I Feel So Low!

[Guest AutumnE]

I am following my gluten free diet but Im feeling so deprived ( I know i need to grow up about it). I need to lose alot of weight for my health. I started doing great and losing, well technically still losing slowly just not near as fast as I should be.

Today I ate, 1 small bowl of yogurt for breakfast, added some strawberries in with it, baked potato with broccoli and cheese ( I took a chance at wendys and lost I knew I had done it when I had a seizure 10 minutes after eating ) then I ate a cup full of doritos, a whole bag of microwave popcorn and a little candy.

It may not seem horrible to some but it is very self destructive for me. I have insulin resistance and didnt hardly eat any protein with my carbs which I know better than that since Im at high risk of developing diabetes.

Did anyone else feel deprived because of new restrictions while you were trying to lose weight? How did you get over it? Im assuming it just takes time to deal with it. I need it to kick into my thoughts since my daughter comes first and I need to be healthy for her.

Thanks for reading and responses

[queenofhearts]

Making such a big change is never easy. How long since you began the diet?

[Guest AutumnE]

Thanks around may 25th I started this way of eating. Slow learner huh

[queenofhearts]

That's just about when I was diagnosed, & I went through a real fixation on baked goods for about the first 6 weeks, but I'm weaning myself off of the sweets & sticking mainly to bread-baking now.

If you don't mind my making suggestions on your diet, I think you should eat more early in the day-- looks to me like you are half-starving yourself & setting yourself up for cravings. Do you think you might have a tendency to do that?

[AndreaB]

Autumn,

First of all a big HUG.

Don't be so hard on yourself. Yes, you ate some things that would have been better balanced out and it throws you for a loop.....but please don't let it get you down. That will only serve to make you more inclined to indulge (if you're anything like me anyway). My mindset has always been "I've blown it, why not continue?". Look forward and try to figure out how to keep some things on hand for when you feel like having a bunch of chips. I can eat a whole bag for a meal and have at times when I've been out shopping and it's meal time. Also, even though you need to lose weight....don't starve yourself. Your body will go into starvation mode and you will end up gaining more weight or not losing any. Focus on balanced meals and try to get out for walks daily. I don't know how old your daughter is but if she's not in school take her with you if you stay at home. If you work, go for walks on your breaks and work on taking stairs if you aren't on the first floor. The most important thing you can do for yourself is excercise. Walking is very good. This is coming from someone who doesn't excercise like she should, I blame the new rental. Our old one had a long driveway and I could walk fast and didn't have to worry about the kids keeping up. Any pace you can set will work.

Hang in there!

[queenofhearts]

I wholeheartedly agree about the exercise-- not only will it help you with the weight & the diabetic tendencies, but it will improve your mood. There are studies that show regular exercise outperforms prozac!

It's very important to be kind to yourself & forgive the cravings & so on-- you are going through a hard transition. You are both cutting calories AND gluten-- that's twice as tough. Think how you would feel if it were a good friend in your position. Then try to be that good friend to yourself.

[Guest AutumnE]

queen of hearts- You are right I do wait to long to eat, I hate getting accidentally glutened it ruins my whole day. I have plenty of times waited and waited to eat so that way if I was tired from getting glutened by my dh ( unknowingly) it wouldnt be too long before bed.

Andrea- You have nailed it too, I am an all or nothing person. Sets me up for failure everytime. I have had issues with eating disorders in my early teen years. I wonder if it is worse for me to eat some instead of just avoiding it completely because I let the stress in my life (house up for sale and moving 2 hours away) dictate what I eat. I have no one accountable at night either dd goes to sleep or during her nap and dh is working. Otherwise I wouldnt do it. I wouldnt want to show my daughter Ashley,2 1/2 years old, those bad eating habits or dh to criticize me for it. Im like a kid sneaking their hand in the cookie jar

I do need to walk more my daughter would love it. Right now we are all getting over a yucky virus but when we are back on the mend I need to focus on it.

Thanks

Edited to add-queen of hearts- Thanks again, Im hard on myself and have low self esteem issues stemming from many things my weight gain and marital problems.

[queenofhearts]

If I were you I'd keep some nuts or maybe a gluten-free protein bar or something in my purse for those moments when you are hungry but in doubt that an eating place is safe-- just staying hungry really messes with your blood sugar too.

[AndreaB]

Autumn,

You also don't want to deny yourself a treat now and then. I was on weight watchers one summer in college and lost about 30 pounds I think. I went ballistic after I got back to school and gained all of it back plus some. I deprived myself too long. Treats aren't bad in and of themselves. Make them as healthy as can be, or have smaller servings. A small scoop of ice cream if you can eat dairy. Half a candy bar if it's big or a small piece of pie.....you get the picture. How about setting up times you can have treats. We typically will try to have something on the weekends when my husband is home. He usually works into the evenings during the week. Most times we just have chocolate chips with some sliced almonds and coconut. Our own version of Almond Joys. Even if you had one Lara bar daily or a few times a week. Sweet, with no natural sugar and good fiber.

Also it is VERY important to eat at regular times. Your body will learn those times and be ready to digest your food properly. It will also make you less hungry being on a schedule. If you find yourself hungry between meals and don't mind snacking then grab a carrot, celery w/peanut butter, a piece of fruit, or a lara bar. Believe me, it will help. Fight, fight, fight not to eat within 3 hours of bedtime. Your stomach then has to work through the night and your body doesn't get the rest it needs. Make sure you get your water in (6-8 glasses), if you aren't there work on it.

