Cannot Get below 200 Lb

SarSwa79

Hello, let me introduce myself, I am Sarah 44 years old I have struggled with my weight since 16 when I developed hypothyroid-Hashimoto's and ballooned up to 200 from 160 in 6 months. Ever since then its been a real struggle and I have never been able to get below that 200 again.

I came to Myfittnesspal in 2013 when I had reached 280 and through diet and exercise got down to 210 over a course of 2 years. Then became pregnant and manage to maintain my weight gaining only 10 lb giving birth to a 10 lb baby. By 2017 I was on second baby and now nearing 300 lb and finding out my liver was in danger of failing. If I did not lose weight I would end up in liver failure as both my parents had Died. Doctors strongly suggested Bariatric surgery to lose the weight. But I wanted to do this on my own. By 2019 with help from a Nutritionist, I was only able to get to 240 and in Oct 2019 I had Gastric Sleave. After 4 months the weight stopped coming off and I was stuck at 200 despite eating 800-1000 calories per day (per doctor) staying active and counting calories. Fours years after surgery I was back to 242 (Nov 2023) and at a loss so in Jan 2024 was put on weight loss pills again here I am 3 months later at 207 and cannot get below 200lb its as if I eat 1200 calories I gain weight at 800 calories I start to lose weight then plateau. My nutritionist says its because of the surgery and going a year at eating 600-800 calories. Part of me wishes I never had the surgery.

At this point in my life, I am Gluten free, Gain free, dairy-free, Sugar-free, Nut free and night-shade-free- due to Hashimoto's which slows the metabolism and causes inflammation.

I zig-zag my calories in a week between 800-1300 a week focusing on protein 80-120 grams a day , 80-100 oz water a day. I do an Aerobic yoga workout 3x a week 20-30 min each and get as much walking in as I can. With Occasional stretch resistance workouts.

If I stay at 1200 calories all week I gain weight, if I stay 800 or lower for too long, I get too fatigued. I am just so ready to give up don't know what to do don't feel like the Doctors or nutritionist can't help and so afraid I will end up in liver failure like my parents.

Sorry for the long rant

Corina1143

Wow! What a history! Is there no hope for curing Hashimoto?
When you say active, how active?
I really do wish I had some words of wisdom for you. I don't. But words of encouragement. When I was 30 I gained 60 pounds in 3 months. I just COULD NOT lose it. I slowly gained 40 more. About 10 years later I lost 40 pounds (fairly easily) and maintained it for years. Recently I've lost almost 50 more.
I know you can't wait that long. But it can be done.

MamaHashimoto

Hi there,

I was diagnosed with early stage Hashimoto's last week. My sister has it and has struggled with her weight her entire life. I have no real answers for you but only empathy as I'm now on this journey and have lots of fears about my future health and joy which is so centered around food.

I was of average size growing up but struggled with disordered eating ranging from extreme restriction and bulimia and abusing diet pills and eventually amphetamines to stay thin. I gained the freshman 15 in college and yo-yo dieted in my early 20s. I've been sober from drugs, alcohol and purging for 18.5 years and was at my thinnest when I got married in 2013 by extreme restriction and exercise. I gained 10 lbs that first year of marriage and gained another 50 pounds with my first pregnancy....40 eventually came off which I put back on and off with my 2nd pregnancy. Parenthood and full-time work have both made diet and exercise difficult for me. I know many women successfully manage to put their health and wellness first but I always struggle with it.

I think the Hashimoto's and year's of restrictive eating have killed my metabolism too. My plan is to see how I can help my Hashimoto's with diet and supplements prior to considering medication. I was shocked when I read all of the symptoms of Hashimoto's as I literally have all of them and just attributed it to motherhood.

I am considering going back to Bright Line Eating which I did with my Aunt who is also in recovery. The woman who developed the program (Susan Pierce Thompson) is a recovering addict and also has Hashimoto's. I did the program back in 2019 after a back surgery and finally lost that 10 lbs I had been holding onto. It definitely works and is Hashimoto's friendly. A big core of the program is weighing and measuring food, planning meals in advance to set yourself up for success and having accountability partners similar to other 12 step programs. There are mixed reviews as many nutritionists believe the program can be liked "disordered eating" as you eliminate food groups vs learning how to eat them in moderation but I do believe a program like this works well for thyroid issues.

Best of luck to you and please reach out if you need a buddy.

MargaretYakoda

I had to fight my GP for years to get my thyroid under control.
Eventually I was sent to an endocrinologist and was put on both Levothyroxine and Liothyronine.

I get strange looks whenever I have a new pharmacist fill both prescriptions. But it works for me. Thyroid has been stable now for over a decade.

Anyway. It may be worth asking to consult an endocrinologist