Pity Party, Frustration, How To Lose Weight?

[RuskitD]

This is partly a whine, and mostly begging for someone to give me a clue as to what I can do to improve my life, and get some of this weight off, and have some energy!!!!

I haven't had a good nights sleep in 3 weeks, so this is adding to my mental state of depression. I went from sleeping like a baby, to suddenly cannot fall asleep or stay asleep. Two nights of melatonin hasn't helped, but I will keep it up.

I am mildly obese and miserable. I tried all last year to lose weight, no matter how much I ate or how little, how much I exercised or lay lethargic, I stay the same weight.

Even when I had 6 weeks of raging mucus diarrhea and not eating for days on end back in January, I didn't lose an ounce. I thought it was inflammation? And that as I healed it would ... melt away....?

I am not officially diagnosed as Celiac, (tho I had "failure to thrive" as a child and had many lung/breathing problems then. I believe I was born with this) but most definitely at the least have a gluten intolerance. I have been on gluten-free diet for 4 months now, last accidental glutening ( a tiny pill "got" me) 3 months ago.

Within a month of going gluten-free I discovered the secondary corn/soy intolerance and removed those offenders.

I 'tested' myself for dairy and do fine with that, tho I eat very little of it.

I did not substitute with any gluten-free processed foods. I have cut out all grains and legumes. I even quit drinking any coffee or tea. Just filtered water.

My diet basically consists of lean chicken, and fatty fish. Occasionally I have eggs, lean beef or pork also. And veggies, except no potatoes.

Nearly no fruit.

I use only coconut oil, that is what I make my salad dressing with.

I take good gluten-free, CF, Soy Free vitamins. extra c and d, as well as getting sun. I also began Glutamine, as I read it can help heal the gut. Though it reduced my already small appetite. I somewhat force myself to eat most days. Then I question if I should force myself... or listen to my body and not feed it.....?????

My brain fog lifted immediately after stopping gluten, but seems to be back with no changes in diet or supplements to show a cause. I sound like a blithering idiot some days when I talk. Its quite embarrassing.

This weight and my weakness is misery. I was a strong person before my crash. I have lost so much muscle, and I can't even open a jar myself anymore. I know with my weight remaining steady, I have replaced muscle weight with fat weight. Most all of it is in my stomach. I am trying to exercise, even weight lift, to regain some muscle and help budge the weight. Though the last two weeks I haven't the energy.

i barely make it through a day, with not getting good sleep. I have been hoeing in my garden some, I try to keep moving, but my muscles feel like rubber.

.... at least I am not gaining, I guess....

Anyone have any ideas? I have read until I am exhausted from the knowledge, I have implemented so many things, and still I feel I am not getting better, since the brain fog remains. I know a lot of things have improved greatly.... I guess I am impatient? Reducing my weight can't come soon enough....

help?

[Jestgar]

thyroid?

[krystynycole]

Vitamin B complex is good for energy. I take it but if I take it after noon I can't fall asleep until late so I have to take at breakfast

It's hard to find the balance of food, but if you eat too little your metabolism slows down way to much to compensate and you can't loose weight then.

Have you considered seeing a nutritionist? They can help give you ideas around your diet that can jump start you metabolism.

[rosetapper23]

Yes, I agree that your thyroid might be out of whack, which is really common with celiac. It comes with brain fog, fatigue, sleep problems, and failure to lose weight. Personally, I also get sore joints.

However, you may also have a manganese (not magnesium) deficiency or other deficiency that is affecting your muscles, and possibly your tendons and ligaments.

Lastly, although your diet sounds fairly close to the primal/paleo diet, I didn't see a lot of healthy saturated fats (except coconut oil). From the book, "Primal Body, Primal Mind," I learned that healthy saturated fats are absolutely essential for losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight. Before then, my life sounded just like yours--no matter what I did, I couldn't lose weight. I was even a lifelong runner! Anyway, after reading the aforementioned book, I discovered that if I added in lots of healthy saturated fats, my weight just melted away effortlessly. I eat a lot of avocados, nuts and nut butters, olives, and organic butter. Like you, I eat very little fruit (just berries) and avoid soy, legumes, and potatoes.

I hope you'll read the book--it's hands down the best book on nutrition and diet that I've ever read.

[Di2011]

Corn was the key to taking me down the salicylates path (and thankful to all on here that led me there:).

Salicylates (sals for short) are a bit of a minefield but after a few months now I feel like I'm getting a handle on it.