I have had weight problems in the past. My easiest weight to lose was when I got rid of refined sugar (I lost 18 pounds in three weeks, only cutting out refined sugar)....something to work towards but not right now if it's going to add to more stress. It is stressful selling a house and moving. You've got to take care of yourself. Walking will ease some of the tension and will be something your daughter will look forward to. Also, don't know if you drink diet soda's but I've read that they actually hurt weight loss.

[Guest AutumnE]

I did just buy some small packets of mixed nuts, I should keep those on hand more often.

I have been doing horribly about my water intake. Its all been diet lemon iced tea. Not eating before bed would be a good idea too. I need to focus more on breakfast, I dont usually eat till I have been up for four or five hours till I get too weak because of taking care of my 2 year old. She eats just I dont take out the time too.

Thanks again

[penguin]

I feel your pain. I started weight watchers this week, and I actually like it! I've already lost 5 and a half pounds! (OK, so that was probably water weight, but still )

Try to "front load" your day so you don't get the munchies later on, and try to drink a lot of water, as that will keep the cravings down, too. Make sure to get enough protein, it keeps the cravings down.

I was gluten-free for 4 months, and then on gluten 3 months for a biopsy (I gained 30 lbs in that time, on top of the 30 I already had to lose), and then I started back to gluten-free and weight watchers on Tuesday of this week. Even though I feel deprived of all the glutenly stuff (and the yummy gluten-free goodies), I feel so much better when I eat healthy and allow myself treats, rather than subsist on crap all day. I like WW because it's so flexible - I ate at PF Changs on Tuesday and ate gluten-free pizza tonight, all staying within my points range.

OK, off my soapbox.

Hugs to you, and I hope you feel better about yourself! We're all here for support!

[rinne]

Hi and welcome. Lots of good advice I won't repeat, I will just add that there are studies showing connections between MSG and weight gain. It is in pretty much everything processed. EEK!

[aikiducky]

Adding to all the other goood suggestions - I've noticed that a lot of times when I start to have cravings for sweets and cakes and stuff, what my body really wants to have is more veggies and fruit. Somehow in my head it turns into sweets. When I take care to eat a lot of veg and fruit and meat or fish for protein, I don't crave all the crappy stuff nearly as much. Actually the more I eat all those greens, the more I've started to crave the healthy stuff! Nowadays sometimes I eat a cookie and think, blech, I should have had an orange instead...I know, it sounds strange, who wouldn't prefer a cookie over some fruit...

Pauliina

[gfp]

I wholeheartedly agree about the exercise-- not only will it help you with the weight & the diabetic tendencies, but it will improve your mood. There are studies that show regular exercise outperforms prozac!

Somewhat ironic that prozac doesnt exactly encourage getting out and doing active things

.I know, it sounds strange, who wouldn't prefer a cookie over some fruit..

I know this sounds funny but really almost everyone who gets into the habit....

once you make the mental connections between feeling peckish and fruit then that is what comes to mind... if you actually TRY and imagine cookies and painful cramps and stuff you can soon make a mental connection between the 2

For most of us this comes naturally over time but you can accelerate it by taking 10 mins every morning and think about the worst glutening ... and then think of cookies and such for 10 mins...

Before long you can actually start thinking of cookies and you will start also thinking of cramps and D ...

[aikiducky]

Oh, I was thinking of gluten-free cookies! Not that I get cramps from those... but fruit just really tastes better! Sometimes I buy gluten-free cookies and bread and then at home I just wonder why I bothered, because really I just want a salad.

[ravenwoodglass]

I did just buy some small packets of mixed nuts, I should keep those on hand more often.

I have been doing horribly about my water intake. Its all been diet lemon iced tea. Not eating before bed would be a good idea too. I need to focus more on breakfast, I dont usually eat till I have been up for four or five hours till I get too weak because of taking care of my 2 year old. She eats just I dont take out the time too.

Thanks again

If you have blood sugar issues skipping that before bed snack is a real BAD idea. Even a gluten-free cracker with some pnut butter or a handful of nuts and a few raisens, or even a scrambled egg or just a slice of cheese will help regulate your BS throughout the night and you'll feel better in the morning. You really need to up your protein intake. You are sorely lacking in it. If you like hard boiled eggs make it a habit to eat one when you feed your DD. Watching you eat is how she learns how to eat. Make sure your meals are colorful, eat at least two different colored veggies or fruits with every meal and make yourself a small plate and eat with her. Even if your plate only has a cut up apple and pear on it along with some pnut butter on a cracker she will be learning that colorful means healthy. Don't kick yourself in the butt for what you ate 'yesterday' just start eating better today. It might be helpful for you to make an appointment with a nutritionist for guidance with calorie intake and nutritional requirements to both loose weight and to insure that you do not end up diabetic. Just don't expect much knowledge from a dietian on celiac most are not too knowledgeable. If you can't afford a dietician or your insurance won't pay look for a state 'Cooperative Extension' office in your area they can assist with nutritional info for free.

[Guest AutumnE]

My blood sugar is messed up. Im trying to go more paleo with a sweet here and there once in a while. My problem before was I would eat way too much fruit and not balance it with protein my sugar was skyrocketing and crashing. I have insulin resistance so I get carb rushes badly. Im on glucophage so it helps stabilize it but I need to help myself too.

Our house is getting listed this week so it will be a little more stressfull trying to keep my 2 year old contained to keep a clean house for potential buyers I hope this doesnt take long it will drive me nuts! Plus I cant wait to save money on our next purchase. We are going bigger but to a much more rural area. We will save close to $600 dollars a month on house payments and $400 on gasoline! I want to move just hate the process.

I did see a dietician when I was first pg with her, before celiac, and followed the diet to prevent gd and did beautifully without my glucophage, maybe I should pull it out again but I just have to figure out how to replace all the grains in it.

Thanks for all your help and ideas I appreciate it so much