Suggestions For Weight Loss???

Hey All. (Avid reader, rare poster)

I've put on a LOT of weight after losing a LOT when flaring with Crohn's when I was originally diagnosed. I really want to lose weight but find it difficult due to the kinds of foods that I can tolerate.  People eat salad and we all know that's a bad idea.  The things I can tolerate are the things people on diets avoid (i.e. bread, pasta, cheese). My GI told me not to lift weights which is what I enjoy.  I thought about Lap-Band but read on the website that it's not for people with Crohn's.  Has anyone mentioned this to their GI or known anyone diagnosed with Crohn's who has had gastric bypass or LapBand?  I'm going to the GI next month but don't even want to mention it if it's not a possibility.  Thanks!!!

I gained some weight while on steriods after I had lost a lot during a flare. I'm currently trying to lose it. I've cut out all softdrinks. I drink Crystal Light, it's pretty good and sugar free : ) Also lots of water. I'm also walking 2 miles a day and it seems to be slowly helping!

Watch that stuff with the artificial sweeteners. I didn't realize how much it bothered me until after I gave them up, and I used to tolerate them all, at one time. May affect you more than you realize.

I absolutely will not use artificial sweeteners. I do understand your issues with food. I'm a vegetarian who's not supposed to eat fresh veggies...so I eat bread, pasta and rice a lot. I try so hard to eat healthy, but it just doesn't work that way. I've found that eating those frozen "Smart Ones" are pretty decent. Also, I drink a "Mega Ultra" multivitamin shake.
Hope this helps,
C

Tater,

Are you a "power lifter" when it comes to weights? I have heard of GI's telling "power lifters" (or people who like to constantly "max out" on the weight they lift every time) not to lift weights for fear of strains, etc. However, if you are just a regular weight lifter, I wouldn't see the problem. I lift weights myself. I just have to be careful when I do leg presses on the sled, etc. to ensure that I am in proper form.

Most GI's are not going to recommend any sort of bariatric procedure for weight loss since you have Crohn's. The risk is just too high. I have heard of some patients going on the various weight loss pills on the markets. The hardest thing for most CD patients is that our bodies are "starving" for nutrients, so the body & metabolism go into survival mode, making it harder for us to lose weight. Please make sure that you are getting all the essential nutrients that your body needs - which might mean you will need to see a nutritionist.

I agree with the others regarding artificial sweetners. Most of them (esp in diet pop) make my stomach hurt for days. I have started using Splenda, and with its different formulation, I seem to tolerate it much better.

Actually only those ending with "tol" are sugar alcohols, splenda is sucralose...regular sugar (sucrose) bonded to chlorine.

:)

I know what your going through!  I was on pred for almost a year, and gained quite a bit of weight after losing quite a bit after a flare.  Here's a suggestion, weight watchers.  about a month ago, I couldn't stand it anymore.  This is the most I've weighed, 205 lbs.  I tried a no carb diet, and after a couple of days of diarrhea, decided that I didn't want to risk being in remission.  I got a copy of the diet, and how many points the foods have in them.  (I still struggle with some foods even in remission)  I have lost 16 lbs. so far, and no diarrhea.  I still have quite a ways to go, but am excited at 16 lbs!  Fortunately, now I can eat salads, but if you can't there are other veggies I'm sure you can eat.  For example, green beans I still can't tolerate, but if they are french style, they don't bother me.  I tried a raw carrot a couple of weeks ago, found out I'm just not ready for it yet.  But I can eat steamed carrots.  Baked fries rather than deep fried, etc...  I used to feel so bloated after I ate, but I don't have that feeling anymore.  Good luck, I hope this helps!  Also, instead of artificial sweeteners, you can have sugar, you just have to count the points.

I agree with Hope, Yoga is an absolute wonderful thing! I took a Yoga class for beginners a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, my work schedule doesn't permit me to go to the class anymore, but I have Yoga CD's and still do it at home. I talked my daughter into taking it at college. She loves it. You will be suprised at how much it can help strengthen muscles. I didn't realize just how much upper body strength I had lost until I tried a couple of poses!

I have a lot of trouble dieting. Used to think I had terrible willpower. But both times that I have tried to do the low-carb thing, I've noticed that I get my cravings under control and I don't even miss the sweets. I did the south beach diet once for a couple of months but quit when I thought I was flaring up. I thought maybe it was too many salads. Then at the end of September I started the maker's diet. I had to shorten the low-carb phase because I got to feeling so bad from the die-off reaction (which actually helped with the weight loss). By the time I added the grains back in I was really able to say no to the things I shouldn't eat. It is amazing. So something about quitting grains and sugars for awhile seems to work for me. I've lost about 15 pounds and I'm not feeling hungry or deprived. I modify the diet so that it is reasonable for my life but mainly I avoid refined flours and sugars. I find I can tolerate sprouted grain bread, brown rice and eat potatoes when I feel I need low fiber. For sweeteners I use honey or look for evaporated cane juice in products like cereal or granola bars. I avoid raw produce usually except for peeled apples. Thanksgiving and a trip out of town have left me not feeling my best because I allowed more of my "forbidden foods" than usual. But it makes me feel like I'm on the right track with my food choices these days. I'm definitely making healthier choices and hope the weight will slowly come off now. I did not attempt to start this diet until I felt I had things under control as far as my cd symptoms go. I'm still trying to figure out how much fiber I can get away with.