Here is another hard with sals. Most of the healthy saturated fats that rosetapper mentions in the previous post are high in sals. If you investigate/test these two paths you will want to test them separately. If it were me I'd try the healthy sat fats and if you don't have any noticable change (or indeed you get worse symptoms/weight gain) then it might be the high sals. Then you could work on the sals. Just a thought.

[Di2011]

Open Original Shared Link

[Di2011]

Sugar is evil wrt losing weight. Are you avoiding it, even in your tea/coffee?

[RuskitD]

Thank you for the answers thus far! You are so wonderful to come in and try to help me!!!! I truly need all the answers I can get.

Thyroid... I wondered. i am without health insurance for the next 3 months, but if I see no response in feeling better by then, I am going to beg the doctor to run the tests.

I consume no sugar, and I quit tea and coffee. I drink nothing but filtered water.

I will try the healthy fats, in addition to the coconut oil, and then I will try cutting the sals.

THANK YOU so much for the ideas.

I will get and read that book also.

If anyone else has a suggestion, I am open and willing to try!!!

Thank you again for giving me some more hope, while I am feeling so yucky, miserable and hopeless.

[JNBunnie1]

Thank you for the answers thus far! You are so wonderful to come in and try to help me!!!! I truly need all the answers I can get.

Thyroid... I wondered. i am without health insurance for the next 3 months, but if I see no response in feeling better by then, I am going to beg the doctor to run the tests.

I consume no sugar, and I quit tea and coffee. I drink nothing but filtered water.

I will try the healthy fats, in addition to the coconut oil, and then I will try cutting the sals.

THANK YOU so much for the ideas.

I will get and read that book also.

If anyone else has a suggestion, I am open and willing to try!!!

Thank you again for giving me some more hope, while I am feeling so yucky, miserable and hopeless.

I told my mother to start eating organic butter, cream, coconut products, and organic red meats that are not lean cuts. Like you, she was mostly eating only vegetables an chicken, lean meats. She dropped 20 lbs in 6 months doing this, with no increase in activity.

What happens is, vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat soluble. If you are not eating enough fat to help your stomach digest them, your body will still think it's starving and it's impossible to lose weight. Also, these fats are important for keeping the tissues in you digestive system healthy. Your intestines are made up of nerve cells like the ones in your brain and epithelial cells, like in your skin. Your brain and skin cells do not function well when deprived of fats, and neither do your intestines! The healthier your intestines, the happier the rest of you will be.

Can you tell me if you feel like you're forcing food because you're just not hungry, or because you're feeling ill?

[RuskitD]

JNBunnie1, thank you for your reply and idea. Something else for me to work on.

Tho, may I ask, what if I cannot get easy access to organic? Think the same may happen if it isn't organic? I understand the importance of staying away from grains, especially GMO, and even if they are 'processed' through an animal. I just haven't found an affordable source locally. Yes, I believe my health is worth it. But some of us are of limited means, especially when I cannot hold a job!

I am just NOT hungry. Making myself eat, makes me feel ill. My stomach doesn't want it, and then even a small amount feels like a rock and makes me feel uncomfortable.

I felt this way when I quit gluten. I took it then as my gut healing, adjusting.... I force fed myself and walked around feeling ill because of it. Then I stopped the force feeding and just went with what my body said to do. I began to get an appetite. Now its gone again. Truly, I could go days without eating, I think, and then become hungry one day and eat.

I DON'T go without eating, but I don't eat much, I guess.

Whiny sounding as it is... I just HATE deliberately inducing myself to feel ill, after having been through the 6 weeks of raging D, heartburn, exhaustion, etc....I suffered, until doctors ruled out other causes, and I, myself, with this forum, figured out my problem.

[Jestgar]

Do you keep a food diary? Track your eating on a health site like spark people or livestrong to see what your balance of nutrition is?

[Kenster61]

Yes, I agree that your thyroid might be out of whack, which is really common with celiac. It comes with brain fog, fatigue, sleep problems, and failure to lose weight. Personally, I also get sore joints.

However, you may also have a manganese (not magnesium) deficiency or other deficiency that is affecting your muscles, and possibly your tendons and ligaments.

