Update

 

I haven’t been posting weekly updates. I’ve been pretty overwhelmed the last few weeks, honestly. While I have still been making progress in my weight loss adventure, I haven’t been able to stick to the true Noom guideline as far as eating goes.

I received some test results the first week of September that sent all my progress into a bit of a tailspin. Early August I took a SIBO breath test, a test for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. It came back positive for the two different kinds of SIBO, indicating my gut health is majorly off. The doctor also diagnosed me with Increased Intestinal Permeability, which is often nicknamed “leaky gut.” 

Now digestive issues are not new to me by any means, as I’ve had IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) since I was 17. But in the grand scheme of things, I never imagined my gut health was effecting the rest of my body as much as it was. 

If you’ve been following my weird health issues over the last year and a half, you probably already know I have had a bit of a diagnostic mystery of symptoms. I feel lightheaded and dizzy every single day. I often have black spots in my vision, and experience extreme fatigue. Sometimes I feel physically weak, and I struggle to do seemingly simple things like carry the laundry basket up the stairs.   

I spent 11 months perusing answers as to why I felt this way, but ultimately took a break from seeing doctors after a series of really unsettling visits. I was told I was probably experiencing Postpartum Depression, though I’d already experienced PPD and was pretty certain this was different. I was also told I should lose weight, which is a big reason for signing up for Noom. 

This August I started seeing a Functional Medicine Doctor. I have been so impressed with the detailed and thorough care I am receiving, especially after so many uncomfortable experiences. I have been asked several times if I glad to have an answer, and honestly, I have mixed feelings about it. I’m glad someone finally isn’t treating me like I’m crazy, and I’m struggling with some bitterness that there are still some unknowns. I do feel confident that my doctor is working on determining the cause of my SIBO. 

In regards to my Noom journey, I’ve had to slow down a bit on my program progress. I am currently taking 9 antimicrobial pills a day and 5 different dietary supplements. It’s been overwhelming. For the past couple weeks, I had to stop my “healthy” eating plan and focus more on taking my medications at the right time followed by more calorie dense foods. The goal was to trigger some of my IBS and SIBO symptoms into responding to the antimicrobials. 

Watching the scale go back up when you’ve worked so hard to go down is super fun (sarcasm). I have also felt about as yucky as can be during those weeks symptoms wise. 

As of this week I have started a Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD)  that is often used to treat SIBO. Imagine the most restrictive diet you can think of, and that’s about it. No grains, no dairy, no sugar, no nuts, and no drink besides water and one cup of coffee. I’m currently living off of protein from meat and cooked vegetable and fruits. I have never in my life cooked fruits except in pie, so that is definitely a new experience. 

I’m struggling. This is not really what I want to be doing right now, especially as I was so close to my goal. I am hopeful that treating my SIBO and leaky gut will really improve my quality of life though. I’m trusting the process even though this is not fun. 

Starting weight: 151lbs

Week 14: 132lbs (19lbs down)