Big feelings need a safe place to be expressed and supported by people who understand our unique life. After Rachelle joined a few "Mom's Autism" support groups on Facebook, we realized the importance of providing a safe place for Dad's too. The world we live in as parents is unique and often misunderstood. Dad jokes welcome at ADHD and Autism Dad's Group. Then we review Blake's first week on his 6 month journey to lose 85 lbs and all the ups, downs and obstacles that come with starting a physically intense routine and how to take the process step by step while managing the "instant gratification monkey of ADHD" and the daily reality of depression that Blake faces consistently. 

Distinguishing "food allergies" from "food sensitivities" and how both impact digestion and brain function in terms of inflammation, nutrient absorption and physical energy specific to gluten, dairy and sugar. Since Blake is working on losing weight, we also review the impact of sugar and insulin resistance due to high cortisol (high stress hormones) especially for women, and how our body converts unprocessed sugar into fat. Yuck. Summing up why nutritionally savvy doctors insist on low/no sugar-dairy-gluten diet for Neurodiverse individuals, maximizing your body's natural ability to operate at a higher physical level can be positively influenced by what we do and what we eat. Yeah but...Ugh! 

Reward/Consequence vs. Urgent/Important/Interesting decision-making self-motivation neurological models. The "carrot and the stick" idea.

How do you dig yourself out of a depression to do something big like start working out. We turned to the research to review the impact exercise has on the brain in terms of improving learning, alertness, attention and motivation... which are all aspects that help create a new healthy routine like working out and losing weight.   

Working out the big emotions of depression that get stuck, build up and feel more and more overwhelming by the day. We talk about a key part of processing emotions as it relates to making a decision about any given emotion, event or evaluation of how we felt in the moment that we don't feel good about. And even then, working through them and knowing who to call is very challenging. Emotions can have roots deep into childhood back when phone books were printed. 

Build Your Muscles, Build Your Brain

Follow Blake's journey on TikTok at @blakefertig

Join the Group. Join the Conversation.
ADHD and Autism Dad's Group (Private)
You Don't Sound Autistic (YDSA)