Lastly, although your diet sounds fairly close to the primal/paleo diet, I didn't see a lot of healthy saturated fats (except coconut oil). From the book, "Primal Body, Primal Mind," I learned that healthy saturated fats are absolutely essential for losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight. Before then, my life sounded just like yours--no matter what I did, I couldn't lose weight. I was even a lifelong runner! Anyway, after reading the aforementioned book, I discovered that if I added in lots of healthy saturated fats, my weight just melted away effortlessly. I eat a lot of avocados, nuts and nut butters, olives, and organic butter. Like you, I eat very little fruit (just berries) and avoid soy, legumes, and potatoes.

I hope you'll read the book--it's hands down the best book on nutrition and diet that I've ever read.

I just watch an hour long lecture by the author of this book. I had never heard of this diet before. It sounds like it's right on the money. How fast do you lost the weight? Thanks for the heads up.

[1desperateladysaved]

I don't have all the answers. But I just wanted to wish you well. I know the feeling of studying and studying and not seeming to get anywhere. But one day I finally cracked a big root, stopped eating gluten, and started recovery. I am told itwill be 6 months for me to do the great majority of the recovery. Some say it can take 2-3 years and after only 30 years of really being off!

[pricklypear1971]

JNBunnie1, thank you for your reply and idea. Something else for me to work on.

Tho, may I ask, what if I cannot get easy access to organic? Think the same may happen if it isn't organic? I understand the importance of staying away from grains, especially GMO, and even if they are 'processed' through an animal. I just haven't found an affordable source locally. Yes, I believe my health is worth it. But some of us are of limited means, especially when I cannot hold a job!

I am just NOT hungry. Making myself eat, makes me feel ill. My stomach doesn't want it, and then even a small amount feels like a rock and makes me feel uncomfortable.

I felt this way when I quit gluten. I took it then as my gut healing, adjusting.... I force fed myself and walked around feeling ill because of it. Then I stopped the force feeding and just went with what my body said to do. I began to get an appetite. Now its gone again. Truly, I could go days without eating, I think, and then become hungry one day and eat.

I DON'T go without eating, but I don't eat much, I guess.

Whiny sounding as it is... I just HATE deliberately inducing myself to feel ill, after having been through the 6 weeks of raging D, heartburn, exhaustion, etc....I suffered, until doctors ruled out other causes, and I, myself, with this forum, figured out my problem.

You can order lab tests without a doctor's appointment. There are online lab companies that send you the order and you take it to a local lab draw location, like LabCorp.

There are also saliva tests for hormones, including thyroid.

Open Original Shared Link

The main problem will be treatment if you have a thyroid problem, which will require an rx. But cross that bridge when you come to it.

[rosetapper23]

sillyken,

If you follow the primal diet stringently, a weight loss of 5-10 pounds per week is doable. I have to admit that I only follow the regimen closely about four days a week, and then I cheat the rest of the time. However, when I get serious and follow the diet strictly for a week, I always drop at least five pounds. So far, I haven't gained the weight back because I do follow the diet, like I said, for four days per week. On the other days, I only cheat with one meal and am careful to eat primal for the other two meals. My weight loss has been consistent, and I hope to be back to normal weight shortly. This really is an effortless way to eat, and the changes I see to my body tell me that it's the RIGHT way to eat.

[Missandi]

I agree with the others that have answered about thyroid issues. Like they said it's very common in people with Celiac Disease, and very common in the rest of the population (Especially women). There could be any number of hormone imbalances affecting your ability to lose weight including thyroid, adrenal glands, anything in your endocrine system. I would suggest a couple of things about getting tested. There are many affordable options for lab tests, especially as a self-pay patient, ask for self-pay discount EVERYWHERE. You could get a Thyroid panel (T3 uptake, TSH, Free T4) for approx. $40-60. I would also check out laboratory chains (aside from the big names like Quest and LabCorp) such as Any Lab Test Now that specialize in offering "package deals" of lab tests for much cheaper. I would highly suggest going to see an Endocrinologist who specializes in more than just Diabetes (an important question to ask the person making your appointment). They can screen for numerous hormone issues and other auto-immune diseases. They could also recommend a nutritionist in your area. Once again, don't ever be afraid to ask for a "cash-pay" discount when speaking to the doctor's office or the nutritionist. I work for a physician and we give 30-40% discount for cash-paying patients, be persistent!! Diet and exercise are huge factors (paleo diet is extraordinary) - but if you've got some other underlying issue, addressing that will be soo important!

Lots of luck in your journey, don't give up!!

