What makes today even more special for me is that, as of this morning, I am now down 62 pounds since beginning my wheat/grain free journey. I wish I had known what a difference removing wheat, grains and added sugar would make for me a long time ago. To think that all this time I feared eating fat and instead followed the dietary advice of consuming plenty of "whole grains" and eating "low fat" and never understood why it was such an effort to lose weight and keep it off. I also thought that losing weight required hours of exercise every day...WHO KNEW that all that advice was incorrect!!! When I began Dr. Davis' Wheat Belly program, I intentionally put it to the test, because I was a huge skeptic -- you could not have been any more skeptical than I was! I did not exercise...but I followed the eating plan and made an effort to take advantage of making the most out of what I "could eat" and did not focus at all on what I "could not eat." Without exercise, 55 pounds dropped off effortlessly and quickly.
A couple of months ago, I began walking because I wanted to and I enjoy it, not because I had to in order to lose weight. I have since lost an additional 7 pounds during the last couple months bringing my total lost to 62 pounds as of this morning! My triglycerides have gone from 546 to 115 during this journey and I hope they will continue going down, even though they are considered well in the normal range now (I have never, ever had normal triglycerides before beginning this program due to genetic predisposition). I wish I knew then what I know now! Wheat and grains are not my friend and never were....fat is not my enemy...it has been a complete and total revelation. I don't tell you this to brag whatsoever, because I am actually a very private person...but instead I say this to inspire those that may be on the fence about whether this program really works. On my blog, there is an almost daily pictorial diary of what I made and ate for dinner, because most of my breakfasts are pretty consistent and my lunches typically consist of leftovers from dinner the night before. I snapped a couple photos of this morning's breakfast below -- it's one that I would have never eaten while following any diet I had ever been on before...life is good! Enjoy!
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| Voila! |
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| BOOM! |
32 comments:
That is really amazing. While I "dabble" in the wheat free lifestyle and watch my sugars and carbs, I have not been able to totally make the switch over. How long did it take you to lose the weight? I have Dr. Davis' book and some of the recipes I have made show such high calorie count when i plug them into myfitnesspal. I get worried because i have a sweet tooth and it's hard to control things especially the baked goods. Would love to hear your thoughts. Great blog and I love your recipes.
Thank You for this post,first off that is great about your weight loss!!!!!!! I am beginning the grain free diet myself and it is inspiring to read post like this, I also really LOVE all of your recipes, it helps keep me on track!!! THANK YOU for the post!!!
Thanks so much Pattie! It probably took me about 6 to 7 months to lose 55 of those pounds. I have now been wheat/grain free and no added sugar for about 10 months total, losing 62 lbs. It shocked me to think I could lose 55 pounds without exercising or starving! I ate more than I have EVER eaten on any "so called diet" before. Trust me, I had a HORRIBLE sweet tooth! What I found was completely removing wheat, grains and added sugar made a dramatic difference in my craving for sweets. The sweetener I used most when baking is called Swerve. I don't like most stevias, but have found one that I like by NuNaturals. Mostly I use it to sweeten yogurt, etc. because I use their drops -- it doesn't have that typical bitter aftertaste that many stevia brands have. The sweet tooth really does diminish...I promise. Sugar and carbs controlled my life...now I do! :-)
Thanks so much "Anonymous"...I wish you tremendous success on your wheat and grain free journey...it has been nothing short of amazing for me. I am happy you enjoy the recipes, too! :-)
Hi GG,
I just figured out that you lost over 7 lbs a month. that is just amazing. I am not fat just a little too much around my middle( thank you Menopause). But I weigh 12 pounds more than I used too.
My weight is not coming off, but I will never go back to my former ( very healthy) wink, wink, diet. I have a lot of stress in my life, that could be a cause, who knows. My doctor is not much help, she dislikes my new eating habits and wants me to go back on statins which destroy my leg muscles. I am looking for a new Doc.
Now you know more about me than you want to know! Please excuse me!
What I wanted to ask you what kind of sausages you buy and where you buy them.(Costco)? Do they contain nitrates? I have rarely eaten sausages due to high sodium and nitrates.
