Autism an' Weight Troubles: An Overlooked Hurdle

Autism an' Weight Troubles: An Overlooked Hurdle

In a world where folks reckon everything’s gotta be picture-perfect, an’ everybody’s expected to be up an’ at ‘em, trainin’ like a wild stallion, lots o’ folks with autism wrestle with weight problems. But is it ‘cause they’re lazy? Heck no. I got me a sister, an’ she’s over 40, yet she’s competed in world-class sports. Now, I might even be more spry than her some days, but never had a chance to be no top athlete. An’ it ain’t ‘cause I’m held back by no physical trouble or lack o’ effort. I’ve always liked stayin’ active, especially as a young’un when I took a shine to snow, winters, an’ skiin’ out yonder. My folks, they were always movin’ an’ shakin’, takin’ me out on hikes through thick woods an’ hills, all sorts o’ rugged land. We sure saw some sights together.

Back when I was knee-high to a grasshopper, I went ahead an’ signed myself up for ski trainin’, but boy, did I get a rude awakenin’. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t keep up. I was the one laggin’ behind, puffin’ an’ pantin’, givin’ it all I had. Even in my prime, back in my 20s, I managed to outpedal a few folks on bikes an’ skis, but catchin’ up with the best? That was always outta reach.

By the time I hit 23, my weight started creepin’ up like a coyote after a rabbit. Keepin’ active was gettin’ tougher, and them meds they had me on gave me a mighty strong hankerin’ for sweets. I packed on a good 45 kilos, goin' from about 75 to 120, though I’ve since shaved off 10. It ain’t been no straight line neither – my weight’s been a rollercoaster. Now I’m sittin’ ‘round 110 kilos, still fairly spry, but a far cry from my faster days. I’ve near given up on cyclin’, even with an electric bike, ‘cause my weight makes it a real chore to stay balanced. An’ gettin’ up early? That’s a battle I ain’t winnin’, leavin’ me little time to work out.

I’ve given joggin’ a whirl here an’ there, but the heat an’ weariness chase me off pretty quick. Even the soccer practice they set up once a week at the care home? I can’t stick to that neither, what with my breathin’ troubles since 2018, brought on by stress. The trainin’ hall’s got poor air too, makin’ it even harder. Add that to my sleep troubles, an’ the practices just come too early for me to make it.

When it comes to folks with autism an’ weight struggles, folks gotta understand we often have a hard time concentratin’, which messes with how we eat an’ digest. Lots of us got sluggish metabolisms, especially when winter rolls in. An’ let me tell ya, that holiday blues can weigh on us like a ton o’ bricks, makin’ it even harder to keep the pounds off. It’s a cryin’ shame there ain’t more talk ‘bout this kind o’ depression that hits so many of us during Christmas an’ Advent. It sure takes its toll on both body an’ mind.