Losing weight with Hypothyroidism

Zip Code or Browse all Schools

Losing weight with Hypothyroidism

by Tamilyn
(Nova Scotia)

I have hypothyroidism and have found losing weight an extra hard struggle since getting this. I was always thin before this so this is a whole new world to me. Not a fun one either.

I have been able to lose some weight but I still can't seem to lose the last few pounds around my waist. Any ideas would be very much appreciated.

I do Turbo Jam for cardio and P90X and P90X+ for weight training. Both are incredible programs.

I look forward to hearing back from you.

Tamilyn

Rating

Losing weight with Hypothyroidism
by: Alexandra

What are your eating habits like? I too suffer from Hypothyroidism and I had a hard time keeping my weight under control until I cleaned up my eating habits. I have been able to keep my weight under control since I started eating clean and I can honestly say I have never felt better!

Rating

Hypothyroidism advice
by: Anonymous

I'm very passionate about my research on hypothyroidism, as it was a long road back to a somewhat normal body.
I, too, was very thin all my life and within 3 months packed on 25lbs. even though I exercised (with the only energy I could muster up in a day) and made the mistake of cutting my calories to under 1000 a day. After a grueling period of misdiagnoses (my test levels have always been perfect, by the way), I took matters in my own hands and did the research myself.

I got a doctor that believed in me and what I was telling her, she started me on Synthroid. In a matter of weeks, not only did some of the weight come off but my cholesterol dropped 60 points!

My real break through was switching to Armour Thyroid, this is closer to the natural thyroid that your body is supposed to make. I started weight training, building more metabolism- boosting muscle. I also learned to eat throughout the day, to keep my metabolism fueled and made sure I ate enough calories to match my workouts.

I experimented with different doses of medication, listening to my body not my blood tests.
It's all a fine line to try to walk on, but I'm here to tell you, it can be done!

Find yourself a understanding doctor, read Mary Shomon's books and you can find your way back to the 'you' that's locked inside your now, tired body.

Good luck and good health
L.A.

X Close Editor

Rating

Submitted by: Anonymous

Title

Comment
I'm very passionate about my research on hypothyroidism, as it was a long road back to a somewhat normal body. I, too, was very thin all my life and within 3 months packed on 25lbs. even though I exercised (with the only energy I could muster up in a day) and made the mistake of cutting my calories to under 1000 a day. After a grueling period of misdiagnoses (my test levels have always been perfect, by the way), I took matters in my own hands and did the research myself. I got a doctor that believed in me and what I was telling her, she started me on Synthroid. In a matter of weeks, not only did some of the weight come off but my cholesterol dropped 60 points! My real break through was switching to Armour Thyroid, this is closer to the natural thyroid that your body is supposed to make. I started weight training, building more metabolism- boosting muscle. I also learned to eat throughout the day, to keep my metabolism fueled and made sure I ate enough calories to match my workouts. I experimented with different doses of medication, listening to my body not my blood tests. It's all a fine line to try to walk on, but I'm here to tell you, it can be done! Find yourself a understanding doctor, read Mary Shomon's books and you can find your way back to the 'you' that's locked inside your now, tired body. Good luck and good health L.A.

Cancel Delete Delete & Ban

throbber Updating Comments page...

Rating

Perhaps Spinning?
by: Megan

Try Spinning!

I am also a Turbo Jam fan (and I'm a certified TurboKick instructor (basically the same program), so I know you're getting a killer workout with Chalene. Spinning (of which I'm also a certified instructor) is a cardio component of an entirely different style, that may be what you need to break your routine up and push you past the plateau.

Also, try spreading your meals out throughout the day... keeping a consistant blood sugar may help decrease the effects of the low thyroid hormones.

Cardio is the best for weight loss...hands down, especially when combined with a strength program. Maybe if you love Turbo, you can try two videos back to back for awhile to see if the last few pounds shed (or at least repeat the turbo section?)?

Rating

Listen to your doctor.
by: Chelsea

I also have severe hypothyroidism. I am also a land/aqua fitness instructor, certified personal trainer, and have a degree in Kinesiology. All i can say is do your best at eating a healthy balanced diet and keeping up with exercise. I have some issues reading some of the comments saying play with your medication and to disregard blood tests. If you feel you may need to adjust your medication talk to your doctor or endocrinologist but do not take matters into your own hands. There are many major side effects that can affect many of your body's systems and create permanent damage if you are hypo for too long as well as if you let your body go HYPER from too much medication. The flip flopping back and forth between teh two extremes could also be troublesome. Unless you have been in post secondary school for 8-10 year and have come out as an M.D. listen to those who have.

Rating

Losing with Hypothyroidism
by: Chris Lutz

I have a couple of people who have it as well and also vary between hypo and hyper wildly. Nevertheless, they still have been able to lose and one is down 50+ lbs. Still, it is all about calories. Determine with a formula about what you need to maintain and stay about 500 cals. below that. This is consciously creating a deficit of about 3500 cals. per week which should equal about 1 lbs. lost per week. DO NOT try to just burn it off. That won't work for 2 reasons.

