Re: Too skinny--not gaining weight

[Guest guest]

From:

BTVC-SCD [mailto:BTVC-SCD ] On Behalf Of youngba123

I'm a newbie to the group. Joined just a couple weeks ago but started the diet

in October. I have had Crohns since I was 11 years old (now 41) and finally

decided I needed something different from the standard meds and imodium

everyday. After beginning the diet I lost about 6 lbs. and had a flare 2 weeks

ago with pain and vomitting and lost another couple pounds as well as my

appetite. I have always been thin and weighed about 108 or 110 on a good day

and now I am at 102 and looking sickly.

Is there a magical point in this diet at which us skinny people can look

forward to gaining weight?

Hi Annie,

Yes, you will get to the weight

gain phase. I did, but it took me years (I wasn’t eating enough because I

too had zero appetite. I forced myself to eat).

I found this Group when I

weighed 87 pounds (originally 118). I asked for advice on what to eat to gain

weight and here is what I was told (which, by the way, worked!): avocado, eggs,

butter on everything, coconut oil, olive oil, hard cheeses, beans (advanced food),

butternut squash, yogurt made with cream and/or half & half, did I mention

butter(!), and nut butter, especially pecan.

You are just 3-4 months into the

SCD. How are your symptoms? I see you got some immediate relief when you started

which is what I experienced as well.

A symptom of B12 deficiency is

loss of appetite. A lot of CD people have B12 deficiency. I give myself a B12

shot every month. It makes a huge difference for me! If you have a doc ask

about getting tested for B12 and Vit. D deficiencies. Sub-lingual B12 all

have illegals like sorbitol or mannitol.

So after a few months eating those high calorie foods I now

weigh a whopping 105 lbs. So hang in there – you’ll be gaining

weight soon I’ll wager.

Carol

CD 22 yrs SCD 5 yrs B12 shots LDN cream (7

mo.)

_,_._,___

[Guest guest]

Kim wrote: >> SCD works miracles, but it takes time. When you've been ill for a long > time, as you have, then you can expect it to take several years, at > least, for your gut ecology to be restored. But of course you'll feel > improvements steadily, with the occasional flare-up as part of the > healing process. And as you improve over the months you usually start > gaining weight once your body can digest the food you're giving it. In > other words, you have a ways to go yet before you'll start gaining > weight. But you know you're on the right track if several of your > symptoms vanished in the first few days to a month. That is a very good > sign.>> For now, I'd just concentrate on eating those foods your digestion and > body handle the best. Eat as much high-calorie or high-fat items your > body will tolerate in order to try to maintain weight and not lose any > more. Eat small meals frequently. Smaller meals are tolerated better > by the digestive system, and it will help you maintain energy levels.[snip]>>>>>>>>> Is there a magical point in this diet at which us skinny people can look > forward to gaining weight? I am getting frustrated because my clothes > aren't fitting and some of my co-workers are starting to think I am out > of my mind for sticking with this diet even though I have explained that > it is for improved digestive health and not weight loss.>> I know the diet is working because after the first three days I started > all of the bloating, cramping and gas went away like magic! After about > a month on the diet my joint pain disappeared.>> I am trying to eat more but it is harder since my appetite is gone. I am > a little hungry in the morning but not much later in the day. Has anyone > else experienced this?>> Thanks,> AnnieI have to agree with Kim's advice (again! :-)). EXCEPT: eating fat, while necessary and good, including eating saturated fat, for (contrary to popular opinion) is NOT, by itself, going to make you gain any appreciable weight (also contrary to popular opinion) . You'll have to eat carbs for that to happen -- legal carbs, of course. Eat as much honey and fruit as you can tolerate (along with a substantial amount of fat/protein). If you're into reading I highly recommend both Life Without Bread and Good Calories, Bad Calories -- both of which clearly explain how the body uses -- and doesn't use -- fats, proteins, carbs, etc. from what we eat. n ______________________________A funny, touching gift book for cat lovers. Signed copies, free shipping (U.S., reduced elsewhere): Confessions of  a Cataholic: My Life With the 10 Cats Who Caused My Addiction by n Van Til www.wordpowerpublishing.com  

[Guest guest]

Thanks to all for the helpful comments about the best foods to eat. Avacado is

a good one--I wasn't aware of it's potential for helping with weight gain. I

will try to stick with this and keep eating!

