Gaining Weight Since Diagnosis

[mammprincess]

Hi, I'm new here. I was diagnosed 4/05 and since going total gluten free except for accidental contaminations, I have gained about 20 pounds. I don't know how to get rid of it and don't want to eat gluten in order to return to my normal weight. Also, wondered if anyone else has had problems with a skin condition called, granuloma annulara. Thanks for any help.

[sagemoon]

Hi, I'm new here. I was diagnosed 4/05 and since going total gluten free except for accidental contaminations, I have gained about 20 pounds. I don't know how to get rid of it and don't want to eat gluten in order to return to my normal weight. Also, wondered if anyone else has had problems with a skin condition called, granuloma annulara. Thanks for any help.

Hi,

Yep, I've put on 17 lbs since I went Gluten-free Jan '06. My gastro guy says it is normal since I am now properly absorbing my food, but it is very frustrating since I've battled my weight all of my life and was not in any obvious nutritional distress when I was untreated. I have hovered between 10-30 lbs overweight forever. Fortunately, or unfortunately, I was down a few pounds when I went to Gluten-free, so I still have some 'fat' clothes to begrudgingly don. Don't go to gluten to try to remedy the situation. Believe me, I am most likely just as unhappy as you are about it, my wardrobe is truly malfunctioning and I am obsessing over my belly, posterior, and jowls daily - hourly. I just decided this past week that I cannot sit by and put on another pound. I have always had success with Jenny Craig and NutriSystem, but they are not made for us, so it is just a matter of cutting back on what I eat, I started a latin dance workout yesterday (boy, am I creaky), and I am starting to lift light weights today. I am 50 and just want to be healthy and strong versus stick thin like I used to wish I was for so many years. But, I must admit, I would love to get back into my size 8s. If you can handle dairy (I am allergic to casein), you may be able to take advantage of the good whey protein shakes out there. Good luck.

Sorry, no skin condition like that here. Hope you find some help with it.

[tarnalberry]

It's quote common to put on weight after going gluten-free. Getting it off is tough, but the basic idea is simple - take in fewer calories than you burn. Putting that into practice can get challenging.

You take in fewer calories by reducing food intake, obviously - and one thing that I think is particularly helpful with that is making sure to have balanced, controled portions of fat, protein, and carbs. That means no skimping on fat, but not thoroughly avoiding carbs entirely either. (The goal there is to maintain a steady blood sugar level to encourage you to not eat as often because you won't feel as hungry.) And you burn more calories by building muscle mass and/or exercising. Anything you'll stick with is good, but building muscle mass (as this is the best body tissue for burning calories while you're not doing anything else) is even better.

The really hard part, IMHO, is be patient enough to do this each day, every day, forever. Because that's what weight maintenance is all about. Yargh. (Stupid cold weather keeping me indoors...)

[mn farm gal]

I have put on some weight also since going gluten free. At first I think I just ate to many potatoe because I din't know what to have. And I have a hard time feeling full at dinner time at work because nothing taste good reheated or I don't know what to eat at work so I over eat at supper time. I know this will take time.

[sagemoon]

You're right about the over eating, I must admit that. It seemed that once I knew I couldn't have any cookies and crackers and cake I was devastated, even though I never ate them to begin with. When I figured out the Gluten-free snacks, then I began to eat them, so I ate a lot of simple carbs that I would not have eaten before Gluten-free. I bake my own cookies now, using the Pure Oats oatmeal and that helps a lot with the fiber issue. I tried adding FiberSure to all of my foods, but it made me feel like I was going to have diarrhea at any given moment - all day long, so I've cut that out.

Just did my latin dance workout. Really fun, but every joint in my body is yelling at me. Started with the 5 lb weights for a little shoulder work as well. Fingers crossed I keep it up and don't wimp out.....

[Nancym]

Also, the gluten-free carby snacks are worse than wheat based ones usually. They're much higher Glycemic index and higher calorie to boot. You gotta go easy on that stuff. I find sticking to a diet of meat, fish, veggies, nuts, fruits is the best one for me to keep my weight in control. I've struggled with my weight pretty much my entire life. And eating a diet of simple and nutritious foods, without any added starches, is the way I keep my pants fitting.

[TinkerbellSwt]

I have also gained soooo much weight since going gluten free. I, too, have always had a weight problem. Not obese, but I was about 20 pounds over weight. Now I am probably 40 pounds overweight easily. I do also eat the gluten free snacks. I was also told it does have a little bit to do with now my body is absorbing the nutrients. Its not all that, believe me, I know. I try to eat as well as I can. I do know that Tiffany is correct, in the fact I need to get moving! For now though, since I tripped over my sons toy, I have water on my knee and have been trying to get rid of it for 2 months to no avail, pain a lot, not a lot of walking and no climbing stairs and such (someone needs to tell Colin this). I am on my way to see a knee surgeon about my condition. I know my weight isnt helping my situation either. I hate that. I envy those who can just eat whatever they want. Not that anyone should. We all should eat responsibly. I know I need to better my diet. Knowing and implementing it are two totally different things here though.

[tarnalberry]

(I should have added: just because I know what *needs* to happen, doesn't mean I always do it either. it gets tough to keep that momentum all the time , but it is easier once you get started, or if you do it with someone else.)

[lovegrov]

I gained almost 50 pounds, which for me is about 30 too many (actually I gained 70 from when I was REALLY sick, but then I weighed far too little). Before going gluten-free I ate whatever I wanted and never gained weight or had high cholesterol. I know that everybody is different and I am a man, which usually makes it easier to lose weight, but the ONLY thing that worked for me was reducing calories and exercising (walk every day, lift light weights 2-3 times a week). No pills, no fad diets.

richard