Here's my story.. can you relate??

Hi Everyone,

First time poster here, but i'm desperate and need to reach out!
I'm sure many of you will be able to relate to my experience, and I hope many of you have tips/tricks and advice to share!

I used to be thin, maybe even too thin, a couple years ago. I wasn't eating healthy at all and it definitely wasn't the right way to be, but i had learned a few things (but didn't do nearly enough research to really educate myself) and had will power like none other, and was super strict. Until i went on vacation and saw how i looked in a bikini, and didn't like it.. i could see bones on my chest and it didn't look attractive, so i decided i needed to gain weight again.. Well i sure had fun doing that. But i got serious and got down to my original weight, but in a very healthy way (following medical weight loss diet)

But the weight started to add on. It shouldn't have based on what i was eating, but what i wasn't aware of, was that i had hypothyroidism.. I tried several diets, and anything i could think of to help. Low fat/low carb, changed calorie totals 1200, 1500, 1000. Eating back exercise calories, not eating them back, only eating some. I set goals for the next years vacation, etc, and no luck. I wasn't gaining (too much) but i sure as heck wasn't losing, and at that point i should've weighed zero pounds! I tried changing my birth control medicines, etc, etc, and finally i asked to get my blood checked for hypo thyroid, and sure enough i had it. Mild, but had most of the symptoms (the symptoms do not correlate with how severe the condition is, so if someone had severe hypo, they might not experience any symptoms.. unforunately, i was at the other end of that spectrum)

So i'm on medication and have been regulated for a long while now, i've never need to change dosages, and i've shared with my doctor my struggle and said that I am capable of losing weight, i'm at a good level and have a good enough chance as anyone else (I've heard "horror stories" on here about peoples doctors not really getting them into the range, but not to their highest potential - but i have a great doctor, and i know he isn't shorting me, he's wonderful!)

Granted, i didn't gain TOO much, and i know i'm not "fat" but i'm not comfortable, and i want to lose weight to feel better about myself and fit into the rest of my skinny jeans! I've recently joined LA Fitness and have been working out on average 4 days a week cardio/weights. Mostly cardio. And i walk my dog everyday!

I'm 5'6, i used to weigh a healthy 118, but i am now stuck at 137 - 140.. So i have a solid 20 pounds that i would LIKE to lose.
I don't want to open my diary to be public.. 1. i haven't been on for a couple weeks due to vaca, but 2. i know i'm educated enough that i'm eating healthy and should legitimately be losing, as i've been dealing wtih this for over 2 years..

Anyway - if anyone has ANY words of advice or ideas of what i could do to help, please share!!


Thanks much! - Alaina