Jump to content
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Here's A Silver Lining To Celiac.... Weight Watchers!


Monklady123

Recommended Posts

Monklady123 Collaborator

Lol. I went on Weight Watchers a couple of years ago and lost 50 pounds. That was before I had to be gluten free. So, as do many people who lose weight, I stopped being so careful and gained back 20 pounds. :o:blink:

Now I'm back on WW, still using the old points system because I haven't yet been able to get to a meeting to learn about the new plan. But, I've realized how many points I'm NOT using on bread or pasta! A lot! Which means there's more space in the day for other foods. I ate a lunch today that totally filled me up, for not many points. (a HUGE salad with turkey, and apple, and a cheese stick...I shouldn't have eaten the cheese stick, actually, since I wasn't really hungry by then. lol) Before celiac I would have thought I had to have bread with that salad, or have a sandwich with two slices. And I ate a LOT of pasta back then.

Anyway, that's my silver lining for the day. ;) (And even without attending a meeting yet I've lost 4.5 pounds in almost 3 weeks.) :)


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



IrishHeart Veteran

Good for you! :)

That IS a silver lining!

For ten years, I was seriously overweight (at one point, I weighed 220 at 5'4" :ph34r: ) and no matter how hard I tried, I never lost much weight (even on weight watchers).

Then, the Celiac triggered and I was so ill, I lost 96 lbs. :blink: Go figure. Not the best way to lose the weight, and I really got down to the"emaciated look" before DX, but have gained about 14 lbs. and look better. (So I am told.) I have to be careful, as I do not want to balloon back up, now that I am absorbing nutrients once more.

Following the Points system is a GREAT idea!

My Mom lost 20 lbs. going to Weight Watchers (and then had to go gluten-free right after I did) and she told the group at the meeting. They told her gluten-free living and weight watchers work beautifully together--for the very reasons you have cited. Since Mom is not a "snacker" anyway, she does just fine.

She incorporates the occassional gluten-free roll or Tinkyada pasta and still maintains. And as a bonus, feels great without gluten causing her GERD, insomnia, etc.

Best wishes to you!!! :)

Kimbalou Enthusiast

My sister is on WW and there are gluten free recipes too!

Strawberry-Jam Enthusiast

being gluten-free certainly made me more healthy (at first). I was eating a lot more natural ingredients, a lot more protein, more veg (although I need to work on eating even more veg). Often it forces me to buy organic because they have less objectionable additives (like organic tuna, the only canned tuna at kroger with no soya in it!)

At the moment, though, because of my relapse of symptoms, idk how healthy I am because of how much I am restricting my diet to eliminate possibilities... I really hope I don't lose weight, to be honest. Before diagnosis I lost 15 lbs in two weeks by starvation because I switched to an all-liquid diet for my reflux since no meds helped, and I severely reduced my intake as well. Turns out later that the drinks I had were filled with dairy and soya......... fffff.

now I'm kinda powering thru the reflux and just forcing myself to eat anyway and to take supplements that ought to help. but if it keeps up I may naturally start eating less until I'm losing weight again...

EDIT

sorry to rain on your parade :(

rainer83 Newbie

It made me lose weight, too.

I struggled with childhood obesity until I was 16. I was about 5'1 and 200lbs, when I turned 15-16 I had a major growth spurt and over that period of time grew to 5'7 and the weight shifted and I was able to lose it. I gained it back when I was 21. I was 5'7 and 200lbs again. I started going to the gym, but around the same time, celiac triggered really badly, and I lost the extra 60lbs really fast, and since then, I've only been able to gain around 8lbs. From September 2010 till September 2011 I had school 6 days a week, and worked 2 part time jobs, I was eating poorly (still gluten free, but lots of fast food and ice cream) and I didn't ever have time to exercise, and I only gained about 8 pounds in the year. I honestly think I had celiacs even as a child. It explains so much that was wrong with me. Apparently wheat is a big trigger to childhood obesity, and my mom was telling me how I never used to feel well, ever. I was such an unhealthy child.

