Dear Danny and Team...

BRAVO!!!  It is e-mails like this that help me understand my son the most.  (I really thought Danny wrote this, and then I saw his comment.)  BOTH, the article AND Danny's comment, HELP tremendously!!!!  

I read the article and thought (stupidly), "OK, that's how everyone with Aspergers must feel.  Good to know."  THEN to see DANNY'S comment...  Wow.  Mind enlightened even more.

I don't have the finances to do all of your wonderful offerings, but, THIS kind of e-mail HELPS!!!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for all your team does!

Tricia Bennett

Mom of Adopted Son, 15, with Aspergers.

Social pressure used to be something I thought helped me overcome my Asperger's traits.   Than I realized all it did was shame them into hiding under masks.  I learned to LOOK neurotypical.  Now I realize that most of the social pressure out there is nothing but noise that interferes with me looking after my own welfare..

On top of Asperger's, I'm also dealing with Cushing's Disease, which means I've gained a lot of weight (200 lbs).  I can't wrap my head around so many people who feel entitled to offer unsolicited advice on how I should lose the excess weight, but also backhanded comments on how pretty I would be if I lost the weight.  NO!!!  REALLY?!? Why hadn't I thought of that?!?  Amazing how no one seems to think I have a mirror, a brain.. or a scale.

I'm with you.  I'm not going to the gym.  For the reasons you have mentioned and because of all; the "concern trolls', there is not enough incentive in the world to get me back in there.  There's a channel on Roku I can use if I want to bring into high relief how much my fitness has suffered, and I won't have to expose myself to public scrutiny in order to do so.  I'm concentrating on healthy eating this year and cooking at home (which instantly peels off LOADS of calories and prevents diabetes from being added to the mix).  I'm resolved to do everything I can (learning about AS, yoga and meditation) to reduce my cortisol (the stress hormone behind all the weight gain).

The most important thing for me to remember is that this is MY life -- no one else's. I answer to ME and my God.  I chased after other people's approval for far too long.

Oh wow, I am so glad to read this about the gym. I'm a 62 year old woman and have finally realized that I indeed have been on the autism spectrum my whole life, covering, constantly covering. I just joined a gym again for the first time in several years. Fact is, I LOVE the gym for some pretty autistic reasons, actually. Yet, what you've described here with the sensory overloading, and the people everywhere is also my worst nightmare. How to cope? First, I'm going to start using earplugs if I can get over the unpleasant sensation of having something in my ears. Second, I go really early in the morning, like 6am - less people, and the ones that are there are alot quieter than the later crowd. I've found a "spin" bike to ride that doesn't make any noise or have any flashing lights or anything. Also, I count. The minutes, sometimes the seconds, sometimes in 5 or 10 minute increments, and then also meditate - I can ride the thing closing my eyes. BUT, the MAIN reason I go to the gym is they have a pool there. And most of the time it's empty except for me. It's the most incredible feeling to swim back and forth for 45 minutes with my head under water, I can't hear anything but my own breathing. It's heaven. And the feel of the water is heaven. And the opportunity to basically self-stim with the repetitive movement is heaven. I come out refreshed, revived, centered and alive. Any repetitive motion is so good, a way to stim without looking weird so while the machines can have a sensory overload at times, the pool is a safe place. I so appreciate hearing about your gym experience and would love to hear how others manage. I also feel so much better being able to connect with you and others who go through the world in this way. It sure can be a challenge!! You're a blessing. Thank you. ~ Linda

Remember to breathe.  The only thing you have to do in order to practice yoga!  Namaste