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Weight Loss Report

The first thing I want you to know is that I am not giving advice. I don’t know what I’m talking about and I’m not making recommendations. I’m simply telling you my story.

At the risk of offending some, which I don’t mean to do, I’m going to be brutally honest . . though not so honest as to tell you my weight!  🙂

For years, I’ve felt the gluten free craze was a little exaggerated. I’m definitely not saying there is no such thing as gluten intolerance or gluten sensibility but I think there are some people who diagnose themselves, or convince a doctor to diagnose them with everything that comes along and for the past few years, it’s been the gluten free craze.

Then I read Grain Brain. As I’ve told several people, and probably said on here also, it’s been a long time since I read a book that I just couldn’t put down. Grain Brain scared me half to death and I couldn’t put a plan into action fast enough. I continued to research the best diet plan for us. I didn’t want a “diet” but I wanted a change in our eating habits.

We’re doing my version of Paleo with probably a leaning towards Atkins. Basically, we’re having no sugar, no wheat, no gluten, no starch, lots of veggies, an average amount of meat, a small amount of fruit, and a good amount of fats.

I’ve been such a sugar addict for so many years. I was drinking 5 – 6 cans of real Dr. Pepper per day. I love hard candy. I love ice cream, but on January 1, it all was off limits. I told myself that if I truly wanted something . . if I was really craving anything, I would have it in moderation. I figure in 8 days, if we hadn’t changed the way we eat, I would have had 40 – 48 Dr. Peppers. I’ve had 3. On all the other forbidden items, I’ve been fine.

This morning, I weighed . . at the end of 8 days, I’ve lost 10.4 pounds. Not only have I lost weight but, best of all . . I’ve had acid reflux issues for quite a while. I took Prevacid for many years and even after it was available over the counter, I continued to take the prescription strength. A year or so ago, I thought it had improved enough that I quit taking Prevacid but was still taking a whole lot of over the counter antacids. Any time we had smoked meat, I would take antacids before eating, after eating and then felt terrible for a few hours after eating. I am so happy to report that since January 2, I have not had a single antacid. We had smoked chicken the first night our friends were here and in the hustle and bustle of getting ready for them, I totally forgot to take antacids before eating, and didn’t ever need an antacid.

I’m truly convinced that not having gluten has made the biggest difference in the way I feel. Not drinking so many Dr. Peppers has made the biggest difference in my weight.

In nine days, I’ve completely changed my opinion about gluten. I was concerned that I would have a problem not having bread. I haven’t missed it at all.

Here’s a funny story.  During a recent cleaning episode, I unearthed a pair of jeans that was a size too small. I didn’t even realize they were the wrong size and they got in with the rest of my jeans. Right after Christmas,  I grabbed those and couldn’t get them past my thighs, and realized they were the wrong size. I tossed them aside but Sunday, I thought . . let me see if these jeans fit. They did!  I wore them but they were snug. This morning I was getting dressed and as I buttoned my jeans, I thought they were the old size and they weren’t baggy. I figured I had eaten too much with our company here so my old jeans were back to fitting like they did before our diet. I went to weigh myself, was shocked to see that I had lost 10.4 pounds, ran to the bathroom to check to see which jeans I had on and again, it was the smaller size and they fit so much better than they did on Sunday.

I know our new eating plan is working for us but it’s so good to see it on the scales and in my clothes. I also know that I won’t lose 10 pounds each week but it was so nice to get that jump start. That really helps me stay committed to the eating plan and exercise plan.`

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Good for you! Losing weight is hard to do – and changing out to a whole new eating style is even harder. Keep up the good work.

  3. Hey Judy…this is good to hear. I just read a book “A Woman’s Guide to Healthy Stomach”. It was a good book that explains a lot of things I needed to know about. I too thought the gluten thing was a little bit questionable. I’ve cut way back but not eliminated gluten-about 3 things in the last three weeks- and feel so much better. I haven’t weighed myself and honestly I don’t even care if I loose weight-I just want to feel better and do…no bloating-no heartburn among other added benefits.

  4. CONGRATULATIONS and a quick 10 pound boost is terrific and in only 9 days.

    You changed several things about your eating, so how do you know which is doing what?

  5. Great job, Judy! It’s whatever works for you and what makes you feel better. I look back at the way we ate when I was a child. We never had pop (soda) or potato chips except maybe on the weekends. With a family, a cake or pie didn’t last long. As an adult, with grown children, if I keep that stuff in the house, I eat it and eat it…it lasts too long! A piece now and again isn’t a problem, but I can’t have it around.

