I’ve posted Ann’s wonderful Wheat Belly journey previously, detailing her relief from rheumatoid arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the phenomena of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), migraine headaches, chronic hives, asthma, and other conditions, as well as her success in losing a large amount of weight over several months.
Well, Ann is back with another update:
“I wanted to update you with my progress. Today it has been 10 months since I began this journey. I lost another 6 1/2 inches this month and have now lost a total of 125 lbs.
“I feel incredible. I am a new person. Without your books, this wouldn’t have happened.”
Doesn’t she look spectacular? Ann has truly undergone a life-changing transformation. In her communications with me, I also feel a new hopefulness that was most definitely not present just 10 months earlier. Note that Ann has not been counting calories, limiting portion sizes, or engaging in extreme exercise. And, although she has indeed been limiting carbohydrates, when would a low-carb diet alone achieve relief from an autoimmune condition like rheumatoid arthritis, the endocrine disruptions of PCOS, or the misery of migraine headaches? Low-carb is not the defining, crucial factor here–it’s the elimination of wheat and grains.
Ann’s success is truly remarkable. It pains me to post this on a thread about Ann, but it has to be said somewhere. Throughout the transformations posted by Dr. Davis are drastic improvements in physical health, lifestyle and appearance. Some of the most striking but little discussed appearance changes happen in re-gender-ization.
The “before” picture shows what I see in most truly fat people, a decided lack of gender. After the Wheat Belly transformation I see a beautiful woman. And it’s the same for men …..before, no gender, after, a handsome man
Maybe after people lose weight they feel so good about themselves, they at last feel good about dressing up and making an effort.
That should be discernible simply from observation. From my observation I’m saying the re-gender-ization is real, and not an illusion.
…….Besides, how would that work? A fat person loses weight, and then decides to highlight his/her gender? Then there’s some gender response besides simply becoming more attractive.
I understand what you are saying, I noticed that myself when I look at my picture. I think the fat hid alot of my features, everyone says I look like my mom now,
Ann! this is fantastic and extremely motivating!YOU look fabulous!!
I’ve been on the fence about wheat belly, i started it 3 weeks ago and don’t see much change as such (whereas everybody on this website has seen instant results), so started researching other diets like Paleo/ Autoimmune Paleo(almost similar to WB, with a few more restrictions) as i too suffer from PCOS, i thought i was on the wrong track with WB. But after reading your tremendous success and transformation i am convinced that wheat belly is the way to go, i probably just need to be patient.
One question though: does our skin become loose and saggy when we lose weight( I have to lose around 90-100 pounds), does it lose its elasticity?
Dr. Davis’s books and this blog has been tremendously helpful and motivating and also a lot of people on the blog are giving very good advice.
You and Dr. Stevens posts have given me some more hope. Thank you and hopefully i should be able to soon write an article similar to Ann!!
re: … does our skin become loose and saggy when we lose weight …
This came up lately at:
https://drdavisinfinitehealth.com/2015/04/the-wheat-belly-facial-transformation-gallery/comment-page-1/#comment-59817
I offered some speculation on the topic. There wasn’t any discussion or dissent, suggesting that it’s not big problem.
Bob, I have one more concern, since i have been on wheat belly, I havent been able to maintain a full stomach, most often than not i have almost immediate bowel movement that i end up expelling(loose motions).
Is there anything i can do about it? Is it because of the WB diet(4th week now)? I am off dairy & nuts as well right now, but am unable to keep the meat down or for that food . Its freaking me out…i read about the bowel flora article as well….i havent started having raw bananas as yet.
I really don’t know wat to do….dont want to fall ill!!
re: … haven’t been able to maintain a full stomach, most often than not i have almost immediate bowel movement that i end up expelling (loose motions).
Although this could indicate an actual medical problem*, it’s most likely to be a routine matter of gut biome adjustment.
Under your former diet (most likely the grain-heavy high-carb low fat SAD), you developed a specific gut flora population that adapted to all that glucose, fructose, fructans and other things now missing. The gut-adverse grain proteins also suppressed desired bacteria.
Your new grain-free low-carb high-fat diet is not providing what those critters have come to expect, and they aren’t happy. You also are likely deficient in critters that thrive on what you now eat.
re: Is there anything i can do about it? … read about the bowel flora article …
That.
