Hey guys,
I am feeling really low right now because it seems like nothing I do helps me loose weight. I have a hypothyroid problem which I am on medication for (synthyroid .175mg). My weight problem started about 3 years ago. I believe that initially the antidepressants that I was on for my anxiety disorder, and birth control caused the weight gain. I did not respond well to either of these medications and over the 3 years my doctors had me trying all the different concoctions out there...to no avail. Last year in November I went of all my anxiety medication and I stopped the birth control a year ago. I expected to loose weight but nothing happened. I actually GAINED 10 pounds about a week after stopping the meds in November, even though I ate exactly the same.) During this time I tried everything, dieting, working out at the gym with a trainer for months on end, dieticians...NOTHING helped me shed a pound. I have had all aspects of my thyroid tested and my doctor keeps saying that it is still normal.

I don't have a LOT of weight to loose but the weight I have gained has done a number on my self-esteem. (I used to be 130 and then it just started creaping upwards to 150.) NONE of my clothes fit and I feel that I no longer have control over my body and it's scary.

Towards the end of January I started the Zone diet. I bought a step counter and I walk for about 40 minutes briskly each day and make sure that I am up and about for the rest of the time. I follow my diet to the letter. Will power is not a problem. I eat only favorable protein, carbs, and fat. After two weeks on it I lost 5 pounds....but that is it. Five weeks later I still haven't lost anything. If I cut back on the amount of food I eat i will soon have little dixie cup sized meals.

I met with my doctor to go over my diet etc and he can't figure it out. He said "I guess your metabolism is slow...come back in two weeks and we'll see where you're at." I don't care if I only loose 1/4 pound a week...as long as I know that I AM loosing something. Right now it feels like nothing is happening. This is so discouraging. For three years I have been trying to deal with this and I have had no success. <sob> I am so tired of people going "well...just learn to l like yourself. You look fine to me." The issue is that I want my control back. My dad has diabetes and my Grandmother died of breast cancer so I want to keep my weight at a normal level to reduce the risk of me getting these things. I want to stop this problem so I don't just keep gaining weight.

Guys...I just don't know what to do. I feel so incredibly sad...I cried all the way home from the doctors yesterday. Please...can someone help me? I don't have anywhere else to go for advice and I have run out of ideas..... I could really really use some guidance from others in the same boat!


Here is a copy of what I eat each day. It has been the same all the time...

Breakfast
3/4 cup low fat cottage cheese
1 cup apple sauce (unsweetened)
almonds sprinkled on top with cinnamon powder

Snack
1 ounce of sliced chicken meat
½ apple
6 peanuts

Lunch.
3 ounces of chicken breast
1/4 cup of chick peas
½ cup of pineapple
1 cucumber sliced up
18 peanuts

Dinner
3 ounces of chicken breast
1/4 cup of chick peas
½ cup of pineapple
1 cucumber
18 peanuts

(sometimes for a snack I will have a glass of milk instead if I am in a hurry)


Help!

summer7gal,

I know how it feels for the weight to gain slowly and be horrifying when you have always been the same weight. I am 5'8 and weight 154 pounds. I use to weight 135 pounds and a size 8 now i'm a very sad size 12.

It sounds like you have the motivation and will power that i am missing out on. I know what to do but don't stick to it.

Do you weight lift? Have you ever done intervals? What is your body fat percentage? Since you are not losing weight and you are in a range where muscle weight can make your weight not change, i would suggest getting your body fat measured and go by that for loss of size.

I think you need to step up your weight lifting and throw some sprints and intervals into your workouts. Also, gradually increasing the length of your work out will help out too. You need to shock your system. You can do this with the zone diet too. . I might try eating a few more blocks for two days and then taking it down again.

Well let me know what you are doing right now for exercise and i can help out with program ideas. I've read too many books and done lots of sports.

Can you help me to get motivated? and gain willpower to stay in the zone?

infiniti

Hiya!

