Requesting BASIC diet/weightloss advice and support

Sounds like a good plan, Maura. Slowly making changes is better than overwhelming yourself with tons of changes all at once.

Kinda like cpap therapy, huh?

Glad you're feeling better! BTW, how do you get tested for celiac? Seems like everyone I know has it. Might as well jump on the bandwagon. I'm sure the lab could use the boat payment, if nothing else.

Cheers,
B.

I had a celiac blood panel done by my naturopath (I'm also waiting for a full allergy panel results at the moment). My tests for IgA and IgG (two anti-gliadin antibodies) were both postitive. This is a 97% indicator I have celiac.

I then had a DNA test done because I have siblings with small children who have digestive issues and I wanted to know whether I should alert them. There are two markers for celiac that are genetic (DQ2 and DQ8) - I have both. I don't have results yet for my 8 year old son.

The gold-standard for celiac diagnosis is to have an intestinal biopsy but I decided to decline that given the evidence already and went on the gluten-free diet.

There are tests that can be done at home if you don't want to go through your doctor and are done by Enterolab.

Anemia should also make doctors think about checking of celiac disease. This is especially important in younger women -- their anemia tends to be chalked to menstruation. there's double the amount of celiac disease among young women with iron deficiency anemia than there is in the general population.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2754512/

Celiac is often called the Great Imitator because it manifests so differently in so many people. I am not at all anemic but I do know at least one person that was diagnosed because of severe anemia.

Some people have no symptoms at all until a huge amount of damage is done.

I had not posted to this topic because I felt like it would be "do as I say and not as I do" hollow advise. For me it is not the knowing but the doing that is my undoing. I don't have the intricate knowledge some have shared, but I've done Weight Watchers, OA, Curves, took diabetic classes, and worked in the medical field, so I've got the basics. The discussion of celiac prompted a memory. Most of my adult life I was told I hypoglycemic. When working at a hospital maybe 30 years ago, I had a 6 hour glucose tolerance test. After drinking the glucola, my BS barely budged upward, then plummeted. The dietician pulled me aside and asked if the doctor was going to investigate any futher and I told her no, that he just told me to avoid sweets and carbs and eat small amounts often. She got angry, and said it wasn't her place to say it, but that I should know that my results indicated malabsorption, and I should be followed up. Hadn't thought about that conversation for a long time. Maybe I need to revisit the subject.

About low calorie intake, in one of my diet classes we were told that a low calorie intake signals the body to hoard energy, and we stop losing. Most people then will cut their calorie intake even lower, but the better approach when we plateau is to add calories for a few days to signal the body it's ok to let go of some fat. I don't know if that will stand up to medical scrutiny, but it sounds good.

About the mental aspect:
I was at dinner tonight and discussing this subject with a friend. I've been doing some soul searching on my dealings with my health issues. Yes, I have challenges, but why am I allowing them more power over my well being than is required of me to relinquish? Why will I push my limitations to their limit for others but not for myself? But the self-revelation was about what I eat. Why do I play stupid and act like rewarding myself with bad foods is in any way a good thing? How is it a reward when it is harmful to me? Now, here's the kicker. I've learned very well how to not let anyone mistreat me. I will say without wavering that the next man who thinks he can put his hands on me for harm better be prepared to meet his maker. I've left jobs on principle, as I wasn't going to be treated badly. I have "fought City Hall" when I felt local officials had disrespected and disregarded me after my husband's preventable murder. In fact, the ONLY person I will allow to mistreat me is - ME. How INSANE is that??!! I wouldn't knowingly let anyone slowly poison me, or deny me of my freedom to do and be all I can do and be. It's sobering to realize the offenses of others are the least of my problems, as I am more of a harm to myself than any outsider. I need to sit down and shut up bragging about all that hollow bluster and bluff stuff until I require the same of myself as I expect of others. So I'm getting a backbone and standing up to myself. I'm calling myself out. Eating poorly is not "falling off the wagon" or "going off my diet" or "treating myself". Can't clean it up or dress it up. It is self abuse. And it's not acceptable.

They say the first thing you have to do to fix a problem is to admit you have one. You are absolutely right Kathy, you have to take care of number one or else nothing else really matter in the long term. I personally feel that sugar (including syrups and nectars) should be classified as a schedule I controlled substance.

