Just joined, didn't even fix my personal info yet! Any way, I've noticed many of you have thyroid problems as well. Mine blew up ablout 6 yrs. ago. Well it went dangerously hyper, so only choices were meds which had scary side effects, or radiation to permanetly make it hypo. Well 3 doses of radiation later it finally turned to hypo, which is where I am currently at. So anyway, you get the idea. I'm curious as to what types of diets you follow? Here's the problem, I did Weight Watchers last year and only lost about 10 lbs. and almost went crazy. Well if I excersice there isn't enough points to fix my hunger in the whole week let alone that day. I hit some kind of starvation thing after working out and I could really hurt somebody getting to the fridge. (Good thing the kids are old enough to get out of my way**LOL**) I also did the diet pills, Meridian. They left some really bad funky metal taste in my mouth (nice side effect). I tried WW again in the summer and had no luck. I think the first time was because of the pills. So whats everybody else eating and are you have any luck????
Thank you
Lori

Hey there, fellow Pittsburgher! I'm hypothyroid too and what worked for me was counting calories and watching carbs - not low carbing, but just being careful about the kind and amount. I stick to 100 - 150 g of carbs per day, mostly as fruits and veggies with some oatmeal and beans thrown in. From what I've read, a lot of us need to watch our carbs to lose.

When you were doing WW, were you eating a lot of carbs in the form of processed foods or sugar? I think that can stall out weight loss for those of us with thyroid problems.

The 'name' diet that's closest to how I eat is the South Beach Diet and I think we have some members here who are hypo and have done well on it.

About the hunger after working out - have you tried breaking your food into 5 - 6 small meals, about every three hours apart? That's what keeps me from being so hungry - there's always a meal coming up!

Best of luck to you - even though you're hypo, you CAN lose weight and keep it off!

Thank you Meg! What a wild picture, I'm going to look into the South Beach thing and see if it is for me. I don't know squat about it. The hunger after the work outs seems to be some kind of over drive in my metabolism. If I keep at excerising, I'm hungery! I have read that many body builders eat 5-6 times a day wich is a little tough working full time. I try to keep fruit and snacks in my desk for the hunger, but it gets really bad first thing in the morning and at night at bed time. The thing that makes it really hard is that when I get really hungry like that I get shaky and need food fast, so I easily make bad choices because I need to eat now. I need to get my snacks and quick fixes ready in advance, which is a huge challenge. Meg, how long did it take you to lose all that weight? This is a question that peaks my intrest, I've noticed that I don't lose weight like other people, it seems really slow for me.

Me too! I'm always starving after working out and eat as soon as I walk in the door from the gym. I always make sure that I've planned what I'm going to eat in advance and have it ready to go, so all I have to do is walk in and grab it.

You're right that eating 5 - 6 small meals a day is the best way to deal with hunger issues. Lots of people take food to work with them, like protein bars, packets of tuna, chicken breast, hard-boiled eggs, fruit, salads, etc. I'd definitely recommend having some protein every time you eat - it will keep you fuller longer and help avoid those shakes, which are caused by a drop in your blood sugar levels.

It took me a little less than a year to lose the weight, even though I'm hypothyroid. My TSH was in the normal range with medication, so being hypo didn't seem to slow my weight loss much. I did (and still do) a TON of exercise and I know that helped a lot with the weight loss. But please don't compare yourself to me! We're all different and you know, it really doesn't matter how fast it comes off - all the matters is that is you lose it and that it STAYS off!

Core works great for me - very healthy and similar to the plan my nutritionist worked our for me. Try it for a month - you'll love it.

Hi, i'm on lithium and it is starting to slow my thyroid. I don't know what that means as of yet weight wise...

but I'm doing slim fast, optima (less sugar) and so far so good.

I live in pgh too btw!!!

Hi.. I also have hypothyroid... I am new here too... I am starting the THYROID DIET by Mary Shomon tomorrow... have done Atkins.. and sure it works...but being a SAHM of 3 kids who don't have a problem with food...I want to show them a healthier more well balanced way of eating instead of just the high fat version I have shown them.

hi girls,
it's my first time here. my thyroid gave me trouble about 10 yrs ago. i was never told if i was under active or over active. i take synthroid. in talking with a nurse that contacts me through my insurance compay. i was told that i was under since i was taking this particula med. no one has ever told be this before. i also got some miss information along the way. it is hard for me to lose weight. i seem to do the yo-yo thing. i have been at the same wight now for awhile. i have fibromyalgia so it is very hard to do any kind of excercise. i struggle. i'm still looking for something that will work. hang in there. we are all in this together. right? just at different stages. be good to yourself. take some time for yourself and do something that pleases you. YOU are worth it. just because you are who you are. have a fabulous friday and a great tomorrow.
kind regards,
mary

I am also Hypo - I am thinking of rejoining Weight Watchers after bing away for about 3 years. I don't know what Core means for WW. Can anyone tell me more about it? DM

Hi Daisy! We have an active Core group down in the WW section of the board. Click here and they should be able to help you with your questions. I don't do WW myself but have read about Core and it sounds like a great plan!! Good luck to you.