Lost 4 Pounds Since Going Gluten-Free

[CruiseWriter]

I went gluten-free a month ago after endoscopy/colonoscopy was done. No diagnosis but I went gluten--free anyway. Lost 4 pounds since then; I am now 241. Still a size 18/20 but everyone says I look good. I do exercise regularly,walk 45 minutes a day and use hand weights. I'm very fit and toned but I am retaining a ton of fluid. I was hoping to lose more than a few pounds,but I guess that's something. I go back to GI on Friday for a follow-up. He says I am so not Celiac.

[AgainstTheGrainIdaho]

I had the same issue and found out,when I lost weight, cutting out Wheat and gluten made a big difference.I also went and got tested and I showed an allergy to wheat but not other gluten grains. Your issue might not be a gluten issue either. A lot of people assume that a wheat allergy is also a gluten allergy when in fact it isn't that way. The first week I cut out wheat, I lost a good pant size and my bulge around my hips were almost down by half! I was so excited that I continued on the wheat free diet and when I slip up I notice I retain water A LOT! Plus I feel bloated and constipated too. So going wheat free makes my body a whole lot happier for sure! Just test it out. Go wheat and gluten free for a few weeks and see what happens and then add back in other gluten grains(Spelt, Kamut, barley) and you should tell a difference right away. Also remember that there are SO many different places to find gluten. Check THIS forum out to double check to see if you are on a true gluten free trial period. Lots of spices, vinegars, food flavorings and personal products can all have some form of wheat and gluten in it. Good luck!

[L Ceezy]

Many GI doctors don't like the diagnosis of Celiac. I'm not sure why, but I know I dealt with a real jerk who came in and said "good news! you're not sick!" after doing a colonoscopy on me (because he makes more money off of that, my bf knows him and warned me he would do that) when I came in asking for an endoscopy. Like oh good, so I guess the diarrhea 8x a day is nothing to worry about then, since according to you, I'm not sick, right? And when I told him I already had a great relief of symptoms since not eating gluten, he tells me I don't have a problem with it and am only making life hard for myself by having an unnecessary restrictive diet. So I asked him about my stomach pains and bathroom issues, and he tells me I have IBS (It's BullShit) and tries to prescribe me Prevacid for the 800th time in my life. I then ask him about my chronic fatigue... he says it's not related!! Right.

So I feel you with your experience with your GI and def believe that we each know our bodies best. If you feel a positive difference, then continue it! My bf owns a blood work lab so I was constantly testing myself for everything and he tells me about new tests that come out all the time, so things are constantly changing. And with the lack of funding that research for Celiac disease gets because of it's lack of drug treatment, the testing still has a long way to go to being fully comprehensive like AIDS or pregnancy, which can still both present false results too.

I fully believe you'll continue to see improvements in your health if you are serious about going gluten-free, but it does take time. It's worth it. Good luck!

[bloomgirl]

Congratulations on your weight loss!! I understand that it can be tough to lose weight when your body is sick. Since going gluten free I have lost 6 lbs in the last three weeks. I had problems with water retention as well and it was so painful to walk. As painful as it is I would manage to walk 5-6 miles per day and not a drop in weight.

[shadowicewolf]

I understand the weight thing completely. My case was a bit diffrerent. Originally before all of this mess started i was just under 180. Then i got sick and was diagnosed after loosing about 20lbs in about a month (!!!) not the best way to do it. I have since lost another 5 since starting this diet. I've found that my previously tight clothes are no longer tight (yay). But i'm not exercising either (still dealing with side effects). So i'm hoping to keep loosing till i can get down to a 'healthy' weight (which for me would be around 130).

Good luck

[roguegrl]

Does anyone know of the reasons why dropping gluten from our diet has such a significant effect on our weight?

Since going gluten free three months ago I have lost 20 pounds! And I am eating constantly. Processed foods also have been cut out of my diet, for the most part, with fresh and natural products being supplimented and all meals being cooked from scratch. My energy level is through the roof and my anxiety has dropped significantly... unforuntaely so has my wallet, with having to purchase cloths that don't fall off when I walk, but c'est la vie.

[color-me-confused]

Does anyone know of the reasons why dropping gluten from our diet has such a significant effect on our weight?

I don't have any idea. I just know that I'm dropping about 2 lbs per week since going gluten-free and am about to need new pants and more holes in my belt. Over the past 10 years or so I've had a terrible time losing weight when really trying at various times - even careful calorie counting, complete with a food scale, a food diary, and lots of exercise didn't do it. Also my body fat % is down 1.5%, after not budging for years.

Can't say I'm complaining though. Another 10 lbs and I'll be at what I weighed at college graduation 15 years ago.

[shadowicewolf]

Yeah, my theory is that gluten actually adds to the weight, so once removed your body (in theory) will become healthier and loose said gluten'd weight

[color-me-confused]

Yeah, my theory is that gluten actually adds to the weight, so once removed your body (in theory) will become healthier and loose said gluten'd weight

Another theory that occurred to me today: this new diagnosis has taken the fun out of eating. Unless it's produce or something I've made or a specifically gluten-free product...well...food is now making me anxious.

[jemms]

Another theory that occurred to me today: this new diagnosis has taken the fun out of eating. Unless it's produce or something I've made or a specifically gluten-free product...well...food is now making me anxious.

I agree with you! I dont look forward to eating anymore. In a sense it is good for me because I was consumed with food before all this. Now it is eating whatever I can to make sure I get the most nutrients possible. Not much fun anymore...and at times I do get anxious as well because I worry about CC so in that case I sometimes just go without eating if I am out and about.

Also, I would suggest cutting back on your dairy intake if you havent already. I cant tolerate dairy anymore and since stopping it I have lost about 30 lbs. Congrats on your 4lbs! It is a great feeling to finally see that scale move down!!

[Looking for answers]

Does anyone know of the reasons why dropping gluten from our diet has such a significant effect on our weight?

I don't have an answer for that either, but I found it true in my case as well. I was always 150-160, but I'm almost 5'10, so I was average weight. Then I went gluten free and started exercising regularly and dropped to 125! On my doctor's request, I put on 10 pounds and have stayed this weight for 5 years. My guess is when you eat foods you're intolerant to it must mess with your metabolism.