I worked out at the gym for three months last year. I had a trainer plan a work out routine but much to all our shock I didn't loose any weight. My clothes fit the same too. I think the medication I was on at the time was really holding me back though.

Now I am trying to take my exercise up a notch. I don't work out with weights (not enough money right now for a gym membership!) but I walk and walk and walk. We have a treadmill in our basement. I go outside for a 40 minute walk and then later on I go on the treadmill and speed walk for another 30 minutes. I will increase this as I get fitter. Now that the weathers is better I am trying to get outside for several walks a day. I hope it helps. Since I am off all my medication I can only assume that it's my thyroid that has slowed down my metabolism.

I made a list of all the things I am going to try in order to get this weight off. (E.g. more water, try cutting out fruit and or dairy, and so on.) I have a doctors appointment in two weeks and I am going to try everything I can think off to shed some weight. I am totally motivated to stick with this, I love eating this way actually and have never been big on junk food, but not loosing the weight is definitly depressing when you are trying so hard. My family doctor isn't much help...he just says "I dunno...your metabolism must be slow".

I am glad that someone else is in the same boat that I am in. Do you have a thyroid problem also? How is your zone diet going? (I think I have talked to you in another forum but I could be wrong. The person I talked to was named infiniti also! )

The zone diet is going o.k. I haven't really stuck to it 100% yet, I'm starting tomorrow the two week with out starchies, just fruits and veggies.

What is the program your trainer gave you? Maybe your trainer just wasn't good with what works with your body.

As for weightlifting FIT IT IN! It is a sure fire way to boost metabolism.

The book "flip the switch" has good ideas for at home workouts. I could also give you something that i found in muscle and fitness hers that just uses a set of dumbbells. (muscle and fitness hers is great for exercise ideas). two 5pounds dumbells is about five to ten bucks.

Also, check out the "hollywood's healthies diets" book. It has 10 different high protein diets to choose from. Gives you quizes on which one will be best for you. It's like 12 bucks. It might give you an idea on how to trick your metabolism.

If you have a treadmill try doing 2 minutes at a very high grade increase (like your going up hill) and then 2 minutes at low level. try this once a week and then twice a week. At your weight walking only won't help you to lose the fat!

Again try to find a way to get your body fat percentage measured. I have a bmi/ body fat percentgae excel spreadsheet that is based on measurements. I'm not sure how accurate it is but i could upload it if you want.

It's what i'm going to use. I'm working on making myself an "excel journal" for my lifting, measurements, schedule etc.

Keep up the good work you can do it.

Hey Infiniti!

You are right about increasing the exercise. I just got hired to work at the front desk/office at our local gym (part time) so I am hoping that they give me free access! This would solve my weight loss problem in no time! It's a perfect job for a University student! Yippie! I'll do it full time when school is done in the summer. While I am there I will try to see if I can get to know some of the trainers and get some tips on safe weight training.

I also did some research on suppliments that people with thyroid problems should take. I also looked into ones that are good for people on the Zone diet. I went out today and bought a whole bunch of stuff so I am hoping that once my body has all the nutrients it needs things will start happening!

You said that you were going to start the zone diet today? How's it going? It takes a few days to stop the cravings and then it's smooth sailing. I can be around all that junk now and not touch it.

I think it's a good idea to make a journal for yourself. I started a food journal a while ago and I record my measurements every 2 weeks to keep track of how I'm doing.

Talk to you soon!

first day good at first, worse at night.

I had a latte with cottage cheese and 12 almonds for breakfast
then 1/2 zone bar for snack
then 4 oz lf cheese, 1 apple, light mayb and 1 slice rye breaf for lunch
dinner was 3 hotdogs, mayo,ketchup,mustard and 1/2 c. past.

then i binged: ( 1c. icecream with 2 tb. peanut butter!

at least i did an aerobics class today.