Thank you GG. Be well, Barbara from California.
How long did it take for the weight to start to shift? I went wheat free for 2 months, and lost nothing. Was not overeating, in fact kept everything to under 2000 cals a day, most days under 1600, with the bulk of what I consumed being one-ingredient foods. In fact my weight jumped 6 lbs in the second month, and I know I wasn't eating 21,000 extra calories.
WooHoo! Wow and Congrats! That really is fantastic. I've been on the WB diet now for about 4.5 months and have lost 14lbs. It's coming off very slowly but I'll take it :). My goal is 30lbs so I'm half way there. I had a ravenous sweet tooth and have to say it's still probably one of the reasons I'm not losing more because I still have to have my "sweet" in the evening. However I make sure it is WB friendly, grain free, low carb and sugar free.
And I have thank you again as I have before for making the transition easier with your wonderful recipes.
I too was a skeptic when I heard about Wheat Belly. Being insulin resistant and having several auto-immune diseases I was feeling badly about myself...so decided to put it to the test. Now, 3 mo. out on it I'm a true believer. I've lost 20 lbs so far. My A1c went from 6.8 to 6, my cholesterol is good, my thyroid is in a good range. We're going to be traveling some this summer, but I'm taking a cooler and my Nutri-bullet along and will do my best to adhere to my program. Having a sweet tooth like someone here proclaimed...yes there was withdrawal BUT you can get your cravings under control and eat better, more healthy snacks!! I've also been eliminating sugar from my diet!!! For exercise...I water-walk laps in the pool 3 to 6X/week. It's great resistance exercise!! I might add that I'm 68 yrs. old so it's never too late!!
Hi Barbara! The sausages I use are made by Applegate (I find them in the freezer section where the organic and health foods are in my grocery stores). This is what the package says on the front: "No Antibiotics Used, Humanely Raised, No nitrites or nitrates added, Gluten & Casein Free". Here is the link: http://www.applegate.com/products/breakfast-sausage/category Hope that helps! Whenever I do use bacon or sausage I make sure it is nitrite/nitrate free. I don't blame you for not wanting to take statins -- it caused both my mother and my husband lots of muscle pain when they were using them -- both have stopped taking them. By the way, I don't eat sausage and bacon regularly -- but occasionally on weekends, I like to use them! I don't mind you sharing about yourself at all...feel free to do so any time! Hope you are doing well! :-)
Hi Anonymous! I was down 21 pounds in the first 4 weeks. I was down 40 pounds after 15 weeks. I kept track on a calendar. I didn't count calories so I can't tell you how many I consumed...but I was never hungry and probably snacked and ate more (of allowable foods) in the beginning than I do now because my appetite has diminished significantly. Everyone loses differently -- have you eliminated all grains and starches? Also, is there any possibility you could have any thyroid issues that might be impeding your weight loss? I know sometimes people have underlying thyroid issues that could affect weight loss. Hang in there! I hope things turn around for you. :-)
It's exciting to read about your great results! Congratulations! And thank you for posting all of your recipes. I appreciate it. The one food I miss is pizza, and I plan on trying yours sometime soon.
Thanks so much Roye! Congrats on your weight loss as well. I think mine came off so quickly because I must be SUPER-carb sensitive. You really don't have far to go and as long as you reach your destination...the length of your journey doesn't really matter. Thank you and congratulations to you too! :-)
Hi Anonymous -- congratulations on YOUR 20-lb weight loss and improved A1C, etc. You are so right that it is never too late to take control of your health. For far too long we have relied solely on our doctors to monitor and treat our health -- and what we have learned is that it is us that really have the most responsibility for our own health! I would much rather treat my conditions with the "right foods" than the "right prescriptions". I hope you enjoy your traveling this summer with your "new-found health"! Life is good, isn't it! :-)
Thanks, Kath! There is no reason to miss pizza any more...I hope you enjoy it when you get around to trying it! :-)
Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful story of success following the Wheat Belly plan, it is very inspiring to me and many others who follow your blog. I started the Wheat Belly plan 3 months ago and I just keep "knocking on wood" because I feel like I have finally found the answer to losing and keeping off the weight! I can't believe how little appetite I have and that I have finally stopped craving carbs and sweets that usually sabotages any diet plan I start. I really appreciate the time and effort you put into this blog DAILY, as one of the overwhelming aspects of this lifestyle is figuring out what to cook, bake, or eat on the run; so I was very happy to have stumbled upon your blog. THANK YOU and CONGRATULATIONS on your success!!
