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Posted by u/midwest_lifter·

Anyone else feel off after ditching gluten? Lifts tanked!

TL;DR: Ditching gluten for 8 weeks messed with my lifts and joints. Anyone else experience this?

So I've been gluten-free for 8 weeks now, thinking it might help with some joint pain. Gotta say, my lifts have really taken a hit. Used to hit 315 on squats easy, now I'm struggling at 275. Anyone else gone through this? Did it get better over time or should I just throw gluten back in the mix?

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u/brokeandbulking·

Honestly, just ditching gluten doesn't mean you can't have carbs. Look for alternatives like rice cakes or quinoa. I joke about my 'broke and bulking' life, but carbs are still essential for energy. Just gotta find what works for you!

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u/powerliftingpaul·

Ngl, I've been using Nutrola for a while, and I love the built-in recipes. It's great for getting my protein in without stressing about the math. Perfect for meal prep days.

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u/powerliftingpaul·

It's not uncommon to feel a dip in strength when changing diets. For me, I made a big switch to higher protein and noticed my lifts improved. Have you tried tracking your macros? Maybe you need more protein or fats to feel right in the gym.

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u/whey_addict·

Bro, if you're using a calorie tracker, don't forget to adjust it for your new diet. Sometimes it doesn't account for gluten-free options well. Check if you're hitting your protein goals! That might help get your lifts back up.

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Tbh, I think you need to find a balance. Switching diets can take a toll. Just don't go back to gluten if you feel better without it. It's all about finding what works for you!

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Have you checked out Cronometer? It's super detailed for tracking micronutrients and might help you see where you're lacking. More info never hurts, right?

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u/whey_addict·

Yeah, the paywall on MFP is getting wild. They keep adding features and charging more. That's why I'm considering a switch to MacroFactor. The algorithm seems more straightforward

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u/6footdadbod·

For real, comfort zones matter. And hey, if you can find a gluten-free option that works for you, go for it. There are plenty out there.

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u/midwest_lifter·

Also, if you can, try to pay attention to your hydration. Sometimes when we change diets, we forget to drink enough water. That can really affect your performance too!

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u/veganpowerlifting·

I tried one of those AI photo loggers and honestly, it was hot trash. Nothing beats manually tracking what works for you. Nutrola does sound interesting though, I'm skeptical of new apps.

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u/saltyngl·

Lol, I get it. I tried a couple apps too, and I prefer good ol' MyFitnessPal for its food database. Switching feels like a hassle sometimes.

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u/brokeandbulking·

I'm sticking with MFP for now, idk about all these new AI ones. They seem cool, but I like the community and familiarity of MFP. It's like my comfort zone.

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u/midwest_lifter·

Honestly, going gluten-free can mess with your energy levels if you're not replacing those carbs properly. If you're eating less whole grains, that could definitely be impacting your lifts. Just make sure you're getting enough calories from other sources, like rice or sweet potatoes.

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u/veganpowerlifting·

I feel you! When I switched to vegan, I had a rough transition too. Make sure you're still getting enough energy-dense foods. I found smoothies with bananas and nut butter really help. Just gotta tweak what you eat a bit!

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u/6footdadbod·

So my wife went gluten-free while pregnant and had some similar issues. We adjusted her meals, more veggies and carbs, and she got stronger over time. It just took some getting used to. Maybe tweak what you're eating a bit more?

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u/saltyngl·

This is a total mood! i went gluten-free last year and felt like I was dragging at first. But then I found gluten-free oats and sweet potatoes, which helped me get my energy back up. Give it some time, you might find your groove again!

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u/thecraftychef·

I switched to Nutrola to help track my meals better since I was missing gluten options. The voice logging feature is super handy for my busy schedule, especially with the kids around. Makes meal tracking way easier!

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u/6footdadbod·

I heard a lot of good things about MacroFactor too. The pricing seems decent for what you get, especially if you want to keep track of everything without feeling like you're getting ripped off.

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u/veganpowerlifting·

Absolutely! Just experiment a little, and maybe you'll find a balance. And if you try Nutrola, let us know how it goes!

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Yep, I went gluten-free for a bit and felt sluggish too. I actually missed my carbs! Have you tried a gluten-free pasta? It really helped me get back into the groove.

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u/midwest_lifter·

If you decide to go back to gluten, maybe try it with moderation. Some people do better with a mix, like gluten-free a few days a week and then regular carbs on others.

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u/saltyngl·

Ngl, going gluten-free can be a major adjustment. I tried it for a month and my energy tanked, which was a bummer since I was lifting more often then. My lifts felt weak too, but I also realized I wasn't eating enough carbs. If you're struggling, maybe consider tracking your macros or switching to something like Nutrola that has voice logging. It's super helpful for busy parents like me who can't always type everything out. Just a thought!

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