Carol, your point about the B12 was good to hear. I have been taking 1 shot of

B12 a month for a few years now but around December noticed that my level must

have been low--I was foggy in the head and not able to concentrate similar to

when I first realized years ago that my B12 was low. I called the doc and asked

for 2 doses a month and was feeling better after about 3 weeks. So if it was

low B12 that affected my appetite then maybe that will improve soon.

BTW, what do we all consider to be a defficency for B12? My B12 was 191 when I

first started feeling weird a few years ago and I was upset that my gastroent.

didn't think that was a problem. I see a neurologist for migraines and he said

that we should be in the 500-600 range. Last week I had bloodwork and it was

430.

Annie

>

>

>

> From: BTVC-SCD [mailto:BTVC-SCD ] On Behalf

> Of youngba123

>

>

> I'm a newbie to the group. Joined just a couple weeks ago but started the

> diet in October. I have had Crohns since I was 11 years old (now 41) and

> finally decided I needed something different from the standard meds and

> imodium everyday. After beginning the diet I lost about 6 lbs. and had a

> flare 2 weeks ago with pain and vomitting and lost another couple pounds as

> well as my appetite. I have always been thin and weighed about 108 or 110 on

> a good day and now I am at 102 and looking sickly.

> Is there a magical point in this diet at which us skinny people can look

> forward to gaining weight?

>

> Hi Annie,

>

> Yes, you will get to the weight gain phase. I did, but it took me years (I

> wasn't eating enough because I too had zero appetite. I forced myself to

> eat).

>

> I found this Group when I weighed 87 pounds (originally 118). I asked for

> advice on what to eat to gain weight and here is what I was told (which, by

> the way, worked!): avocado, eggs, butter on everything, coconut oil, olive

> oil, hard cheeses, beans (advanced food), butternut squash, yogurt made with

> cream and/or half & half, did I mention butter(!), and nut butter, especially

> pecan.

>

> You are just 3-4 months into the SCD. How are your symptoms? I see you got

> some immediate relief when you started which is what I experienced as well.

>

> A symptom of B12 deficiency is loss of appetite. A lot of CD people have B12

> deficiency. I give myself a B12 shot every month. It makes a huge difference

> for me! If you have a doc ask about getting tested for B12 and Vit. D

> deficiencies. Sub-lingual B12 all have illegals like sorbitol or mannitol.

>

> So after a few months eating those high calorie foods I now weigh a whopping

> 105 lbs. So hang in there - you'll be gaining weight soon I'll wager.

>

> Carol

>

> CD 22 yrs SCD 5 yrs B12 shots LDN cream (7 mo.)

>

> _,_._,___

>

[Guest guest]

I stayed the same weight until about month 3 or 4, and then I lost several

pounds. It wasn't until month 7 & 8 that I finally started gaining. Now I have

to be careful not to gain any more! I can't afford to buy new clothes ;-).

Holly

Crohn's

SCD 12/01/08

>

> Hi,

>

> I'm a newbie to the group. Joined just a couple weeks ago but started the

diet in October. I have had Crohns since I was 11 years old (now 41) and

finally decided I needed something different from the standard meds and imodium

everyday. After beginning the diet I lost about 6 lbs. and had a flare 2 weeks

ago with pain and vomitting and lost another couple pounds as well as my

appetite. I have always been thin and weighed about 108 or 110 on a good day and

now I am at 102 and looking sickly.

>

> Is there a magical point in this diet at which us skinny people can look

forward to gaining weight? I am getting frustrated because my clothes aren't

fitting and some of my co-workers are starting to think I am out of my mind for

sticking with this diet even though I have explained that it is for improved

digestive health and not weight loss.

>

> I know the diet is working because after the first three days I started all of

the bloating, cramping and gas went away like magic! After about a month on the

diet my joint pain disappeared.

>

> I am trying to eat more but it is harder since my appetite is gone. I am a

little hungry in the morning but not much later in the day. Has anyone else

experienced this?

>

> Thanks,

> Annie

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Annie,

Welcome to the group! Let me start by suggesting to not worry about your weight for now. I understand how you feel as I am in the

same situation and I’ve been on the diet for 22 mths. I don’t want to discourage you but

it takes time for our bodies to recuperate and heal. As you introduce new foods and your body

heals more and more, you will be more hungry. Do you have a food diary? This helps to see what you can tolerate

or not. If you can tolerate good

fats, I will suggest eating more of them:

coconut oil, olive oil, butter.