Start a course of a quality probiotic immediately. Gradually ramp up to a daily 20 grams of prebiotic fiber. This will provide both the desired gut bacteria, and a continuing source of what they like to eat. They will both drive down the adverse populations, and provide by-products that you need (like SCFAs).
_________
* There’s always some chance that there was an underlying pathology that your new diet has merely exposed. If the symptoms don’t vanish in a few weeks, it would be worth making further investigations into things like c.diff, candida, SIBO or even gallbladder (although GB seems unlikely, as you aren’t reporting pain). I’m not a medical professional, but I can say that I don’t recall seeing this particular complaint on the blog before. Similar reactions, however, are commonly reported on forums focused on gut biome.
Thanks a ton Bob!
Will right away start on the prebiotic-probiotic treatment and I really really hope that this should solve my problem and my bowel flora should stabilise.
I hope there is no candida or SIBO, this was one of my thought as well. Will wait it out for a few weeks and see how the prebiotic process works out for me.
once again thanks a ton, was really hassled by the stomach issue, also was reading up on the autoimmune paleo protocol as well and, honestly am currently literally almost similar to that process with no nuts or dairy or anything, they link into WB with a few exceptions.
I will take saggy skin over the way I was any day, I started with 215 lbs to lose so I expect some skin issues although it’s hasn’t been that bad and I do believe it will get even better with time
Your transformation truly has been fantastic and inspirational!
Ann,I’m thankful you’ve stuck to it. You have a wonderful life ahead of you. Thank you for sharing and keeping us informed – it’s people like you that keep us all enthused to inform our families, friends, and neighbors to jump on board – the water’s fine.
Thank you,
Gosh, Ann, you look amazing!!
Funny, when Dr. D posted you before, I sent an aquaitance who was considering bariatric surgery to look at the blog, and she did NOT believe it…said there MUST be something fishey going on!
She is NEVER going to believe THIS.
It’s very real, last August I thought I wouldn’t be here this summer.I had so many medical issues,life was horrible. When I started I was really doubtful, I had tried everything, so why would this work.I know I’ve lost a lot of weight but to me the greatest achievement is not having constant pain. Giving up grains,sugar,and processed foods is the best thing I ever did
It did the same for me! Not the drastic physical change you had, but everything else.
I was TRYING to be helpful, because the cure is so simple, and the results so amazing…..but a major surgical procedure seems so much easier to her. Those bariatric doctors must be SOME salespeople!
hi Ann what books would you suggest..I did order the wheat belly book it should arrive today. I’m wanting this for me I have 49 kilos to lose and suffer asthma and bronchitis.. Hubby suffers very badly after gluten some of his family is celiac we eat gluten free but it’s not helping him . He is probably only 5 kilos over weight but always tummy pain and a cough after eating gluten . Thanks in advance for any advice
re: … I did order the wheat belly book …
The book to get these days is Wheat Belly Total Health. More depth on more topics (esp. gut flora), but fewer recipes. Perhaps the first cookbook to get is the 30 Minute or Less one.
I have a group called Ann’s guide to low carb grain free dieting on a budget where I post my meals and recipes, everybody is very supportive.you are more than welcome to join
Ann, what an exciting change in your life! I have just started Wheat Free eating, today is my ninth day. I read Wheat Belly on my original Kindle and I find it hard on that device to get recipes straight in my head. I have the 30 minutes or less cookbook ordered, but doubt it will be here for another week. Could you write out the address of your Grain Free Low Carb Diet on a Budget website? I am really ready for more recipes. I am down 5.5 pounds, am much less bloated and am hoping this will be the way for me to get healthy. I have RA and developed Vasculitis in one of my legs. Its been two and a half years and the vasculitis is still not cured. It seems better, but it is always ready to start again. I want it and the arthritis gone. Congratulations to you on your very healthy and well-deserved success!
Hi Ann would love to join!!
My group is on Facebook
Pete Evans “Family Food” is a fantastic book. He is a Chef. It is paleo so grain free and dairy free. The butter chicken recipe is gorgeous. He also often puts up recipes on his facebook page “Chef Pete Evans”.
re: … an acquaintance who was considering bariatric surgery …
There is considerable back traffic on that topic on this blog. A Google search finds it all (click my name for results). An example is:
https://drdavisinfinitehealth.com/2012/09/bariatric-whistleblower-fake-nails-and-lap-band/
Anyone considering it needs to independently research the downsides before helping the surgeon with car payments on the Maybach.