IrishHeart Veteran

Often it forces me to buy organic because they have less objectionable additives (like organic tuna, the only canned tuna at kroger with no soya in it!)

Just FYI, BUMBLEBEE low sodium tuna in the GOLD can has no soybean oil :)

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,913
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    patanddiane
    Newest Member
    patanddiane
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Rogol72
      @klmgarland, My dermatitis herpetiformis didn't clear up until I became meticulous about cross contamination. I cut out gluten-free oats and all gluten-free foods, dairy and gluten-free rice. Additionally, getting the right amount of protein for my body weight helped significantly in my body's healing process ... along with supplementing with enough of all the vitamins and minerals ... especially Zinc and Magnesium. I went from 70kg to 82kg in a year. Protein with each meal 3 times daily, especially eggs at breakfast made the difference. I'm not sure whether iodine was a problem for me, but I can tolerate iodine no problem now. I'm off Dapsone and feel great. Not a sign of an itch. So there is hope. I'm not advocating for the use of Dapsone, but it can bring a huge amount of relief despite it's effect on red blood cells. The itch is so distracting and debilitating. I tried many times to get off it, it wasn't until I implemented the changes above and was consistent that I got off it. Dermatitis Herpetiformis is horrible, I wouldn't wish it on anyone.  
    • klmgarland
      Thank you so very much Scott.  Just having someone understand my situation is so very helpful.  If I have one more family member ask me how my little itchy skin thing is going and can't you just take a pill and it will go away and just a little bit of gluten can't hurt you!!!! I think I will scream!!
    • Scott Adams
      It is difficult to do the detective work of tracking down hidden sources of cross-contamination. The scenarios you described—the kiss, the dish towel, the toaster, the grandbaby's fingers—are all classic ways those with dermatitis herpetiformis might get glutened, and it's a brutal learning curve that the medical world rarely prepares you for. It is difficult to have to deal with such hyper-vigilance. The fact that you have made your entire home environment, from makeup to cleaners, gluten-free is a big achievement, but it's clear the external world and shared spaces remain a minefield. Considering Dapsone is a logical and often necessary step for many with DH to break the cycle of itching and allow the skin to heal while you continue your detective work; it is a powerful tool to give you back your quality of life and sleep. You are not failing; you are fighting an incredibly steep battle. For a more specific direction, connecting with a dedicated celiac support group (online or locally) can be invaluable, as members exchange the most current, real-world tips for avoiding cross-contamination that you simply won't find in a pamphlet. You have already done the hardest part by getting a correct diagnosis. Now, the community can help you navigate the rest. If you have DH you will likely also want to avoid iodine, which is common in seafoods and dairy products, as it can exacerbate symptoms in some people. This article may also be helpful as it offers various ways to relieve the itch:  
    • Scott Adams
      It's very frustrating to be dismissed by medical professionals, especially when you are the one living with the reality of your condition every day. Having to be your own advocate and "fight" for a doctor who will listen is an exhausting burden that no one should have to carry. While that 1998 brochure is a crucial piece of your personal history, it's infuriating that the medical system often requires more contemporary, formal documentation to take a condition seriously. It's a common and deeply unfair situation for those who were diagnosed decades ago, before current record-keeping and testing were standard. You are not alone in this struggle.
    • Scott Adams
      Methylprednisolone is sometimes prescribed for significant inflammation of the stomach and intestines, particularly for conditions like Crohn's disease, certain types of severe colitis, or autoimmune-related gastrointestinal inflammation. As a corticosteroid, it works by powerfully and quickly suppressing the immune system's inflammatory response. For many people, it can be very effective at reducing inflammation and providing rapid relief from symptoms like pain, diarrhea, and bleeding, often serving as a short-term "rescue" treatment to bring a severe flare under control. However, experiences can vary, and its effectiveness depends heavily on the specific cause of the inflammation. It's also important to be aware that while it can work well, it comes with potential side effects, especially with longer-term use, so it's typically used for the shortest duration possible under close medical supervision. It's always best to discuss the potential benefits and risks specific to your situation with your gastroenterologist.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.