Put it on your vegetables, the more the better. If you eat meat, leave the fat in. I’m not sure if you eat yogurt but

when you do, work your way up to more fatty milk. Nuts are fatty, so you can make some

muffins, cookies, cake… Honey

is a good carb to gain weight. But don’t push yourself. Remember, healing comes first. Go slowly.

Hope this helps. If you have more questions, don’t

be shy!

GERDS and chronic C.

SCD 22 mths

Too

skinny--not gaining weight

Hi,

I'm a newbie to the group. Joined just a couple weeks ago but started the diet

in October. I have had Crohns since I was 11 years old (now 41) and finally

decided I needed something different from the standard meds and imodium

everyday. After beginning the diet I lost about 6 lbs. and had a flare 2 weeks

ago with pain and vomitting and lost another couple pounds as well as my

appetite. I have always been thin and weighed about 108 or 110 on a good day

and now I am at 102 and looking sickly.

Is there a magical point in this diet at which us skinny people can look

forward to gaining weight? I am getting frustrated because my clothes aren't

fitting and some of my co-workers are starting to think I am out of my mind for

sticking with this diet even though I have explained that it is for improved

digestive health and not weight loss.

I know the diet is working because after the first three days I started all of

the bloating, cramping and gas went away like magic! After about a month on the

diet my joint pain disappeared.

I am trying to eat more but it is harder since my appetite is gone. I am a

little hungry in the morning but not much later in the day. Has anyone else

experienced this?

Thanks,

Annie

[Guest guest]

Annie, I know it is hard to eat when you aren't hungry, but you have to

do it. Try all the suggestions made for higher calorie food, as

much as you can tolerate. And also, eat oftener. You need to get a

habit of eating often, even if it's only a couple of spoonfuls.

Years ago, my mother stayed with us after pneumonia, and she weighed

almost nothing. Of course she didn't feel like eating. I had to

really try to feed her often, ask her if she would take a little more

butter on this or that? I kept track of her calories and would tell

her some days that she didn't get enough yesterday and we had to get 300

more calories in today. It took a lot of planning for both of us but

slowly she did gain a bit, even when she still didn't feel good.

Set a timer for every hour or two if necessary to help you remember in

spite of not being hungry.

Good luck, I know it isn't easy,

I am trying to eat more but it is harder since my appetite is gone. I

am

a little hungry in the morning but not much later in the day. Has

anyone

else experienced this?

Thanks,

Annie

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to add my 2 cents in, for what it's worth. My 15 year old daughter started this diet October 1, 2008. She lost a lot of weight in the beginning. Her periods even stopped which really freaked me out. Well, eventually her weight stabilized. November, 2009 she was at 108 pounds which is a good weight for her. and the other day she weighed at 110. She's about 5 feet tall. I had looked on line at a weight/height chart just to see where she was at when she was losing weight in the beginning.

I think she now gains weight by eating cake/muffins/waffles made from ground almonds, because the stuff is yummy.

She is actually not happy at 110 and wishes she was back to at least 105. It's crazy.

I just wanted to write this because, believe me, a year ago I was a basket case with her weight loss and now she's gained it and is fine. Just wanted to encourage you.

Marla P.

To: BTVC-SCD Sent: Sat, February 6, 2010 9:18:58 PMSubject: Re: Too skinny--not gaining weight

Thanks to all for the helpful comments about the best foods to eat. Avacado is a good one--I wasn't aware of it's potential for helping with weight gain. I will try to stick with this and keep eating!Carol, your point about the B12 was good to hear. I have been taking 1 shot of B12 a month for a few years now but around December noticed that my level must have been low--I was foggy in the head and not able to concentrate similar to when I first realized years ago that my B12 was low. I called the doc and asked for 2 doses a month and was feeling better after about 3 weeks. So if it was low B12 that affected my appetite then maybe that will improve soon.BTW, what do we all consider to be a defficency for B12? My B12 was 191 when I first started feeling weird a few years ago and I was upset that my gastroent. didn't think that was a problem. I see a neurologist for migraines and he said that we should be in the 500-600 range. Last week I

had bloodwork and it was 430.Annie>> > > From: BTVC-SCD@yahoogroup s.com [mailto:BTVC-SCD@yahoogroup s.com] On Behalf> Of youngba123> > > I'm a newbie to the group. Joined just a couple weeks ago but started the> diet in October. I have had Crohns since I was 11 years old (now 41) and> finally decided I needed something different from the standard meds and> imodium everyday. After beginning the diet I lost about 6 lbs. and had

