Making it Official...

iRun4wine
iRun4wine Posts: 5,126
edited September 2024 in Motivation and Support
Alright that's it... I'm making this official. I'm re-committing to living a healthier lifestyle (although I never actually left MFP!)


This is the short version of my story:

-never been fat or overweight, always been athletic, came on MFP to slim down a little and get in better shape

-started MFP in late March at 153 pounds (goal weight of 135)

-started Couch to 5k June 24th, ran my first 5k end of August- haven't looked back- up to almost 5 miles now

-down to 140 by September 1st :bigsmile:

-weight slowly started coming back on, but I hadn't fallen off the wagon, or stopped exercising, or done anything different at all

-mid-September starting noticing that some nights I was literally uncontrollably hungry and NOTHING satisfied my hunger

-went to the doctor in mid-October in hopes of finally addressing some blood sugar issues I've had my whole life

-doctor found abnormal thyroid (causing my extreme hunger?) and said it's inevitable that I need medication in the near future

-also mid-october, stomach problems (off and on my whole life) starting become MUCH more severe- doctor thinks I have gluten-intolerance/possibly Celiac's

-have been gluten free since the end of october- feel great, but still have days with EXTREME hunger... back up to 152 pounds :sad: So, I've made no net progress in 8 months :explode: :brokenheart:

-despite my crazy strong will-power, there are night when I cannot control my hunger. I have never had this problem, and heard people talk about thyroid issues in the past and always laughed and thought they were pathetic for using it as an excuse. maybe karma got me? :ohwell:

-really, really struggling. if it weren't for running (big shout-out to the MFP Runner's Club:drinker: ) I'm sure I'd be about 165 pounds by now :noway:

-doctor wants to see me again in feb. to re-check the thyroid, and i'm seeing a specialist in December for the gluten issue, but I feel like I cannot control my hunger most nights- I have never, ever had this problem in my life. I've never been one to pig out.


Anyone have any thoughts/advice? Sorry this is kind of long, but I'm officially re-committing. I've re-commited so often lately and cannot stick with it- I have never, ever in my life had a problem with willpower or self control AT ALL... what gives? Could it be my evil thyroid? :angry: I eat very healthy breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack and then by nighttime my hunger is out of control. I eat 1450 calories (not counting exercise calories). I'm 5'7".

I don't usually ask for a lot of support on here, but I'm at a total loss- I consider myself relatively knowledgeable about health/nutrition, but I'm stumped. What the heck is going on with me? :noway:

Replies

  • Tamishumate
    Tamishumate Posts: 1,171 Member
    I dont have any advice on the medical stuff, But I just wanted to give you my support. You will figure it out and get down to your goal. Be proud that you are still running, that is a huge thing! Hugs!
    Tami
  • iRun4wine
    iRun4wine Posts: 5,126
    I dont have any advice on the medical stuff, But I just wanted to give you my support. You will figure it out and get down to your goal. Be proud that you are still running, that is a huge thing! Hugs!
    Tami

    Thank you Tami... I'll take all the support and hugs I can get. It's super frustrating to know something is wrong, and not know what, or what to do about it. Sometimes I don't know how I haven't completely given up already, but I haven't! :smile:
  • ivykivy
    ivykivy Posts: 2,970 Member
    Well, I was hyperthyroid a couple years ago. Insatiable hunger. I mean I was starving to death in the middle of the night. I knew it wasn't right to be that hungry so I just refused to eat. I lost a lot of weight and muscle. So much so that I couldn't go up stairs to take the kids to lunch (I taught middle school). Holding chalk and writing on the board was an all out effort.

    I feel for you. You will get past this. Just try to eat a lot of protein and fiber in increments. Try to save at least half to 1/4 of your calories for nights. You may want to set a smaller deficit also. Just keep exercising and eating right. Don't starve yourself b/c having muscle atrophy is a horrible .:flowerforyou:
  • debnu1
    debnu1 Posts: 1,568 Member
    DId they test you for Celiacs? It is a simple blood test that can be followed up with a colonoscopy if necessary. Once you are on a gluten free diet the test will be negative as your body no longer puts out the antibodies.

    Did the doctor say your thyroid level was high? When I have been high (low number TSH) I have extreme hunger. You also will be hot, shakey and your heart will race. You also won't feel like exercising as much. (More because your body can't tolerate than the lack of desire) BTW if you feel crazy hungry no amount of willpower will save you...

    Good luck--Sorry I have more questions than answers right now. Just as a background...I had thyroid cancer 5 years ago followed by removal of my entire thyroid. I have been on supplements since. Also my family has a strong history of Celiacs so I have been tested twice as part of a study through a university in California.
  • iRun4wine
    iRun4wine Posts: 5,126
    DId they test you for Celiacs? It is a simple blood test that can be followed up with a colonoscopy if necessary. Once you are on a gluten free diet the test will be negative as your body no longer puts out the antibodies.

    Did the doctor say your thyroid level was high? When I have been high (low number TSH) I have extreme hunger. You also will be hot, shakey and your heart will race. You also won't feel like exercising as much. (More because your body can't tolerate than the lack of desire) BTW if you feel crazy hungry no amount of willpower will save you...

    Good luck--Sorry I have more questions than answers right now. Just as a background...I had thyroid cancer 5 years ago followed by removal of my entire thyroid. I have been on supplements since. Also my family has a strong history of Celiacs so I have been tested twice as part of a study through a university in California.

    Yes, my thyroid level is high. I'm always hot and sweaty in the morning after I shower, but normally I'm alright during the day. Insatiable hunger is exactly what it is... I describe it to my boyfriend as "animal hunger".

    I'm awaiting my appointment with the specialist where I will likely be tested for Celiac's. They did the blood test, but they did it when I had already been off of gluten, so it may not have been very accurate.

    Thank you both for your help. At this point, it helps a lot just to know that others know how I'm feeling. I'm pretty sure my boyfriend just thinks I'm nuts. I will continue to try to push through the hunger. I've found that it's SO difficult for me to do, but I'm going to continue to try.

    If anyone else has thoughts, please share! :flowerforyou:
  • iRun4wine
    iRun4wine Posts: 5,126
    Selfishly bumping to see if anyone else has any experience or expertise :blushing:
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