60 pounds to lose with a gluten free/wheat free diet.

lightblueeyes

I apologize in advance for the length. Yesterday, I had an awakening of sorts. Today is day one for me...day one of being serious about healthy living/eating and serious about weight loss. Oh, I have played at "getting healthy" before and logged for a week or two, made good food choices, exercised, but always - slowly the old bad habits crept back in. Slowly, breakfast became a hotdog and a Diet Mountain dew at the local gas station, lunch was the blue plate special at the diner next door (gravy, roll) and dinner was usually take out or something processed I could throw together quick when I get home at 6pm after working a long, stressful day. And excuses, excuses, excuses for not sticking with it. No time, too busy at work to get up and walk, yadda-yadda.

Yesterday I went to the doctor and he basically told me everything I already knew...he just slapped me in the face with it. Eat healthy, lose weight or live a decreased lifespan. Plain and simple, nothing more...nothing less. So here's my story:

I am 41 years old, 5'6" and weigh 210 pounds. I carry most of my weight in my middle (thighs, butt, belly, boobs). I wear a size 14-16 pants and extra large tops which are getting snug. I have been on medicine for high blood pressure since I was 35 and take another medication for "metabolic syndrome" which I am told is a combination of slightly elevated blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar (all of which are very common in my family). I am not technically a diabetic. My a1c is always good. I do have a little bit of fat in my liver which the doctor thinks is a combo of the fat in my diet and too much sugar. He says if my pancreas was not working so hard to protect my liver, I'd be a diabetic. I also have high readings on my thyroid hormones which he says is Hajimoto's disease. He thinks I have a gluten intolerance and that my thyroid is overworking to protect itself.

Due to these things, he told me yesterday that I need to eat a high fat (good fat), low carb diet and that I am to completely cut gluten and wheat out of my diet. I can have all the fruit I want (limit intake of grapes and pineapple due to their sugar content) but I can have no refined sugar and no artificial sweeteners. He also told me that I need to be active and exercise daily...he prefers first thing in the morning and on an empty stomach to boost my metabolism for weight loss. He also gave me a list of herbal supplements to order which will help boost my metabolism, suppress my appetite, make me sleep better and have more energy. I researched each one, then ordered them yesterday.

So, after my doctors appointment on the drive into work yesterday, I had a bit of time to reflect. Was the previous evenings cheeseburger and fries worth a decreased life span? No. Was it worth being 210 pounds (and counting) and getting winded playing with my niece and nephew? Nope. Was it worth that handful of pills I take twice a day? Not even close. I just need to put on my big girl britches (which I hope steadily decrease in size in the near future) and just do this. No excuses.

So today, I am turning over a new leaf on a new lifestyle. (I actually started with lunch yesterday, but today I am making it official.) I am NOT going on a diet and I am NOT on a "journey". To me, a journey has a end and I can't look at this that way. I have to change my lifestyle...and make changes that I can maintain for life.

I got up this morning at 5am and walked for 45 minutes on my treadmill. I will do about 30 minutes of light weights when I get home tonight. And I will build my daily exercise regimen from there. Breakfast was a banana and Greek yogurt and a cup of unsweetened green tea. Last night for dinner, I had grilled salmon with lemon pepper seasoning, a side salad with very little balsamic vinaigrette and some roasted green beans dressed with lemon juice. No carbs, no sauces, no dinner roll...and I LOVED IT!! I could eat that meal three or four days a week.

I think the last time I felt good about my appearance, I was in my early -mid 30's and was a size 10. I'd be happy with that. I don't remember what I weighed then, but I am thinking about 150 pounds so I need to lose 60 to get there.

I've never cut out gluten, wheat, carbs and sugar all in one go, any advise on wheat free/gluten free diet or favorite recipes would be appreciated.

Sabine_Stroehm

Join this group
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/394-low-carber-daily-forum-the-lcd-group

And good luck!

sllm1

I have not cut carbs or sugar - just gluten. But I wanted to warn you that you may go through withdrawal. It's almost like an alcoholic withdrawing from alcohol. I had mood swings, emotional outbursts, etc. But stick with it. Having done it, I feel so much better. It took a couple of weeks for things to settle down and several months before I stopped feeling sorry for myself. But I have come out on the other side and I feel SO much better.

I also build meals that I can eat several days per week without having to think. Gluten is hidden in all kinds of places, so it's a pain to stand in the grocery store and google things you'd like to try. Having some "go to" meals is very important.

serenityfrye

I concur! Withdrawal from sugar sucks but it's totally worth it. I had almost two weeks of migraines and flu like symptoms but afterward felt amazing! I'm gluten and dairy free and trying to stay off sugar (also likely have Hashimotos) and it's doable. Sounds like you have a great start. If you get stuck you might want to check out Trim Healthy Mama on Facebook. They have lots of great low carb and no sugar resources. Also I've found that making healthy versions of my favorite take out food has been a huge boon. We love to make turkey hamburgers topped with lots of fresh veggies (I eat mine with a fork instead of a bun) and serve it with chopped cauliflower tossed in olive oil and salt and roasted until it's browned. Even better than a burger joint meal! the Trim Healthy Mama and Paleo Takeout cookbooks both have lots of great low carb restaurant style meals if you need ideas. Best wishes on your journey!