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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/13/2017 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
I'm 5'4 and my normal weight is about 117 pounds. During my recent flare my weight decreased to 92 pounds at its lowest, then once i started humira I got better quickly and gained about 6 pounds in a week. But now the weight gain seems to have slowed down a lot and I've stayed at 100 pounds for a week now even though i'm eating normally. so obviously I'm still underweight, but I'm eating 3 meals a day and am hardly exercising so surely I should be gaining weight? Should I be worried if I can't seem to gain any more weight? How long does it normally take to return to your normal weight after a flare up?
Posted 2/13/2017 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
I've found that you've got to be near remission (3 bms a day or less, at least semi solid) in order to regain weight. I'd eat tons of extra calories and yet only regain a half a pound a week when having 3 bms a day. It takes time, patience, lots of calories, and a series of months to regain the weight lost during your flare. If you're in a remission then regaining weight is quite easy. It's just simmering inflammation and UC symptoms that make it challenging.

Try to keep the extra calories nutritious as you lost a lot nutrients during your flare. But do enjoy the occasional slice of cake without guilt, because you can smile
Posted 2/15/2017 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
Be me.

The advice for gaining weight is the same as for losing weight: if you're not gaining/losing then you need to eat more/less. It doesn't matter what the RDA of calories say: everyone is different. If you need to eat 4000 calories a day to gain, then eat 4000 calories a day. I'll be envying you from afar. (Although tbf my messed up digestion would make it pretty hard for me.)
Posted 2/15/2017 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
Try the 'My Fitness Pal' app to track your calories. You may be surprised at the number of calories you are actually eating.

My go-to weight gainers are natural peanut butter, extra virgin olive oil, full fat cuts of meat like chicken thighs (skin on), and butter. All depends on your personal tolerances of different foods and your overall health goals, of course. Another great option is a high calorie smoothie on top of your normal food intake. Just Google recipes.
Posted 2/15/2017 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
I lost a lot in the last year (overall 35lbs) and I found a few things that helped me to gain weight from my last flare. Seems to work because I gained 15 lbs since Christmas. Wouhou! Of course I also feel better, so the fact that I digest food now is, of course, really helping!!! I also eat a lot. I mean more than everyone I know :O

- I add two protein shake between meals, so it's an extra easy to digest 40 g of protein. (I use Vega/SunWarrior with a banana and almond milk) I also make sure that my meals includes enough protein, it's essential for weight gain. And I have eggs every morning and bacon some days. Those are easy to digest for me.

- I add digestive enzymes to every meals until my digestion seems okay.

- Good fat (ghee, coconut oil, fish, avocado)

I am also training 3-4 times a week (yoga, pilates and climbing)
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