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Lightweight To Begin With


Goof

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Goof Rookie

Hi gang,

So one of the things that tipped me off to my gluten intolerance was that I lost about 15 lbs in about 6 months. I'm not a big guy to begin with - 5'6", normally 115-120 lbs.

To those of you that lost weight - how long did it take to get it back? I'm not the most patient person in the world, so I'm just trying to keep from getting frustrated.

Thanks guys!!!!


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MNMAC Apprentice

I lost about 40 pounds in only 3 months, going from 200 to 160. I was very concerned with my weight loss and in a hurry to put the pounds back on after going gluten-free, becoming obsessed with how many calories I was eating during the day, writing it down and trying to get myself to eat more day after day. Nothing changed and I was frustrated and still not feeling all that good. Then I read on here about how important it was to focus on my proteins and not calories. Since then I have put away the notebook and try not to worry about my weight. In the matter of days I felt alot better, had more energy and started to see things in a more positive way. I am more happy now then I was at 200 lbs. and can build my body up in a much more healthier way, I see it almost like a second chance. So don't stress about the pounds you lost, focus on what kinds of things are good for your body and make you feel good, The rest will take care of itself. I am up 5 pounds since my new approach and have this forum to thank for it. I am no expert but things will get better.

GlutenGladi8or Apprentice

Then I read on here about how important it was to focus on my proteins and not calories.

Pure and simple the above is the answer. If you have can, opt for all natural/organic proteins. And, by all means, the leaner the better:

- Low fat/Non Fat Yogurt

- Lean turkey breast

- Fish

- Low fat chicken sausages

- Pork tenderloin

- LF cottage cheese

- Egg whites

You'll get back up there!

jelina Newbie

I also lost a great deal of weight after getting sick, going down to a bmi of 14. I didn't gain weight (after trying everything else) until I went on an elimination diet (which included eliminating gluten.) Beware of the possible "hypermetabolic mode" that some of us go through. Basically, your metabolism rate might shoot up such that no matter how much it seems like you're eating, you won't gain weight right away.

So, I was eating 3000-4000 calories a day for a while and didn't start gaining for 2-3 weeks. Don't get discouraged!:) Oh, and keep in mind that you need some extra protein to rebuild your tissue; however, your body prefers burning calories from fats and carbs. I never could gain weight on a low-carb diet; I never would make it passed the hypermetabolic mode.

Goof Rookie

Thanks guys!! I'm just getting tired of answering "Have you lost weight?" when I go to church every week. "Yes, I know, I look skinny. No, it's nothing I can't treat or deal with. Yes, I'm going in the right direction." Got the answer down pat! I think I'm going to get a T-Shirt made up that says "I've lost both weight and gluten, and never felt better!" ;)

I've definitely been focusing on protein, trying to get it in each of my 3 meals everyday. Lean chicken (love the meat from Whole Foods!), nuts, etc.

jelina - Thanks for mentioning the "hypermetabolic mode." Never really thought about that. I've always had a high metabolism to begin with (not sure if there was a relation to gluten), so it probably just kicked into a higher gear than it was already in. That's a big encourangement!

jelina Newbie

Sure thing! And don't worry, hypermetabolic mode has an end and your appetite will adjust accordingly.

  • 2 weeks later...
GlutenGladi8or Apprentice

Unless you have an egg allergy, you can include eggs into your diet for some killer protein. Egg white omelets or even a hard boiled egg before bed or as a snack.

I may also recommend a protein shake for those "fill in" snacks.

Keep eating LEAN protein and you'll pack on LEAN pounds.

Keep us posted.


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Goof Rookie

Well, I did stop counting calories and focusing big time on the protein. I've been trying to make sure that I get some protein with each meal every day, even just something as simple as some nuts as a snack. While the scale hasn't moved a whole lot (maybe 1 or 2 lbs.), I do see a difference when I look in the mirror, particualarly in my arms and legs. And the pants I wore to work today are a bit snug right now (probably makes my backside look good! :lol: ). So it's coming back slowly, which I expected. Which, from what I understand, it's better that I put in on slowly and methodically, because it will be both healthier and will stick better.

Thanks for the encouragement guys!!

Fire Fairy Enthusiast

I think I'm going to get a T-Shirt made up that says "I've lost both weight and gluten, and never felt better!" ;)

I'll take one of those tee shirts. :)

  • 2 weeks later...
Nireen Newbie

I'll take one of those tee shirts. :)

Hi All, Thanks for the post it does give me some comfort. I recently (two weeks) went gluten free and I have dropped about 7 or 8 pounds in the last two weeks. I am so concerned of this. I am a petit person to start with at a height of 5 feet 7 inches and am weighing now 116 pounds. I have always been slim anyway but this is to slim now and seems to be continuing to drop. I am very sick right now since going gluten free. Actually I have been house bound for almost 20 years with Chronic Fatique, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and recently realized the gluten issue. I have spent the last 4 years cleansing, my body and trying to build and this has helped me greatly! but! was still hitting a brick wall. I am amazed at the changes I do feel from elimating the gluten. I am HUNGRY! Have not felt that since I was a kid. But i am experiencing allot of suffering now.

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    • SamAlvi
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    • knitty kitty
      Blood tests for thiamine are unreliable.  The nutrients from your food get absorbed into the bloodstream and travel around the body.  So, a steak dinner can falsely raise thiamine blood levels in the following days.  Besides, thiamine is utilized inside cells where stores of thiamine are impossible to measure. A better test to ask for is the Erythrocyte Transketolace Activity test.  But even that test has been questioned as to accuracy.  It is expensive and takes time to do.   Because of the discrepancies with thiamine tests and urgency with correcting thiamine deficiency, the World Health Organization recommends giving thiamine for several weeks and looking for health improvement.  Thiamine is water soluble, safe and nontoxic even in high doses.   Many doctors are not given sufficient education in nutrition and deficiency symptoms, and may not be familiar with how often they occur in Celiac disease.  B12 and Vitamin D can be stored for as long as a year in the liver, so not having deficiencies in these two vitamins is not a good indicator of the status of the other seven water soluble B vitamins.  It is possible to have deficiency symptoms BEFORE there's changes in the blood levels.   Ask your doctor about Benfotiamine, a form of thiamine that is better absorbed than Thiamine Mononitrate.  Thiamine Mononitrate is used in many vitamins because it is shelf-stable, a form of thiamine that won't break down sitting around on a store shelf.  This form is difficult for the body to turn into a usable form.  Only thirty percent is absorbed in the intestine, and less is actually used.   Thiamine interacts with all of the other B vitamins, so they should all be supplemented together.  Magnesium is needed to make life sustaining enzymes with thiamine, so a magnesium supplement should be added if magnesium levels are low.   Thiamine is water soluble, safe and nontoxic even in high doses.  There's no harm in trying.
    • lizzie42
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    • knitty kitty
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