Exercise post TT

[shaerich]

I used to exercise regularly but have not since April of 2006 b/c I was pregnant and put on bedrest.  I had my baby in August of 06, and just never got back to the gym.  I'm usually a 45 minute cardio, 200 crunches and some light weights... not into huge muscles, but would like to get some tone back. I want to do that in the near future, but have some questions:

Assuming my dr. says I'm well enough to exercise, since I've had a TT, what can I expect from working out?  

*Will muscle tone be harder to achieve?
*Will working out influence my weight/metabolism at all?
*Should I wait until my meds are stabilized before throwing a wrench into my routine?

Any input/experience is very much appreciated and I apologize if my questions are stupid... I just don't know where to find these answers and my next endo appt. isn't for 5 weeks.

Thanks in advance! :)
~Shae

[rayneweather]

I don't think the exercise as much as your weight will affect your need for medicine (but that's just my opinion).  Generally those with smaller bodies need less than those who are bigger but that is just a generality - it's not always true.  There's another post higher up asking about people's weight and their synthroid dosage and as you can see there there are a few who take more than me but are smaller.  And another who thinks her medicine needs to be adjusted now that she's lost some weight.  Getting your tsh to the level you need it to be takes awhile anyway and it usually takes several weeks for any change to be seen so you don't have to worry about "crashing" if you are increasing your activity - any effects will be seen slowly over time.  Sorry if this rambling, I'm in a bit of a brain fog this morning.  :-P

Rayne

[shaerich]

You know, I have an amazing energy level right now.  Better than it's been since before I got pregnant!  I'm really hoping that it stays b/c it's a great feeling and I will truly miss it if it goes away.  

So, I'm not concerned about energy to work out... I'm wondering if working out will have a similar impact on my body since my metabolism is now controlled externally by a pill rather than my own body's feedback system?  Do you know how that works?  Will working out do anything for my body now?  Or is it all controlled by that little Rx I take now?

[rayneweather]

It really depends on how your body will react.  You may be too tired the first few weeks or you could feel really great.  If you are slightly hypo before the synthroid kicks in you may find some depression setting in and exercise is a great way to lift your mood.  I haven't noticed too big of an increase in my weight in the last 3 months since my TT and I know my appetite has increased.  I think as long as you start off slow and listen to your body you will do fine.  I know that within about 5-7 days after my TT I felt like my old self and was buzzing around like a bee so you may be surprised and have a lot of energy.

[Justicemom]

I had my TT on 2/14/07.  I've been actively exercising for the last 6 weeks.  You have to take it slowly and listen to your body.  I gained 20 lbs. the 18 months before my surgery, and I'm successfully starting to get rid of the weight.  I feel as if my metabolism has gone from zero to 100 since the surgery.