Heres the background to this blog..
Currently I am 5'1 and 142 pounds, athletic build. I've struggled with my weight my whole life, I'd say from the day I was born. I always managed to keep myself active in sports come middle school, all the way through highschool, yet I always yo-yo-ed with my weight. Highschool low was 148 even during volleyball and softball seasons, then college started and I shot up to the 160's, moreso towards 170.
It was 2004, on a trip to California, and I had my first "stomach attack". I'll never forget it. The last week of July in sunny amazing San Diego, I laid curled up in a ball on the floor in total agony wondering why my stomach felt like it was being torn out of me. As soon as I got back home to NY I went to the doctor, over the next year I went through god knows how many tests and procedures, and everything showed up negative. I was diagnosed with IBS. I was also told I possibly had Endometriosis and definitely had ovarian cysts, and I would need surgery to remove both.
During the year of constant "testing", I became petrified of food. I basically lived on grilled chicken and grilled vegetables, and bread, which dropped me down to the 140's again. I felt AMAZING, minus the constant stomach problems that were becoming unbearable, but I finally liked the way I looked again. But dropping 40 pounds in 6 months definitely wasnt healthy. I knew I was bound to gain it back again, and I did, after the endometriosis and cyst removal surgery. I gained back 30 pounds. At this point I felt like my life was being ruled by my IBS. Scared to go out, or make any plans, in case of an "attack".
In May of 2005, a few months before my surgery, I met my now husband, Matt. I hid all of my symptoms from him as long as I possibly could. He saw through it, since he had experience with a friend of his who had the same issues that I did. After he figured it out and told me that he knew what was going on with me, and to stop hiding it from him, he became my rock. He turned into my biggest supporter and was there through the rest of the "testing", when I had and my surgery, and every day there after.
The next year or two went on the same, still having attacks constantly, trying different medications, and ballooning up to the 180's. Early 2007 we moved to North Carolina, and October of 2007 was our wedding. I managed to get down to the 160's again for our wedding at least, (but gained it all back again afterwards). Our wedding day is actually when my sister-in-law introduced me to Imodium Multi-Symptom (which eventually turned into my total go to medication, it was the only thing that helped).
Fast forward again, July of 2008 I start weight watchers, lost about 10 pounds immediately, I had started there in the 180's. At the time Matt and I decided to try to get pregnant, I was told that it would take up to a year for us to conceive because of my previous cyst and endometriosis issues. Well guess what, it took two weeks. August 2008 and 178 pounds, I'm pregnant. There goes that diet attempt! My IBS was about 75% better while I was pregnant (enough for me to basically live on Taco Bell). I got up to 220 pounds by the end of my pregnancy, but lost almost all the baby weight after 4 months, but that still left me back in the 180's. A typical newborn year goes by and after looking at his first birthday pictures, I knew I had to change.
I downloaded a calorie counting app on my phone recommended by a friend, and went to work. My IBS was either terrible, or great during the dieting time. Once you realize you can't diet normally (aka rabbit food like the typical salad), it makes it a little bit harder. I had to get creative to avoid the foods that were "triggers" for my IBS, while still staying within a certain calorie range, and staying in a healthy food area. It was definitely a learning curve. From June of 2010 to November of 2011 I lost almost 60 pounds, the RIGHT way, and brought myself down to 136, my all time low! I had re-learned how to eat, and maintained my weight without even needing to track calories up until a few months ago. I then realized that I definitely was slipping up on the "healthy" aspect and going back to eating what was most convenient. It also probably had something to do with switching birth control methods, I gained back 8 pounds. Now to a "normal" person, thats nothing, but to me that definitely means I'm about to balloon back up again. I'm nipping it now and going back on my "calorie counting diet". I'm slowly realizing I'm never going to be able to be one of those people who can eat anything and be fine. I will have to watch my food for the rest of my life, and I'm okay with that.
Now I just have to remember how I used to eat without triggering my more controlled IBS at this point. Over the past year I have found a medication regime that has made my IBS way more tolerable. Probiotic pill + Vitamin D 2000IU pill = Happy tummy, usually, but theres always Imodium when I do have a bad day. Now when I say "controlled" I meant I only have 6-10 attacks a month, rather than 20-30, yes, at one point it was a daily battle.
I basically started this blog to try to help out others with the same issues as myself. Trying to diet, unable to eat a lot of typical diet foods in bulk (aka. raw veggies), or trying to maintain a certain weight, all while having IBS-D and a busy life style.. I'll mention my son is a VERY active 2 year old and I work full time with hours that are opposite my husbands. Time to cook is limited, and its hard to not just grab some mac and cheese and chicken nuggets. Exercise time is also unheard of for me, however I just got a "Yoga for Weight Loss" DVD so we'll see how that goes, haha.
I'll post quick and easy foods on the go and recipes that I find that are low calorie and agree with an IBS tummy. Keep in mind, I am NOT a doctor or nutritionist. I am simply a person who has been there, and is doing my best to keep my symptoms at bay, while maintaining a healthy lifestyle and eating habit. All that is written in this blog is what works specifically for me, and what I hope will work for someone else as well.
Well if you made it this far CONGRATS! and thanks for listening. I promise I don't write blog entries that are books like this often.
Here's some before and afters (click to enlarge):
Current picture:
