I Accidentally Lost 12 Pounds In 1 Week When I Eliminated These Foods

I was focused on reducing my pain, not my weight.

I would LOVE to eat a grilled cheese sandwich right now. Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Over the past two to three years, it has been difficult to get the scale to reverse the other way and lose some weight. I’ve always had an incredible metabolism but it’s finally slowed down now that I’m a middle-aged woman. I still don’t know if my weight gain since January 2021 is related to the pandemic (and working from home) or if it might be related to my recently diagnosed health issue.

Nevertheless, as of today, I’m 12 pounds lighter than I was just two weeks ago. In fact, I lost those 12 pounds in just one week and my weight has since stabilized. Who knew that all it took to jump start my weight loss is to be in enough pain that I lost my appetite and had to redesign my diet?

I have been dealing with persistent unusual symptoms for more than a year and a half now. Due to COVID, I delayed seeing a doctor until last summer after I was fully vaccinated. After multiple tests (and more invasive screenings including a pelvic ultrasound), a minor procedure, and an MRI, I was recently diagnosed with adenomyosis as well as a “huge” fibroid (it’s larger than my abnormally enlarged uterus!).

Per the Mayo Clinic:

Adenomyosis (ad-uh-no-my-O-sis) occurs when the tissue that normally lines the uterus (endometrial tissue) grows into the muscular wall of the uterus. The displaced tissue continues to act normally — thickening, breaking down and bleeding — during each menstrual cycle. An enlarged uterus and painful, heavy periods can result.

While some women may choose to use hormones to reduce the painful symptoms, I decided on a more drastic solution since I am done with childbearing, years away from menopause (when symptoms tend to lessen), and hate being on hormones. After consulting with two OB/GYN doctors, I will have a total laparoscopic hysterectomy in late May.

I’m nervous and scared, but thankful we have a plan to stop the pain. Yet just as I was getting comfortable with this idea of major surgery (including a nearly six week recovery!), a new symptom appeared two weeks ago: painful stomach bloating and sharp stabbing cramps even though I was in the middle of my cycle and not…