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Weight Loss Healthy?


swcom120

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swcom120 Rookie

Ok, so I have been trying to figure out this weight thing ever since self Dxing myself as a Celiac without freaking out.

I started my Gluten Free diet back in July after a couple of weeks of being really sick. I have had most of my symptoms get better with the exception of what I believe to be a lack of stomach acid. I have been fighting the big C for a couple of weeks now and trying to get that under control.

Back to the weight issue. I started out at about 275, im about 6'3" so I was overweight. I had high blood pressure and although I have diabetes in my family, I didnt have any blood glucose problems. I started losing weight fast, I know some of it was to the Gluten and some of it was that I just wasnt eating with fear that I would get sick.

Jump to now.....I checked my weight this morning and I am at 243. Thats over 30 pounds in 3 months!!!! I no longer fit into my clothes and I went from a 40 waist to a 36. Not to mention my legs are getting skinny and I just feel thinner. For the most part I feel good, I did have some issues with malnutrition which I think came from the gastro problems I have had. I feel somewhat weak but I havent been able to hit the gym or anything like that either because I havent had much energy. My head issues are just clearing up.

I have read through many threads and have seen a lot of weight loss posts but I guess im just freaking out a bit. I had my brother in law just pass from bowel cancer and I cant help to think that there is something else wrong with me. Im trying to eat more so I dont lose so fast but I think im setting myself back by doing so. I try to stay positive and enjoy the loss and the fact that my blood pressure is no longer high. It just doesnt feel healthy though.....


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missy'smom Collaborator

No one can say whether it is healthy for you or not, you know your body best and what is right for you. Sometimes, even if it is a healthy loss, it can be uncomfortable to find ourselves in a new skin. With diabetes in the family, if it is a concern for you, just go get tested/screened. It is not a bad idea from time to time. Can't hurt a bit and it may ease you mind. With that, no harm or shame in being "wrong" and finding that it is not a problem. Diabetes go far underdx and dx far too late too often.

Celiac and gluten-free does cause weight loss for some and sometimes it is healthy and sometimes it is not. When I started gluten-free I lost about 16 lbs and that was ok. Several years after gluten-free I suddenly dropped 20 lbs leaving me way under 100 lbs. that was not ok and was due to T1 diabetes.

I know that worry too and sometimes taking extra good care of myself, healthy balanced meals and a little exercize etc. make me feel strong and healthy and ok ;)If you are not up to the gym, get out and walk! I was not strong enough to do even the minimum at the gym but have built up strength by walking, push ups and light hand weights. Even a minimal consistant effort/time DOES make a differnce and is worth it. Plus we get a little vitamin D with that sun exposure.

o2guy Rookie

I was overweight my whole life as well and since going gluten free I am losing about a pound a day right now I have been gluten free since Sept. 14 2011 and I have lost a little over 40 lbs so far. I am not sure if it's healthly or not its just reality. I beleive this is from the foods that I cut out<i was never eating right to begin with(too much junk food and fast food). I still feel better even thoughthe weight loss seems to be to fast.

pricklypear1971 Community Regular

I understand, it can be alarming.

I don't own a scale, so I can't say how much I've lost...but it's like my skin is shrinking back onto my body. At first it was like I was deflating - not so much weight but puffiness went away - arms, chest, especially. Now I know I'm losing weight (I'm 4 months in) despite having hypoglycemia (apparently) issues and eating 5x a day.

Occured to me yesterday might be HYPERthyroid now because I may need less of my thyroid meds , but they haven't been adjusted since going gluten-free. But, that's probably not an issue for you.

I could stand to lose the weight, but it is alarming sometimes when things happen quickly.

Just go in and get general blood work done, talk to your doctor. Ease your mind. I think men usually lose weight faster than women when diets change, etc. Just eat healthy foods and as much as you need to get your energy back. Try short walks - that's all I could do 3 weeks ago and now I'm up to 2.5 miles/day.

domesticactivist Collaborator

I dropped over twenty lbs immediately, hit my pre-baby weight, (from 13 years prior) and then stabilized. My body just found a new equilibrium. That could be all that is going on, or it could be other issues. It wouldnt hurt to check it out, especially if other new symptoms are involved.

  • 1 month later...
Ollie's Mom Apprentice

I dropped over twenty lbs immediately, hit my pre-baby weight, (from 13 years prior) and then stabilized. My body just found a new equilibrium. That could be all that is going on, or it could be other issues. It wouldnt hurt to check it out, especially if other new symptoms are involved.

Same sort of thing happened to me. I don't own a scale, but had a pretty good idea of my weight (it was around 130 lbs, I am 5'5", so I was thin to begin with). The first few months gluten free, I dropped 10 lbs, which was very scary, because I was eating so much and didn't know if it would stop. But eventually my weight did stabilize, and I just weighed myself this weekend (and my in-laws' place) and I'm at 115 lbs. And I know I've been hovering around this weight for a while.

To the OP - It can be scary at first, but I would only worry if the weight loss doesn't start to slow down in the next few weeks.

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