As special needs parents, we give up a lot. Our time. Our energy. Some of our relationships. Our vision of what might have been our lives as a family. With all the things we give up, it would be really darned nice if we didn’t fall under the same rules of slowing middle-aged metabolism, so at least we could eat what we want to!
“Worries go down better with soup.” ~Jewish Proverb
Well, at first they do. Then you might as well staple that soup to your rear end, because if you find yourself in middle age (even slightly so, as I am) that’s where it’s headed anyway.
I used to be an athlete. I got up at 5 a.m., jumped into a pool, whined my way through 2 1/2 hours of swim practice, showered, went to school, and went back to swim practice. Every weekday from when I hit puberty until graduation from high school, that was my life. The best part about that life was I could eat whatever I wanted. Even better, I could do that well in to my 20’s and 30’s! I loved food. Delicious, warm, inspired, fabulous food. And it loved me.
Until this year. I gained 10 pounds in the past 6 months so I went to a friend’s fitness diagnostics facility recently to do her very scientific resting metabolic rate test. It told me I can’t eat more than 1400 calories a day at my current activity level if I want to continue to fit my clothes. Do you know what it feels like to go from eating 2200 calories a day to 1400? Like you’re starving all day!
Stupid food.
Here’s the deal: I’m raising 4 kids. Two have special needs and require a lot of emotional energy, not to mention time for regular specialist appointments. When I’m not working my tail off with them, I do things I love – things that keep me healthy and sane. Things like writing, teaching, being outside and being with friends. Cooking is a distant 39th choice on my list. And no offense, but crafting low-calorie, super-green-organic-high-maintenance meals is not my thing.
Here is where I need YOU. What have you found that works for eating well, not spending much time on it, and still enjoying food? Because we’ve all got our worries, I like my soup to get through them, and I can’t spare an inch in the clothes I’ve got.
Giveaway info:
Share your tips, resources, blogs and ideas by commenting below. Let’s build a resource for others facing this same struggle! And when you do, you’re entered to win a free copy of Lysa TerKeurst’s Made to Crave. I’ll be reading it along with you. Because I’ll be the first to admit I could use a little tune-up in how I view and rely on food in stressful moments.
Can’t wait to hear from you!