My name is Joy I am 27... Ive always battled with weight problems. But nothing this high (216) until after my first pregnancy. Highest weight 250..after baby 216 and holding. I use to run alot. (10k in disney 2003). But now with the hypo Im too tired and want to spend all my time with my son. Im looking for people who have hypothyroidism and have battled back from being overweight. I want to thank everyone all the people who are so possitive. It is helpful just to read it.

Hi Joy!!
My name is Amanda and I am hypothyroid too. I was diagnosed when I was 9. However, don't think that I understood it that early!! I take Levoxyl and have for years. I've taken medicine so long that I know when my levels are off all on my own and I just go to the doctor and he tests me and says "yep you're right!!!"
You can battle your weight!!! You have to have a lot of determination though. Not because you can't do it...but because you have to get past the initial tiredness that you are feeling and boy do I know that feeling all too well. Until you battle that and win (if you kick it in gear with no cheating for about 1 week - you'll feel yourself win over it) then you won't be able to get your metabolism in kick-start mode.
I hate when people tell you "the only way to losee weight is..."
so let me tell you that all of this worked for me and it may not for you but we're all here for suggestions anyway right?!?
With hypothyroidism - starving yourself works against you. Hypothyroidism already causes your hormones and metabolism to work against you so you have to help it. I NEVER skip breakfast. I have 5 small meals a day (3 meals - 2 snacks). This keeps your metabolism going all the time.
Choosing extremely healthy foods for the first part of your weight loss is important too. I weighed 212 lbs after exiting the hospital with my son 4 1/2 years ago. I'm down to 155-158 just depending on what day of the week it is. I've maintained a weight loss of about 20 lbs a year and I've kept it off this way. As much as I would have liked to have lost it a lot faster - I have to admit that I hit lulls in my weight loss quite a few times and "gave up" dieting for a little while each year only to get right back on board after gaining back a few pounds.
I'd love you chat more with you - I just need some direction. I'm a chatter as you can tell from this message being so long. Let me know if you have any questions.
A supporting weight loss buddy

My hubby is just the opposite. He's hypERthyroid, and can't gain weight. He's constantly tired and just feels out of sorts. But he has to realize that there are just some things he has to do to take care of himself. Course, he always has me to remind him to eat. LOL But he's taken to faithfully drinking Ensure 340 cals a couple times a day so he can maintain at 140 and not slip back to the less than 120 he'd gotten to at 5' 11". YIKES! Your thyroid can just play havoc with your body and make you feel so tired. But if you can get up and exercise despite that, the exercise itself will energize you and tell that thyroid that it didn't know what it was talking about afterall.

thank you young and staring-over. I'll try the 5 smaller meals. My big vice is sweets. I am an addict. I have to have something sweet after I eat. I can get the will power for a short amount of time but if I dont see any progress I get discouraged. It really is mind over body. And congrats to you for 155 .. what I would do to be 155.. that would me I could get out of plus sizes. Ive always had difficulty with weight..but now I think I use the hypo as an excuse to eat junk... I say well I cant lose weight anyway.. so I eat..
but Im going to sign up at WW again.. thanks for the motivation..

you're so welcome!!!
155 used to be dream for me too
I was 218 with my son inside and 212 when I left the hospital (he weighed 10 lbs 11 oz and I didn't even lose 10 lbs giving birth - figure that one out!!!)
It's taken me a 4 years but it's been worth every mile stone and struggle. I'd rather have 4 years of getting here than 4 years of being mad at my self - being unhappy - not feeling sexy around my husband - and hating life.
Trust me that the rewards are worth it.
....trusting in God and asking for his help has been a large part for me too. He's never failed me. And even when I hate myself for giving up...He doesnt' I'm sure of that.

Amanda