Hi there,

I thought I would mention my time in the weight loss world. I have had hypothyroidism since birth and it really effected me in the last year of highschool and college. Since graduating I have gained over 120 lb and to be honest I was overweight on graduation day. Since then I YoYo's with dieting and losing weight. I would lose, gain, lose, gain, etc.

This past March I reached my highest weight EVER and decided it was time for a change. I had my blood work done to make sure my levels were normal for my thyroid and then I started WW. Instantly I lost weight but not a lot so I got discouraged and just maintaned my weight. I think from March through May I lost about 15lb here or there. I started working out but didn't really put a whole lot of effort in them.

By August I had only lost another 3 lb and was so tired of giving up and being lazy. So I made a vow to try and to not focus on the end number and to just be healthy. An old friend was going on and on about this site on FB so I thought I would try it out. I fell in love and started losing weight instantly. Here were my stats.

SW (WW 3/9/2012) 304.2
EW (WW end of July) 285.0 ( estimate )

SW (MFP 8/6/2012) 285.2
CW (as of today ** I record my weight tuesdays and fridays**) 263.0

From March through July I lost about 19lb. From August through now I have lost 22.2 lb. Altogether I have lost 41.2 and it feels great. MY SuCCESS HAS COME FROM SUPPORT OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND SOME GUIDLINES

1. Keep up on your meds. If your levels are normal you will lose more
2. EXERCISE (vigerously to moderate) 30 min or more 5 times a week. (I am currently doing Jamie Eason 12 week program.. It works and is simple to do.. at first )
3. Eat Clean. I eat brown rice 100% whole wheat bread, lots of chicken and tuna, egg whites and lots of veggies and fruits. ** I do have a Friday semi Free day that I eat a little un healthy, but istill log everything to stay accoutable**
4. Lots of water. I drink a sode once or twice a week. Cut out all diet sodas. they retain water for a couple days. Some Teas and juices are fine. But use low cal sugars.
5. Make your diet your own and find something you love. I love staying busy with crafts decorating my home. also learn some new recipes it makes dinners not so "healthy" and enjoyable.
6. Keep friends who will motivate you. They do help more than you think.

Wow I have probably gave you too much info but this has all really helped me.

Feel free to add me. I still have about 100lb to go so I still have alot to learn but would love to help motivate you anyway I can.

I am new here, and have been reading the forums to get familiar with everything. I was diagnosed with Hypo 2 years ago, and am finally realizing how serious this is for me, and my long term health. In the beginning, I was one that felt that medicine was not the answer for everything. However, I did everything a person thriving to lose weight, and be healthy would do including taking my medicine. I lost weight. Then I stopped my medicine, and not only did I gained the weight back but I began to feel the sluggishness, my headaches came back, and once again my hair started to fall out again. Now I know I am only one person and each person is different. So, You have to do what you feel is best for you. But as everyone has said, Its more than just medicine too.

I have stopped drinking soda.
I am slowly cutting out sugar.
I am try to eat as much fruit & veggies as I can.
I drink water, water, water.
Exercise.
Keeping positive people around me as someone said
My medicine and Dr appt

Biggest difference in wt loss for me was switching from synthetic thryroid (levoxyl) to Natural thyroid. I take p-thyroid, or nature-throid is another that my son takes. I was stuck for years and had on-going symptoms until I found a dr. to make the change. I really watch my calorie in take. It doesn't seem to matter what I eat so much, just so i don't exceed calories. Low carb for me is a disaster...I get seriously not nice after a few days. I stay between 1200 and 1400. I also found that cardio works best for me. I weight trained for years and all that happened for me is that i looked like a linebacker, and messed up my knees with squats and lunges. Fat over muscle isn't pretty. I have lessened my lifting to once a week, and I mostly jog or run now. I usually run about 3 miles 4 times a week and walk or ride horses the other days to keep my knees healthy.

Obviously, we all have bodies that run differently. For some the weights work better, or low carb. Honestly, my turning point was new meds and finally having the energy to run again thus having the cardio calorie burn. It can be done, we can lose, it's just slower, and really finding the combo that works best for you.

Bumping for new folks. :flowerforyou:

I was sub-clinical hypo (TSH 2.55) and found an endo willing to treat me. I have found that my appetite has gotten much higher on thyroid meds, although I am maintaining the weight just fine. . .However, I found it MUCH easier to control my intake prior to the meds and was having my best losing streak of my life before I went on the meds. Just my experience.

Depending on what medications you are taking- this is probably true. T3 makes me hungrier, but I believe that's because my metabolism is actually WORKING, thus making me hungrier (although I feel awesome- and thus workout more). Before my T3 dosage was upped, I was never hungry, but I also felt like complete dog****. Just my observations on my own experience.

Totally feel you on that. I'm on Nature-throid and the T3 kicks in much sooner (in the first few days) than the T4 (takes your body weeks to produce this) and my appetite was through the roof but once the T4 kicked in it was a bit easier.

This is incorrect. Nature-thyroid contains both T4 and T3, so it doesn't take your body weeks to produce the T4.

As well, T3 is actually created *from* T4, so the T4 can't come "weeks" after. ....I'm wondering if you're thinking of T4 only meds, where it might take a few weeks for your T3 levels to get up?

In my mind, if you are that hypo, all bets on weight loss may be off until you are medicated. Best to focus on getting yourself within range and direct all your energy to taking care of yourself before beating yourself up about a weight loss program.

SO SO SO agree with this!! It's all about getting proper treatment and meds, then the weight loss becomes what anyone else would have to handle.

Hi everyone. I'm one of the more rare guys who has Hypothyroidism. I have been on levothyroxine for 3 years now. I have to admit that although I do take my med regularly I will sometimes miss once a week. An issue I seem to have is that I feel all over the place with energy levels, and other aspects. Since I have started eating a more protein based than carb based diet, things seem to have gotten better.

I have been working on loosing weight for a couple of months and I am happy with the results thus far. I have lost 10+ pounds. I may try to eat more gluten free as well as looking into the affects on the adrenal gland. I appreciate sites and groups such as this. As common as this condition is, it's not common enough so as to stumble upon others readily.