When do you notice results? Please help

clevelandcutie

Hey Ladies!

So I really need some advice, because I have been getting frustrated with my situation. I have an underactive thyroid and gained approximately 20 pounds in the past couple of years. I was placed on Synthroid a year ago .
 
I started dieting 3 weeks ago. I eat 1200 -1000 calories a day. I eat lean meats,yogurt, salads, eggs, fruits, and veggies. I go to the gym 5 days a week and burn 300-400+ calories per workout.  I have not been cheating at all (till tomorrow hee hee)  I have only lost 2 pounds....When will I see results?

purplepeopleeater11

I would suggest getting a measuring tape and calipers and ditching the scale.  I lost three pounds and seven inches in two months.  Three pounds isn't reflective of how my clothes fit or how I feel.  That seven inches is HUGE though.  I just started using the calipers but tracking my body fat lost will help too.

Muscle weighs more than fat, if you're trading your body fat for lean muscle you may not see a change in the scale, but you are changing your body.

Also, 1200 calories is the MINIMUM you should be getting.  If you're only eating 1000 calories your body is not getting what it needs and is going into starvation mode and it WILL be harder to lose any kind of weight. 

So, eat more and use measurements instead of a scale.

glam70s

Also, you should be eating a mimimum of 1200 calories AFTER subtracting your workout calories. That means if you're burning 400 calories in a workout, you need to be eating at least 1600 calories per day.

How do you know how many calories you're burning? Don't ever trust the readouts on exercise machines. Use a heart rate monitor or, even better, a body bugg. It's amazing how few calories you actually burn when you run a mile. For most people running a mile only burns enough calories to equal a banana, or a half cup of orange juice.

And most importantly, keep at it. Hypothyroidism is hard, believe me, I know. But you CAN lose weight - I successfully lost 20lbs before lapsing back into old eating habits and gaining more of it back. Whatever you do, don't use your condition as an excuse, as in "I'll never be able to lose weight anyway, I might as well not even bother trying". That's a deadly trap for sure..

Good luck! Keep coming back here - these ladies are extremely motivating!

clevelandcutie

Thanks so much to both of you... I never really used the hypo as an excuse - I know people who have and you are exactly right. I think some people jus "quit trying" when they realize that is a lot harder work.LOL - God only knows what i would look like if I gave up and quit trying all together... I am just new to it so I do not understand much about it. I am just scared that I will try and try and never meet my goal.

And I will def eat more - my dr said that 1000 to 1200 is suitable (but to eat a lot of salads fruits and veggies) but I guess I did not realize that I need to eat more calories to replace the ones I burn off.

Thanks ladies you cheered me up - I feel like I have hope and I can do this!

LittleKatie13

I agree with pp but also, don't give up yet, it typically takes me two to three weeks of eating well and working out for the weight loss to really start.  It's like my body is in shock or something.  So keep it up, it will work!

xcrewgal

I feel the same way!  I've been on the eat clean diet and working out like a mad woman for 3 weeks now, and have only lost 1 measley little pound.  However I've lost almost 2 inches off my waist!

I bet you've noticed changes in your muscle definition and how toned you are.

My advice is to start focusing on the measuring tape more than the scale.  The point is to be smaller anyway - who cares what you actually weigh?

CaylaSummer

Use your clothes as your guideline whether you have lost weight ot not. As what others have said maie sure you eat enought to support your workout. If you are constantly eating around 1000 -1200 kcal, you might find that it is going to be harder to lose the weight as your body is holding on to every nutrient that it can get. Sometimes you have to eat at a maintenance calories in order for you to break the plateau but in your case it sound like you need to eat more.

BTW are you counting your calories ie weighing/measuring everything you eat and drink that has calories? otherwise you are not getting an accurate representation of the calories that you are consuming.

mmgumbel

I agree with PP about a measuring tape.  Makes a big difference.

Just a couple of other items: 

Remember to ensure you change your workout... You need to shock your body.  As an example if you run on the treadmill for 45 minutes 5 days a week and do the elliptical for 30 minutes as well but just do this... your body will get used to this.  You need weights.... strength training etc.  May also want to look into interval training.

Beware just looking at calories.  Do not forget to look at content.  I would suggest a food journal.  Also, if you are working out a lot you may need to up your protein.

Finally, have you had your TSH levels redrawn?  There are a variety of meds for this... and some generics work and others do not.

Just keep your chin up... Another measure of success if resting pulse... this shows how your body adapts... 

raynes

As other have said, 1200 calories (unless you're really short) is basically the minimum you should be netting (so after you subtract your exercise calories).

Eating many fewer will do a few things: 1) make you miserable and more likely to quit, 2) confuse your body into thinking it's starving.  You might lose weight at first, but you'll be seriously messing up your metabolism. 

So eating more is good!

Try to remember that not all calories are created equally too.  100 cals of chicken breast is waaaaaaay better than 100 cals of chips.  Aim to limit your intake of processed foods, and focus on colourful veggies and protein. 

Also, remember that the weight didn't come one in a month, it's going to take longer than a month for it to come off.  Have patience, and keep going.

Last thing, ditto a tape measure.  It's it very possible to lose inches by not weight.  And take progress pictures too!  You see yourself in the mirror every day, so looking at pictures side by side that were taken a few months apart can really help you see your progress!

kjohnson69

You seem to be doing all the right things, but you want to make sure you arent over doing it. If you arent eating enough, you wont loose weight. Depending on your height and how much you currently weigh, 1000 calories does not seem like enough. You are going to shock your system.. You might consider consulting a place like weight watchers and figuring out a good minumum amount of calories and a maximum amount. Also give your body time to adjust to the thyroid meds. Some medications can take up to 6 months to get in your system and work properly. Dont give up! Either way you are are doing everything right and im sure will see results soon!!! Have a fabulous wedding!!!

beach101010

Hi I have an under active hypothyroid too. I currently take 125mcg of synthroid. It is so important that you see an endocrinologist  instead of a regular doctor, i learned that the hard way. Make an appointment to check your levels, T3 T4 and all of you vitamin and minerals particularly your b's and d vitamin level and your Iron.

People with slow thyroid often have deficiencies in B vitamins , iron and d as well as calcium. Add these supplements. 

Make sure you take your synthroid on an empty stomach you are not taking any other medication or supplement for 1-2 hours and not eating any high fiber food with it, the fiber can basically absorb your synthroid, also make sure you are drinking a lot water and getting enough sleep.

Many people with hypothyroidism have difficulty processing carbs, gluten in particular, check out south beach of paleo diets which have higher quality carbohydrates and more vitamins and minerals that your immune system needs.

I know this part may sound gross but constipation is also common with hypo individuals, make sure you eat enough fruit and veggies to ensure you take a poop once a day or a fiber pill if needed just remember no fiber along with your synthroid!!

Definitely see your endocrinologist to see if you need a higher does of synthroid and to check for any thyroid nodules.

feel free to PM me f you want,

K