I am counting calories and exercising but not losing weight

[Lync84]

I have been exercising between 5-6 times a week consistently (this is my 7th week) and counting calories. On average I consume about 1650-1750 calories a day which is a huge decrease. Sometimes less. My workout consist of 1 1/2 of cardio 5-6 times a week and 45 minutes of strength training 3 days a week. I have hypothyroidism, my levels are low and I'm taking Levo to bring them up. I currently weigh 335 lbs. I started my exercise plan on October 14th and have not loss anything but 2lbs. Previously I drank about 3-4 pepsi's a day which I stopped when I began to work out, all water now. I don't have my most recent tsh levels, I haven't been to the Dr in 6 weeks and my next appt is in 4 weeks. I began with hyperthyroidism and received the radioactive iodine last July. Since last July I have gained 65 lbs. What should I do different to help? I have lost inches and everyone can see me slimming but the scale doesn't read anything different.

[Barb135]

Everyone is different and we all react in our own way to the meds, etc.  What's right for me, might not be right for you and visa versa; same goes for the reference ranges on the lab reports - they are very broad, so just because you fall within those ranges, doesn't mean it's right for YOU, but many doctors won't acknowledge that.  You also need to make sure that you're not being dosed solely on your TSH levels.  

You need to make sure you are being tested for Free T3 and Free T4, as well as TSH; it would also be in your best interest to have antibodies tested, if that hasn't been done, to see if you have an autoimmune thyroid disease; plus an ultra sound to see if you have nodules, which is very common with hypothyroidism/Hashimoto's.  

Also, don't forget that a lot of the symptoms "cross over" and can indicate either hyper or hypo; particularly the fatigue, brain fog, etc.

[Lync84]

Thank you I will certainly give it a try, I refuse to go back to sleeping pills.Thanks for your advice!

[Lync84]

Barb thanks for all your help; may I ask for clarification on something? You mentioned that my thyroid levels might not be normal for me... I'm a little confused. I've only been hypo since Nov of last year. I have a appointment in 2 weeks with the endocrinologist, is there anything I should be looking for or say? I know that I do have to get the thyroid level stabilized, we've been trying for so long it seems. Even when I was hyper my symptoms were always hypo so my case has always been weird.

[Barb135]

Sleep issues are common with hypothyroidism.  It really sounds like you need to get your levels rechecked.  Just because they may be "normal" according to the lab report, doesn't mean they are normal for YOU.........

I'm not sure how long you've been on the levo, but since all of your symptoms appear to be thyroid related, you really need to work on getting that stabilized.  

You might also be interested in checking out the Thyroid forum here on MH; there's tons of info there that may help you.  

[allmymarbles]

It sounds like you are not getting enough sleep. Try taking ashwagandha (Indian ginseng). It is very southing and helps you relax. I take it in the evening. No side effects.

[Lync84]

I get at least 6 hours of sleep a night. Usually 7. I'm always so tired but not sleepy.

[allmymarbles]

What about sleep? If you are short on sleep it will deter you from losing weight.

[peekawho]

Barb is 100% right on all counts.  

I'm having a similar problem.  Its never been hard for me to lose weight.  But surgery and meds have kept me inactive and HUNGRY all the time.  I've gained about 15#, and its not coming off!
I just have to look at how my clothes fit right now, and not at the numbers on the scale.

Keep it up, and as Barb said, as your caloric needs may decrease a little, but be careful not to restrict too much.

Good luck to us both!

[Barb135]

I understand how frustrating it can be to literally "work your tail off" and not see results on the scale, but you *are* still seeing results, with the slimming down.  

Did you by any chance take your measurements before you started?  Many people find that's a better way to measure the weight change than the scale because once the inches start coming off, the pounds should follow.  

Even if you didn't measure before you started exercising, you can do it now.  Measure your bust, waist, hips, thighs, upper arms and record the  measurements as the beginning.  Then measure weekly to see where you are.  That will give you *visible* proof that your hard work is paying off.

[Lync84]

Thank you Barb for your support! I meant to say I actually started exercising on September 14th. Hopefully I start to see something soon, it gets a bit discouraging when you don't see a decrease in weight and I have been working so hard. I'll give it more time and post my t3 and 4 levels once I receive them in a few weeks.

[Barb135]

There are 2 things I can tell you: 1) if you are hypothyroid, it will be very hard to lose weight until your thyroid levels are where you need them to be.  Please note, I'm not referring to TSH; I'm referring to your actual thyroid levels (Free T3 and Free T4).  

2) Since you are exercising and slimming down, you are gaining ground.  What happens is that you are replacing the fat with muscle, and since muscle is denser than fat, it takes a smaller volume of muscle.  Just think of a pound of feathers versus a pound of rocks.  It takes a large volume of feathers to make a pound, but a pretty small rock can weigh a pound.  In this case, the feathers would equal fat, the rock, muscle.  

As you slim down, you may need to cut back your calories a bit too.

Don't give up - you can get there; if you are slimming down, you should see the scale start going down some soon.

[Lync84]

I forgot to add that I am on topamax for migraines.