Honestly, I don't count calories anymore. It was good for me to do for about a month or so just to learn about my food and what's in it, but I find that if I restrict calories, I don't function very well. For me, I think, the best way to lose weight is to focus on getting the nutrition I need and just stop eating when I'm not hungry. So, I look for lots of fiber and protein, and try to ease up on the refined carbs. Carbs aren't necessarily bad, but I try to get them in the form of fruits, veggies, and whole grains. That way, I get some fiber and vitamins with it, rather than just calories and "enriched" vitamins that don't digest as well.

Usually, the better foods I eat, the less I need to eat overall.

The progress is slow, but it's coming off.

I just plugged in losing 1 lb a week with sedentary lifestyle (which is accurate for me) and followed what MFP gave me. Took me a year to lose 35 lbs. The only time I plateaued for more than a month was when I tried to drop my cals to 1200 a day. I need at least 1325 if I want to lose weight. But, as you say, everyone is different.

Looks like she said she had to increase it by 125, not decrease.

That's actually the way it is with me too. I gained most of the wt. that I had on less then 1200 calories... had to go on a body-builders diet to build my metabolism up on "clean foods" then doing a rotation diet (4 different days ranging from 1300-1900 calories) to make the wt. drop off. Once the body gets used to the higher amounts, it lets go of the storage.

Debby- Can you tell me more about what you did? When you increased your calories did you gain weight initially?

yes I was having the same problems too and had to up my calories from 1500 to 1700, plus felt so much better. For me this is a life time change, I still want to lose the weight as quickly as possible which is slower than for someone without thyroid issues I am sure, so I want to eat enough clean calories to not feel deprived.

I found doing interval cardio training on the elliptic trainer 5-6 days per week and weights for rougly 45 min 3x week has been really working well. I am just getting back into the weights but found I did not lose any strength and tone (I could not see the tone as much until I upped my cardio though to 60 min 5-6 days per week. The extra muscle mass increases metabolism but takes awhile to build up so it has been frustrating not seeing the results faster but it seems now that I have made these changes things are really starting to show. Even though my scale is nuts it says I gained 4 pounds this week but my clothes and the mirror tell a much different story.

I really think it is crazy to try to live on 1300 calories as in my mind, you are just teaching your body to function on less, who the heck wants that??!!? I think creating a calorie deficeit of around 1000 calories from your TDEE should do it. I am 5'4" and 140lb 44yo and think my TDEE is roughly 2000 per day. So if I eat 1700 and burn around 650 a day I broke my plateau and am seeing results. I think Debbie's suggestion about the calorie cycling is really good too and just read about that in the Burn the Muscle Feed the Fat ebook ( having 3 low calorie days & the 4th day being just over your TDEE) is supposed to help your metabolism, can't hurt to try it

I also found Debbie & tecallan's tips about foods to eat and supplments really helpful. I am hoping a sticky can be posted on the forum with all the supplement, food and exercise tips clearly laid out to help others as it is frustrating enough without having to hunt around The eating clean & supplments have also really helped my energy & brain fog too. I did a post awhile back too itemizing what food/supplment changes I made.

Hope that helps

Hi mycatchicken,
Have you tried low-carb/high protein diet? How about gluten-free?

I mix it with my protein powder & cereal... its yummy! Some people make candies out of it with cocoa & sweetener. If you do a search for it, you'll find the recipe right in this group. You can also use it to cook with, works good. Or mix it with your salad dressing... don't micro-wave it though... to soften it, put in bowl & place bowl in warm water, works fast. Also don't refrigerate.

I read that you should eat 1 TBS for every 50 lbs. of wt. I try to eat it for my goal wt. I had to start off very slowly, as I haven't had any fat in my diet for years. But I love it now!

So, I weigh 192lbs. so I should eat about 4 TBS per day?? I eat oatmeal in the morning, so I can mix some in the that and the rest in other foods throughout the day??. Is there a certain type that I need to buy? I have LouAna pure coconut oil. It's not virgin and has no trans fats...I've had it for a year and I use it in my lotions :happy: but I have never cooked with it.

Sorry for so many questions....just NEED A LOT OF HELP with this thyroid issue!!! THANKS!!

No problem on the questions! I ask lots too.
I'm not sure your coconut oil, but its not supposed to be processed. If it has no trans fat, its probably good. But try to get the virgin when you replace it.
Yes, it would be great in oatmeal. I have mixed it into my salad dressing, used it as butter on my corn tortilla (wrap). I use it to brush my teeth, and on my saggy chin (supposed to "firm" saggy skin), to remove mascara under my eyes, and even as deodorant...(but I'm scared it won't work, so I don't rely on it).
Yes, I guess it would be close to 4 TBS. but my inclination would be to eat for your goal weight. Also remember to cut out other fats (you can use it like butter). It is supposed to replace other fats... and it will add a lot of calories to your daily total. You will notice that it takes away belly-fat right off the bat. :smokin:

Welcome Jax, :flowerforyou:
Are you & hubby bikers? My husband & I love to ride too :happy:
Your question [can you tell me more about this diet] on this thread, I am not sure which diet you are asking about. I think there are a few different ideas going. If you are asking me, about the body-builders diet, or coconut thing, I'd be happy to share with you.

"Yes, it would be great in oatmeal. I have mixed it into my salad dressing, used it as butter on my corn tortilla (wrap). I use it to brush my teeth, and on my saggy chin (supposed to "firm" saggy skin), to remove mascara under my eyes, and even as deodorant...(but I'm scared it won't work, so I don't rely on it."

I'm now editing my post since I can't seem to figure out how to use the quote feature on the site. So, that up there is a quote from earlie in this thread. This is the second time in two days that I've heard someone say they use coconut oil on their teeth. Just curious, what is the benefit suppose to be?