Obesity

[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.

[Guest LisaB]

Patty,

I am assuming your gluten free right? If so, how long and how do you think you have eliminated it all? To me the bloating sounds like a dead give away to Celiac, there is something in your intestines that the bacteria is munching on at the very least. Have you eliminated dairy?

Lisa

[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

[Guest shar4]

Bummer man!!! I'm having the exact opposite reaction. I was diagnosed on Halloween, and since then I have gained almost 10#. Its almost like my system has gone berserk, and is keeping every little morsel I put in it. Another problem is that I loved my carbs, and now I don't feel satisfied unless I have that something crunchy, and I haven't found a substitute that I like. Celery just doesn't cut it.

Anybody got any ideas?

Thanks for the help.

Sharon

[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!

[Guest LisaB]

Clare,

The Carb Addicts diet might just be the thing for you, Welda mentioned it earlier in this thread. If your eating a lot of rice and not losing weight, maybe you have to stick with low carb most of the time because of your blood sugar levels to lose any weight. Just a thought.

I really wish abnormal weight gain was more recognised as a symptom, from what I "hear" on these boards, it is just as common as weight loss.

Lisa

[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

[Guest shar4]

Marybet, What you said sounds very similar to what I have experienced. I have been heavy all my life but about 2-3 years ago, I had had it and lost 45#, though lots of HARD work. I never looked so good in my life, but I was secretly killing myself because I was practically living on pretzels.

Since my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and then getting diagnosed with celiac disease, I have begun to pack on the pounds again, although I have more energy than I have had since I can remember. Let me tell you, that is the coolest feeling!!! I love feeling better, and if I have to struggle with the weight, then I guess I will do it. ( At least now I have the energy to get some exercise!!)

My iron levels are also rising, and I have been getting B12 injections. What a difference!!!

Sorry, I tend to ramble on and on....

Blessings to all

Sharon

[mom of 5 celiac]

My husband has been on the diet for 3 years and he has gained 30 lbs and is miserable. What is anyone doing to lose the weight. I can't figure out why he has

gained weight. This is really fustrating. I just found out I have it and I am over weight. This just isn't making any sense to me. My husband has stuck to this diet and gained weight Any suggestion to helping him lose?

[gf4life]

Hi Mom of 5 Celiac,

I was wondering if your husband is eating a lot of gluten free high-carb foods? Sometimes this can make people gain weight on the gluten-free diet. As for you being overweight as well, I assume that you have not been on the diet? If that is the case, then when you do get gluten free you may want to watch your high carb foods as well. Too much rice flour products and corn products might not be good for weight loss, and too much sugar is probably not a good idea either. Not everyone has the problem of being underweight, and we still have to eat in moderation in regards to the sweets and breads, pastas and such. I wish you luck.

I take it from your name that you have 5 kids with celiac disease?! It's not surprising if both you and your husband have it. Do you have any that don't have celiac disease? Just wondering since I have 3 kids and they are all being tested. I know the statistics, but just like to see the real life families out there and how many have it versus how many don't. I am one of 7 children and only one of the other 6 is actively persuing testing for celiac disease. I wonder sometimes how many of the others have it...

God bless,

Mariann

[clare]

Mariann,

Sorry to take so long to reply. This month and next is winter holiday for university students here and they flock to our language school en masse to magically learn English before graduation. This means that I have an overloaded class schedule, little time to spend with my husband and even less time to spend on the computer.

Although Koreans traditionally eat rice at all 3 meals, I limit my consumption to one bowl per day, max. I've also virtually cut potatoes and corn from my diet, too. I tend to eat Korean food for lunch and dinner, often some type of soup with various vegetable side dishes. Breakfast used to be oatmeal, but since I was still having 'mystery gluten attacks' I switched to brown rice flakes (does Kellog's make those in North America?) I still have problems sometimes. I'm not sure if this means that I've also developed lactose intolerance to further decrease my breakfast options, or if it's the coffee and/or creamer I often have in the mornings. The coffee in the machines definitely causes a reaction, but I don't always react to my own coffee. Does anyone have any ideas?