a> flare 2 weeks ago with pain and vomitting and lost another couple pounds as> well as my appetite. I have always been thin and weighed about 108 or 110 on> a good day and now I am at 102 and looking sickly. > Is there a magical point in this diet at which us skinny people can look> forward to gaining weight? > > Hi Annie,> > Yes, you will get to the weight gain phase. I did, but it took me years (I> wasn't eating enough because I too had zero appetite. I forced myself to> eat). > > I found this Group when I weighed 87 pounds (originally 118). I asked for> advice on what to eat to gain weight and here is what I was told (which, by> the way, worked!): avocado, eggs, butter on everything, coconut oil, olive> oil, hard cheeses, beans (advanced food), butternut squash, yogurt made with> cream and/or half & half, did I mention butter(!),

and nut butter, especially> pecan.> > You are just 3-4 months into the SCD. How are your symptoms? I see you got> some immediate relief when you started which is what I experienced as well. > > A symptom of B12 deficiency is loss of appetite. A lot of CD people have B12> deficiency. I give myself a B12 shot every month. It makes a huge difference> for me! If you have a doc ask about getting tested for B12 and Vit. D> deficiencies. Sub-lingual B12 all have illegals like sorbitol or mannitol. > > So after a few months eating those high calorie foods I now weigh a whopping> 105 lbs. So hang in there - you'll be gaining weight soon I'll wager.> > Carol> > CD 22 yrs SCD 5 yrs B12 shots LDN cream (7 mo.)> > _,_._,___>

[Guest guest]

Thanks everyone for all the "Weight Gain Encouragement" answers. I started SCD last August and my weight was down from 180lbs to 155lbs at the time. I have since dropped a further 10lbs to 145lbs on SCD. At first I kept weighing myself almost daily, then I stopped weighing myself and worrying about weight loss and just focused on the fact that despite a monthly flare I was feeling much better. This last weekend I weighted myself and I am back to 149lbs so maybe I am finally starting to gain again. 180 was actually about 10lbs overweight for me. 165-170lbs would be my ideal weight. It seems that at the 6 month point of the diet I am seeing more improvements that only further motivates my "strict adherance" to SCD.

I am looking forward to my colonoscopy in August( I know nobody is supposed to look forward to a colonoscopy!) to see what my Dr says about my CD. I am sure there is going to be some healing going on. As far as supplements taking S Boulardii really makes a big difference for me.

K.

Subject: Re: Re: Too skinny--not gaining weightTo: BTVC-SCD Date: Sunday, February 7, 2010, 11:34 PM

I just wanted to add my 2 cents in, for what it's worth. My 15 year old daughter started this diet October 1, 2008. She lost a lot of weight in the beginning. Her periods even stopped which really freaked me out. Well, eventually her weight stabilized. November, 2009 she was at 108 pounds which is a good weight for her. and the other day she weighed at 110. She's about 5 feet tall. I had looked on line at a weight/height chart just to see where she was at when she was losing weight in the beginning.

I think she now gains weight by eating cake/muffins/ waffles made from ground almonds, because the stuff is yummy.

She is actually not happy at 110 and wishes she was back to at least 105. It's crazy.

I just wanted to write this because, believe me, a year ago I was a basket case with her weight loss and now she's gained it and is fine. Just wanted to encourage you.

Marla P.

From: youngba123 <ayoungberg3@ sbcglobal. net>To: BTVC-SCD@yahoogroup s.comSent: Sat, February 6, 2010 9:18:58 PMSubject: Re: Too skinny--not gaining weight

Thanks to all for the helpful comments about the best foods to eat. Avacado is a good one--I wasn't aware of it's potential for helping with weight gain. I will try to stick with this and keep eating!Carol, your point about the B12 was good to hear. I have been taking 1 shot of B12 a month for a few years now but around December noticed that my level must have been low--I was foggy in the head and not able to concentrate similar to when I first realized years ago that my B12 was low. I called the doc and asked for 2 doses a month and was feeling better after about 3 weeks. So if it was low B12 that affected my appetite then maybe that will improve soon.BTW, what do we all consider to be a defficency for B12? My B12 was 191 when I first started feeling weird a few years ago and I was upset that my gastroent. didn't think that was a problem. I see a neurologist for migraines and he said that we should be in the 500-600 range. Last week