Thanks, Anonymous! Congratulations on your 3-month WB journey! I know exactly what you mean about "knocking on wood" -- all the years of thinking that we didn't have "willpower" or "discipline"...only to find out that the grains/carbs/sugars were sabotaging our success! Thanks so much for your kind words about my blog -- I take the time and post to help others get ideas or recipes or inspiration or whatever it is they might need. Thanks, again! :-)
Hi, I have just ordered the WheatBelly Book, but have been following the blog for a few weeks. I have been sugar free (well, as near as can be) for 7 weeks now & my muffin top is disappearing just nicely. I have never been a big bread or pastry eater so thought going wheat free would be easy. But I'm struggling as wheat seems to be in everything. When I have read that you eliminate all starch, does that include potatoes, rice & gluten free pasta?
I am on 2 weeks training from tomorrow & would love some ideas of snacks to take & keep in my bag. As I know they will provide morning & afternoon tea (all sweet muffins, no doubt). Any advice or suggestions would be welcomed. Dee :)
In the WB book, you are allowed to eat rice and potatoes in limited quantities -- no rice pasta though. Hi Dee -- Until your book arrives, I will send you the link (in case you don't already have it) of Dr. Davis' "quick and dirty list of foods to eat and avoid" -- it will help a lot. P.S. -- for snacks, string cheese is handy, nuts are handy, maybe some celery stalks and take a little container of peanut butter to put on the celery? Here is the link and good luck on your journey! :-) Link: http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/2012/12/wheat-belly-quick-dirty-2/
I have been on the fence about WB for months. I lost 40 lbs. 3 years ago on a "low-carb" WW type of program. It all crept back on, and I never reached my goal (I have more than 100# to lose). However, I am fascinated by the WB way of life. I am going to give it a try and dedicate myself to it so I too can enjoy amazing results. Thanks so much for the great recipes, etc ... I think I too am super carb-sensitive. I have always burned out on an Atkins-type eating program, so I am excited to make WB a new ay of life. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!
Thanks, Anonymous! I wish you tremendous success on WB. In the beginning it seemed like there were many foods that were off limits (due to wheat being an additive in so many items)...but as you find your cravings reduced or eliminated and focus on the foods that you CAN eat...it really isn't difficult at all. All, in all, it is a healthier way to eat primarily because you eliminate all junk foods and prepackaged foods loaded with so many preservatives and ingredients that aren't good for us. The greatest benefit for me is no longer being controlled by food cravings any more. Now I eat because I want to or because I know what "hunger" is...cravings are very different than hunger. I think if more people had "Wheat Loss Surgery"...there would be little, if any, need for "weight loss surgery"! Good luck and hope you find some recipes or ideas here! :-)
Thanks for your response. I use the NuNaturals alcohol free stevia drops and I love them. I also youw Swerve as Maria Emmerich (www.mariahealth.blogspot.com) recommended that product. You have really made me think a lot about finally going wheat free. You are an inspiration! Thank you!
Thanks, Pattie! The NuNaturals alcohol free stevia drops are my favorite -- they are the only type of stevia I buy. I tried the Stevia Glycerite and a few other brands and did not care for them -- I've used NuNaturals for several years now! Swerve is great for baking -- that's what I use it for. I have a lot of different brands of sweeteners in my pantry -- but I pretty much stick to Swerve & NuNaturals 99% of the time! Thanks for your kind words -- I just know that giving up wheat, grains and added sugar basically killed the "craving beast" that ruled me -- I now know the real difference between real hunger and cravings. I just wish I had figured it out years ago! :-)
Hi, GG, I just wanted to add my congrats to the long list! I can so relate to your comments: I used to feel guilty if I put a pat of butter on pancakes or 1/2 & 1/2 in coffee! Now it is the complete opposite and seems strange to so totally change your way of thinking/eating after so many years. Like you, I wish we'd known this info years ago-I so wish we could've raised our kids w/this info! I guess all we can do is be glad we know what we do now and go forward. I do so enjoy checking your blog every day, you have become part of my day and are such an inspiration. Keep up the good work!
