From 168lbs to 139lbs (pics) w/ hypothyroidism

jroseonline

I've posted a few success stories the last few months, but thought I'd share again as I am at my lightest I have been in the last 4 years. It's been a long struggle. I developed hypothyroidism in 2009 and gained 40+ lbs. I am far from over, but I am extremely proud of my accomplishment so far. Once upon a time I used to be about 125lbs. 3 kids, development of hypothyroidism and almost a decade later, I shot up to my most heaviest at 167.9lbs.

Finally found a doctor who put me on the right treatment plan and I've dropped about 29lbs in the last 10 months. Now I am working towards my ultimate goal of 125-128lbs and 17-18% body fat. Started at 167.9lbs 34% body fat and now down to 139.8lbs and 26% body fat.

Oh and a side note: I am 5'0" tall. I've had 3 kids and I am 31 yrs old.

See pics below. After seeing these pics side by side, I have found new motivation to push harder and get to my ultimate goal. I'm giving myself a realistic time frame to hit my goal. and that's the end of this year. I'm sure I can do it.

Thanks for letting me share my success story.


this was me when I was 21 yrs old and at about 120-125lbs.


Left Side: 167.9lbs Right Side: 139.8lbs


Left: 155lbs Middle: 144lbs Right: 139lbs

jeet1966

Your story could be mine. I am also 5' tall, have three kids and had an overactive thryoid (that's the same as hypothyrodism, right?) I was 95 lbs when I got married in 1990 and was 163lbs when I joined MFP six weeks ago so my journey is just beginning. I am 46 and this is the first weight loss plan that is actually worked for me. ( Go figure eating right, working out regularly, calorie deficit, not exactly rocket science but so many of us have to try other things before following common sense. I am curious about finding the right doctor for your condition. I am on synthroid and have been for about 12 yrs. My doctor always says its the right medication for me but I wonder when I read about other treatments on the internet. Please feel free to add me as a friend and send me a message.

You look great and I aspire to be where you sometime within the next year.

Congrats!

jlm_getfit

Your story could be mine. I am also 5' tall, have three kids and had an overactive thryoid (that's the same as hypothyrodism, right?) I was 95 lbs when I got married in 1990 and was 163lbs when I joined MFP six weeks ago so my journey is just beginning. I am 46 and this is the first weight loss plan that is actually worked for me. ( Go figure eating right, working out regularly, calorie deficit, not exactly rocket science but so many of us have to try other things before following common sense. I am curious about finding the right doctor for your condition. I am on synthroid and have been for about 12 yrs. My doctor always says its the right medication for me but I wonder when I read about other treatments on the internet. Please feel free to add me as a friend and send me a message.

You look great and I aspire to be where you sometime within the next year.

Congrats!

Hypothyroidism is UNDER active thyroid, usually causes people to gain weight. That is why you are on synthroid, to replace the hormone level. You both have the same thing. (I'm a nurse...)

Maudy16

big congrats you are looking amazing. One of my friends also has under active thyroid but has not yet been put on the right treatment plan as it is early stages and she is struggling to lose weight and keep motivated.

Thanks for sharing

Moxylein

Thanks for that post! It's really inspiring to see that you can reach your goals even if you have hypothyroidism! I was diagnosed Hashimoto in early 2012 and am really struggeling to lose all that extra weight.
Great job!

quietHiker

wow!!! Such great progress! Look at you, you're beautiful! )

jroseonline

thank you everyone for the support!

Lynne1279

Hypothyroidism sucks. I am 50 pounds overweight and it is absolutely impossible to shed an ounce. I am 56 years old and I go to the gym 5-6 days a week for two hours. I don't leave until I have burned 1000 calories. I lift weights, do cardio and stay fairly busy throughout the day walking me two big dogs and even riding the stationary bike at my house. Please don't tell me muscle weighs more than fat so I must be putting on muscle. Muscle does weigh more but the difference is miniscule. I need help. I take synthroid, cytomel and don't know what else to do. I've tried a high protein diet, but one doctor, who is hypothyroid himself, said that this diet is not good for anyone with this condition. I usually eat about 1400 calories. Glad to hear about your success, but I never get any. Frustrated beyond belief.

mrssyp

Hi Lynne, I understand your frustration since I do not loose weight. I have a trainer 2 days a week and visit the gym 5 days per week. In 2009 my thyroid was removed because of cancer. I was up 50 lbs before the surgery but my thyroid disease was not detected until after the surgery. Drs would not listen to me something was wrong and I did not research enough to know something was wrong with my thyroid. I started on a 1200 calorie diet on 7/31 and going to give this a try. After 2 years with a trainer and the gym I have not lost any inches and only 5lbs. Frustrating when I see the progress of the people I train with.