I had bloodwork and it was 430.Annie>> > > From: BTVC-SCD@yahoogroup s.com [mailto:BTVC-SCD@yahoogroup s.com] On Behalf> Of youngba123> > > I'm a newbie to the group. Joined just a couple weeks ago but started the> diet in October. I have had Crohns since I was 11 years old (now 41) and> finally decided I needed something

different from the standard meds and> imodium everyday. After beginning the diet I lost about 6 lbs. and had a> flare 2 weeks ago with pain and vomitting and lost another couple pounds as> well as my appetite. I have always been thin and weighed about 108 or 110 on> a good day and now I am at 102 and looking sickly. > Is there a magical point in this diet at which us skinny people can look> forward to gaining weight? > > Hi Annie,> > Yes, you will get to the weight gain phase. I did, but it took me years (I> wasn't eating enough because I too had zero appetite. I forced myself to> eat). > > I found this Group when I weighed 87 pounds (originally 118). I asked for> advice on what to eat to gain weight and here is what I was told (which, by> the way, worked!): avocado, eggs, butter on everything, coconut oil, olive> oil, hard cheeses,

beans (advanced food), butternut squash, yogurt made with> cream and/or half & half, did I mention butter(!), and nut butter, especially> pecan.> > You are just 3-4 months into the SCD. How are your symptoms? I see you got> some immediate relief when you started which is what I experienced as well. > > A symptom of B12 deficiency is loss of appetite. A lot of CD people have B12> deficiency. I give myself a B12 shot every month. It makes a huge difference> for me! If you have a doc ask about getting tested for B12 and Vit. D> deficiencies. Sub-lingual B12 all have illegals like sorbitol or mannitol. > > So after a few months eating those high calorie foods I now weigh a whopping> 105 lbs. So hang in there - you'll be gaining weight soon I'll wager.> > Carol> > CD 22 yrs SCD 5 yrs B12 shots LDN cream (7 mo.)> >

_,_._,___>

[Guest guest]

Yes let's hope for " normal " in August. Be sure to use an SCD legal prep. That

would be a good idea for our " files " section, since it's bound to come up.

PJ

> >

> >

> >

> > From: BTVC-SCD@yahoogroup s.com [mailto:BTVC-SCD@yahoogroup s.com] On Behalf

> > Of youngba123

> >

> >

> > I'm a newbie to the group. Joined just a couple weeks ago but started the

> > diet in October. I have had Crohns since I was 11 years old (now 41) and

> > finally decided I needed something different from the standard meds and

> > imodium everyday. After beginning the diet I lost about 6 lbs. and had a

> > flare 2 weeks ago with pain and vomitting and lost another couple pounds as

> > well as my appetite. I have always been thin and weighed about 108 or 110 on

> > a good day and now I am at 102 and looking sickly.

> > Is there a magical point in this diet at which us skinny people can look

> > forward to gaining weight?

> >

> > Hi Annie,

> >

> > Yes, you will get to the weight gain phase. I did, but it took me years (I

> > wasn't eating enough because I too had zero appetite. I forced myself to

> > eat).

> >

> > I found this Group when I weighed 87 pounds (originally 118). I asked for

> > advice on what to eat to gain weight and here is what I was told (which, by

> > the way, worked!): avocado, eggs, butter on everything, coconut oil, olive

> > oil, hard cheeses, beans (advanced food), butternut squash, yogurt made with

> > cream and/or half & half, did I mention butter(!), and nut butter, especially

> > pecan.

> >

> > You are just 3-4 months into the SCD. How are your symptoms? I see you got

> > some immediate relief when you started which is what I experienced as well.

> >

> > A symptom of B12 deficiency is loss of appetite. A lot of CD people have B12

> > deficiency. I give myself a B12 shot every month. It makes a huge difference

> > for me! If you have a doc ask about getting tested for B12 and Vit. D

> > deficiencies. Sub-lingual B12 all have illegals like sorbitol or mannitol..

> >

> > So after a few months eating those high calorie foods I now weigh a whopping

> > 105 lbs. So hang in there - you'll be gaining weight soon I'll wager.

> >

> > Carol

> >

> > CD 22 yrs SCD 5 yrs B12 shots LDN cream (7 mo.)

> >

> > _,_._,___

> >

>