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Author Topic: weight control with celiac  (Read 1179 times)

Offline glutengrannie

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weight control with celiac
« on: August 05, 2007, 07:01:34 AM »
I have been diagnosed only since Feb. with Celiac. I am 61 and I have always eat what I thought was healthy and excerise (walk on the treadmill about 3-4 miles at least 5 days awk.)
Since I am now gluten free, I have gained some weight. I am small, only 5"2 and have always been able to maintain my weight.
I now find that even though I do all the above, I can not loose the 5 lbs. I have gained. (and I am just concerned that if I don't loose this, my weight might continue to go up!)
Does anyone else have this problem? :-(

Offline GwenRN

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Re: weight control with celiac
« Reply #1 on: August 05, 2007, 07:26:45 AM »
Grannie-

People gain weight after being diagnosed for two major reasons: your gut is healing, allowing you to absorb more nutrients from what you eat, and gluten free "specialty foods" can be higher in calories and/or carbohydrates.

The first question you should ask yourself whenever you can't lose "that 5lbs" is "Do I really need to lose this weight?" If you've always been small, 5lbs (even on a short frame) isn't likely to make you all of a sudden "overweight".  Check your BMI (you can google BMI calculators). If it's 25 or under, you may not be losing the weight because your body doesn't want you to. 5lbs in six months is not an alarming gain for someone still adjusting to a diet.

That said, you don't want to continue gaining, either.   So stick with what you know is healthy: keep up the exercise, drink plenty of water, get plenty of fruits and veggies in. Bette Hagman has at least one book on cooking light and gluten free. Also, make sure that you aren't overexercising compared to the number of calories you take in.  "Starvation mode" where the metabolism slows if you don't take in enough is NOT a myth.

It is most likely that your weight will begin to stabilize soon- the first six months are where your body goes through the most changes after going GF. However if you follow all the advice above and continue to gain weight, I'd recommend having your thyroid function checked and/or meeting with a registered dietician.


Gwen
"To thine own Smurf be blue"

Offline tgchi13

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Re: weight control with celiac
« Reply #2 on: August 05, 2007, 07:34:49 AM »
Gwen's advice is extremely strong, I think.  I'm proud of that 5 lbs - it signals to me that I am well and healthier than I was pre dx.
GF since Sep '99