    Proud of you and how you are taking good care of yourself. It’s extra fun that you are losing weight and your other jeans are fitting!!!

  6. WHOA!! 10 lbs. in such a short time is AWESOME!! I’ve had a couple of friends who just went on the gluten free (even tho they’re weren’t gluten intolerant) and also had the same reaction you’ve had. I’ve been thinking about it but haven’t jumped on the wagon yet.

  7. Just by not drinking 5 to 6 cans of regular Dr. Pepper in a day cuts out 750 to 900 calories as well as the carbonation that may have contributed to your need for antacids! Congratulations on all the changes you’ve made to your diet! And for your weight loss! Getting back into old jeans is wonderful!

  8. You are doing so good. I also read Grain Brain and decided if for no other reason than to get rid of the “fog” I was always in, I was going to try to stop eating grains, sugar and reduce my dairy intake. I have not lost nearly the weight that you have (I have lost about 3 pounds), but I feel so much better. I did not drink soft drinks and had very little of my sugar consumption in what I drink, but reducing the consumption of grains and some of the dairy I was eating seems to be helping in the weight loss as well as making me feel better! Keep up the good work! You are inspiring!

  9. I am so happy to read about more “real” people who are seeing the benefits of no or greatly reduced grain and sugar. I think the world understands the sugar, but not everyone understands the grains. We’re not going to the grass-fed beef only, etc. but trying to eliminate the grains. I own farmland in Iowa and the corn and soybeans we grow have to go somewhere! I did have about 1/4 cup of white rice today with my Indian food, but rice is gluten free. I’ve lost some weight, but have mostly noticed how much better I feel — gotten rid of so much of the joint and muscle stiffness. That’s been my biggest benefit so far! I’ve always been a fan of everything in moderation, but I think grains, even in moderation, have been killing me (literally).

    • This is a great discussion! My doctor told me a couple of weeks ago that I should try gluten free, not because I am a celiac, but because I have arthritic joints. I do medicate for arthritis, but still have aches. It’s amazing how many products contain gluten, when you read the labels. I don’t know how one could totally eliminate starch from their diet, though, because you do need (good) carbs. Any suggestions?

  10. After I’d been grain (or at least wheat free) for 3 weeks, I went ahead and ate the bread on the sandwich we had at meeting at work… and that evening and the next day, I felt like my stomach and intestines were tearing themselves apart. I have eaten much smaller amounts of wheat since then without such a drastic reaction, but having 2 slices of bread and feeling so sick really proved a point to me.

  12. Way to go! Now I’ve got a dumb question as I know nothing about gluten. We eat alot of potatoes in our soups. Are potatoes like bread – you shouldn’t be eating them? It’s pretty confusing to me. Good job, Judy.

  15. I will read the book – I have trouble with heartburn and use Prilosec – I have been on medication for years that can cause this but also drank too much coffee and diet coke. I have stopped almost all soda – only one every month or so and no coffee and cut my Prilosec in half – I will read the book and see if there are other improvements to make – I could loose 10 pounds but no more on my frame.

  16. I’ve been reading ‘Wheat Belly’, and I’ve almost come to the same conclusion as you. I’m seriously thinking about removing wheat from my diet for 3-4 weeks, just to see what happens.

  17. Judy
    I am proud of you and maybe your blogging here will motivate me too. Keep it up – it is sew good for you. 🙂
    Jules from California

  18. Good for you, Judy! Wheat products, refined carbs, and sugar (the grains turn to sugar when you eat them) can be really deadly. I keep most of that stuff out of my diet because of my blood sugar issues. If I didn’t automatically produce so much insulin, I’d probably lose a lot more weight. I’m adding in lots more veggies, which I don’t often take the time to prepare.

  19. Your weight loss in inches and pounds is amazing! Keep up the hard work. I am glad that you are feeling better without the sugar laden drinks.

  20. Hurrah, Judy!

    When I was in junior high I was plump. (I liked to read more than play outside. And I snacked.) The doctor wrote on a prescription pad “No white flour. No sugar. No potatoes.” That was in 1964, before Atkins, Paleo, and a long list of other diets. But the recommendation was, obviously, to cut out refined carbohydrates. (Now that I look back on it, I think “no potatoes” was more than needed. A baked or boiled potato is good, and I can eat ’em without any toppings.) I haven’t followed the doctor’s advice with any consistency, but I do recall it after 50 years!! I have never been athletic but I do like to walk. I try for portion control and to avoid trigger foods (for me, ice cream and popcorn). You wrote that you can’t stand diet Dr. Pepper; I on the other hand have always had diet cola and don’t care for the sweet stuff. I gave up all alcohol in 2004. When I’m at a party or reception I have sparkling water with lemon or tonic water. (I know they don’t use diet tonic, but I’ll have the calories as part of the price to pay for the social event.)

