Gluten-free almost a year

Well, I've been on my gluten-free diet bout ten months now. It proved to be quite challenging to actually get started on. I had to learn to read the labels on every singe food item and decipher each manufacturer and the way they listed their ingrediants. I continue to have moments of childish woe when I realize I can't eat everything I want, but those moments pass. My kitchen pantry and fridge are now in full accordance with my diet and I have a good sized list of edibles. Figuring out what is gluten-free was arguably the toughest part. There was lots of research and google searching involved. I am now a regular at our local health food store and it's gf free section.
My digestive system is sooo much happier with me. No longer do I have the once typical bloating, cramps and sluggishness from eating all those wheat/ flour products. I think my moods are actually more stable, if that's even possible. I never feel hungry or deprived because in a sense I can eat as much and as often as I want from my list.
I did quickly drop twenty pounds within the first month and have kept it off save for an aberrant five pounds that seems to come and go, like, whenever.
The items I can snack on was drastically reduced. I had no idea that I used to snack so very often. Currently, my snack choices are Lays Sour Cream and Onion Potatoe Chips, gf free chocolate cookies, plain corn chips and Snickers. I love Snickers! Them being GF is one the happiest things about my diet. If they weren't...omg, I hate to think of the state I would be in. (I'm pretty sure that five pounds that comes and goes is related to Snickers self-control...or not:)
My family is pretty used to me eating and cooking separate meals now also. I continue to cook regular meals for them a few times a week.
It's interesting in the past ear, how many food products have taken to blatantly label their product Gluten Free. Even local fast food establishments like our little homespun pizza place has its own Gluten Free menu! Progress.
Overall, I am very glad that I survived the early turbulence of switching over. It does get easier as one goes along. I plan on continuing it for quite sometime. My body heartily thanks me!