CELIAC Archives

Celiac/Coeliac Wheat/Gluten-Free List

CELIAC@LISTSERV.ICORS.ORG

Options: Use Forum View

Use Monospaced Font
Show Text Part by Default
Show All Mail Headers

Message: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Topic: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Author: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]

Print Reply
Subject:
From:
Lisa McAdams <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 18 Jun 1997 22:09:51 -0400
Content-Type:
text/plain
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (76 lines)
<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

I want to thank everyone you responded to my initial posting on 6/7/97
(almost 40 responses!).  I cannot convey to you how much it helped my
sister to know she is not alone.

Unfortunately, there are no definitive words of wisdom (mostly empathy)
to avoid the weight gain, but here is a summary of responses. (I'm
trying to keep this short, but many people wrote me to find out what
others are doing about the weight gain.)  Almost all of the people who
responded to my posting had put on anywhere from 15 - 60 lbs. after they
had been diagnosed.  Some people did level off after an initial weight
gain, but must are still heavier than they were before being diagnosed
with CD.

Words of Wisdom
- "Accept your weight" and try to find clothes that fit well and make
you look your best.
- Enjoy the fact that you're healthy and "only" have to follow a diet
(this part is not easy, especially when you're first diagnosed but it
will get easier).
- Begin a regular exercise routine with the goal of feeling better
rather then loosing weight.
- The exercise will help in the long-run, even if you do not see
short-term results!  Most of the people who were able to take some of
the weight off and maintain their weight have regular exercise routines.
- Before being diagnosed with CD, people were able to eat whatever they
want and not put on weight.  Now they are on eating the same amount of
food as before diagnosis, but now absorbing much more.  The trick is to
change your eating habits and shrink the stomach.
- The weight gain could be a combination of better absorption, fewer
low-fat food choices, and eating more because of feelings of
deprivation.
- Some people had their thyroid tested to determine if it is also
contributing to the weight gain.
- Watch your fat intake, drink lots of water ( 6-8 glasses a day), eat
lots of fruits and fresh vegetables.
- Someone is taking chromium supplements which are supposed to help turn
weight additions into muscle rather than fat.
- Some people have joined weight watchers, although you will have to
adapt the foods to maintain a gf diet.  Weight watchers helps keep track
of how much your actually eating, and how much you really need to eat .
-  Double-whammy of weight-training and aerobic training are best for
(1) getting the excess poundage off; and (2) toning
up what's left.  Resting muscle mass burns about 40 calories per day,
doing absolutely nothing, so "if you got more muscle", you can help
yourself immensely. The cardio stuff (training in your aerobic zone --
stationary biking, walking, running, etc.) actually kicks in the fat
burning.

Recommended Diets and Resources:
- The Zone, A Paleolithic Diet, or Protein Power. A celiac really can't
handle any of the starches.
For more on the Paleolithic Diet: http://www.panix.com/~paleodiet/
- Bette Hagman`s third book is The Gluted-free Gourmet Cooks Fast and Healthy
(Wheat Free with Less Fuss and Fat)--Henry Holt  ISBN0-8050-3980-5 .
- To alter her eating habits, she might try the rotation diet for
allergy diagnosis and control outlined in Dr. Mandell's Five-Day Allergy
Relief System (a paperback, it's very good). The idea is to eat simply
(one or two different foods at a time) although as much as you want,
just don't eat the same food more than once every few days. You get a
lot of variety that way, and the simplicity really wakes up your
tastebuds so everything tastes wonderful.
- Fit for Life is an excellent explanation of how the intestines process
various types of food, and how to eat in ways that do not tax them, and
do not lead to unnecessary weight gain.
- The Weigh Down Diet by Gwen Shambling. It deals a lot with the
fixation that we celiacs tend to develop over food.
- Anything by Covert Bailey (great explanations about how metabolism
works) - especially "Fit or Fat Woman

Regards and I'll post any new hints or advise my sister may receive,

Lisa
Boston, MA

ATOM RSS1 RSS2