Coeliac Disease affects different people in different ways. For those of you who have been intrigued enough to click on my 'What is Coeliac Disease?' tab, you'll know that it is a disease which attacks the digestive system in particular, thus making it difficult to digest food. This was where the disease got me.
Now, I've always been skinny and I can already hear you, "Oh well lucky you", "No need to brag", but I'm talking about the wrong end of skinny. As a child especially, my physique was very small but it wasn't seen so much as a problem then because hey, I was only young and still growing. Maybe I was just a late starter, so it was looked at more as a 'we'll see where that goes' kind of thing and, well, it didn't really 'go'.
As a teenager I started to notice myself how I just didn't seem to be putting any weight on and in high school this became a daunting thing because everyone around me was growing and maturing (if you know what I mean) and I still looked the same as I did when I was about 12. Not good.
I didn't necessarily feel ill around this time, I always had stomach aches after food but for some reason I thought this was completely normal (erm, wake up Amy!) so I never sought after any medical advice about my weight. I just came to terms with the fact that this was my body shape and that it might get better one day, I'd just have to be patient.
Fast-forward to 2011 and as you know, I'm diagnosed with Coeliac Disease. This is where that diagnosis was a weird positive for me because I finally had an answer to all my body issues. At this time I was nearly 17 years old, about 5 ft 6 and weight under 7 stone, *gasps*. Almost immediately after diagnosis, I was referred to a specialist dietitian and thus began my journey of weight-gain.
It sounds ideal, right? Getting to eat all the food I want (gluten free of course), whenever I want, on purpose and not having to feel guilty about it! But it's been a lot less fun than that. Admittedly, eating loads of food is great but you have to be just as strict and dedicated as you do trying to lose weight and it can take its toll.
About half way through my weight gaining process I noticed I started developing some psychological issues relating to the weight gain. I was so so desperate to finally gain weight that I became slightly obsessed. This got to the point where I would freak out at the idea of any sort of exercise. I'd somehow convinced myself that even if I walked half a mile down the street to Tesco, it would hinder my gaining weight and I'd have to eat three times as much that day because god forbid I did 5 minutes of walking. This quickly became unhealthy and before I knew it I'd stopped going places or doing anything. Any way without spending too much time in this doom and gloom, I eventually became aware of what I was doing and immediately reached out to my family who suggested I get back in touch with a dietitian for some more guided help.
So I did and, without boring you anymore, it worked and I re-started the process with a much healthier outlook and approach.
Between then and now I have actually managed to put on over two stone (I'm not going to reveal my actual weight because, well, I don't feel we're at 'that stage' in our relationship yet) and more importantly I'm doing regular exercise like jogging and swimming and still maintaining the weight I want to be!
Sorry for the huge post but I wanted to share this because it has been my biggest struggle/success that has come with Coeliac Disease, so it belonged on the blog really. Also other people may have similar weight issues when they first get diagnosed so I also wanted this to be a sort of motivational "you can do it!" story. I never thought I'd be at the weight I am and it feels bloody marvelous to say that I am.
SO KEEP GOING and for the love of god you CAN still walk to Tesco!
Amy
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