Will Body Fat Decrease When On Gluten-free Diet?!

[Vlo1980]

Once we've been diagnosed with celiac disease and start changing our diet to gluten-free won't our body fat come off easily? The toxic effect produced by gluten ingestion will no longer be a problem so it'll be easier for the body to get rid of the fat cells used to accumulate these toxins since they will no longer be produced. Anyone ever experience significant body shape changes after diagnosis? Was anyone having difficulty achieving fitness results before you were diagnosed?

Any feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Roda]

I actually have gained weight since being diagnosed and I was slightly overweight before diagnosis. It really sucks. For me I think it is consuming alot more things with rice etc and my exercise intolerance from tachycardia and shortness of breath even with minor exercise. I have chronic low ferritin and think that is my problem. Alot of people say they loose weight after gluten free diet I am still waiting to.

[cat3883]

I was diagnosed in October and I have lost 15 pounds. But you will need to reduce processed foods as they have many calories in them. I eat meat, veggies, and fruit and an occasional candy bar. Remember it can take up to 2 years for your small intestine to heal.

[Vlo1980]

Thanks guys for replying!

I'm very selective when it comes to food and I always try to eat right but even though I'm only 107 lbs, there are certain areas in my body where fat simply won't come off no matter how hard I train. I haven't been diagnosed yet but I'm having my labs done this week and I know for sure I do have it because I have a multitude of symptoms that are telling me so. Plus, my daughther has it and her GI told me I probably do too and should get tested a.s.a.p. , especially when I told her about some of my symptoms.

I read this girl's blog on another site and felt relieved because she seemed to be dealing with some of the same issues I'm dealing with right now and after she was diagnosed, they simply vanished after her diet changed. Maybe mine will too, especially when it comes to stubborn fat.

I found her blog on a site called body building. com and if you type in celiac disease in the search section you'll see her article entitled Celiac Disease...A blessing in disguise! I tried posting a link but can't for some reason.

[chasbari]

I wouldn't exactly call it a blessing in disguise. I have always been involved in some way, shape or form with working out and fitness. As I got more ill over the years I couldn't tolerate exercise anymore and my rheumatoid arthritis made just moving next to impossible. Finally dx'd for celiac in February and have gone on a paleo diet. I wasn't really aware just how my body composition had changed over the years. Body weight had stayed fairly stable but I know now I was losing lean body tissue and accumulating body fat as the clothes didn't fit the same. As the gut has begun to heal I have been able to begin working out with intensity for the most part but can easily overdo it and put myself in a further downward weight spiral where I will drop 4 or 5 pounds in a day or so and glutening makes it even worse. If I stay away from working out and eat an extra meal I can regain the weight in about a week or so. I know it is from lean body tissue as I can almost literally feel my skeletal muscles getting recharged when I finally get enough calories. I dropped 35 pounds I didn't feel I had to lose in the first place and have seen body fat disappear. I have a real difficult time getting enough calories and protein to maintain lean body mass so growth is even more difficult. Not a good way to lose body fat if you ask me. Effective? I guess so. Certainly not enjoyable.

[Angels~Exist]

From what I've heard many people gain weight before they start losing it. I think it is all part of the healing process. I've been gluten-free for two months and have finally started walking and jogging but it is still really easy to over-do it and have to recuperate for a couple of days.

[munkee41182]

I was a supid college kid who went off the diet (strict on it for a few years). I aws at my skinniest just before I went off the diet. Met my husband, went off the diet, and by the time I got married, and just ewnt back on the gluten-free diet I was at my heaviest. That was 9 months ago....still struggling to get the weight off. I told H after this weekend, I'm done with the processed foods (I'll keep a few boxes of gluten-free mac n cheese around just incase I need some craptastic food).

And to think...my cousin who also is celiac lost a whole lot of weight before she as diagnosed. Me, I gained. We even compare symptoms and hers are a lot different than mine when we get glutened. Crazy how this disease works!

[pchick]

Was anyone having difficulty achieving fitness results before you were diagnosed?

Any feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I was just diagnosed with celiacs 7/14/09 so I'm totally new here. But I'm now 40 and always have had issues with my body and fitness. Truth is, I like working out... but I never see the results others do, EVER. For instance: I've been going to my gym for 6 years, I work out 60 mins 4-5x a week - 15 mins stretch, 30 mins elliptical and then some lite strength training. I end my workouts with some time in the sauna/hot tub to relax my muscles, otherwise I'm sore for days. I also do yoga on a regular basis (for years), but I'm still in beginners classes because my joints are so swollen, I have very little range of motion. I just had chalked this up to getting older... I've never felt great... even as a little kid, I was always sick, but no one could ever find anything wrong with me and then they just wanted to put me on antidepressants.

So now I'm about 55 pounds overweight - I gained 25 pound during my last 6 years going to the gym and eating "healthy". (I'm 5'5" 190)

The doc said all my gluten intake over the years has caused a leaky gut (eww) and that could the reason I don't lose the weight.

I recently started a low carb diet to bring my triglycerides and blood sugar down (some of my many symptoms) and I've actually have lost 7 pounds in the last 3 weeks! This to me was amazing ~ I've never lost weight before! Plus I'm feeling better than I have in a LONG time. Then I get the celiac diagnosis, and now all the pieces are fitting together, and I'm actually relieved to know there is a chance I could feel like a normal person at some point in the future... just by eliminating some foods! The added bonus for me is the possibility of losing some weight in the process

[UnhappyCoeliac]

mine did

and muscle soreness eases

[yogamommytrainer99]

I am gaining weight. My doc suggested it could be an adjustment period. A celiac's body ingesting gluten works in a depleted state, and then changing to a gluten-free diet the body is adjusting to another more healthful state. It's all about being patient... Oh and of course changing my workout routine - more cardio and less strength training!