aedlife

Hi all! I was diagnosed in 1999 with hypothyroidism. Then in 2003 was diagnosed with Hashimotos. Congrats on your weight loss. I have been dieting all my life. I feel everyone's frustration. I too have tried everything. My average weight loss a year I between 2-4 pounds a year. My doctor is always encouraging that the pounds are going down. I began using this site in February. Through the winter I have struggled. At the end of June, I got very serious. I have been reading articles, logging my food and exercising daily. Since my doc appointment in June have lost 7 pounds, about a pound a week. Some of this is also due tomand increase in my meds. I wish there was a magic diet for this disease. I have read to cut out gluten, and any product with aspartame. I am now trying to eat all natural and organic, time consuming and expensive. I haven't given up the gluten, yet, but real close. There was a recent article posted about a bay watch tv star being diagnosed and what she has done to get and keep the weight off. ...anyone familiar with her story?

galaxiasmama

Just wondering because I came across this and I am hypothyroid too....I found out like last year and I and I had gained about 10 lbs but I attribute that to eating habits and not the disease so I had started eating healthier a couple weeks ago and I don't have a scale but i noticed I felt slimmer and looked slimmer. So my question is, does having this condition make it inevitable to at some point gain a lot of weight? I'm pretty ok with my body right now, I just need to replace the fat I have with muscle and I think I will be at my target level...but I'm scared that in the future I will have weight problems because of hypothyroidism and was wondering if anyone knows if it's possible to never have to go through the issues with gaining and being unable to lose weight with this disease (on medication of course).

and OP, awesome job (:

AlotOfSweatAndPain

Solid work!

firstsip

Just wondering because I came across this and I am hypothyroid too....I found out like last year and I and I had gained about 10 lbs but I attribute that to eating habits and not the disease so I had started eating healthier a couple weeks ago and I don't have a scale but i noticed I felt slimmer and looked slimmer. So my question is, does having this condition make it inevitable to at some point gain a lot of weight? I'm pretty ok with my body right now, I just need to replace the fat I have with muscle and I think I will be at my target level...but I'm scared that in the future I will have weight problems because of hypothyroidism and was wondering if anyone knows if it's possible to never have to go through the issues with gaining and being unable to lose weight with this disease (on medication of course).

and OP, awesome job (:

The unfortunate thing about ANY issue with thyroid (since even OVERactive can cause weight gain), is that thyroid controls your metabolism. You may experience struggles with it later. You may eat completely healthy, exercise regularly, and find you are either not losing weight or even gaining weight. Many thyroid people have to adjust their lifestyles to something very different from a regular Joe. Like the famous "Less than 1200 calories is starvation" doesn't even hold complete truth to people with thyroid issues (specifically hypothyroidism).

I had my thyroid removed when I was 13 because of a variety of reasons, mostly being they thought I had cancer--I didn't, but it was the "safe" bet to do apparently. Ten years later, I've been through every range of issues (including "hyper" symptoms because my endo overmedicated me).

OP, what medication/dosage are you on?

fitX38

That is an awesome accomplishment! I also have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism within the last 5 years and my doctor has been experimenting with dosage of levothyroxine...we started low and continued to raise the dosage until it got to 70mcg and my hair started falling out in clumps so we took it back down to 50mcg...I still have hair loss and struggle to lose weight. Would you mind sharing what plan your doctor has you on? I'd love any suggestions as I am seeing a new doctor this month. Congratulations on getting your hypothyroidism under control and on the weightloss!!!

phatnotfat81

good job!!!

fitX38

@galaxiasmama

a lot of people will say that you will gain weight because of hypothyroidism but I have a co-worker who is in her 50's and she is skinny as a rail ? It must be different for each person...the majority will gain weight but I think it depends on the individual...personally I can pinpoint exactly when my thyroid went haywire...my arms started getting fat first (which was abnormal) I normally had thin arms and it seemed they just started to swell...after that I continued to gain 60lbs

Brandon74

Great job!!!!

altygirl

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's about 10 years ago and have gradually gained weight. My doc says that if the med dose is right, there shouldn't be any weight gain. The med is replacing what my thryoid is supposed to do. I just know that it's really hard to lose weight. I've also been reading about a possible connection between thyroid disease and celiac disease. My mum is currently undergoing tests to determine if she has celiac disease, which means I should get tested too. Anyone have any info on this?

I've made some lifestyle changes recently and the weight is starting to move in the right direction, but so slowly.

_VoV

You look amazing!! Congrats on a job well done. I have hypothyroidism, and it's a slow process losing the weight, but slow is better than stalled, or worse--gaining weight.

vespers4u

Hi. What if you do not eat the recommended amount of calories? would you lose more weight or would I be putting myself into starvation mode?

prettyfitchick

Your goals are very similar to mine gives me alot of motivation to keep on pushing towards my goals

QueenChar75

Congrats! You have definitely lost and look amazing!

susanswan

Congratulations! IT is all about taking control of your life! I was also diagnosed with Hypothyroid at age 19. It's always been an excuse with me. But it doesn't matter what you have to deal with because it is what YOU have to deal with. You can still lose weight, but it is harder and takes more effort than someone without thyroid disease.

