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Weight Loss Support?
I think I finally found an active group! So excited :)
COMMUNITY LEADER
When you get the copy of your results, you can post them, if you like and I'd be glad to take a look at them.
I refused all cholesterol med, also. My previous pcp got pretty upset when I refused them, but the one I have now, is trying to help me do all this without extra medication. I have autoimmune thyroid disease, so will always have to take thyroid medication, but other than that, I've gotten rid of all of it but the fluid pill.
My husband was on cholesterol med for quite some time, a few years ago; he, too had severe leg and foot pain. His was pain, rather than cramps, but he finally had to stop taking it.
You might talk to your mother about getting potassium levels tested. I have a lot of cramps in my feet/legs, and I take a potassium supplement, which helps alleviate it.
It's odd that we never really think about how our body works, until something goes wrong with it, like mine, with Pernicious Anemia and Hashimoto's, which are both autoimmune diseases. When one part doesn't work right, it can throw everything out of kilter, including things we'd never think might be related.
I refused all cholesterol med, also. My previous pcp got pretty upset when I refused them, but the one I have now, is trying to help me do all this without extra medication. I have autoimmune thyroid disease, so will always have to take thyroid medication, but other than that, I've gotten rid of all of it but the fluid pill.
My husband was on cholesterol med for quite some time, a few years ago; he, too had severe leg and foot pain. His was pain, rather than cramps, but he finally had to stop taking it.
You might talk to your mother about getting potassium levels tested. I have a lot of cramps in my feet/legs, and I take a potassium supplement, which helps alleviate it.
It's odd that we never really think about how our body works, until something goes wrong with it, like mine, with Pernicious Anemia and Hashimoto's, which are both autoimmune diseases. When one part doesn't work right, it can throw everything out of kilter, including things we'd never think might be related.
Wow, I will get a copy of my test results to see how "normal" the results are. I never thought about that. My mom has thyroid issues and takes synthroid daily. She is "super" active, even at 73. She has issues with cholesterol, and was given lipator, which when she took it, caused her severe leg and feet cramps, one of the reasons I don't want to take it. I will talk with her as well about her results... we may need to look into the 'normal" results a little more deeply for her as well. I will also check on the dandelion tea or capsules... I hate the fluid pills.
Thanks Barb
Thanks Barb
COMMUNITY LEADER
I hate to say this, but I have a total aversion to "normal" blood tests when it comes to thyroid, because so often levels are "in range", but they are still too low for the individual....... that's because the ranges actually include people who have thyroid conditions, so they aren't "normal" at all.
You might be interested to know that high cholesterol and acid reflux are classic symptoms of hypothyroidism, along with the weight issue. I had them both (high cholesterol and acid reflux) when I was hypo and whenever my levels aren't right for me, I get them back and as soon as I get an increase in thyroid med, they go away again.
I always recommend that people get a copy of their labs and actually look at where the results fall, within the ranges. You might take a look at the thyroid forum, here on MH; we have quite a few members right now, with all the symptoms of hypo, and unable to get treatment, because labs are in range.
It's great that your blood sugar and blood pressure are both good. I've been able to get rid of both of my blood pressure meds, but not the fluid pill, yet, though I'm about ready to. Have you ever looked into taking dandelion root to help alleviate excess fluid? You might mention it to your doctor. I've gone through several bouts of excess swelling in my feet/fingers. I read an article about dandelion root, so I researched it more thoroughly, then tried dandelion tea. It doesn't taste all that great, but 2-3 cups/day really got rid of the swelling. I've since gone to dandelion root capsules, which work well, too. I take them with my doctor's blessing and for the first time in a long time, my feet/ankles really look like feet/ankles, instead of round blobs at the end of my legs. And of course, getting rid of excess fluid, caused a few pounds to fall by the wayside, as well. The swelling was also a thyroid issue.
I do find that exercise affects my cholesterol much more than my diet does.
I had a hysterectomy when I was 46 and had hormone patches for about 3-4 yrs, then I finally quit those, too, because they didn't seen to be doing anything.
Do you get regular exercise?
You might be interested to know that high cholesterol and acid reflux are classic symptoms of hypothyroidism, along with the weight issue. I had them both (high cholesterol and acid reflux) when I was hypo and whenever my levels aren't right for me, I get them back and as soon as I get an increase in thyroid med, they go away again.
