Losing Weight with Hashimoto’s {Part 1}

I’ve been Struggling with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis since my diagnosis in May of 2009. I wanted to share my tips for Losing weight with Hashimoto’s but I knew it would be a lot of information to share so I am going to break it up into a few posts. Here is Part 1!

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I have always been chubby, as long as I can remember. I started disliking clothes shopping at the time most girls started liking shopping. I never understood why I was different. My siblings weren’t really overweight. I was just always chunky. I wasn’t the most physically active kid. I considered myself more of an intellectual. At least that’s what I told people. I used academics as an excuse to avoid Physical stuff. Even when I was in NJROTC (which had a huge PT program) I would find other things that “needed to be done” to get out of it. Or just brown nose the instructor. Everyone knew we were his favorites…

I “tried” losing weight through out the years

high school: tried diets like atkins that made me throw tomatoes at my bff because she said they weren’t on our diet (love you Jacky!), went out for softball conditioning and quit after the first day because I nearly died, had to do the mile several times and felt like I was dying every time.

My internship program: included daily corporate exercise and “healthy” food options in the cafeteria.

It wasn’t until I had been married for over a year that I started to address my issues with my weight. I still struggled with the why. It didn’t seem fair. It wasn’t like I got fat on purpose. It’s just how I was. I finally began to realize that putting the blame on someone or something didn’t matter in the situation I was in. No one but me could change it, regardless of the why. I tried a few different programs and had some success. Mostly I would try something new and lose a few pounds and then plateau.

I didn’t know there was a bigger problem than just my eating and exercise habits until May 2009. That’s when I found out I had Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.  I was relieved to have answers to so many questions. To be honest, I expected to take the magic pill (Synthyroid) and have all my issues fixed. WRONG!

Turns out, I got pregnant! I had my TSH levels monitored closely throughout the pregnancy.

oh, hi there massive belly.

When it came time to start thinking about losing the pregnancy weight I thought adjusting the levels of my medicine would make it easier. It didn’t.

It came to the point where I had a decision to make.

I could use my hashimoto’s as an excuse or a challenge.

While medication does help normalize symptoms, it doesn’t guarantee weight loss will magically happen… or that it will happen at all.

If I was going to lose the weight I gained during pregnancy (total of 43 lbs) PLUS the extra weight I had before getting pregnant I knew that I would have to work twice as hard to get half the results. 

I got serious about my fitness in April of 2010.

I weighed in at 233 lbs. Through running, making smarter food choices and counting calories I was able to lose the baby weight. It took me 2 years to get back to the weight I was before I got pregnant. Some people can bounce right back. I am not one of them.

So, my first tip to losing weight with Hashimoto’s is this: Know that while it will be harder for you than someone without Hashimoto’s… but it is possible. 

*Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. As with any medical issue is it important to consult your doctor for professional opinions*