Thought I would check in as it has been some time.
The past few years I started to feel like turd but blamed it on the fact that I had a lot going on. Riding got painful, I was fat, sleeping went downhill. Not something I expected in my early 40’s.
Over the summer I was pretty sure shoulder surgery was going to be needed prior to the spring of 2026 and started to research doctors. Riding a rigid bike in Allaire was beginning to have two day pain after. Rather than ride trail I rode my gravel bike, but many sections with no hands on the bars to save my hands and shoulder from pain.
I felt like I was starting to feel way older than I thought I should at this age, and it was depressing. I felt defeated.
One day while at a customer’s/friend that brews my favorite beer we got on the topic of health as he offered me a pour but I noted I was passing as beer was making me feel really uncomfortable after a few instead of warm and fuzzy. I discussed some of my other symptoms. He asked - “have you been tested for gluten allergies, because my wife had all that and it stopped when she cut gluten”
No, I had not.
7/3/25 - I had a few Coors Banquettes and a fire in my backyard and started researching gluten allergies and what the side affects could be if gone untreated. That evening, I told myself it would be worth a try to cut gluten with the end goal of avoiding surgery. Knowing cutting gluten would be such a shock; as bread, pizza and beer were my roommates, I thought I should go all in and knock out refined sugar and processed foods too.
In 125 or so days I am down to 203 from 225. The weight does not matter to me anymore, as the pain has gone away. My body feels like I am twenty five again. My skin looks younger. The mobility in my joints is insane. My mental focus at work in addition to sleep are the best they have ever been.
Counting calories is somewhat in, the as the goal is 185, but staying off gluten, processed food and refined sugar are the biggies and continue to be as I believe that is what is making me feel better.
My wife and I did a two week road trip south for our ten year anniversary in late September, with seven days in Key West. My only cheat came in the form of a single scoop ice cream serving on three nights. Zero booze - pretty sure after that I may never drink again.
It was weird at first, in fact Day Three of this I worked trail maintenance at Allaire with
@mike_243 and had to leave early and get walked out as I thought I was going to pass out - my guess was my body getting off the sugar I fueled it with. But that passed after a few weeks and I ate fruit and raisins for fuel, sometimes jerky on rides instead of Cliff Blocks and Honey Stingers.
We still are not sure if I have a gluten allergy, as by the time I got to the doctor I had not had gluten for almost two months. Like the doctor said, “even if you didn’t have a gluten allergy, why go back to it if you feel better?”
BTW - the last gluten I willingly put in my body was a Cheesesteak from Geno’s in Philly the night before I started, I can live with that.
EDIT: I wanted to thank all of you for sharing your stories as well as your support. It is easy to listen to the world around us and maybe consider surgery, a shot or just medicating yourself to deal with whatever ails you. This forum and site continue to be a breath of sanity in a wild world - thank you for your inspiration - all of you!