I guess I should be thankful that my weight doesn't seem to have increased in the past couple of months, but after being gluten-free for 3 months, I suddenly have high blood pressure. "You need to lose weight", was my helpful doctor's solution. Since I already exercise regularly and watch what I eat, he had no further suggestions for me. AAAAAAAARGH!!!!

[Guest Laurie anne]

:Hi, I too look pregnant, and i lost 25 pounds but gained it back really fast, i have not been eating hardly anything and still gained. i have a bad rash and heat palpitaions, a very bloated stomach and i'm very frustrated because i have given up so much, i love to stand in the coffee aisle in the store and just smell the coffee. It seems the less i eat the more i gain, would love some helpful hints.

laurie anne

[Guest shar4]

Yeah, I second that, if anybody has come up with anything I would LOVE to hear it. I have gained so much weight it's making me sick. I know I have to heal, but I don't want to gain back all the weight I worked so hard to lose.

Good luck to all!!

Sharon

[gf4life]

the less i eat the more i gain

Laurie Anne, You could very well have put your body into a starvation mode. It will then hold on to every bit of food you eat, saving it for later, since it doesn't know when it will eat again. This can be overcome by eating 5-6 small meals a day, one every 3 hours. You need to make sure that you eat enough calories to feed your body, but if you want to lose weight then they need to be healthy food calories. Each meal should include a bit of protein, some type of carbohydrate, and some fresh fruit or vegetable. it is okay to have a sweet treat every once in a while, but you don't want to exceed your calorie limit too often, or you won't lose weight.

Now I can tell you this information, but I am having a hard time implementing it myself. I know it works, but I am still getting used to the gluten-free diet, and just finding food to eat is hard enough. The kind of planning it takes to have gluten-free food available to eat every three hours will take a little practice (at least for me). Some days I don't eat much and other days I can't stop eating. I am having a hard time with my weight and I need to do the 'frequent small meals" thing. I also need to figure out my calorie minimum & maximum. I have a few books that talk about how to calculate this, if anyone wants to e-mail me I can help you figure yours out.

God bless,

Mariann

[Nin]

you might want to check for other food sensitivities. I found I am sensitive to casein the protein in dairy. And I read it will cause the same problems as gluten.

I also am sensitive to yeast, and that causes the bloating.

[rsavage]

I am so thankful for this web-site. I felt like I was the only fat Celiac. My doctor couldn't even believe the test results because "all celiacs are rail thin" I ballooned up to 187 before diagnosis. I dropped 50 lbs and then promptly put 30 back on. I'm in real trouble now because my blood pressure and cholesterol are both up. That makes MDs scream because they are sure that I will stroke out. I really am trying to do the right thing. I eat lightly only lean meats and vegetables with a few fruits. However, if my body gets it it will not let go of it. I work out 5 out of 6 days the gym is open. I walk my dogs at least 4 of 7 days also. Clean house, stay away from food by sewing and just generally try not to get too upset over the whole thing. I really don't much care for rice, potatoes corn etc. Really hate rice bread except the black rice. So I guess I will continue to try until someone oks real food like chocolate and brownies. Thanks for listening, Royann

[gf4life]

Nin, I am also gluten/casein sensitive. It makes the diet a little trickier, but I feel better off dairy. I was wondering how you found out about the yeast. I have tried making gluten-free breads with yeast and I always get very bloated. Is there a test available, or was it just a process of elimination? I am currently avoiding yeast right now.

rsavage, I had one doctor (a GI specialist) refuse to test me for Celiac because I was overweight. he even did the Endoscope and did not biopsy my intestines, since he just knew I couldn't be a Celiac. Well he was wrong, and my insurance had to pay for another Endoscopy for another doctor to do the biopsy! Obesity can actually be a symptoms of celiac disease. And as far as I know most chocolate is gluten-free, and gluten-free brownies can be made from a mix and are better than most "real" brownies.

God bless,

Mariann