know this?
Anyways, I can't really answer the question above... I have tried eating lesser carbonhydrates.. and I noticed som effect... but it wasn't great enough... so I just eat right now...
[/QUOTE]
Yes, you ARE correct, I'm taking ritalin..what a good memory you have.
And to everyone else(including you TAG), I do notice that when I exercise, I'm in a better mood. Since I've been kinda depressed and have ALOT of studying, I haven't worked out in a week. I just can't get myself to do it. I think i'm going to tonight. Oh, and should I wait till my ritalin wears off?
[QUOTE=ditzychick][QUOTE=Taag Man]If my memory is correct... you are taking Ritalin... right? Aren't those supposed to work instantly? Anyone else know this?
Anyways, I can't really answer the question above... I have tried eating lesser carbonhydrates.. and I noticed som effect... but it wasn't great enough... so I just eat right now...
[/QUOTE]
Yes, you ARE correct, I'm taking ritalin..what a good memory you have.
And to everyone else(including you TAG), I do notice that when I exercise, I'm in a better mood. Since I've been kinda depressed and have ALOT of studying, I haven't worked out in a week like you trail seeker(like that name btw). I just can't get myself to do it. I think i'm going to tonight. Oh, and should I wait till my ritalin wears off?
[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Taag Man][QUOTE=bcgirl1978] I think I'm going to go back on it.
[/QUOTE]
You really should... refined energies like carbonhydrates and sugar really enhance and make ADHD symptoms worse.... as you said, you'd never felt better, when you were on that diet...
[/QUOTE]I've made a deal with myself. I'm going to finish all my rice, pasta, and cereal I have opened at home, because I hate to waste food. When it's all gone, I'll start Atkins again.
Hmmm.... but by then I'll be on Ritalin....
Maybe I'll try a couple of days and see if it makes a difference to my ADD symptoms. I didn't notice a year ago, but then I didn't know I had ADD, so I wasn't purposefully paying attention.
If my memory is correct... you are taking Ritalin... right? Aren't those supposed to work instantly? Anyone else know this?
Anyways, I can't really answer the question above... I have tried eating lesser carbonhydrates.. and I noticed som effect... but it wasn't great enough... so I just eat right now...
I've always eaten right and exercised, and I still have really strong adhd symptoms. I tried eating differently for a while to test and didnt see any difference. Maybe it only works for some people with specific neurochemistry.Hello ditzy
I have used exercize to help with the depression I have that is I think caused by ADHD. It really does help,, but doesn't eliminate it. If I don't workout for a week or so,,, I get terribly depressed. Exercize causes the brain to release dopamine, and endorphins. It doesn't do a thing for my ADHD.
However,,, I find that if I so something like backpack 10 miles, or even hike a long hike,,, it helps me feel "calm" for a time. Something I never ever feel with ADHD. My mind is always going, and I can not relax. Yesterday I hiked 8 miles at Smith Rock State Park in Oregon. Probably why I choose such things for fun.
I find I have excess energy all the time.
I am on a tiny dose of Concerta,,, it is doing nothing as of yet. I do notice that I don't yell at my kids while on it. Strange! Might just make overstimulation just a little more barable.
I think eating right , and exercize is vital regardless of ADD. I think if you suffer from depression,,, exercize is a must. I am a stay home mom, and have so many friends on anti-depressents. But they dont' exercize. The meds make them gain weight, and they get more and mroe depressed.
If meds help you,,, by all means use them.I certianly will! But do what you can to keep your body healthy. Meds don't solve everything.
Rambling on as usual
Christy
The only nutritional supplement that has helped me seems to be a flax seed oil blend. The oil doesn't really help me concentrate but when i take it, it does seem to make me feel better generally and also i feel calmer. i don't know if there's any connection to anything -
I'm not really sure how to answer this question. I've never changed anything purposefully to try and treat my ADD, because I only found out about it recently.I have tried various diets/excersise regimes to lose weight and feel better, but I have NEVER been able to stick to any of them. I do have to say that the Atkins diet made me feel the best I have ever felt, though I don't recall it improving my ADD symptoms. I did it for about a year, lost weight, felt great, and all but completely lost my IBS symptoms. Then I realized how much I was missing bread, pasta, and potatoes, and completely fell off the wagon last summer.
I think I'm going to go back on it.
bcgirl197838434.4794907407Wow, I didn't think THAT many people would hate this question, sorry.
