I like to eat. I like to go out to dinner with my boyfriend. In the last couple of years I have put on 10-15 pounds. It seems like no matter what I do, I struggle with these 10 pounds. I work out, I try to keep a clean diet; but still- the weight wont go. To be honest, my diet is not as clean as it use to be. Having been very overweight, I am unable to return to what most people think of as a normal calorie amount for a day. Studies have shown that an obese person who reduces their calorie count for weight reduction, will always need to be reduced in calories to maintain their weight loss. Example: calorie allowances for a person who has not been overweight might be 2000 calories a day. This person eats 4000 calories a day and becomes obese. To lose weight this person eats 1500 calories a day. In order to maintain their results- they need to stay at 1500-1700 calories a day. If this person returns to a 2000 calorie diet, they will gain weight. Their body thinks that being heavier is "normal" and that it is starving at a reduced weight. When I heard this in a nutrition class my first question was; how long does this last? The research suggest a very long timeline for the body to readjust- years. How boring is this? Am I doomed to a diet of chicken and broccoli?
I started a carb free program recently in an effort to rid myself of these 10-15 pounds that I struggle with. It allows me to still go out to eat, as long as I stay carb free. I have noticed some changes with my digestive system. I read that some people become constipated while on this kind of diet, and I am surprised to find the exact opposite. It occurred to me that it could be the absence of grains/wheat products. Is it possible that being gluten free is a blessing in disguise? All of the women in my family have complained of constipation... its almost the family secret. "Transit time" for me is sometimes 2 to 3 days, regardless of how much fiber I eat. Not so healthy. I actually gave up pasta and white bread years ago and at this point if I do eat it, I get sick to my stomach. It feels like they break down to a concrete paste in my gut. Yuck! I am happy to say that my transit time is a lot healthier right now.... not eating any grain products works for my system.
Looks like I will be doing more research on gluten free diets.....stay tuned.....
