Bound To Happen?

[Live2BWell]

So, today is day 15 of being Gluten-Free; Well, atleast it's 15 days since I went Gluten-Free. I suppose it was bound to happen but I was mistakenly Glutenated more than once (getting the hang of this is certainly not easy.) I was surprised that after having had the gluten-filled foods, some symptoms came back, and others didn't. Most noticibly was the rash on my arms (red bumps) and the GI problems.

Last night, I threw in the towel (I hadn't done that the other two times) after having again mistakenly eaten gluten, and had a very "all or nothing" mentality. Probably not a good thing because now it's after 3am and I haven't been able to sleep, and feeling rather icky

I am feeling confused - what does this mean? Does this mean that I've undone the good that being gluten free, began? I know things were going better, I was feeling better - and while I was from from okay, it was atleast a step in the right direction (I have other autoimmune & health issues that are in the process of being sorted out.)

I think right now, I've kind of been tossed off my gluten-free pink cloud, and I'm feeling a bit discouraged and frustrated

I've haven't been able to meal-plan yet, so that's been difficult because I am caught in situations where I end up setting myself up (either due to lack of choice, or lack of knowlege.)

Any advice or feedback?

Thanks!

[ShayFL]

Just give yourself a hug. No one is foolproof. Love yourself. Be gentle and kind to yourself and just get back with the program. And continue to heal.

[lizard00]

Last night, I threw in the towel (I hadn't done that the other two times) after having again mistakenly eaten gluten, and had a very "all or nothing" mentality. Probably not a good thing because now it's after 3am and I haven't been able to sleep, and feeling rather icky

Welcome to the process. I've been there, done that. Then you remember why you are supposed to be gluten-free in the first place. These little bumps come along the way to remind us that 1: we are not perfect and 2: WHY we should avoid gluten like the poison that it is.

In the beginning, I thought being gluten-free was soooo easy. Because I started to feel a little better, it was easy: eliminate a food and get better.

That is much easier said than done. We all find that out at some point. We all get discouraged and fall off the wagon, but the important thing is not to stay there. Just pick yourself up and start again. You're not starting back at zero, so don't beat yourself up about it. It happened and you can't change it. Learn from it and make today a new day. Otherwise, you'll make yourself nuts. Believe me...

[red5050]

Ugh I hear ya! Yesterday I thought I was slick and could have a sip of my husband's delicious wheat beer (I know...saying that now I realize how dumb I was) and today I feel like I've been hit by a bus. All of my symptoms came back all at once and smacked me into the ground. I guess I'll take this as a lesson learned because believe me I don't want to feel like this again and I can't believe I lived feeling like this for so long.

I've been gluten-free since May 18 and I've been quite happy and successful until today. Things that helped me:

READ - all that you can about living gluten free, I highly recommend Gluten-Free Cooking for Dummies and Living Gluten Free for Dummies. I'm not saying they are the best of what's out there but, they were a nice, comfortable place for me to start.

PLAN - you really need to get yourself a prepared meal plan. What I mean is plan out your grocery shopping based on recipes you're going to try that week. Also plan what snacks and treats you'll have on hand for yourself so you aren't feeling deprived. In the store, READ every single label of anything you put in your cart and try to steer away from the processed foods. Go for fruits and veggies. I would also recommend trying to stay as organic and natural as possible. I try to keep a Larabar (Open Original Shared Link) in my purse for emergencies, they taste excellent!

STAY POSITIVE - no kidding, this is tough and for sure most people simply cannot comprehend what it takes to live gluten free. But, remember how icky you felt (or feel when you accidentally eat it) and think about how empowered you are to be able to take control of those symptoms and hopefully remove them from your day-to-day life.

I'm feeling gross with you today! Hang in there! Drink lots of water and take a nap

[GFqueen17]

It's definately hard at first. You have to go shopping and find gluten-free foods that you really enjoy eating. That way you wont feel so deprived and it will be easier. Do you have a Wegmans or health food store near you? Either of those places would have all sorts of tasty gluten-free things.

(I recommend trying to find Pamela's gluten-free brownies. Follow the instructions that make them come out "fudge-like" and top with vanilla ice cream. So delicious you won't miss gluten food at all!)

[gfpaperdoll]

Hello, & hugs from me to. Don't sweat it, you will have to just start from today.

Please make your freezer & your lunch kit your best friends. Always take some food with you whenever you go anywhere, even if you do not think that you will need anything. I have an assortment of lunch kits, lunch bags, totes etc. being girls we have it easy that way... If I am going out to eat, I always have a few things with me, just in case, traffic jam, restaurant closed, anything, I at least have something to eat.

Always keep food & desserts in your freezer. If you can eat gluten Free Pantry's Brownie Mix, they freeze beautifully. You can even ice them. Really, all gluten-free desserts freeze well. I also make lemon bars & keep them in the freezer. I really do not eat this stuff much anymore, but I still keep a few things on hand if I decide I want something or for my gluten-free friends.

I do not eat the gluten-free bars, but there are some really good ones like Boomi. I do keep nuts in the freezer & lots of dried fruit, including large dates that still have the seed, so I can throw something together right quick.

A hint to liking yourself, treat yourself like you would your child, or your best friend. If they were glutened accidently, would you on purpose feed them more? So yes, take youself to the spa & get a massage & a pedicure!!!!

[Amyleigh0007]

Don't give up! When faced with a difficult situation (example - eat gluten vs. don't eat it) I find it helps to talk my way through it. I went back to work yesterday (I am a teacher) and there is always a TON of food at school. Parents are always bringing in treats for us. When I walked into the teacher work room there were lots of goodies and everyone was pigging out. I actually teared up with the realization that I couldn't eat any of it. I grabbed my diet coke and corn tortilla wrap and left. I reminded myself that I will get really ill if I eat gluten and I am not able to take care of my children. My health has improved so much since going gluten free and I don't want to go back to being sick. I also told myself that I need to lose those last few pregnancy pounds and eating cake, pizza, and cookies would not get me closer to fitting into my old clothes, but my healthy, gluten free lunch would. Anyway, when faced with a gluten situation try to talk yourself into being "good". It works for me.