I didn't get serious about losing weight until I turned 50, went through menopause and quit my job to sit behind my home office desk all day long! I lost 70 pounds battling those obstacles! With hypothyroid disease! IT wasn't easy but it wasn't impossible either! It is simply the effort you put into it. You did it, I did it, and many others have done it and are doing it! Having an under active thyroid is no excuse for being fat unless you want it to be!

mommymovingmountains

Awesome! You are such an inspiration, especially to those that are struggling with hypothyroidism. I know a few people that, sadly, use that as an excuse. Great job!

IntoQuestion

It's really hard losing weight with hypothyroidism, so first of all: congratulations!

I've been struggling with it for a few years now, and know from experience that the weight gain and the lack of energy are a killer combination. (You don't burn calories, and you cannot seem to get your behind up from the chair to do anything about it.) I've started what finally seems to be the right dosage of meds a few weeks ago, and I've only recently overcome the worst of it all.

I really hope I'll be able to follow the awesome example you've made.

LittleMissDover

That is an awesome accomplishment! I also have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism within the last 5 years and my doctor has been experimenting with dosage of levothyroxine...we started low and continued to raise the dosage until it got to 70mcg and my hair started falling out in clumps so we took it back down to 50mcg...I still have hair loss and struggle to lose weight. Would you mind sharing what plan your doctor has you on? I'd love any suggestions as I am seeing a new doctor this month. Congratulations on getting your hypothyroidism under control and on the weightloss!!!

Your colleague is probably hyperthyroid (over active) or has her hypothyroidism (under active) under control.

Well done OP, I've had hypothyroidism since I was 14 and have struggled with my weight on and off since, I can have two weeks where I eat the same thing, lost 5lb one week and gain 2 the next, it's frustrating and slow going but I'm getting there!

olong

Hypothyroidism sucks. I am 50 pounds overweight and it is absolutely impossible to shed an ounce. I am 56 years old and I go to the gym 5-6 days a week for two hours. I don't leave until I have burned 1000 calories. I lift weights, do cardio and stay fairly busy throughout the day walking me two big dogs and even riding the stationary bike at my house. Please don't tell me muscle weighs more than fat so I must be putting on muscle. Muscle does weigh more but the difference is miniscule. I need help. I take synthroid, cytomel and don't know what else to do. I've tried a high protein diet, but one doctor, who is hypothyroid himself, said that this diet is not good for anyone with this condition. I usually eat about 1400 calories. Glad to hear about your success, but I never get any. Frustrated beyond belief.

Dear Lynn: You've only just begun MFP. Your post leaves many questions unanswered, but I would like to lend my support to ease your frustrations. Give yourself more time at 1400 calories, assuming you feel that limit is a good fit for you for the moment. Give yourself more time to get used to the calorie deficit. At the same time, eat at least half of your calories back. I am convinced that one should eat all of their calories back, but I remember how illogical this sounded to me when I joined MFP in January. So, do your best to not overestimate calories burned and eat back at least half of your exercise calories. If you are truly working out 10-12 hours each week, your body really needs those calories -- your body doesn't just want them, it NEEDS them!!!

While muscle takes up less volume than fat at a given mass, you're right, the difference is minimal, so let people's comments about this go in one ear & out the other.

Personally, I am have mild hypothyroidism -- I only need 50micrograms a day -- but I have found, through experimentation, that I lose weight more easily if I make a point to eat all of my protein grams, even if that means I haven't eaten my daily allotted calories. You might like to experiment with your macro ratios and with different exercise routines.

I won't wish you luck, because this has nothing to do with luck, but has everything to do with hard work, dedication and commitment. Learning takes effort, including learning about what works for your body. Don't give up!

pgldish

I was just diagnosed with hashimotos as well after dealing with hypothyroidism for 4 years. Found a great doctor and my weight is finally starting to go down.

One thing that helped the most is clean eating. I've cut out gluten. Not only is the scale going down but I feel so much better.

Thanks for sharing the pics! You look great!

pgldish

Hypothyroidism sucks. I am 50 pounds overweight and it is absolutely impossible to shed an ounce. I am 56 years old and I go to the gym 5-6 days a week for two hours. I don't leave until I have burned 1000 calories. I lift weights, do cardio and stay fairly busy throughout the day walking me two big dogs and even riding the stationary bike at my house. Please don't tell me muscle weighs more than fat so I must be putting on muscle. Muscle does weigh more but the difference is miniscule. I need help. I take synthroid, cytomel and don't know what else to do. I've tried a high protein diet, but one doctor, who is hypothyroid himself, said that this diet is not good for anyone with this condition. I usually eat about 1400 calories. Glad to hear about your success, but I never get any. Frustrated beyond belief.

Google the link between hyporhytoidism and gluten. I never saw any progress until I cut out gluten. It didn't matter if I ate a steady diet of 1250 calories or ate 3500 calories. I had stopped gaining but wasn't losing. Finally, I turned to functional medicine and was diagnose with hashimotos after three endos old me that it was all in my head. Three weeks of clean eating have led to a 14 lb loss and I feel great.

paul7799

You are such a beauty! Good job. A friend of mine has had thyroid issues to the point where hers had to be destroyed by radiation. I'll share your story with her it may inspire her as she has had struggles of her own.

cheercoach80

You look amazing, thanks for sharing!