And I forgot to mention in one of the options that it was a positve response after changing my diet and exercise, DUUUUUHHHHHHH!!![QUOTE=ditzychick]Wow, I didn't think THAT many people would hate this question, sorry. And I forgot to mention in one of the options that "it was a positve response after changing my diet and exercise, DUUUUUHHHHHHH!!!"[/QUOTE] I am the biggest sugar addict that walks this earth. I gave up sugar last October, and it's murder at times, as I think it's one of the worst addictions I've had yet. I have my own way of doing things. What I do is read the ingredients on the side of a box, and if sugar falls into the top 3, I won't eat it. I personally, eat fuit. I agree with Eliza, that it really helps curb the cravings. If I didn't do some things, I'd have never stayed off the refined sugar all of this time. It has really helped reduce my weight, improve my skin, healthier gums, etc.
I know this is bad, but I use Equal to give me a little feeling of eating sugar. I try not to use more than 1 packet per day. Usually, I'll make plain oatmeal, and add 1 packet of equal, and sprinkle cinnamon in also. It feels like I'm eating the sugary oatmeal they sell to the kids! I also bought Splenda, which I hear is better but I'm trying to use up my Equal first. When I'm really having a nasty craving, I make Eggo waffles, with cinnamon and sugar free syrup. I know I shouldn't be doing carbs, but I've given up pretty much everything I've ever loved, and if I can't do carbs, I may as well jump out a 14th story window. A person has to have some treats to look forward to!
Personally, I think fruit is ok. If you cut out all carbohydrates and fruit, what are you supposed to eat? I don't like meat that much, it makes me feel gross.
Even though fruit has the same effect as sugar I find that fruit satisfies my cravings for junk food. If I have a peach or watermelon I am less likely to want to eat sugary lollies or chocolate.
I can eat a whole packet of lollies (sorry, candy) in one go, but I wouldn't eat 15 peaches to get the same amount of sugar.
I think lots of people are adverse to eating fruit and vegetables anyway. I have to make a conscious effort to eat more fruit and vegetables and less of processed foods.
I also think bananas are brilliant. Good for energy when you are in a rush. I trained in my state swimming team until I was 18. Bananas are higher in sugar carbohydrate, but if you are rushing to work it's healthier to have a banana than a muffin for breakfast.
If you're doing some exercise in the morning a banana is good because it gives some energy for the workout without being heavy in your stomach.
In an ideal world I would eat spagetti for 3 meals a day! Yum.
I agree with BC girl, too much sugar and processed food these days!
[QUOTE=bcgirl1978] Taag Man is actually right - our societies are LOADED with refined carbohydrates and sugar. Two hundred years ago, the average American consumed about 15 pounds of sugar in a year. Today, it has increased to over 12 times that much, through white bread, processed CRAP like sugary cereals, pop, concentrated fruit juice, etc. Buying food that had a lifespan beyond that of the current season was unheard of in those days.
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I will admit your absolutely correct, both Taag Man and you, bcgirl. Fortunately I've never been one to eat white bread, processed food, pop, cereals, etc. But I do like my pasta, which it try to only eat once every two weeks. I only use sugar in my coffee, but I'm sure it's way too much (I have been cutting down on how much I use in my java). I used to get my sugar from alcohol. At least I can't consider myself "average."
I do love my fresh veggies. And what about fruit? Fresh fruit isn't on the Atkins Diet is it? Lots of "sugar," right? If so, I don't feel so bad that I don't eat much fresh fruit.
The Mediterranean Diet (pyramid) is quite acceptable, I hear. Don't know what it is, look it up.
Oh, how I wish things were simpler than they are. 
[QUOTE=GypsyWomyn]I do love my fresh veggies. And what about fruit? Fresh fruit isn't on the Atkins Diet is it? Lots of "sugar," right? If so, I don't feel so bad that I don't eat much fresh fruit. [/QUOTE]
I believe there is allot of the "parts" for dopamin in fruit.... I am not entirely sure about the fruit-sugar... It might have the same effect as refined sugar...
Fruit sugar has the EXACT same effect as refined sugar. It raises your blood sugar while you are still chewing it! Most fruits are not allowed on Atkins, though berries most certainly are. One half cup of strawberries only has 5 grams of carbohydrate, whereas one apple or banana has 20+. Berries are a fantastic source of antioxidants too.I was never much of a fruit person anyway. Besides, citric fruits aggravate my IBS symptoms.
[quote=Trail_Seeker]I am on a tiny dose of Concerta,,, it is doing nothing as of yet. I do notice that I don't yell at my kids while on it. Strange! Might just make overstimulation just a little more barable.[/quote]
Forgive me if I laugh
when you say it's doing nothing yet, but you do notice you don't yell at your kids while on the Concerta (prob. 18mg, right?) That's a definite something, I would say. 
