Sounds a bit extreme to me. When I was first diagnosed I wasn't told to limit my exercise or diet at all, obviously I had to restrict my cardio because of the palpatations but the betablockers sorted that out and I exercised according to how I felt. Is this advice from an Endocriologist or a GP? If you havn't already you need to be referred to an Endocriologist as they are the experts, the only thing mine told me to avoid eating was anything high in iodine such as sea food and sea salt etc.

Hope you get sorted soon, I know how hard it is x

Hi

you need to eat, if you only eat fruit and veg you cannot get nearly enough calories and you will make yourself ill, been there myself,

give yourself a break, nourish your body once the medication has your levels under control then worry about the weight

I don't have graves disease but hypothyroidism and can't offer any great advice but just say:

what the previous posters said x2
and:
Blessings!
:flowerforyou:

My blood numbers have dramatically improved after starting the medication and also absolute clean eating. No dairy , no gluten, no sugar, no meat. Only veggies and not a lot. I am hungry all the time and gaining like crazy ! Every day the jeans are tighter.

If you're gaining weight, then you're probably underestimating your food &/or overestimating your burns. Log everything you eat & drink accurately & honestly. Weigh everything you eat, and measure all liquids that have calories.

Eat "clean" (whatever that means to you) 80% of the time. Fit yummy, portion-controlled treats into your calorie goal. Deprivation can lead to bingeing.

Please, read the Sexypants post: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

I had Graves before. Was on carbimazol for a year, blood test were fully normal after six month. I am off medication since last December, blood tests still normal. This is what worked for me (not saying it will help to everyone):

I stopped excessive exercises. I used to run 10km regularly once a week, and shorter runs 6km 5 days a week. I stopped that and switched to walks, short runs, swimming. Started doing more yoga and pilates.

Dietary, I did cut gluten and diary (80 %), I am still having dark rye bread and butter occasionally and full fat yogurt as my dessert treat, also occasionally. Hard cheese and wine rarely. I didn't cut the meat. I actually added more fat meat into my diet. I used to eat only lean chicken meat, rarely steak. Now I am eating more dark chicken or turkey meat, beef once in two weeks. I also added liver into my diet (beef or chicken). I know it is sound gross for most of the people, but it is best product to bring your iron absorbation up. Added some fermented food (kim chi, sauerkraut) to help my guts heal. Another great advise that I got: to cook your own stock with bones. I always used to cook soup with chicken breast or lean veal. Now I get bones (preferably large, with more bone marrow) and cook it for 5 hours. It is indispensable in healing your body after metabolic damage. I usually cook a big pot and freeze a half, then use one portion to make a soup that lasts 2-3 days. If you decide to add meat in your diet, go with farm raised or organic if possible. I would rather have it less, but good quality meat. Oops, and I totally forgot the fish! I do eat a lot of seafood, but avoid farm raised.

I read tons of books since I was diagnosed 2 years ago. This is what helped me the most:
Autoimmune: The cause and the cure by A.Brockley and K. Urdiales,
In defense of food by Michael Pollan.

And last: prepare for the very slow weight lost. You will see on this site people loosing tons of pounds quickly, it will be not your case. I've been here since last May, started with 130 lb (I know my meter says 127, I started logging after I lost 3 lb), I am around 119 lb now and it is slowly going down. I would not make weight loss as a goal. Make a goal of restoring your health, and then your weight will go down more naturally. It will save you some frustration (I was at the 122 lb for 6 month or so).

Good luck!

I can relate to what you're going through. I have Graves also and have been on PTU and beta blockers since March...and have gained about 14 lbs! My endo also told me to lay off the exercise, but only for a couple of months until the levels got closer to normal which would cause the heart palps to decrease. Are you having your levels tested regularly? Once your heart palps are under control, I don't see why you shouldn't be ok to exercise. Glad you found an endo who will hopefully give you better advice.

I am vegetarian and you CAN get the nutrition you need from fruits and veggies...but do make sure you eating PLENTY of protein-packed veggies. Also, since you are not eating meat, have them check your B12 levels. I have mine tested each month at my request, and if they get low I will take supplements. I also would advise you to ask you doc to keep a check on your Vit D levels, since deficiencies have been linked to autoimmune disorders.