Hypothyroidism & Weight Loss

missxasia

Anyone here have hypothyroidism? My dr was suggesting that is what is going on with me. I'm now waiting to get my insurance back so I can get everything checked and confirmed. I knew I wasn't going to be able to lose weight as easily right now but, after losing 3lbs over the previous 3 weeks, this last week I've somehow put on almost 4lbs. Going past my starting weight. Has anyone here managed to lose weight, or even keep at a stable weight while not on the medicine for hypothyroidism? I'm counting my calories on mfp, doing StrongLifts 5x5, 3 days a week, just inorporated some cardio, and trying to avoid soy products. Is there anything else I can do in the meanwhile?

redheadbride15

I can't speak to the hypothyroidism - you'll need to do the confirmatory tests, etc. However, please don't get too discouraged by a 4lb weight difference over one week - this is actually a very small change and could easily be caused by fluctuations in water retention. If you've been lifting and working out and made some dietary changes then these things can also all cause paradoxical weight gain that's NOT due to increased body fat. Remember that muscle and water both weigh much more than fat. Just keep doing what you're doing - it's the trend you see over months that matters (not weeks). And also pay more attention to inches than to pounds - this is where you'll notice more of a difference if you're doing the right things.

missxasia

@redheadbride15‌ I probably should have made it clearer, the day after I weighed in at the 3lb weight loss, I stepped on the scale and weighed in at almost 4lbs heavier. It's been steady at that weight the entire week. I only record my weight on Saturday/Sunday, if that makes sense. I measure my neck, waist, and hips, and they are all the same from when I started. Knowing that I'm doing the weightlifting, I expect to see the change in inches, and the tone of my body, but it's still early in, so not expecting anything drastic at all just yet on that part. I understand exactly what you're saying though.

redheadbride15

Oh if the 4lb was in one day then it's definitely water-related. The initial 3lb drop was probably due to water losses. And yes, it's too early to expect big changes, either on the scale or in inches. I made some lifestyle changes about a year and a half ago, and didn't start to see a real difference until about 2 months in. Since then I've dropped 2 dress sizes, but I'm only ~8-10lb lighter.

But definitely follow-through with your doctor. If hypothyroidism is confirmed it's very possible that medication will make a difference for you (and not just in weight - but also mood, skin/hair, energy levels, and general well-being - your thyroid does lots of important things!)

Oh yeah, and stop weighing yourself every day! Just once a week when you record it is more than enough.

missxasia

I usually don't but I saw somewhere where digital scales weren't the best, so in a sense I was weighing myself a lot just to test the accuracy. I'd even started to step back on right after I step off and it'll sometimes give me a different reading the 2nd time. Either way it has to serve its purpose for now, until I can get the one I want. The 3lbs wasn't lost in a week, that was over the course of about 3 weeks. I will definitely go for a follow through with my doctor though. My bf expressed to me today that he was a little worried since even to him I seem a little out of it. I really just want to keep my weight as stable as possible for now.

NowIamMrsKlein

I've been on meds for about 2 years now for Hypothyroidism. I'll be honest I still find it very hard to lose weight and maintain it. But it is possible. 

I've found that less intensity but more consistency works best for me. May be something to try. It was a lot of trial and error until I found a regime that works for me so I definitely suggest trying different things, not just sticking with one way of working out and getting increasingly frustrated!

Ex. I used to attempt to run 3/4 days a week. So high cardio intensity, less consistency. I saw no movement on the scale. (And was miserable. I hate running. This may have affected my success)

Then I switched to 45 minutes of walking 5/6 times a week and saw success! It was slow success (As I find it is with hypothyroidism, you have to be happy about the small victories), but the lower intensity but more frequent exercise definitely worked for me.

However, once winter rolled around and I couldnt walk anymore, the weight quickly came back on. So now i need to play around with indoor exercises that will work.

And diet plays a big factor too. Eat healthy, Eat smaller portions. Don't skip breakfast. 

Good Luck! It can be very frustrating at times (I've definitely had some minor breakdowns over my inability to lose the mere 8lbs i want to) But don't give up! Celebrate the small successes!

ReginaLambert13

Just make sure they run the test more than once and spaced a while apart before they start you on any meds (your numbers can very from day to day and just because you are at a certain level on one day doesn't mean that's where you always are, assuming that can give you very incorrect information).  That is standard protocol but they don't always do it.  They only ran my tests once and then started me on medication that made me GAIN a TON of weight (as in 30 pounds in 3 weeks).  They also made me super moody and not at all like myself.  Turns out that the first test was on a weird day and that if they'd run the test again a week or so later they could have avoided the whole mess.  I sent 6 months in hell because one doctor got lazy.

Also, listen to your body.  When I started having problems on the medication the doctor told me it was impossible that I could have the effects I was claiming on the pills she had given me.  She basically called me crazy.  She went so far as to say that if I stopped the pills it would be akin to suicide. I stopped them anyhow because over the years (I have had health problems since I was a kid) I have learned that no one but you knows how you feel and that while you want to listen to the doctors sometimes they get it wrong.  I quit the pills and went to a specialist.  He tested me several times over the next few weeks and months and then told me that basically my thyroid is bad, but the pills she had me on were 100% wrong for my body.  I have since treated myself with diet and exercise and managed to stay where I want to weight wise and I just get checked out every so often.

Just remember that doctors are human too so while you should listen to them because they do know their stuff you also need to remember that they can screw up too so if something feels wrong ask for a second opinion and trust your own body.

missxasia

Thank you @SoontobeMrsKlein‌ and @ReginaLambert13‌. @SoontobeMrsKlein‌ I'm doing strength training right now. After those workouts I might stretch or get on the stair climber for 15 mins if I feel like it. I'm thinking about restarting C25k, but I have a strong dislike for the treadmill. I love weight lifting though and know that the weight won't come off as fast due to me putting on muscle. But I am beginning to see a change in my body, so I'm happy. I am eating much better than before and have been eating smaller portions as well. I'm hoping it's working because I get full faster now lol @ReginaLambert13‌ I definitely will remember your advice when I go to the doctor. At this point I'm just trying to find one who isn't too expensive and pay everything out of pocket. Thankfully I tend to listen to my body before anyone else, which is how I knew something was going on. Just didn't know what. We thought I was pregnant at 1st.