Best way for me to lose weight?

[Victoria3719]

I've been trying to lose weight for many years.... and always failed miserably. I don't know if it's because of a hidden health condition, a bad metabolism, etc... I just want to lose weight to look better (to finally stop the ridicule and low self-esteem) and to prevent all of the horrible disorders/diseases like hypertension and diabetes that runs in my family. I'm 6 foot 1, about 245 lbs, female, and in college so it's difficult to obtain organic and healthy things but I try. I've been an athlete my entire life (basketball), but stopped of course because of school and work.

I've tried everything. Supplements I hear about on TV and from doctors, crazy diets, different workout regimens... I don't know what to do. I can't run/jog for long distances because I have severe kyphoscoliosis, two abnormal curvatures to my spine that articulate my rib cage in such an odd position it restricts breathing and lung capacity. My deep breaths are barely stronger than a normal person's regular breath. Thus, cardio is hard for me. I use to have an enlarged thyroid as well so that probably caused a lot of constant fatigue and weight gain.

Please, someone, give me an idea of how to workout and how to get this weight off! Right now, I have a normal diet and weight lift 6 times a week (abs 3 times a week) at 6 am because it fits my schedule. What foods should I get rid of? What should I eat and drink more of? How should I work out? PLEASE HELP!

P.S. I ask here because I don't have time to see a professional. Also, do you think intermittent fasting would work? If so, how would I do it.

[Barb135]

I agree that swimming is awesome exercise; I wish I had access to a swimming pool...

[katipaigef]

Swimming is the best and easiest workout for me it works every part of your body and you loose weight fast :) you don't even have to swim for long just for about half an hour every day and you burn lots of calories.

[Victoria3719]

Thanks for all your help!

[Barb135]

PCOS is not "curable", but it's managable, with a low glycemic diet and some doctors will prescribe metformin for it.  You might discuss that with your doctor.

[Victoria3719]

Thanks to both of you. I do walk before and after my weight lifting for 20 minutes. I'm eating a lot better now and for a while I have been thinking its PCOS, but isn't it not curable?

[Barb135]

It's unnecessary to walk for 2-3 hrs/day and few people have that much time on their hands.  Walking is excellent cardio, if done at a brisk pace, but weight training is also essential, as that builds muscle and muscle burns fat.

It's also not necessary to opt for vegetarian protein sources, unless one chooses to do so.  Chicken, fish and lean cuts of beef and pork are excellent sources of vitamin B-12, iron and protein, plus fish is chock full of healthy omega 3 oils.  If opting for vegetarian protein sources, one must make sure to supplement vitamin B-12, which only comes from animal sources and is necessary for proper nerve function and energy production.

I do agree that you can do it; you just have to first make sure that you have no medical issues (insulin resistance and PCOS could also be issues) holding you back, then find the combination that works for you.

[Gr3tta]

Can you walk safely? I walk for ~2-3 hrs per day, which burns some calories and boosts metabolic rate some. All of your weight training must be great for muscle mass! My diet is very low fat, low carb besides fruit - which i eat within my calorie limit for vitamins and fiber, veggie heavy, and rounded out with very lean vegetarian protein sources.
You can do it. Don't lose heart!

[Barb135]

"I even looked up the results myself aside from the doctors' explanations and they were all within normal range."   Just because they were within the normal ranges, doesn't mean they were normal for you.  We're all different and we all need our levels to be different.  I won't go into a lot of details, but the ranges are very flawed and a lot of fall into the ranges, who should not.  Basically, anyone in the entire bottom half of the FT3 and FT4 ranges is really hypo... AND if it's been more than a few months since you had the tests done, you should have them done again, because it's very common for symptoms to show up before blood tests indicate a problem.  Keep asking for the tests every few months or see a different doctor.  You're welcome to send me the results, if you like and I'll help interpret them.  I've been hypo for quite a few years and I'm leader in the thyroid forum, as well.  

You should also ask your doctor to test you for thyroid antibodies to determine if you have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.  If you do, it's a no-brainer that you will need medication, because Hashimoto's destroys the thyroid.

The antibody tests you need are Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb).  Make sure you get them both, as they are both markers for Hashimoto's; some of us have one or the other; only a few have them both.

[Victoria3719]

I have already done the above thyroid tests multiple tests and nothing was found. I even looked up the results myself aside from the doctors' explanations and they were all within normal range. Also, I had an ultrasound done on my thyroid and there were no nodules or anything else abnormal. I don't know what's wrong with me :(

[Barb135]

"I use to have an enlarged thyroid as well so that probably caused a lot of constant fatigue and weight gain"  Did you have thyroid function tests performed to make sure your thyroid is functioning properly?  The tests you need to have done are TSH, Free T3 and Free T4.... many doctors will try to do only TSH -- do not accept that, because TSH is not a thyroid hormone; it's merely a messenger hormone from the pituitary telling the thyroid to produce more thyroid hormones.  

Your thyroid controls metabolism, heart rate, body temperature and other body functions and if it's not functioning properly, you're likely to have weight and digestion issues, constipation, cold intolerance, muscle/joint aches/pains, hair loss, dry, scaly skin and many other possible symptoms.  These can all be alleviated with adequate doses of replacement thyroid hormones.

As for food - you have eliminate all processed foods that contain white sugar and/or flour, such as breads, pastries, candies, pasta, white rice, etc.  Instead opt for small amounts of whole grain breads and pasta, brown rice.  Eat lots of fresh veggies (you don't have to always have organic) and if you can't get fresh, opt for frozen, which is next best.  Limit fruit to 1-2 small servings/day because of the sugar content.  Make sure you get lean protein with every meal/snack.  The protein can be in the form of meat, chicken, fish, low/no fat dairy, greek yogurt, a small amount of nuts or nut butter, beans , etc.   And of course, don't forget the healthy fats.

Last, but not least, eliminate all sodas and make water your drink of choice.  You can drink plain water, unsweetened tea, coffee, etc.  Use stevia for a sweetener, instead of artificial sweeteners.