[love2travel]

To keep accountable I see my dietitian. She is well versed with celiac disease and has encouraged me along the way to decrease my fruit intake (although you say you do not eat sugar) as I was eating too much. Sugar really does it for me. Not only that but a pain med I was on caused me to gain a lot of weight. Quickly. Many pain meds can contribute to weight gain.

My dietitian also told me that to lose weight one should exercise nearly an hour a day. My problem? I just love food too much! I know that you are not interested in food at this point but I agree with the poster who recommended seeing a dietitian. Mine is amazing. My weight is coming off slowly but staying off. Even with all the sublime meals I cook each day. My diet is very balanced now. At first I could not consume any lactose for several months. Then I tried a wee bit of aged cheese. No trouble. I still do not consume much dairy because it is one thing that causes me to gain weight, too.

All the best. I know what it is like to fight with weight loss. But now I am winning the fight and you can, too.

[mbrookes]

I have been in your spot. I could not lose no matter what I did. Dr. found thyroid problem and I started medication. STILL could not lose. I don't mean to sound too symplistic, but what is doing it for me is Weight Watchers. I have lost 16 pounds in 3 months and am steadily loosing. The diet they use is medically sound in that you get all the nutrients you need. There are so many ways you can swap foods around that you don't get bored or develop cravings that you can't satisfy. You can do it online, but I like the support of going to the meetings.

I have a strong aversion to the fad diets that are so popular now and again. Frequently they are so restrictive that they are hard to stay with. Anyway, with celiac I already have to eat a Certain way, and I don't want too many more restrictions. Check it out. Can't hurt!

[tarnalberry]

This is partly a whine, and mostly begging for someone to give me a clue as to what I can do to improve my life, and get some of this weight off, and have some energy!!!!

I haven't had a good nights sleep in 3 weeks, so this is adding to my mental state of depression. I went from sleeping like a baby, to suddenly cannot fall asleep or stay asleep. Two nights of melatonin hasn't helped, but I will keep it up.

I am mildly obese and miserable. I tried all last year to lose weight, no matter how much I ate or how little, how much I exercised or lay lethargic, I stay the same weight.

Even when I had 6 weeks of raging mucus diarrhea and not eating for days on end back in January, I didn't lose an ounce. I thought it was inflammation? And that as I healed it would ... melt away....?

I am not officially diagnosed as Celiac, (tho I had "failure to thrive" as a child and had many lung/breathing problems then. I believe I was born with this) but most definitely at the least have a gluten intolerance. I have been on gluten-free diet for 4 months now, last accidental glutening ( a tiny pill "got" me) 3 months ago.

Within a month of going gluten-free I discovered the secondary corn/soy intolerance and removed those offenders.

I 'tested' myself for dairy and do fine with that, tho I eat very little of it.

I did not substitute with any gluten-free processed foods. I have cut out all grains and legumes. I even quit drinking any coffee or tea. Just filtered water.

My diet basically consists of lean chicken, and fatty fish. Occasionally I have eggs, lean beef or pork also. And veggies, except no potatoes.

Nearly no fruit.

I use only coconut oil, that is what I make my salad dressing with.

I take good gluten-free, CF, Soy Free vitamins. extra c and d, as well as getting sun. I also began Glutamine, as I read it can help heal the gut. Though it reduced my already small appetite. I somewhat force myself to eat most days. Then I question if I should force myself... or listen to my body and not feed it.....?????

My brain fog lifted immediately after stopping gluten, but seems to be back with no changes in diet or supplements to show a cause. I sound like a blithering idiot some days when I talk. Its quite embarrassing.

This weight and my weakness is misery. I was a strong person before my crash. I have lost so much muscle, and I can't even open a jar myself anymore. I know with my weight remaining steady, I have replaced muscle weight with fat weight. Most all of it is in my stomach. I am trying to exercise, even weight lift, to regain some muscle and help budge the weight. Though the last two weeks I haven't the energy.

i barely make it through a day, with not getting good sleep. I have been hoeing in my garden some, I try to keep moving, but my muscles feel like rubber.

.... at least I am not gaining, I guess....

Anyone have any ideas? I have read until I am exhausted from the knowledge, I have implemented so many things, and still I feel I am not getting better, since the brain fog remains. I know a lot of things have improved greatly.... I guess I am impatient? Reducing my weight can't come soon enough....

help?

Have you had your thyroid tested? Your iron levels tested? Your B-vit levels tested? And your vit D levels tested? There are a number of things that could be in play.

