Working out

[shaerich]

I have another question about exercise...

Does/will exercise have ANY influence over my body or is my calorie burning completely controlled by this little pill I now take?

[Jenipeni]

Hey there -

Metabolism is affected by MANY factors - YES exercise will still increase your metabolism.  You would probably already know that when people exercise it increases your metabolic rate even after your stop exercising for the next 24 hours or so...even while you're sleeping!  Exercise is also well known to be excellent at balancing hormones!  So many positives - it makes you feel great too - endorphins yay!!!

I would go so far to say that EVERYONE with a thyroid problem (maybe not the hypers?) AND weight issues or concerns should make exercise a priority in their life - just a couple of times a week, doesn't have to be anything vigorous - whatever you find you enjoy.  [I know without a doubt that I feel HEAPS better when I've made the time and effort to fit it into my week, and I'm not especially fit or a gym junkie or anything, I actually prefer to exercise outdoors].  

I also know if you are truly hypo this would seem totally unrealistic.  Goals are great things to have as long as they are not inhibitting reminders of what you haven't done in a given timeline.  Don't be too hard on yourself.  We need to listen to our body and rest when it says rest, but gentle challenges are good for our bodies too.  

Everything should be pretty much the same as it was when your thyroid was intact ***IF*** replacement is adequate.  Subtle changes could be expected because we no longer have the benefit of a refined feedback system working to increase or decrease thyroid hormones as required (the TSH made by the pituitary gland can't stimulate anything now but still acts to serve a guide about how adequate your replacement levels are).

I really believe that when you expect something to happen ie. everyone else feels bad after TT and gains weight (this is NOT true by the way) that it will happen.  Psychologists have proven this phenomena exists.  

You reap what you sow.  IF you keep stuffing your face with food and not doing any exercise what do you think will happen?  I'm not saying that people don't suffer from weight issues after thyroid problems - sometimes they do.  BUT we can still do so much to help ourselves and that should not be forgotten.  Even if you can't lose the weight it will benefit your health to keep relatively fit AND help keep away many other nasty diseases and health complications.    

Sorry Shae - Much of this post is aimed at others who will read it - sounds like you don't need to be sold on the benefits of exercise!!!  Keep at it!!!

I'm interested to see if anyone else has a different take on the topic... I'm sure someone does.  Anyway... I've raved on enough for one post!

Shoot for the moon, and if you don't make it you'll at least fall among the stars!!!
~J
  

[shaerich]

Thanks so much, Jenipeni... you're always so insightful with your responses.  

It sounds incredibly vain, but I JUST lost my pregnancy weight right before my TT and hearing everyone complain about weight gain/inability to lose scares the **** out of me.  I've always struggled to lose weight and I worked REALLY hard to get this weight off.  I actually wonder if I hadn't lost my weight, would I have even known my thryoid was enlarged!?  Darnit!

Anyway... I agree... exercise is important and I definitely feel better when I do work out.  I just wondered if that calorie expension even mattered anymore or if my little pill now automatically says, "burn x number of calories... no more, no less" to my body.  I probably sound incredibly stupid, but I did SO much research on the follicular cancer prior to TT, I can't bear to look at another search engine or sift through articles.  So... I'm turning to the experts... nothing better than someone with first hand experience in my opinion.  

Thanks again, Jenipeni! :)

[tangrammz]

I am look at thyroid surgery next month to biopsy a follicular neoplasm knowing that they may take part or all of my thyroid.  Like you, as I've read things about the potential weight gain I've been rather depressed about it. Right now I workout 3-4x a week to maintain my weight / build / tone but it's hard work now and can't imagine what this surgery will potentially do.

So, I've been doing some research here and there and so far haven't found a lot but what I have found is that YES exercise is important.  I've read everything from 3x a week to 6x a week.  All of them have said, with hypothyroid it's good to maintain as healthy a body as we can and that must include exercise.

I'll admit I'm still trying to wrap my brain around how the slowed metabolism will impact the results of exercise.  If nothing else, I'm building muscle and improving my cadiovascular health.

I don't know if this is an option for you or not, but if you might consider working with a trainer and nutitionist.  I've been working with a trainer since before my doctor found the lump and have found it to be very helpful.  

I've found several sources that have listed foods to avoid that included:  cabbage, broccoli, spinach, turnips, kale, brussel sprouts, peaches, pears, strawberries, radishes, cauliflower, potatoes, corn and soy (though there is some disagreement on soy).  I also found sources that mentioned avoiding things with coffee, soda, tea etc. and alcohol.  

Basically, it's just a healthy diet. . . low fat, higher protein etc.

I'm trying to go into this next month as healthy as I can and making changes in my diet.