[gf4life]

I am 60 lbs. overweight and I don't seem to be able to lose any weight while on gluten. As soon as I am able to get back to being gluten free I should start losing. I did lose 30 lbs. (twice) on low carb/high protein diets, but as soon as I go back to eating normal I gain it right back. This was before I knew about celiac disease. Now that I know that I have celiac disease and have eaten gluten-free, I lose about 5 lbs. the first two weeks, but have never made it past that since I go back on gluten for testing. All my testing will be finished in two weeks on Jan.20th, and then I will be able to quit gluten forever! Yeah!! I am looking forward to that, and just wanted to know if any of you others out there who had a lot to lose (and good health to gain ) could share their experiences with me. I would like to look like I did before I had kids, and was at a good, healthy weight for my 5'2" body!

Looking forward to hearing your stories.
God bless.
Mariann

[tammy]

I've gone down four sizes in clothes and know that it is strongly related to two reasons. The first reason is my new gluten-free, low dairy eating style. The second reason is the adjusting of my thyroid medications.

I am all of 5' and I am very happy that these food sacrifices have given me a new svelt figure and my health. I still struggle with sugar cravings but I am actively working on building my health.

I enjoy trying on clothes now. I just purchased this sporty, Spring jacket that fit perfectly! I even need to buy all new clothes! I haven't wore this size since high school! I am 38 year old.

I am very thankful for the gluten-free food choices that we have today. I am especially grateful for the many exotic spices and food choices that God has bestowed upon this planet. Where would I be without vegetables, sweet potatoes, rices, kasha, gluten-free flours, fruits, oils, nuts, butter and meats.

That's my story...
Tammy

[gf4life]

Thanks Tammy. I like your positive attitude. It is contagious, you know.
Mariann

[wclemens]

Mariann, I am also almost five feet tall and keep my weight around 108 pounds by sticking to a low carb, high protein diet at all times, except for that one hour a day when I can eat or drink anything I am not allergic to (my allergies are wheat and all other grains, all milk and dairy--including butter, chocolate, casein, whey, and maltodextrin. egg whites, and yeast).

I am on The Carbohydrate Addict's diet and can relate to Tammy, who likes sugar, because I do too, but I get to eat some each day within my 60 minutes, so I am always happy with this diet, which I have been on for about 8 years or so. My weight has been closer to 130 pounds in the past, so I feel great.

The premise of Drs. Richard and Rachel Heller's diet is that in families with a predisposition to Diabetes, we put out too much insulin when eating carbs, but can eat them 60 minutes per day with no ill effects because our body checks periodically and puts out only the insulin needed, not an overload, when we limit carbs. Welda

[patty cake]

Hi all, My name is patty and all this is new to me, not the problems, but having a name for all the problems i have had for years. I haven't been diagnost (sp) by a doc. yet but i have done so much testing naturally and elliminating of so many things. this was finally the last thing on the ever so many things it could be and i figured it out myself by doing research. I am so paranoid about going to the docs. everytime i do they seem bent on either giving me drugs, which i cannot handle or suggestions on taking some body part out. I'm afraid i might have found out what the problem is too late. I have a constant pain under the right breast that seems to go around to the back. I am constantly constipated and seem to be blown up with constand gas and look like i am 7 months pregnante. Have any of you experienced simular things? I don't sleep well either,and have a constant burning in my joints.

[lucycampbell55]

Hello Mariann

Over the last 3 years I put on a whopping 80 lbs and didn't know why. Since going 100% gluten-free on Nov 2, 03 I have gone from 217 lbs to 203 lbs and hopefully I haven't stopped losing. I have been able to adjust to the gluten-free diet pretty well. I no longer have the bloating and constipation, unless I accidently eat something I shouldn't. I no longer have as much problem sleeping and my arthritis doesn't flair up as much. I haven't felt this good in 10 years. I pray that everyone out there who has celiac disease does as good as I have. Life looks so much better to me.

Keeping all in my prayers

Lucy

[betsy]

sharon
no ideas,i seem to have the same problem. since i was diagnosed 1 1/2 years ago, i have gained weight. the dr. says he is glad to see i am putting on some, but i was NEVER svelte to begin with!
i also need to have that crunch, maybe someone out there has the answer...

betsy

[clare]

I am SOOOO glad to hear that I'm not the only one who gained weight rather than losing it!!!! I have gained over 30lbs in the past three years while exercising regularly and following a lowfat diet. I've had my thyroid tested multiple times but the levels are normal. Even after my father was diagnosed with celiac disease last year, the doctors didn't think I had it because my weight gain wasn't 'typical' of celiac disease.

I was finally diagnosed but I've been gluten-free for 3 months now and I'm wondering if the weight will ever come off. Any suggestions? My biggest challenge is that I live in Korea and there are no special gluten-free foods available here. Although the staple of the Korean diet is rice, they don't sell rice flour, and a lot of things aren't included on food labels. Help!

[clare]

I'm only eating rice once a day, per my doctor's recommendations about 15lbs ago. Obviously, the rice isn't the only problem. Eating fewer carbs and more fruit and veggies hasn't seemed to have had any effect, either. I seem to be bloated, too- about 5 days out of the week I can't get my wedding ring on my finger. Sigh...

[gf4life]

Hi Clare,

I was just wondering if maybe you have some other food intolerance, in addition to gluten. I am casein intolerant and I have the same symptoms you described when I eat any dairy products, or products that contain dairy. I get very bloated and have stomach aches, loose stool, and gain weight. Once I found this out and cut dairy as well as gluten I loose weight. I am not saying that dairy is your problem, but there are other food intolerances out there and it could be causing your problems.

You said you are in Korea, and I was wondering what your usual diet consists of? I can imagine it is hard to get gluten-free foods, so you probably spend a lot of time cooking. If you can't get a doctor there to check for other intolerances, you could try an elimination diet. You eliminate all of the suspected foods (I know, you are already limited, but...) you see if you feel better, and if you do, then after a week or two you add in one of the foods. Wait a few days and see if your symptoms return. If they do, you know that is a problem food, if they don't you can keep eating that one and try one more of the suspected foods. I think you have to wait at least 4 days between foods, since some food reactions are delayed. I hope that we all can help you figure out what is bothering you and help you feel better.

God bless,
Mariann

[Marybet]

I have gained about 10 pounds since diagnosis October 2003. It is very depressing. I had lost about 20 or 30 the previous 3 years and I liked that. I'm attemptiong to cut down on potatoes, rice and sugar. I'm also trying to exercise more. I do feel better, my iron is rising.

[ronrama]

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who has gained weight since being gluten-free. It's really annoying to be gaining weight when I have given up so many of my favorite things like bagels, pizza, italian bread, hard rolls etc. I have been making decent muffins, pancakes and cookies with gluten-free mixes but have yet to find anything that compares to a real bagel or crunchy italian bread. I am 51 and have been gluten-free for 10 months and have gained 5 pounds which may not seem like alot but is on my 5'3'' frame. Thank God I am feeling so much better being gluten-free (no more gas, bloating and diarrhea) it definitely makes all of this deprivation worthwhile even if I do turn into a blimp!

Ronni