1. You can't burn a significant amount of calories in a given time no matter what the activity. The body just does not give it up that easily despite what you have read.

2. Even if you did burn off enough, the body likes to stay in balance (homeostasis) whatever you burn off, you will be stimulated to put back in. You may burn off 300, but can eat that back in a bite or two and NOT EVEN NOTICE IT!!! I can't emphasize that enough. Cardio in general will have little to no effect. Your real power comes from calorie control.

So to recap. Set a calorie limit, stay under it, write it down, resistance train hard 2-3 times per week whole body routines to preserve your lean mass and you will do it. Also, work closely with your doctor to provide feedback to them on medications working or not working.

My most successful clients have followed this simple formula. That and be persistent.

Good luck!

X Close Editor

Rating

Submitted by: Chris Lutz

Title

Comment
I have a couple of people who have it as well and also vary between hypo and hyper wildly. Nevertheless, they still have been able to lose and one is down 50+ lbs. Still, it is all about calories. Determine with a formula about what you need to maintain and stay about 500 cals. below that. This is consciously creating a deficit of about 3500 cals. per week which should equal about 1 lbs. lost per week. DO NOT try to just burn it off. That won't work for 2 reasons. 1. You can't burn a significant amount of calories in a given time no matter what the activity. The body just does not give it up that easily despite what you have read. 2. Even if you did burn off enough, the body likes to stay in balance (homeostasis) whatever you burn off, you will be stimulated to put back in. You may burn off 300, but can eat that back in a bite or two and NOT EVEN NOTICE IT!!! I can't emphasize that enough. Cardio in general will have little to no effect. Your real power comes from calorie control. So to recap. Set a calorie limit, stay under it, write it down, resistance train hard 2-3 times per week whole body routines to preserve your lean mass and you will do it. Also, work closely with your doctor to provide feedback to them on medications working or not working. My most successful clients have followed this simple formula. That and be persistent. Good luck!

Cancel Delete Delete & Ban

throbber Updating Comments page...

Rating

hypothyroidism, some thoughts
by: MK

Hi Tamilyn,
Not knowing many details of your condition--that is, did you have your thyroid removed or treated by radiation for hyper-thyroidism first...bringing on the hypo, or were you simply diagnosed with a blood test? Regardless,I can tell you a few things i know that may help you, without me having all your specific details.
Weight loss difficulties around the middle (central weight gain, central obesity, killer fat, as you may have heard these labels) are often due to insulin/glucagon imbalance. I know of a wonderful system for reseting this imbalance--it's called Reset--imaginge that--and it not only addresses the hormomal imbalance, but helps kick start an entire lifestyle change b/c cravings for "bad" foods seem to diminish after doing the 5 day reset. It has changed my life, and the lives of thousands of ppl all over the world. Please email me if you'd like to know more about it. I can send you to their website, plus there are webcasts and many other ways to learn about it and get terrific support.
My whole family has done this with great results, both in central weight gain and improving total cholesterol, many other positive health improvements...weight loss being a natural by-product of doing the reset and following a yummy and simple lifestyle (very much like eating Meditterenean style, low glycemic, antiinflammatory eating.) Anyway, there's lots to tell you, but without overwheming you, just contact me if you'd like.
In happiness and health, MK Ritchen mkritchen@comast.net (I'm in Colorado)

X Close Editor

Rating

Submitted by: MK

Title

Comment
Hi Tamilyn, Not knowing many details of your condition--that is, did you have your thyroid removed or treated by radiation for hyper-thyroidism first...bringing on the hypo, or were you simply diagnosed with a blood test? Regardless,I can tell you a few things i know that may help you, without me having all your specific details. Weight loss difficulties around the middle (central weight gain, central obesity, killer fat, as you may have heard these labels) are often due to insulin/glucagon imbalance. I know of a wonderful system for reseting this imbalance--it's called Reset--imaginge that--and it not only addresses the hormomal imbalance, but helps kick start an entire lifestyle change b/c cravings for "bad" foods seem to diminish after doing the 5 day reset. It has changed my life, and the lives of thousands of ppl all over the world. Please email me if you'd like to know more about it. I can send you to their website, plus there are webcasts and many other ways to learn about it and get terrific support. My whole family has done this with great results, both in central weight gain and improving total cholesterol, many other positive health improvements...weight loss being a natural by-product of doing the reset and following a yummy and simple lifestyle (very much like eating Meditterenean style, low glycemic, antiinflammatory eating.) Anyway, there's lots to tell you, but without overwheming you, just contact me if you'd like. In happiness and health, MK Ritchen mkritchen@comast.net (I'm in Colorado)

Cancel Delete Delete & Ban

throbber Updating Comments page...

Losing weight with Hypothyroidism

Comments for Losing weight with Hypothyroidism

Comments for
Losing weight with Hypothyroidism