  21. Hi Judy,
    I’m so glad you have had success! Many years back I eliminated grains and sugar from my diet and lost weight plus, to my surprise, I physically felt much better and had more energy! Each time I add grains and sugar back into my diet, my thyroid numbers go to pot and I feel sluggish. So…talk it up girl!

  24. Yay, Judy! I’m so proud of you! The numbers are awesome and so are you! I’ve had a very difficult time staying on the plan the last 3 days, (not because of the plan but because of Joe’s emergency and having to travel 60 miles to the doctor today) but I’ve managed somehow and I lost 9 pounds in the first 7 days! My jeans are getting loser and I am feeling better.

  26. Well done Judy! I find it is sugar which gives me heartburn, now I rarely eat sugary items I hardly ever suffer from it. I haven’t managed to give up bread yet, I enjoy making sourdough and never buy store bought bread. I have found that since I gave up eating any store bought bread my guts are more comfortable and I have lost weight so I am still not convinced about the gluten thing, ( in my case) I am thinking it is more to do with the yeast in, and commercial methods of producing bread. Here in the UK it is called the Chorleywood process and produces bread in an extraordinarily fast time by using far too much yeast so a really quick rise and of course, the bread also contains all sorts of un – necessary chemicals and additives.

  27. That’s awesome that you’ve lost 10lbs, congratulations! I think this way of eating is very smart, and healthy. You will definitely feel better. My acid reflux goes away when I eat like this as well. However… it doesn’t do squat for me as for weight loss. Everyone else loses weight like crazy on this diet, but it sadly doesn’t have that benefit for me. How’s Vince doing on it?

  28. Congratulations! So happy for you. I know it is a wonderful feeling. Thanks for sharing your progress. That is what it felt like for me when I did it 2 years ago. Thanks for re-motivating me.

  29. I started loosing weight in August and the first 10 was so easy and everything fit better. I’ve lost another 10 and I feel great and gone down to clothing sizes. I haven’t worn this size since high school, so I am stoked. I found that I needed to limit my bread and sugars as well. Good luck on your continued success.

  30. I too found that eating wheat free, which is where most of my gluten came from has left me with no more stomach problems, no cravings that can’t be satisfied with good food and less pain in my hips. Great start and good luck. I have been doing this for about 10 years now and my husband immediately saw a difference in my when I started.

  31. Losing weight is not the only — and perhaps not the most important part– of eliminating wheat (and all grains) in your diet. Just the effects on your blood sugar, the inflammatory effects of grains on every part of your body, and the fact that it’s an appetite stimulant, should convince you to try what Judy is doing!

  32. Wonderful….I’m very happy for you!!

    I believe that my health is in my hands and my health starts in my kitchen.

  34. Congratulations on your weight loss. After reading your story & all the comments I think I need to get a copy of Grain Brain & shock myself into action. Right now I’m in a Fibro Flare & feel lousy. My doctor told me 4 months ago to get rid of the gluten. I’ve slowly started by changing out what I eat for breakfast, but that’s as far as it goes. I’ve actually started to slowly lose weight since my thyroid meds have been changed. I’m hypothyroid; though my body produces enough thyroid, it doesn’t use it. Hence, the low thyroid problem. So, all in all, I’m wondering how much better I’d be feeling if i got rid of the gluten. Even though I’m less junk, I know I still need to stop eating sugar. My biggest challenge is that I don’t like to cook. And feeling less than well because of the Fibro makes it even harder to think about cooking. Dinner is usually not to much of a problem, that would be the easiest meal to change. What does one do for lunch, if not a sandwich. Salads every day are not appealing. Any help would be appreciated. Judy, keep up the good work. You are an inspiration.

  35. I’m excited for you! As someone who cut out gluten and started a way of eating like you last year, I just recently started testing for Celiac’s. I accidentally got “glutened” at a restaurant and it gave me the “Celiac Rash” – I’m 28 years old, and had no idea that I might actually have Celiac’s! I just thought it was something my body overall didn’t like.

    You’d be surprised at your body’s reactions when you reintroduce stuff…

  36. Congratulations! And not just on the weight loss! Congratulations on your new way of life and that you are sticking to it. Congratulations on having the courage to share your journey with us. My wish for you is that you just get better and better.
    Cheers!

  37. Congratulations on changing your eating habits and on your weight loss! I know how hard it is to make so many changes to your way of eating, and stick to it. Keep up the good work!

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