Would't you? I've read others' posts also saying their med hasn't done anything, but then state something quite significant that it is doing for them. I'm not making fun of you, honestly. I just wonder what is it that you and the others may be looking to notice? I don't expect my meds to do everything at once for me. I'm assuming it will take time. But not yelling at your kids is excellent!
[Quote=Taag Man]Well... you propably are a sugar-addict like allot of is... [/quote]
Just curious, Taag Man, on what have you based this probability for bcgirl? Other than "at lot of us are." Did I miss something in one of her posts?
Forgive me if I seem a bit quizzical today, just being curious. No hard feelings to either of you.
GypsyWomyn38434.6509490741[QUOTE=GypsyWomyn]Just curious, Taag Man, on what have you based this probability for bcgirl? Other than "at lot of us are." Did I miss something in one of her posts?
Forgive me if I seem a bit quizzical today, just being curious. No hard feelings to either of you. [/QUOTE]
It is a combination of logic, and of what I remember of her... and the fact that most persons from developed contries are addicts of carbon-hydrates...
Our societies are swarming with cheap highly refined carbon-hydrate products like bread, rise and stuff like that... sugar... fast, high-power energy.... it knocks our body out of balance... and that is a problem for ADHD persons allready.... ;)
If we eat slowly consuming energy we would not burn so bright, and fall so hard all the time... our energy, and hormonial balance would not fluctuate that much....
Have I even understood your question correctly, or am I just rambling again?
[QUOTE=bcgirl1978]I've made a deal with myself. I'm going to finish all my rice, pasta, and cereal I have opened at home, because I hate to waste food. When it's all gone, I'll start Atkins again.
Hmmm.... but by then I'll be on Ritalin....
Maybe I'll try a couple of days and see if it makes a difference to my ADD symptoms. I didn't notice a year ago, but then I didn't know I had ADD, so I wasn't purposefully paying attention.
[/QUOTE]
Well... you propably are a sugar-addict like allot of is... it will help you to start the Atkins again... but it is likely not enough in your case... you would have been to glad and happy, that you wouldn't have stopped in the first place...
Yep, that answers my question. Thanks!Taag Man is actually right - our societies are LOADED with refined carbohydrates and sugar. Two hundred years ago, the average American consumed about 15 pounds of sugar in a year. Today, it has increased to over 12 times that much, through white bread, processed CRAP like sugary cereals, pop, concentrated fruit juice, etc. Buying food that had a lifespan beyond that of the current season was unheard of in those days.I do love my carbs.... but I also know that they aren't good for me. Vegetables and low GI fruits are technically the only carbohydrates our bodies need. Green veggies contain loads of fiber, so the old argument about not getting enough fiber on a low carb diet is bull, unless the person isin't eating their veggies.
Anyway... now I'm the one who's rambling.
This questionnaire really annoyed me. I couldn't answer the questions, because there wasn't a category for me. I'm not active,I don't really exercise or eat very well. Although, I have recently stopped eating wheat and that seems to help with some of my allergies.
Next month I plan on moving or exercising my body. I'm so hyper-focused on projects or whatever that for me to make time for myself feels almost like sacrilege. So, most of the time I sit. Sit and wait for someone to make up my mind for me. Sit and wait for something to happen that will force me to make a move. Sometimes it's difficult to get dressed and get out of the house, when I have so much to think about, so much to write about, so much of nothing to do.
theoptimizer38436.6768402778I don't know anybody not being tube fed who does not change thier diet at least somewhat. Even in prisons, they occaisionally change cooks or suppliers.....
ghead
< =""> [QUOTE=theoptimizer]
This questionnaire really annoyed me. I couldn't answer the questions, because there wasn't a category for me. I'm not active,I don't really exercise or eat very well. Although, I have recently stopped eating wheat and that seems to help with some of my allergies.
Next month I plan on moving or exercising my body. I'm so hyper-focused on projects or whatever that for me to make time for myself feels almost like sacrilege. So, most of the time I sit. Sit and wait for someone to make up my mind for me. Sit and wait for something to happen that will force me to make a move. Sometimes it's difficult to get dressed and get out of the house, when I have so much to think about, so much to write about, so much of nothing to do.
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There was a category for you..."You never changed your eating habits." I explained in my original post about asking you guys if you changed your diet FIRST before meds, and apparently you just never changed them even though you don't exercise or eat healthy(except wheat but that wasn't due to ADD). I didn't mean to annoy ya either, sorry.
I kinda purposely changed my diet as a result of memory problems(and I guess I wanted to be healthy too).