26 answers

Hypothyroidism & Losing Weight

Hello all,
I am 39 years old and was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism when I was 17. I have a 3 year old son and I am very unhappy with the way I look. About 1 1/2 years ago I stopped taking my meds for a couple of months since I couldn't afford it and I couldn't afford the Dr visit to get more. It has taken over a year to get my thyroid back under control. I see an endocrinologist regularly. I am very unhappy with the way I look. I also have two or more herniated discs in my back. I told my Dr this. He says that walking will not get the weight off of me. I will have to do some very strenuous exercises or ride a bike. Because of my back I am not able to ride a regular bike. My rheumatoid arthritis Dr told me to get a recumbent bike. I would like to afford to do this but cannot. My question is how can I get motivated enough to lose weight? I have worked out and have done it for months and never see any changes at all. I know the older I get the worse it will be on me. I have several other family medical conditions that I want to prevent. I want to lose weight and look good I just can't get the motivation to do so or I am in so much pain in my joints that I can barely move. I know I am not the only frustrated one out there. Can I get some tips or hints please?????
Thanks in advance

2 moms found this helpful

What can I do next?

So What Happened?™

Thank you to everyone that responded. I feel like I have an extended family out there in cyberworld. I ended up buying the fluidity bar thinking since it was made by a dancer and didn't seem to be very extreme. I had to send it back after a few weeks because of my back but I really enjoyed doing it. It was working. Even my husband tried it and it was hard for him. I am doing some exercise once a week trying to strengthen my back enough to be able to exercise. I am also saving money to buy a treadmill for my home. Since the weather (Hurricane Gustav), makes it hard to get out and walk. But I really appreciate everyone here. I would have sent flowers to you all. I couldn't figure it out so....Thanks so much.

Featured Answers

What has worked for me is to not"exercise".I have an immune disorder that makes me feel more tired than other people. I just park futher away when I go to the store, for example and try to use stairs more.I also have done weight watchers microwave meals for lunch and dinner and get most of my calories/points in the morning.Try to not drink pop.I found if I exercise my hunger gets out of control so the traditional exercise will help you lose weight theory doesnt work for me at all!!! I was a size 18 and now am a 14!! woohooo!!!! good luck!!!!!!!!!!

1 mom found this helpful

S.,

My sis has the same back problems and Fibromyalgia...she was in so much pain she went to the ER asking for sugery. Her doc suggested Pilates to help strenghten her back mussles. She has only been doing it for a few days and already feels better. Water arobics might also ba a good option for you....it's easy on the joints.

Good Luck!
D.

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

Sounds like you have your hands full. Is it possible to try and find a used recumbent bike? There are stores that sell used equipment or maybe though the newspaper. Or, what about a swim class at the ymca? Maybe they have some swim classes for arthritic people. That would be non-impact. It is possible if you have insurance, that they may pay for a recumbent bike or swim classes if you Dr. writes you a prescription. Even on state insurance, a possibility. Worth checking out. If you do go back to school, they may have a gym you can use for free. Your Dr. may know of some resources that could help financially with medical equipment. Ask your Dr. for some exercises that you can do at home that may work for you. He or she even may be able to get you some physical therapy to work with a therapist that specializes in working with people with arthritis. It could greatly improve your mobility and flexibility. Best of luck.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi, I have a mild case of Hypo. I have achy joints to but I remembered that taking Flaxseed oil or fish oil capsules will help; plus, MSM and it really has helped.

Motivation is hard to come by with hypo. I would say, focus on what you can do and do that. Something is better than nothing.

I found some short-cuts with dieting. Instead of fried french fries, bake them. Do you know ketchup has a lot less calories than Rancy dressing? Sherbert has a lot less calories than yogurt. Pretzels is better than chips. 3 Musketeers is better than a Snickers. You can cut your calories in half by taking short cuts. When I crave junk food, instead of going to a fast food store, I will fix chicken nuggets and baked fries.

I live in New Orleans, when I crave a beignet, I fix my homemade waffles with 1/2 wheat flour, egg white, skim milk, and lite syrup!

Now that it is summer, maybe you can find a place to swim- that's a great way to get weigh off.

With three children, get out and play outside with them. Play kickball and dodge ball - they will love it!

