Cannot Lose Weight!

[Kathleen Smith]

Hi Everyone,

I have been gluten-free for two years. The last 6 months have been the most healing. That is mostly due to eating whole foods. I cannot digest alot of processed gluten-free foods, I just feel nausous and feel like I am glutened when I am not. Eating plain whole foods (mostly fruits, veggies, some chicken and some nuts with the occassional sweet potatoe) helped me start to feel better. I will from time to time re-introduce things like pork or beans and maybe a potatoe but not very often.

Anyway, although I know it is most important I am not feeling sick every day and for that I am SO thankful (it really does make a difference not feeling sick every time you eat). But I cannot lose weight. I am trying to be patient. I have always worked out, probably always 3-4 times week but I really try for 5. I started did weight watchers last winter and lost 20 pounds but it hasnt moved one pound since then! And it was after WW that I started eating the above way (no gluten-free processed foods).

My TSH was around 6.0 and I have started (just a month ago) meds for that.

I am also on lexapro and have been for years (10mg, but am in process of weaning so currently at 5).

My primary care doc thinks the weight issue is probably the lexapro.

Do you all think it is just celiac damange, my thyroid or could it be the lexapro??

Thanks for your advice! Again, mostly greatful I am feeling better regarding celiac so I dont mean to complain, just frustrated b/c I work so hard at the gym and with eating.....you'd think I could lose!?!

[Wolicki]

I feel your pain. At diagnosis, I was at 93 pounds (normal for me is about 165). Within 6 months, I gained 110 pounds. And that is not a typo. This was while eating low cal (1300), exercising 6 days per week, very few grains and nothing processed.

My doctor thinks I have lingering effects of malnutrition or post starvation syndrome, and that my body is storing up for the next famine. He also said that my body learned how to survive on far fewer calories and that it will take quite some time (read years) to straighten out. I tried eating more, because some people say if you eat too little, you will gain. Well, that didn't work.

The day after Christmas, I started Slimfast twice a day, with some protein and veggies for dinner. This finally made a dent. I've lost 21 pounds since December 26, but I've been really hungry. I do Zumba three times a week, do a Curves circuit 3 times per week and ride my bike on the weekends. I don't eat grains or legumes, just veggies, fruit and protein. Low dairy. It's the most frustrating thing in the world because I was thin without trying before all this celiac stuff started. I will be very happy to get back to normal size. Talk about extremes! No one recognizes me anymore!

Keeping a food diary was really helpful to figure out actual calories consumed. Livestrong has a good one. Hope that helps.

[kitgordon]

Is Slimfast safe?

[Wolicki]

Is Slimfast safe?

Yes, as long as the dairy doesn't bother you. The slimfast bars are mostly not, though. They either contain gluten or "may contain" gluten. I have been eating the peanut butter chocolate on a rare occassion without any issues, and I am pretty sensitive. I buy the premade individual shakes in a can.

[eatmeat4good]

Excellent information on post starvation syndrome.

I would second that you need to be sure to get enough protein.

I notice if I don't I get swelling and inflammation.

Must be that my body thinks there is a famine and

stores everything as fat.

I am having trouble with weight gain...after I lost like 35 pounds the first 4 months gluten free.

Now seems like everything I eat goes to my middle.

Gonna do protein, veg, fruit and nuts only I guess.