Weight loss, lifting, and hypothyroidism

tatasmagik · August 2013

I have searched the forums but I find the search feature to be somewhat limited so I'm starting a new thread. I hope it doesn't ruffle any feathers.

I'm 35, 68" tall, last measured on July 8:
185lbs
15" neck
44.5" bust
39" waist
43" hips
40.6 BF%
(I have stereotypical "apple" shape)

I used this to measure TDEE and subtracted 20% for daily calorie goal of 1781 with macros set to 40/30/30. This is generally pretty easy to achieve and I drink a lot of water.

On July 12, I started SL5x5 using dumbbells only and have progressed to this:
85# squats
55# OHP
70# chest press
65# lat pull downs (in place of BBR because those are just really awkward)
110# deadlifts

I generally warm up with five minutes of cardio or calisthenics and lifting the empty bar. After lifting, I walk for 20-30 minutes on the treadmill @3.5mph (I find that I'm less sore if I walk after). I only eat back calories from weightlifting, usually this is about TDEE-10%.

The hardest thing to exercise is patience. I know that fitness takes a lot of time, and even more time with a sluggish thyroid. I have Hashimoto's disease which is autoimmune and causes hypothyroidism. I do not currently have insurance, but I do have an awesome doctor who writes my scripts so I get my meds. I take .75mcg of synthroid daily. My blood hasn't been tested in about 3 years. At this point in my life, new blood work is not an option. I hope to get that resolved in the next few months, though.

It's difficult to find consistent and credible information on the web about Hashimoto's or hypothyroidism in terms of how to best achieve healthy weight loss. I did find some credible source (which I now cannot find) that suggested that grazing is less beneficial to those with hypothyroidism due to the sluggish metabolism, and another source that recommends avoiding raw cruciferous vegetables. Both of these things are easy for me to do since I do not like to graze and also do not like raw cruciferous vegetables!

My personal goal is fitness. I'd like to reduce my BF%, build muscle, and keep moving. Before I started lifting, I was doing almost exclusively cardio and came down 10lbs in 6 weeks, but not a pound since (I do not weigh more than 1x/month).

I suppose I'm hoping for someone to give me pointers that don't involve "go see a doctor" (that's just not in the budget right now), or kindly remind me to continue as is and be patient.

Thanks.

halleymw · August 2013

Hypothyroidism can cause problems with losing weight, so the first thing is to make sure YOUR HYPOTHYROIDSIM is adequately treated. When was the last time you had your thyroid function checked? This article talks about some things that can help:

http://thyroid.about.com/od/loseweightsuccessfully/a/weight-loss-diet.htm

Mike

nicholasdupuis · August 2013

I actually lost a lot of weight, and THEN found out I had hypothyroidism! I am now on 75mcg Synthroid daily as well.

The best advice anyone can give is to be patient. It took me about 1 year and a half to lose nearly 100 pounds, (of course I didn't really know much about nutrition, I wish I read back then as much as I do now) .

As far as losing weight before weightlifting, and not seeing any progress: Perhaps you are now building a little muscle and that is offsetting the fat loss? I realize it's hard to build muscle on a calorie deficit, but it's not entirely impossible if you just started, you're introducing your muscles to a new stimulus, so they are going to grow and adapt.

Just be patient, the weight will come off before you know it!

-Nick

tatasmagik · August 2013

Thanks for the responses.

smudgekat · August 2013

I'm in the uk but here we have bloods tested every 6 months to adjust meds 4 hyperthyroidism, mine are constantly changing in the last couple of years, if your meds are right you should find it easier to lose weight. I was gaining weight despite healthy eating ans exersize, the last change in meds has helped no end! A blood test might help?

Lizzy622 · August 2013

I am on 175mcg but am in need of an increase. I found that my clothes are a much better measure of how my weight loss is going. The scale does not seem to budge but my pants are falling off. Keep lifting and sculpting. Just over a month isn't very long. You will see results as long as you stay with it.

BarackMeLikeAHurricane · August 2013

Weight loss, lifting, and hypothyroidism

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