Weight Loss and Hypothyroidism

Babs67 · 01-17-2009, 02:23 PM

Hi ladies,

I'm posting this here instead of the diet and exercise site because I think hypothyroidism has it's unique set of issues.

I have Hashi's and PCOS and moderate IR and anemic. I'm getting treated for all of them and am feeling better than I have for a while. I gained about 20 pounds when my Hashi's got worse a few years ago. I'm trying to lose it for my upcoming wedding. I'm doing the Zone diet - 30% fat, 30% protein, 40% good carbs and starting to increase my exercise.

I am struggling a little with how many calories to eat. I weigh 153 lbs. and am 5' 3". I used to weigh about 133 and I'd like to get back to that. I'm eating about 1450 calories per day. I found a calorie calculator on the web and based on my activity level, age, etc. this is how many they suggest I eat. Any less than that and I am ready to gnaw on my desk and have a headache. I've lost about 2.5 lbs since the beginning of the year. Not a lot, and I seem to be taking a long time to lose them.

Would anyone like to share some tips or other ideas about what has been sucessful for them in losing the hypo weight or how many calories you consume per day?

Am looking forward to hearing from you!

Beth

hypocysterpcos · 01-20-2009, 03:52 AM

Hi, I just wanted to write you a little bit about my experience.

I have hashimoto's and pcos. I never had a weight problem before all of this occured. It seemed to arrive overnight. One day I was 120 lbs and before I knew it I was 160. I am also 5'3. It has been a struggle. I have had my thyroid medicine increased 5 times now. I also take metformin for the pcos. I don't believe the medicine has helped me to lose any weight.

The only time Ive been successful in losing weight is sticking to a 1250 calorie diet, which I find is hard to do because I am hungry. What really works more, without having to be as calorie strict is to eat large breakfasts or lunches and a light dinner. You are more able to burn off the larger calories because you are awake/active/working more likely to excercise during these awake times. I have successfully lost 18 lbs just by doing this.

Well I wish you luck. It is harder for us to lose weight, and it doesn't seem fair, but with a little work and determination you can do it

Babs67 · 01-21-2009, 11:48 AM

Hypocyster,

Thanks for the thoughts! Is there something about being 5' 3" that pre-disposes us to this? ;-) I've read about more women that are 5' 3" that have our same problems!

I think you are right about eating more in the morning and early afternoon. I'm better able to function by frontloading my calories earlier in the day and I can deal with being hungry in the evening.

As of yesterday, I've lost 3.5 pounds since the beginning of the month. That's about a pound a week, but I'll take it. I'm also ramping up my exercise (with my Wii Fitness Coach game!) so I'm sure that will help too.

Good luck to you!

Beth

zilla · 01-23-2009, 04:05 PM

I am losing a pound a week on a 1200-1300 calorie a day diet. I eat about 28 grams of protein with each meal. I am also seeing a nutritionist every month. They can make a diet that will work for you.

MomofSmartie · 02-05-2009, 03:45 AM

I do the exercises, take metformin and have a 1500 calorie diet per a dietician and didn't lose any weight. My doctor gave me phentermine to try. I can only be on it for three months... I have been on it for 1 1/2 months and lost 13 pounds. The doctor says that usually you would lose more, but with the pcos and everything, this is a good sign... the PCOS is getting better, along with the other issues I am having with my health. YEAH!!!!!

Angelito13903 · 03-05-2009, 01:53 PM

I am also a hypocyster, I believe i got my hypothyroidism under control, what has helped me is to eat smarter choices in food, reducing the intake of junk food and over processed food, i can not believe i hardly drink soda anymore, it was hard for me at first; but I am slowly getting there. I think is hard to be hypo and also have pcos, some people had told me that soy products as well as some healthy vegetables are bad for my thyroid condition such as broccoli, bean sprouts, cole, cauliflower, strawberries, pears and even mangoes so i am trying to do more research on them. if any other cyster has any info i would really appreciate the info as well...

momzducky · 03-10-2009, 02:42 PM

What is it that determines that a person has hypothyroidism. I was recently tested and waiting to hear results. I have dieted and exercised and no matter what I do, I cant loose any weight. My doctor just put me on met for the PCOS, so I am waiting to see the affects. I do not need to loose a large amount of weight but maybe 10 or 15 lbs.

gr8tdane · 03-11-2009, 05:58 PM

I too have Hashi's and PCOS. For my wedding last year it took me 6 months to lose 20 pounds following WW and going to the gym 6 days a week. (wasnt on any meds)

I came off BC and gained back 30-35 within 3 months of returning from my honeymoon.

I decided to try a "new way of eating" instead of a "diet" and now follow a low GI diet. I started it on 2/26/09 and have already lost almost 7 pounds and 1.5 inches from my waist, without exercising. I am not sure if its solely the diet or a combo of the diet and the levoxyl (112mcg) I started on 2/5/09 but I feel so much better and have lost more weight in 2 weeks than I lost in two months doing WW.

Not sure how much different this diet is than the Zone, but I am using the books by Rick Gallop. website: gidiet.com (sorry not allowed to post websites yet so had to shorten it) and have found it easy to follow.

Good Luck!

jedilynne · 03-12-2009, 11:08 PM

I found out at the beginning of February that I am a hypocyster and I have gotten very little help from my RE, I am still on the .25 dose and it is not helping at all. I a still just as tired, and frustrated with life as I was before, if not worse at times.
I have however lost a few founds, I had lot 9 at one point but gained a few pounds back thanks to stress at work. I am working out more and trying to follow a more simple diet with less carbs and more proteins, however I'm falling short looking for sugars and caffeine to keep me awake through out the day.

JoyannaWants2BaMommy · 03-14-2009, 04:11 PM

i got a book by mary shomon the thyroid diet book. its got some helpful tips. before i was hypo, i was hyper /graves disease for 2 years so gaind alot of weight cause of antithyroid meds. after i was off of those for a while i went on south beach phase 1 for about 3 months and lost 30 lbs like nothn! then i had to be put on synthroid and it is waaayy harder for me to lose just a few lbs now with strict dieting lower carb and exercise. my levels r ok, i guess its just a double whammy, it slow but i think you sound a lot more put 2gethr than me! good luck, and i bought that book online on iherb

BethanyLynny1980 · 03-30-2009, 02:56 PM

Not tips yet as I was just dx w/ hypothyroidism myself (on top of PCOS dx). Just wanted to say keep your head up!