I always recommend that people get a copy of their labs and actually look at where the results fall, within the ranges. You might take a look at the thyroid forum, here on MH; we have quite a few members right now, with all the symptoms of hypo, and unable to get treatment, because labs are in range.
It's great that your blood sugar and blood pressure are both good. I've been able to get rid of both of my blood pressure meds, but not the fluid pill, yet, though I'm about ready to. Have you ever looked into taking dandelion root to help alleviate excess fluid? You might mention it to your doctor. I've gone through several bouts of excess swelling in my feet/fingers. I read an article about dandelion root, so I researched it more thoroughly, then tried dandelion tea. It doesn't taste all that great, but 2-3 cups/day really got rid of the swelling. I've since gone to dandelion root capsules, which work well, too. I take them with my doctor's blessing and for the first time in a long time, my feet/ankles really look like feet/ankles, instead of round blobs at the end of my legs. And of course, getting rid of excess fluid, caused a few pounds to fall by the wayside, as well. The swelling was also a thyroid issue.
I do find that exercise affects my cholesterol much more than my diet does.
I had a hysterectomy when I was 46 and had hormone patches for about 3-4 yrs, then I finally quit those, too, because they didn't seen to be doing anything.
Do you get regular exercise?
Thanks Barb,
I have talked with my doctor. In fact, I had a complete check-up this past week. My thyroid is normal, my total cholesterol was slightly elevated (230), but my "good cholesterol" was excellent. I had a complete hysterectomy 3 years ago so I do take a hormone replacement. My blood sugar was perfect as well as my blood pressure. I do take a small dose blood pressure med, a fluid pill, a hormone, and a medication (Dexilant) for acid reflux, which I have really bad!..... The Dr. wanted me to take a cholesterol med, but I want to see if I can control it with my diet before I go and add more medication to my plate! My goal is to eliminate the blood pressure and fluid meds and the acid reflux med.... all of which are caused from my weight. really don't think I can change the hormones, but it losing weight will help me feel better overall... and who knows maybe the hormones will correct themselves... I can pray :)
I have talked with my doctor. In fact, I had a complete check-up this past week. My thyroid is normal, my total cholesterol was slightly elevated (230), but my "good cholesterol" was excellent. I had a complete hysterectomy 3 years ago so I do take a hormone replacement. My blood sugar was perfect as well as my blood pressure. I do take a small dose blood pressure med, a fluid pill, a hormone, and a medication (Dexilant) for acid reflux, which I have really bad!..... The Dr. wanted me to take a cholesterol med, but I want to see if I can control it with my diet before I go and add more medication to my plate! My goal is to eliminate the blood pressure and fluid meds and the acid reflux med.... all of which are caused from my weight. really don't think I can change the hormones, but it losing weight will help me feel better overall... and who knows maybe the hormones will correct themselves... I can pray :)
COMMUNITY LEADER
Sounds like you've got things going pretty well. It's always best to set smaller goals, like you have than to set one huge goal, which can seem impossible. I, typically, set my goals for 5-10 pounds at a time.
Have you actually calculated your daily calorie needs to make sure you're getting enough? You need so many calories every day, just to survive and if you don't get them, your body will reserve fat stores, so there will be enough for survival.
It's good that you make breakfast your main meal. My biggest one is lunch.
Sweet tea -- it is a staple in the south, isn't it? You could make your own and sweeten it with Stevia, rather than sugar. Stevia is a natural sweetener that comes from the sweet leaf plant. It's actually sweeter than sugar, and has no calories, so it won't bust your calorie budget or raise blood sugar levels. I've been using Stevia for several years. I used to only be able to find it in health food stores, but now, it's carried in my favorite grocery store, as well.
Have you been tested for hypothyroidism? If not, you should ask your doctor for TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 tests, just to make sure, because with hypothyroidism, it's very difficult to lose weight.
Another thing you might look at is insulin resistance/pre or type II diabetes, which are quite common in over weight people. I'm currently on a low glycemic diet to prevent blood sugar spikes, which in turn prevents insulin spikes. Insulin resistance/type II diabetes also makes it very difficult to lose weight.
And, just to make it interesting, you're at the age where you're probably into peri-menopause, so your reproductive hormones could also be causing issues.