1 mom found this helpful

Check into intervals and check out Leanne Ely *the Saving dinner diva). She has a wonderful show on blogtalkradio.com (Wed. at 11 usually). She frequently speaks about her thyroid problems and how she lost 65 lbs. She knows tons about the right food, vitamins and exercise to take off thyroid weight. You can even call in and ask her and she'll run you through what she does. She's great. Her site is savingdinner.com and her show is on blogtalkradio. I love it and it's helped me eat better and get motivated to take care of myself! Don't be shy to call and tyalk to her - it's like talking to your sister.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi. I know a little about hypothyrodism as I am a nursing student and happen to enjoy reading on edocrine disorders. As you probably already know the hypothyrodism is what is making the weight stick. Walk!!! This is the best excercise and will strengthen your muscles and also eventually help to give you the energy that you are lacking due to the disorder. I am not sure if you have a joint disease but if they are hurting you try a little tylenol about 30 minutes before working out to help relieve the pain that you may experience with the walking. Put some up beat music on to help get you going. Eat healthier foods like grilled chicken breast and fresh fruits and vegetables. You may not see a large change in weight but you will be building muscle and muscle weighs more than fat so even if you do not lose alot of weight you will be changing what your body is composed of. I do not know what other family conditions you are wanting to prevent but a size 6 that does not excercise is in worse shape than a size 16 that does. Try not to concentrate on the weight as much as the health of what you will be doing. Hypothyrodism slows everything down even your energy but the walking should help to boost that some. Even if you cannot walk 30 straight minutes on some days do 10 minutes 3 times a day when you have a busy day and this is just as good as a 30 minute session. Good luck and hang in there.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi S..

I can sympathize with you. I was diagnosed with it a few years ago. But don't blame the weight on your thyroid. It accounds for only a pound or two. Any more weight gain is most likely due to lack of exercise and too many calories! I would like to shed about 10 pounds myself. I am 55 and it is a lot harder to shed those last few pounds at my age.

As for what kind of exercise you can do, I am at a loss, due to your other medical problems. If you drink soda, stop! Even diet soda is bad, if not worse, because of the artificial sweeteners. When I stopped drinking caffeine-free diet Dr Pepper, I lost 12 pounds in two weeks! Sodas are the worst drinks out there! The carbination is not good for you, either. I wish you lots of luck and hope other mothers have more advise!

1 mom found this helpful

Hi!
I also have arthritis, at 45 I was told I had the arthritis of a 80 year old. I have suffered with this any many other conditions since my accident 21 years ago. In December of 2007, my doctor introduced me to a product made from the mangosteen fruit. I drink it 3 times a day. I am excited to say that I no longer take percocet, flexeril, lyrica, cymbalta and many other prescription. My pain is now a 2. It was a 8 or 9 every day.This is based on a 1 to 10 pain scale.
My inflammation is 90 % gone. I can walk without a cane or walker.I am now exercising everyday for the first time in 21 years and losing weight. I never could before I started the juice.
According to Dr.Finand from his book The Mangosteen Reference:
He states that this is not only a thyriod condition, but also a condition that is caused by a breakdown in the viablilty of the gut mucosa. Mangosteen juice heal the gut and should also cause beneficial effects on the thyroid. In the past 21 or 22 months this doctor has been using this juice with patients, he says that he has seen thyroid conditions improve dramatically. The doctor continues and says that many people will not longer need thyroid medications because the underlying cause is healed which causes thyroiditis.
Check out my website: www.kar.gomangosteen.com
Good luck,
Keep in touch, Let me know what you think!
____@____.com

1 mom found this helpful

What has worked for me is to not"exercise".I have an immune disorder that makes me feel more tired than other people. I just park futher away when I go to the store, for example and try to use stairs more.I also have done weight watchers microwave meals for lunch and dinner and get most of my calories/points in the morning.Try to not drink pop.I found if I exercise my hunger gets out of control so the traditional exercise will help you lose weight theory doesnt work for me at all!!! I was a size 18 and now am a 14!! woohooo!!!! good luck!!!!!!!!!!

1 mom found this helpful

Hi S.,

I have similar health issues and weight problems. I have tired diet after diet, exercise program after exercise program and supplements galore. I either couldn't/didn't stick with them or they didn't work. However, walking has been the most help...don't believe the doctor when he says it doesn't. Start out slow and short then increase your speed and length of your walk as you can. Just remember to push yourself a little more each time.

Having said that I must add this, I am at my last resort and am having the lap band surgery. At least I hope I am. I am going through the process of qualify for the surgery...it takes gathering information and pulmonary, psychiatrc and cardiac evaluations. It also takes a record of up to 6 months (different length of time for each insurance company and doctor) of your weekly weigh ins and record of some sort of exercice program. Personally I have a weekly appointment with a dietician to check my weight and get diet advice plus I joined curves. I know this sounds lengthy but the process is supposed to be worth it. You will lose a considerable amount of weight, it can reverse type 2 diabetes and stave off other health issues. Just a thought that you might look into it...I googled lap band and then found someone in my area who does it. You also might want to check with your insurance first to see if the surgery is covered.

Surgery may not be an option for you but I thought I'd throw out the possibility. I'd be interested in what you decide to do. Feel free to pm me at any time. Good luck.

W. Q

1 mom found this helpful

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