Thanks so much for the kind comments, Darlene! It really is hard to modify beliefs (about fat, etc.) that have been drilled into our heads for so long. If I didn't witness it for myself, I'm not sure I could believe it. So glad you enjoy the blog and thanks again for your kind comments! You are so right though...it is better to have this knowledge now than not at all! :-)
Hi GGC,
I'm thrilled for you and the success you've had with the WB way of life. I didn't have too much trouble giving up "Healthy Whole Grains" (well, except for maybe pasta) but still having a hard time wrapping my mind around the idea of Healthy Fat. :-) I'd ditched junk like margarine *many* years ago, but used butter & eggs Very Sparingly before WB and always bought fat-free everything. These perceptions are changing, though, and I'm eating the lovely good stuff ... but still find myself reaching for the low-fat "whatever" some of the time. Not the fat-free stuff, though ... Ugh! Never again! :-)
Continued good health and happiness to you. Thanks again for being such a wonderful inspiration for so many!
Congratulations on your amazing results! I have made some of your recipes trying to see if I could find recipes to keep me on a "wheat-free" track and they have all been delicious! I haven't fully eliminated all wheat yet but feel like that may be the key as with everything else I try my weight goes down a few and then right back up and I notice on days I eat without wheat my unhealthy thoughts about food seem to diminish. Is your husband also eating completely wheat free? I think that is my stumbling block; preparing two meals while my cravings are still present. Any advice on how to cook one meal while sticking to your individual food plan?
Hi Anonymous! Thank you! I think once you have gone maybe 2 weeks without wheat/grains, you will find it much easier to stay on track. And to answer your question...my hubby still does not follow WB. While he does eat what I fix for dinner -- he still has bagels during the week and sandwiches made with regular bread. Sometimes, I will add a baked potato or sweet potato to his meal. I just make things that we eat for dinner (I may put my sauce on veggie pasta and he might have the same sauce on regular on occasion). Most of the time he eats exactly what I do for dinner and enjoys it. He realizes that he can live without wheat but just won't give up his morning bagel during the week -- even when I make them wheat free -- he still eats his (like the ones that are on front of the WB book)...LOL. I think you will find it easier once you haven't had any in a couple weeks -- and try and make most of your dinner with hubby the same and if you have to supplement his with something, do so...you will find it does get easier. :-)
Hi Cybersis! I agree -- for me pasta was probably the hardest to give up...but...I survived a pasta-less world! :-) It really is hard to retrain our brains to think was has been beaten in so deeply about fearing fat, eggs, etc. Sometimes I will use half EggBeaters and half whole eggs in a quiche type pie -- probably because of that...but I am better about it. Now, all those folks talking about eating fat bombs give me the willies though -- I can't ever see just spooning fat in my mouth just to be eating fat...LOL. Thanks for your kind words...as always! :-)
Yeah ... My sentiments exactly, GGC. Somehow the thought of digging into a big glob of coconut oil just doesn't do it for me!
"Fatty Coffee" looks slightly more interesting, but all the butter, heavy cream, coconut oil, and almond butter they put in it just seems a *bit* over the top!
CyberSis -- I am happy simply enjoying my coffee with some half and half or cream for a change! :-)
Hi GG, are we not supposed to use heavy cream instead of *half and half* The latter has more carbs. I am puzzled by that. Even Dr.Davis has recipes using *half n'half. I do not know what to make of it! Barbara.
Hi Barbara! I use both interchangeably in coffee. I figure since it such a small amount, it doesn't make too much difference. Most of the time I only have 1 cup of coffee (especially in the hot weather)...in the cool weather, occasionally 2 cups. But, you are right, heavy cream is less carbs than half and half which is half milk/half cream. I think if you are using it in smaller amounts, it's okay.
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