I mention these things, because I went from 115 pounds to 140 in less than 3 months and struggled with my weight for over a year, before finally being diagnosed with hypothyroidism and being started on replacement thyroid hormone. I was keeping my weight steady and even managing to lose a few pounds, when all of a sudden, it skyrocketed again and after struggling with it for nearly another year, I was recently diagnosed with insulin resistance.
Anyway, please do talk to us and share your activities. Do you get any type of regular exercise, such as taking a daily walk, etc?
Have you actually calculated your daily calorie needs to make sure you're getting enough? You need so many calories every day, just to survive and if you don't get them, your body will reserve fat stores, so there will be enough for survival.
It's good that you make breakfast your main meal. My biggest one is lunch.
Sweet tea -- it is a staple in the south, isn't it? You could make your own and sweeten it with Stevia, rather than sugar. Stevia is a natural sweetener that comes from the sweet leaf plant. It's actually sweeter than sugar, and has no calories, so it won't bust your calorie budget or raise blood sugar levels. I've been using Stevia for several years. I used to only be able to find it in health food stores, but now, it's carried in my favorite grocery store, as well.
Have you been tested for hypothyroidism? If not, you should ask your doctor for TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 tests, just to make sure, because with hypothyroidism, it's very difficult to lose weight.
Another thing you might look at is insulin resistance/pre or type II diabetes, which are quite common in over weight people. I'm currently on a low glycemic diet to prevent blood sugar spikes, which in turn prevents insulin spikes. Insulin resistance/type II diabetes also makes it very difficult to lose weight.
And, just to make it interesting, you're at the age where you're probably into peri-menopause, so your reproductive hormones could also be causing issues.
I mention these things, because I went from 115 pounds to 140 in less than 3 months and struggled with my weight for over a year, before finally being diagnosed with hypothyroidism and being started on replacement thyroid hormone. I was keeping my weight steady and even managing to lose a few pounds, when all of a sudden, it skyrocketed again and after struggling with it for nearly another year, I was recently diagnosed with insulin resistance.
Anyway, please do talk to us and share your activities. Do you get any type of regular exercise, such as taking a daily walk, etc?
Hi,
My name is Rochelle and I am 48 years old. I am an elementary teacher. I currently teacher special needs children in grades 3, 4, and 5. I am extremely overweight and need to drop at the least a 100 lbs.
I started using the "My Diet App" on June 2nd of this year and I have dropped 22 pounds so far. I have hit a slump, but am sticking with it. I have set my goal at 50 lbs for Dec. 1 of this year. I feel like I will achieve that, and will set a new goal once I reach this one. I drink tons of water. No soda, no tea....... and that's tough because I live in the South and "Sweet Tea" is like a sacred drink to the people in the south! I drink one cup of coffee in the morning with breakfast, but other than that.... all I drink is water. Breakfast is my "big" meal and I am very careful with lunch and dinner :) I have healthy snacks around and try to limit snacks to under 100 calories. I just need people to share my daily activities with and talk with ....glad I found this group!
My name is Rochelle and I am 48 years old. I am an elementary teacher. I currently teacher special needs children in grades 3, 4, and 5. I am extremely overweight and need to drop at the least a 100 lbs.
I started using the "My Diet App" on June 2nd of this year and I have dropped 22 pounds so far. I have hit a slump, but am sticking with it. I have set my goal at 50 lbs for Dec. 1 of this year. I feel like I will achieve that, and will set a new goal once I reach this one. I drink tons of water. No soda, no tea....... and that's tough because I live in the South and "Sweet Tea" is like a sacred drink to the people in the south! I drink one cup of coffee in the morning with breakfast, but other than that.... all I drink is water. Breakfast is my "big" meal and I am very careful with lunch and dinner :) I have healthy snacks around and try to limit snacks to under 100 calories. I just need people to share my daily activities with and talk with ....glad I found this group!
I have a few easy steps to lose weight: you can start drinking water every morning and during day time but not after taking any meals. Eat breakfast to stay energetic for whole day. Take out some time for morning walk, aerobics, and yoga. Choose variety in your food. Follow high protein diet. Eat slowly but very little.
My weight is 61.7 I am 27 years, I'd like to lose weight my height is 155 cm and I'm making a balanced diet of 1000 calories
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