Realms of the Raven – Author Maura Anderson / Maura van der Linden

I do, indeed, have celiac. It’s good to know and I’m happy it’s not something untreatable but I’m sure I’m going to have emotional ups and downs with it. A lot of changes have to happen – both in how I live and in my body. I don’t know how this will affect my weightloss plans either.

I went on a gluten-free diet last week, after my blood test samples were taken and I CAN tell you that I feel a ton better. Each day is a little better than the day before. The weird thing is that I still keep trying to “listen” for signs my body is acting badly or that I’m going to have to race to the bathroom – and NOTHING.

My naturopath warned me it could take a month just to adjust to the diet and another 5 months to heal.

As I work through this gluten-free journey, I have been posting information and recipes on Yasmine Galenorn’s food blog – Gluten-Free Kitchen Witch. I put a couple of yummy recipes up there already.

Start: 250.5
Today: 248.5

Loss since 1/1/2010 = 2 lbs

It’s been an interesting week or so in my little corner of the universe. I’ve gotten in my exercise clothes so hopefully I can start at the gym this week. I’m a bit eager and a bit timid, honestly.

The big news, though, is that I saw my naturopath this week and we took blood for a big allergy panel but, based on my symptoms and the self-experimentation I’ve done with my diet, I have celiac disease. This is an auto-immune disorder that damages the intestines and their function when you eat gluten. This means no more gluten – ever. It’s off my diet for the rest of my life.

While this sounds horrible and does present some challenges – the last few days of being gluten free have made me realize how much it had been affecting me and how much BETTER I feel without it. I’ll mourn some items and I will have to make a lot of changes in my diet and my routines (more cooking at home), but it’s something that can be treated. YAY. It definitely puts an end to my fast-food habit! I started cleaning cupboards and educating my family but that will take a while.

If you know any great gluten-free foods or tips, feel free to leave a comment!

My body seems very confused at the moment because this isn’t a switch to do gradually, it’s a cold turkey sorta change. But, as of this morning, I seem to be back on the weight loss bandwagon.

Start: 250.5
Today: 248

Loss since 1/1/2010 = 2.5 lbs

Start: 250.5
Today: 248.5

Loss since 1/1/2010 = 2 lbs