Losing weight

[billWIthescienceFI]

I have hypothyroidism so it's very difficult to lose the extra pounds I've put on
Nutritionists say to eat healthy and keep doing cardio but that doesn't seem to be working either
Advice?

[Barb135]

I, too, have hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Typically, if your thyroid hormone dosage is properly adjusted, losing weight is much easier, though some of us still have to work very hard at it.  I was diagnosed 7.5 yrs ago and have been struggling with my weight ever since.

Many doctors think that adjusting levels to be just within the reference ranges is good enough and that couldn't be further from the truth... Many of them also adjust thyroid hormone medications based only on the TSH test, without bothering to test the actual hormone levels.  You might want to check out the thyroid forum, here on MH for more information on testing/treatment of hypothyroidism... You can access the forum via the following link: http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Thyroid-Disorders/show/73

I'd also like to add that I've lost 25 lbs this year by adding "more" fat to my diet, not less... I went back to full fat dairy, and I use butter, coconut and olive oils to cook with, plus I'm quite liberal with things like avocados, nuts, etc.  This doesn't mean a "very" high fat diet, but very low fat, often leaves one feeling hungry, as it did me, whereas adding fat to each meal, is more satisfying, so I actually end up eating less in the long run and I don't get hungry as quickly.   Added bonus is that my cholesterol levels have come back into the normal levels and my triglycerides are almost back to normal.

It's also recommended that you do some weight bearing exercises daily, since weight bearing exercises help build muscle and muscle burns more fat.

[gymdandee]

Make calories count. Losing weight is a matter of eating few calories than you burn. it is important to choose these calories wisely. Fatigue is a common side effect of hypothyroidism, and the body's defense against this fatigue is often to seek calories. Going on a severely calorie restricted diet will only leave you more fatigued that you currently are. Choose healthy foods that are full of healthy calories. Lean protein, low fat dairy and whole grain carbohydrates are all good choices.

Add easy exercise. Fighting through the sluggishness and fatigue of hypothyroidism is difficult, but adding daily exercised can be a great aid in losing weight. If you aren't currently exercising, start with an easy walk.

Get plenty of rest. The National Sleep Foundation reports that people who sleep less than 6 hours each night have a higher body mass index than people who sleep 8 or more hours. While sufficient sleep is important for anyone attempting to lose weight, it is particularly vital for those who suffer from hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism leads to fatigue and sluggishness, which leads to two problems. The first is that the person suffering from hypothyroidism often has trouble maintaining an exercise program because of fatigue, and the second is that they often try to increase their levels of alertness by eating. The National Sleep Foundation reports that people who are tired often crave high calorie food such as carbohydrates.

Weight loss is challenging normally. An under-active thyroid makes it more challenging but not impossible.

[billWIthescienceFI]

Please do I appreciate it:)