New and looking for friends with thyroid problems!

I lost 20 lbs. last year w/ Hashimoto's. My endo says that b/c I take Synthoid I can lose just like everybody else. But I worked really hard & lost really slowly.

MFP has a "Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism" group:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/753-hypothyroidism-and-hyperthyroidism

Edited to say "welcome" & add: take before pics and read this:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

I have Hashimoto's, take Levoxyl. I find using this site to track my food and exercise helps with losing weight.

Biking works for me. I do weights machines to build muscle, then ride the bike for half an hour. Using Expresso bikes has REALLY helped me!

So you ARE taking the replacement pill correct? Then, you need to settle in to a workout routine that suits your schedule. For me, workouts in the morning are best. So I go to the YMCA three times a week. I do the weight machines - lower and upper body - and then I do the Expresso bike.

Food: I don't use any specific diet plan. I know what to eat and what NOT to eat, and I stick to it. Did you know that, for those of us with Hashimoto's, a gluten free diet is recommended? So you don't have this, but perhaps that will help you. Start by cutting out all wheat products: cereals, pasta, bread, cakes and pies, etc. Yes, other grains have gluten, and gluten is an additive in many foods. But start with the wheat.

I know I need to eat lots of vegetables, especially the leafy green ones, so that is what I focus on. My meal / menu plan STARTS with that, NOT with the protein. Brussel sprouts, kale, broccoli, all are great ones.

When entering food in this site, take a look at the 'serving' that comes up. I recently had a rotisserie chicken, and sat down and ate what I 'used' to eat: 2 legs, 2 thighs, and the back. YUMMY! Then I came over here to enter it and discovered wow, ONE LEG is considered a protein serving! So I really over did it!! OK, now I know. (I knew, it was the holidays and I didn't care, lol). So you learn as you work through this.

you can do it hunni! lots of ppl think to themselves ,' there is no use into trying to lose weight if i have a thryoid deficiency cause its too hard. I beg to differ. yes, it may taker LONGER but its not that hard. Trust me, i have my sisters, mother, grandmother and all my aunts from my mom;'s side with thyroidism AND diabetes. Its not impossible, what really makes it hard is how determined you are. :flowerforyou:

yes!!! thats the spirit!! there will be days you want to give up, just get past it and by this time next year, you will be so happy you started plus summer is coming and you'll be ready, you'll see! Happy New Year hun!:drinker:

Thank you believer1988! I can do it!

no problem! :drinker: yes you can!!

Feel free to add me! I'm a thyroid cancer survivor and take replacement hormones. I'm here every day and committed to my goals.

You can do this! I've taken Synthroid for years now and Had super success following my calorie counts and simply walking a lot. I've had a few ups and downs this past 6 months and have gained some weight back...But that's all water under the bridge! New Year! New Me! New You! You got this! MFP works!

When I was a teenager I was diagnosed with Grave's hyperthyroidism, When I was 20 years old I had RAI which turned my thyroid into mush, no I have no thyroid and I am considered hypothyroid for life. I am 37 years old now, I managed my weight pretty well up until I had my daughter 7 years ago which my weight shot up to 255 pounds. I struggle with this daily. I have done numerous diets, joined gyms, etc. I know there is a way to lose weight. I just haven't found it yet, or I am just impatient. I can use friends who understand what this disease does to you. BTW I also have endometriosis! Fun fun!

My thyroid appears to not function at all. Once I got on the right dosage of meds, losing weight became the same for me as for anyone else. If your hypothyroidism is well controlled, it shouldn't be a roadblock towards losing weight. But, if you are still exhibiting hypothyroid symptoms, keep working with your doctor(s).

Welcome!

Since being on Synthroid I reached my highest weight (236), yet also dropped to my current 215. Mostly through walking and weightlifting. OH - one really useful thing in managing my food, was getting my resting metabolism rate TESTED, rather than using an online calculator. Since thyroid issues mess with your metabolism, even really good calculators may be (understandably) way off.

Sounds like you've got a good handle on your working range and which meds work best for you. That's great! The weight WILL come off.

I've been in treatment for thyroid disease for well over 35 years, presently for hypothyroidism and nodular thyroid.

I was not morbidly obese because of my TD, but rather because of my overeating. Once on a low carb, highly nutritious eating program I have been able to lose quite effectively. I took RAI years ago, but it only knocked out half of my Thyroid. Don't know why that happened, and since the doctor who administered it was awful, I never found out. I do know that it can happen sometimes following RAI.

I currently see a very good endo, which is obviously a big help. I take 45 units of Armour Thyroid, which seems to work best for me.

I do eat slightly below my MFT recommendation, but I feel well and all my medical consultants are really happy with my progress.

I typically do better in warmer months and poorly in severe cold.

I also have fibro, which seems to go hand in hand with TD, so my exercise is a little limited, but I've recently seen a great kettlebell training program and I'd love to try it.

Hope you have great experiences with MFP!

I definitely feel better on Armour than on synthetics. I was never told I had Graves, but once again my DR was an idiot who would laugh at what I told him and brush off questions.

I hope you are able to work closely and productively with your medical professionals. I could absolutely kick myself for accepting lousy care for as long as I did.

One thing I know now- if I am 100% faithful to a super nourishing eating plan with grains, dairy, salt, and sugar eliminated, my fibro is about 95% better! I'd been feeling GREAT for several months and the next thing I know, I'm summoned to a particularly arduous legal responsibility, and BAM, BACK INTO A FLARE!

So now I'm hoping my doctor's note will free me of that issue so I can go back to taking care of myself properly!

Hope that helps!