[RuskitD]

I quit getting email notifications on my thread, so I was surprised to come in here and see more replies. Wow, the timing is incredible! Thank you all for the support and encouragement. I know many have been where I am, and you know the frustration.

I am not normally a 'down' person (since being gluten-free!) but I have my moments. It really helps to hear some encouraging words and new ideas!!!!

I will wait to get health insurance again, and have a list of things to take to the doctor. My thyroid being top of the list! I want to also make sure the doctor tests fully on that, and uses the newest set of guideline to go by. Before going gluten-free and when I was crashing from gluten, that doctor suspected thyroid too, but didn't do a full panel on me. In his defense, he was more worried about me dying from crash I was doing at the time. I think he just missed something. Of course, since going gluten-free, things could have altered in me and changed my imbalances in new ways.

I am so happy for those who Weight Watchers has worked for. I can feel your joy! It's not what I need, but thank you for the suggestion. I am more likely to under-eat than to overeat. I have a lot of trouble eating enough, but I know it is important that I do, or I will NEVER get rid of the inflammation or the fat weight. My body has been starved long enough while eating gluten!

Good luck Diana! I try hard to remember, each day I am still healing. My body is trying to adjust, and find a way to fix and rebalance everything that is so out of whack in my system.

I once read a thread of cheating and eating gluten, and that doesn't appeal to me. I want to be healthy, I want to live my life in joy, and be a joy to others. I take full responsibility for my own health. I guess maybe what I lack now is patience. For me it was 50 years of eating poison. That damage isn't going to be repaired in my body in 6 months.

[T.H.]

Just wanted to pass on a few other things to check out, if you are still searching.

1. Sulfites. I noticed that you react to corn. I had to avoid corn for a long time, but eventually discovered that I react to the sulfites that are involved in corn processing, so even minute amounts make me sick. And wow does it affect my thinking and my head. There's a good website from a fellow sulfite sensitive gal, if you wish to visit it: Open Original Shared Link

2. Phenol sensitvity, histamine senstivity, or tyramine intolerance (not sure if that last is called that)- I know very little about these, but these are substances you can find in food that I've been seeing mentioned around the web lately. Like sulfites, if you don't know what to look for, you'd never figure out this was the problem. Afraid I don't have any links, though.

Your description of not feeling hungry is just so familiar. When I get a 'bad' food, I lose my appetite for at least a day or two. I'm not hungry at all.

And I have a few weird weight reactions to these foods. Some foods make me lose weight, but most of the time, if I get food I react to, I GAIN weight. And I gain it really fast, like 10 pounds in a week kind of fast. A little of that is bloating, but most of it has to come off slowly like normal fat does.

I know this is not exactly addressing how to lose weight head on, but just thought I'd share my own story, because my weight never gets to good levels until I've gotten rid of all the contaminants and bad foods I'm eating, you know? It sounds like you've already got a lot of food research under your belt, so, maybe a little more might help? :-)

[nomoregluten]

@ruskitd The brain fog effect that you report to be back on is also something i have heard people on a low carb diet report. You describe your diet as mainly meat and veggies with no potatoes so this effect could be due to low carbs.

[RuskitD]

nomoregluten, actually, the low carb way of eating has cleared my mind! Stopping gluten began my mind getting clear. But living low carb has really given me back my faculties! I can 'mentally spar' and have a quick wit again!!! It amazes me every day!

T.H. You hit the nail on the head for me. This has been a process, a journey. Going gluten-free was easy for me. Finding out I was corn/soy/dairy intolerant didn't seem that hard either. Until I get to thinking I need to add something to my diet.

I fear fresh foods now. It seems nearly everything has been sprayed with something I react to, I am assuming citric acid. But you can't know for certain what it is SINCE THEY DON'T LABEL IT!

I give up new foods now. I finally surrender. Waving the white flag!!!!! It seems my scales jump, just as you said, about 10lbs over a week's time with getting a reaction to something. This last week it was raspberries. Midriff pain and hardening, bowel trouble, and the headache that lasts.

If I don't grow it myself, pick it myself, I am not trying another new food! I will just have to supplement my nutrition with pills I guess, and pray it makes up for whats lacking in my diet. Thankfully I have found some I can take that don't make me react.

My hubsy says its cuz I am higher evolved than those around me. He thinks I am an alien. LOL My body is too evolved to handle the lowly diet of the human race. ROFL

Guess thats why I come here, to hang out with others who are equal to me.... unique and highly evolved!