Wanting to Gain Weight Back

humbird753 · Post by **humbird753** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 9:29 am

I have a question - since I am no longer in a flare, shouldn't it be easy to gain some of the weight back that I lost? When I was in a flare, my appetite was uncontrollable. I was very hungry all the time, and I ate all the time. My ND explained it by saying that the rapid transit and the fact I was not absorbing nutrients I needed kept me in a state of hunger (don't know if that's true or not). I ate like that for about 2-1/2 years, and thought I had put new eating patterns into my life. But, it is interesting to see that since things have settled down, and I am only going to the bathroom once or twice a day, I am no longer "starving" all the time, so I am also eating less. So.... can people with MC gain their weight back? I am much thinner than I'd like to be (like many others here).

All opinions are appreciated. Thank you.

Paula

Post by **tex** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 10:47 am

Paula wrote:So.... can people with MC gain their weight back?

Sure — just eat more. And grains are the most efficient way to go about it. Any feedlot operator will tell you that a good grain-based ration is the fastest and most economical way to pack the pounds on. Of course, a high percentage of the weight will be in fat, but we all need reserve fat supplies to help us ride out the tough times.

Or just eat more of your regular diet. Force-feeding (continuing to eat after you're full) works, and it adds pounds. Or add another snack or two during the day.

Tex

tlras · Post by **tlras** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 2:49 pm

Hi Paula,

I've managed to gain 10 lbs back in 4 months. And I thank my rice and corn products for that....lol! I really needed to gain that weight back. I also eat a lot of avocados as well. Of course, I upped the sugar during the holidays which added on a few pounds but don't recommend the added sugar. However, if you are doing a Paleo diet, I honestly don't know how you could gain much from that. Maybe just eating more?

Good luck on putting the weight back on. I'm lovin' it!

Terri

Post by **tex** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 4:06 pm

Terri wrote:Maybe just eating more?

Sure. For some strange reason, most people assume that in order to gain weight, they have add more foods into their diet. Why risk that? Just eat more of whatever you can eat. Eat larger helpings of everything you usually eat, and/or maybe add another snack or two during the day.

Tex

birdlover3 · Post by **birdlover3** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 3:23 pm

Wow...I'm AFRAID of putting my weight back on. I can afford to gain some back, but I certainly don't want it all back for sure!!! LOL

Sheila · Post by **Sheila** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 6:03 pm

If you are on a paleo diet it is really hard to eat more meat without getting nauseous. The paleo muffins (morning glory muffins) are a good way to add calories without adding a lot of sugar. Since they are made with almond or other nut flours, they are high protein. They freeze well and are satisfying. I've lost weight because of moving and it is hard to gain the weight back. Eating more at meal time causes belching and nausea and eating between meals destroys appetite. Weight loss seems to be part of the deal with MC.

Sheila W

birdlover3 · Post by **birdlover3** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 7:53 pm

No I'm not on that diet. How much weight have you lost? I lost about 30 pounds but much of it was purposely lost. I woudl guess only a small part of my loss was due to the "D". I expect to gain some back once things get settled down, but I shouldn't gain it all back as I've kept my better eating habits through the whole process. I'm only 113 now which isn't a healthy weight for me.

Sheila · Post by **Sheila** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 8:46 pm

My weight has always been low, even before MC diagnosis, probably because of previously undiagnosed celiac sprue. My weight goes up and down depending on the state of the MC.
Like many of us, my diet is very limited and I've done we'll on a modified paleo diet. My experience living with MC and celiac is the inability to count on things remaining the same.
I'm also taking budesinide every other day, trying to slowly wean off. Many of us with MC have trouble gaining weight and I think it's just part of the disease process. This disease manifests in a multitude of ways with a host of symptoms. Read Tex's book for the full story.

Sheila W

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 9:30 pm

Yeah Paula, carbs are the fastest way to gain weight. You could start lifting weights to build muscle ( healthy weight) which will raise your appetite because those muscles need calories.

Leah

Post by **tex** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 10:07 pm

Leah,

Note that I didn't promote grains as the healthiest way to gain weight — I just said they were the most efficient way to gain weight.

Tex

Kari · Post by **Kari** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 8:53 am

Hi Paula,

I have the same problem with weight gain, so I can't really advise you on how to gain it back. My weight has been stable for 2 years now, so I have managed to stop worrying about it. At least I no longer have the dreaded "belly and waist fat" :). The fact that I have been able to maintain my weight and not lose any more gives me a sense of security.

The idea of eating more to gain weight makes sense, but I am like Sheila and get unwell if I eat more meat, or anything else for that matter. I have a very limited diet, eating almost no sugar, but I do eat rice in Udi's whole grain rice bread, which I use for sandwiches. Otherwise my diet consists of meat, eggs, a couple of veggies, avocados, paleo muffins, apples and mangos.

Also, I stay physically active by doing yoga, hiking, skiing, biking, etc., which keeps me strong and feeling healthy. Leah's recommendation of developing muscle tissue is certainly a good one - I don't know if you're already doing this, but adding that to your lifestyle should help.

If you check the recommended weight tables, you may find that you are below the minimum, as am I. However, I don't really worry about it because I think the range is too high :).

Love,
Kari

humbird753 · Post by **humbird753** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 3:57 pm

Thank you everyone for your responses. Well, from the answers given, I should be able to gain some weight back (I'm hoping). I guess I assumed it was not possible for someone with MC who typically lost weight due to their MC to be able to gain weight and it would be a constant struggle to maintain without further losing weight. For the most part, it sounds like many have been able to gain weight back.

I do not currently have a weight lifting program in my schedule, but have known for quite some time that I should. I don't know about others, but with the extreme fatigue for such a long period of time, plus explosive D, it kept me from being the usual physically active person I was. I hope I can rebuild the strength I had lost.

So my New Year's goal - gain at least 10 to 15 lbs. - muscles would be great!

Paula

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:13 pm

You go girl ! :)

humbird753 · Post by **humbird753** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:49 pm

Thanks Leah ;)

I've gotten so weak. I need to do something. I never liked being sedentary which is what I have to be while on my job. I ALWAYS worked out at a gym after work, came home and started dinner, went outside to mow our 1-acre lot or work in my flower gardens, went in to eat and clean up my kitchen, then for relaxation I would go walk about 3 miles. That was a typical day. Unfortunately since my MC and extreme explosive D (25 to 30 times a day), I ended up giving up the gym first, then couldn't even be in my yard for more than a couple minutes, and that also eliminated the walks. My world (like for many of us) became very narrow.

Now I want my life back, and I'm going after it. Thanks for the encouragement.

Paula

humbird753 · Post by **humbird753** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 8:55 pm

Hi - I wanted to add that I admire those who were able to continue physically working out through the toughest (flare and fatigue) period of their MC. Don't know how you did it!??

Paula