Losing Weight ........

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Losing Weight ........
12
Fri, 08-27-2004 - 10:45pm
At the beginning of the week, a few of you guys were posting about how hard it is to lose weight and I wrote a really long, involved post to you and ..... lost it!! LOL! I was on my husband's computer and it was acting strange and I lost my post. So....

I want to throw out some strategies and ideas for losing weight, putting together a weight loss program, exercising, putting together an exercise program and offering each other support throughout the process. I'll post the info in our Diet & Fitness folder and I hope that you'll join in with questions and goals, difficulties you've encountered in the past, and what works for you! If we start something like this in an organized way, it won't be long before you start to lose pounds and inches. I'm serious. And there's nothing more motivating than success. It takes determination, motivation and consistency. It has to be a priority for you each and every day. But when it becomes that, it evolves into a series of lifestyle changes that can help you more than you can see. You will be healthier overall - not just look better.

I have struggled with this for the past two years since I've been diagnosed and for the two years before that when I was gaining and then not losing, among other unpleasant hypo symptoms! :) That's what drove me to these boards to begin with. I found the Kathy Smith board and described my workout program and eating habits and asked her what she thought could be the problem. She told me to have my thyroid checked!! I didn't have insurance at the time but as soon as I did, I went for a complete physical and asked the NP to check my thyroid. She assured me that I wasn't hypo and told me that perhaps I had a "fat gene"!! This, from a health care provider.

Well, two years later, many trials later, 3 doctors later, I've lost 25 pounds and close to 30 inches. I went from a size 12/14 to a size 8. And it was a long road. Not always easy but also full of many successes. I know what it takes to lose weight. And the support of a group of women who are going through the same thing helps more than you can imagine. I know I wouldn't have been able to stick with it if it hadn't been for that board. And I know we can do the same thing for each other if you want to. It starts with making the committment to doing whatever it takes for however long it takes. I know it sounds kind of harsh but we've come to believe that everything can be done in 6 weeks time and that's just not true!! It starts with that decision. So, who's in?? Cathy :)

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-22-2004
Fri, 08-27-2004 - 11:45pm
I'm in! This is just the boost I need. I've lost weight in the past, but have been really really struggling to maintain through my hypo. I've gained weight and the whole thing snowballs into feeling really bad about myself. So, I'd love to jump in with something motivating and positive.

Dee.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Sat, 08-28-2004 - 11:02pm
Hi Dee - that's great! We'll start on Monday. I'll have time to spend on the computer then. This weekend is crazy!! But we'll start with some motivating, positive strategies on Monday. Hugs, Cathy :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-21-2004
Tue, 08-31-2004 - 10:46am
I'm in! I just went for a walk and *phew* it was garbage day so instead of smelling the fresh air I enjoyed the aroma of ....... I need to lose 20 pounds or so.

A question- my Endo said that your synthroid needs go down as you lose weight. How do you keep track of your horomone levels when you're losing weight? How often do you get tested during this time? Do you just wait until you're at the right weight or?? Or wait for symptoms of hyperthyroidism? (ugh)

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-07-2004
Tue, 08-31-2004 - 1:35pm
I'm in. I walked for 30 minutes on the treadmill this morning.

Jada

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Tue, 08-31-2004 - 3:17pm
Your synthroid needs aren't based on your weight at all!! As a matter of fact, over the last two years, as I've lost weight, my dose has only increased!!! One day, when we're all regulated and thin and beautiful, we'll put together a book of ridiculous things our doctors have told us. Geesh!! That's unbelievable. Did he prescribe your synthroid based on your tsh level or how much you weight, for goodness sake. Ok - I'll stop!! :)

You keep track of your tsh level when you're losing weight just the way you would at any other time. So say you have your first test to be diagnosed. Then you go back 6 weeks later for a follow up. The next appointment is usually 3 months after the first appointment. After that, if your tsh has leveled off, you go back every 6 months unless you have a problem, ie, experience symptoms of hypo again. It's my own personal opinion based on nothing much really, that we burn up more thyroid hormone if we work out intensely or if we got through a period of great stress. But ... I have no way to prove that! LOL! Anyway, when is your next appointment? Don't tell your doc you're losing weight or he'll lower your meds without a blood test! LOL!! I'm sorry. I just can't stop! (Have you checked out the two posts in the D&F folders?) Cathy :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-20-2003
Tue, 08-31-2004 - 3:20pm
I am in too---what a great support network this will be!!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-26-2004
Tue, 08-31-2004 - 3:31pm
I'm in too. I was just diagnosed. I have a weird situation because I think my thyroid actually functions better when I'm pregnant - to wit I lost 30 pounds with my youngest (8 m.o.) and since the birth the scale has been slowly creaping up about 5-10 pounds. I'd really like to get rid of the creep and start back down again. It would be great to have everyone's support. Now that I'm on the syntheroid (2 wks now) I have so much energy!! So I'm sure I can do this.

My husband's out of town till Thursday so no walks till then. Hard to walk with a 2 y.o. & an 8 m.o.

Thanks for starting this!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Tue, 08-31-2004 - 5:10pm
This is excellent! Maybe we'll start with a "goals" post or something like that tomorrow so we can see what we'd like to acheive - each of us on our own. I've already started posting info there on how to set up your program so if you haven't looked in the D&F folder yet, check it out. Cathy :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-14-2003
Tue, 08-31-2004 - 5:11pm
I'm in too! Well, mostly in. I had my stent removed today when they determined that I had passed both kidney stones. I'm still really bloated, but managed to walk all the way to the mailbox and back. I'm so proud! hee, hee, hee. Mary
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Tue, 08-31-2004 - 10:05pm
Good for you!! Well I'm not in top shape either. I pinched a nerve running from my neck through my shoulder, bicep and trip on my left arm!! It's so painful. But we'll do what we can! Cathy :)

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