Anyway, good for you that you are placing you back into priority number 1.

This post really resonates with me as well. I mentioned it earlier, but I was raised with many severe food limitations and restrictions. My parents are now very strict vegans, but when I was growing up they followed other limiting diets. By the way, when you are a strict vegan, food is a huge focus in your life. Just eating enough food takes an enormous amount of time.

I know that my siblings and I were often hungry as children. We developed the habits of eating very fast, and eating even if we weren't hungry, because we didn't know when food would be available next. When we could, we would "sneak" food and eat it. I realize that I have carried those habits into my adult life -- I get very worried about feeling any hunger symptoms, and I will often eat food "in secret," away from my family and co-workers.

This stuff is very hard for me to think about and write about. I can say though that I feel as though I am on an amazing healing journey. My diagnosis with OSA was the first big step, and it is almost a year ago. I am now ready to take another big step forward in healing myself and my life.

kteague wrote:
About the mental aspect:
Now, here's the kicker. I've learned very well how to not let anyone mistreat me.... . In fact, the ONLY person I will allow to mistreat me is - ME. How INSANE is that??!! I wouldn't knowingly let anyone slowly poison me, or deny me of my freedom to do and be all I can do and be...... It's sobering to realize the offenses of others are the least of my problems, as I am more of a harm to myself than any outsider.

Hugs to you !
Yeah that is what I am discovering with the therapist too. Especially about food and stress. I hadn't actually admitted the abuse, only that I will sacrifice amazing amounts of my self to anyone else. Thank you for the insight!

Last night my sister called to say my father had had a heart irregularity and mom had fallen again and broken her wrist and hit her head and I promptly crawled into bed with a block of cheese and box of crackers and read untill 2 am.

Thanks for the encouragement and understanding. Today's revelation is that it's best I don't engage my mouth until my fight or flight instinct wakes up, which now makes the kitchen off limits for a while after getting up.

My medicine side effects of constant nausea, digestive distress, distorted sense of taste, and new food aversions will assist me in achieving new eating habits. Fortunately, most breads and many carb heavy foods have become distasteful. Sweets hold little appeal. I crave meat and veggies, and my favorite snack is tomatoes, or maybe pistachios. How cool is that! Hmmm, maybe I won't ask the doc to change these meds just yet. In they end they may help me to become healthy enough to no longer need them. That's my goal.

BlackSpinner, hope your Mom & Dad do okay, and you too.

Kathy

Good for you and big hugs, Kathy.

I've only been diagnosed for a week but my relationship with food is changing and it's already a little...disconcerting. Food and "treats" used to be a steady. Something I could rely on and turn to for comfort and security. Not anymore. Now every single thing I put in my mouth has to be met with suspicion and distrust. There's no more idly picking up a quick snack or candy bar. Now I have to plan what I want to eat and find a way to make it work if it's not gluten-free naturally.

This is leading me to eat more veggies and fruits in their natural state. I'm cooking a lot more as well, because then I know exactly what's in my food. I thought I would resent this but actually I don't seem to. Instead it seems like I'm spending that time as an investment in making my health better - it's an investment in ME.

Dunno if that makes much sense - it's a very strange progression in some ways.

kteague wrote:About the mental aspect:
I was at dinner tonight and discussing this subject with a friend. I've been doing some soul searching on my dealings with my health issues. Yes, I have challenges, but why am I allowing them more power over my well being than is required of me to relinquish? Why will I push my limitations to their limit for others but not for myself? But the self-revelation was about what I eat. Why do I play stupid and act like rewarding myself with bad foods is in any way a good thing? How is it a reward when it is harmful to me? Now, here's the kicker. I've learned very well how to not let anyone mistreat me. I will say without wavering that the next man who thinks he can put his hands on me for harm better be prepared to meet his maker. I've left jobs on principle, as I wasn't going to be treated badly. I have "fought City Hall" when I felt local officials had disrespected and disregarded me after my husband's preventable murder. In fact, the ONLY person I will allow to mistreat me is - ME. How INSANE is that??!! I wouldn't knowingly let anyone slowly poison me, or deny me of my freedom to do and be all I can do and be. It's sobering to realize the offenses of others are the least of my problems, as I am more of a harm to myself than any outsider. I need to sit down and shut up bragging about all that hollow bluster and bluff stuff until I require the same of myself as I expect of others. So I'm getting a backbone and standing up to myself. I'm calling myself out. Eating poorly is not "falling off the wagon" or "going off my diet" or "treating myself". Can't clean it up or dress it up. It is self abuse. And it's not acceptable.

