Aussie with no thyroid

A lot of what's been written on here about Thyroid loss doesn't make sense to me because our levels and meds are different in Australia.

I had my thyroid removed 19 years ago, gained 25 kilos in the first 6 months, took another 12 months to get my levels anywhere near normal.

I take Oroxine at the maximum dose and my bloods usually come back in the 'normal range'.

I have had SO many health problems in the last 19 years (ongoing cancer and all that is associated with that, including major depression and anxiety). The Oroxine makes me incredibly constipated, and raises my cholesterol. I used to take cholesterol meds, but have come off them with healthy eating.

However I'm still very obese (this time last year I was on my back with pneumonia for months). I have gone from not moving at all, to starting at the gym and eating healthy. I've always been pretty good about my eating so that hasn't been a major change for me, but moving has! Starting the gym and actually moving, has been a massive change in my life. I've lost 14 kilos so far, but it's a mammoth effort.

When I go to the gym, I make every minute count. I see a lot of people who go, who sit on the exercise bike (for example) doing next to nothing. I get on it and I cycle til I feel I'm about to explode. And when it hurts, I push it a little harder. When the PT says to do 3 reps of something, I do 5, or 15. I leave hurting and loving the pain because I know it means it's working. I do at least an hour session, usually 4 times a week. And my son and I whack a tennis ball around when we can on weekends when the gym is closed.

I have no idea really how to use MFP. I see people talk a lot about 1200 calories (and my PT said to stick to 1200 calories per day, but MFP has set my daily target at just over 1700. This is based on BMR I think? I never EVER eat 1700 calories a day. I have been trying to stick to the 1200 calories, and had no idea I was supposed to be eating back my workout calories. But each and every time I go over the 1200, I gain weight the next day.

It's such a struggle. I get so despondent.

I feel healthier, I feel muscles beginning to develop. I have at least 35 kilos to lose, so I really am a big girl, and was of the opinion that cardio was the best thing for me. Moving fast, getting the heart pumping. But since reading threads on here, I see a lot of people who are more interested in lifting weights and encourage everyone to do so. I have a LOT of weight to lose. I don't want to replace it with muscle, although I absolutely understand the need to have it.

So I know this is good for me, and I'm appreciative of the small things, like my new upright posture, my ability to walk and move without gasping for breath or hurting as much.

But after 14 kilos I've stopped losing and I'm really not sure what to do next. I have no intention of giving up. I need to do this! If anyone has any ideas for me I would be very grateful.