WOW is all I can say. What a superbly worded and painfully true post. I think that is one of the most profound things I have ever read (outside the Bible). It literally made me tear up, as it is also very true of me. Now thinking in your train of thought, I realize I have always seen the junky foods I wanted/craved/ate as a comfort and "my friend" ... when in reality it has been "my enemy" (along with myself). Thank you so much for something that will be a great reminder and encouragement to me and many others I am sure. God bless you. "Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive." Proverbs 23:3

MoneyGal wrote:This post really resonates with me as well. I mentioned it earlier, but I was raised with many severe food limitations and restrictions. My parents are now very strict vegans, but when I was growing up they followed other limiting diets. By the way, when you are a strict vegan, food is a huge focus in your life. Just eating enough food takes an enormous amount of time.

I know that my siblings and I were often hungry as children. We developed the habits of eating very fast, and eating even if we weren't hungry, because we didn't know when food would be available next. When we could, we would "sneak" food and eat it. I realize that I have carried those habits into my adult life -- I get very worried about feeling any hunger symptoms, and I will often eat food "in secret," away from my family and co-workers.

This stuff is very hard for me to think about and write about. I can say though that I feel as though I am on an amazing healing journey. My diagnosis with OSA was the first big step, and it is almost a year ago. I am now ready to take another big step forward in healing myself and my life.

I have some dear friends who have morphed from "strict veganism" to McDougall-ism. We haven't shared a meal in a long time. I don't think we ever will again. Their obsessiveness about food is really off putting. I find myself spending less and less time with them. Their latest obsession is how "everything in moderation" is killing us all, and is basically satan speaking.

I can't live that way. I look at them, and think they grow less attractive the more they obsess with their weird diets. I'm tired of hearing them moan about 10 pounds they have to lose in order to be happy.

Somewhere between where they are, and where I am, there has to be a place where I can be happy and healthy. I pray I'll find it.

Anyway, your post made me think of them. I really hope you can find a way to overcome your childhood training, and a way to overlook your parents current food obsessions.

Wow. This just popped into my head. It's like trying to talk to an addict. They are addicted to their diet, in the same way other people are addicted to alcohol, drugs, sex, etc.

Hugs,
B.

BlackSpinner wrote:Hugs to you !
Yeah that is what I am discovering with the therapist too. Especially about food and stress. I hadn't actually admitted the abuse, only that I will sacrifice amazing amounts of my self to anyone else. Thank you for the insight!

Last night my sister called to say my father had had a heart irregularity and mom had fallen again and broken her wrist and hit her head and I promptly crawled into bed with a block of cheese and box of crackers and read untill 2 am.

Hugs to YOU. I would have done the same thing.
B.

kteague wrote:...

Hear hear! Great insight, you go Kathy! Tell us what actions that insight manifests when they occur.

kteague wrote:Thanks for the encouragement and understanding. Today's revelation is that it's best I don't engage my mouth until my fight or flight instinct wakes up, which now makes the kitchen off limits for a while after getting up.

My medicine side effects of constant nausea, digestive distress, distorted sense of taste, and new food aversions will assist me in achieving new eating habits. Fortunately, most breads and many carb heavy foods have become distasteful. Sweets hold little appeal. I crave meat and veggies, and my favorite snack is tomatoes, or maybe pistachios. How cool is that! Hmmm, maybe I won't ask the doc to change these meds just yet. In they end they may help me to become healthy enough to no longer need them. That's my goal.

BlackSpinner, hope your Mom & Dad do okay, and you too.

Kathy

Warning, flippant remark to follow...

Honey, I think you've found the Ultimate Diet Pill! You should write the manufacturer and get them to encourage docs to write scrips for "off label" use!

Other than that, it sounds horrible. I hope you find some relief with all those side effects.

More hugs,
B