What caused you to binge in the evening? Were you craving sugars? Maybe you should cut out the caffeine and the zone bars because a lot of people say these cause problems.

Glad to hear you went to the aerobics class. I was up LATE last night studying and I had to get up early this morning for work. Now I just feeling like crawling into bed and sleeping. I have to go for a power walk first though. I am going to go and do this before it gets cold and dark outside! Talk to you soon!

I always crave sweets and did you go for your walk?

It's really hard being on a budget, needing quick food at work that's not messy and cooking for my fiancee. I know it's an excuse, but when your cooking with what you have. . . sometimes you eat boxed mashed potatoes, chicken peas and corn, like i did tonight.

i know i should get rid of the coffee in the morning, it's just so easy. Probably no easier than making a shake but that would mean changing my habit! guess i should work on that. I could have tea, maybe i will try decaf coffee. . . oh just got to get over it. Why does taste overcome health ? why does it pull me so much stronger than being thin, helathy and strong?

hope to talk to you soon.

Hey Infiniti!

It sounds like you need to decide how badly you want this. It does involve self disciple in the begining. There will never be a perfect start day during which time avoiding the foods you like will be a breeze. It's work! I sort of tried eating low carb last year but my heart wasn't into it. I goofed around for two weeks, got frustrated, and then decided it wasn't working and quit. This year, after realising that my weight was not going to come off unless *I* took responsibility for it and started doing something, I got myself in gear and got serious. Excuses are justs ways up saying "it's not my fault!" We are in total control girl!

Ever 4 days I cook up a large batch of lean chicken to eat with my meals, divide it into meal portions, and then freeze it. I keep favorable carbs stashed in the fridge so making a meal becomes easy. If I have to go out or work I quickly throw together my snack and meal for the day and then I'm out the door. This really really helps me stay on track.

I agree that this diet costs a lot more than our old one but what price can you put on your health? The benefits just look so appealing to me! Again...here comes the decision time. Are you willing (able) to fork over the extra cash to look great and feel healthy or not? Just decide one way or the other and then follow through. I am a university student. I hardly have any money left because it all goes towards school yet I decided when I started this that my health has to come first. It costs me about $80 a week to eat like this but I feel great. There are ways to work around the cost also. There are some great grocery stores that sell products much cheaper. You can try to buy meat frozen, look for weekly sales in the paper, buy in bulk when you can etc.

I hope I don't sound like an annoying preacher. I want you to succeed with me on this and sometimes it involves a pall yapping away at you. Take my advice for what it is.... just my opinion. I am guilty of indulging in a coffee in the morning also. I used to drink 4 cups of coffee a day but now I have cut back to just one in the am.

>>>>>Why does taste overcome health ? why does it pull me so much stronger than being thin, helathy and strong?

Carb cravings my dear. This is what trips you up in the begining. You eat an unfaborable carb and pretty soon you are craving another. (This is why I was suggesting you stop eating Zone bars...they're not good for you at first!) This is the hurdle you have to get over initially on this diet. It takes a few days for you system to adjust and then you're free. I wish you could have someone with you during this time to motivate you. It's hard at first, especially if you don't have a lot of willpower. If I were you I would prepare my meals for the next three days to make it easier.

Do you know a lot about suppliments? There are some great ones out there. It sounds like you could really benefit from some that help control your blood sugar and cravings. I looked at what Dr. Barry Sears and Dr. Atkins recommends in their books. Then I looked through the forum on this site and made a list of things i needed. Three days ago I started a whole bunch of vitamins and minerals to help nurture my system and kick it back in gear. Maybe this would help you. It's not cheap though!

Some things to consider are: Biotin, Selenium, Chromium, CoQ10, L-carotine, Omega-3 etc. Do a little reading on the net if you're interested. Maybe this will help you out a bit.

Well...I certainly hope you have a good day today! Remember...you are in control of your destiny. You decide what you eat. Don't let these foods have so much control over you. Make a decision and then go for it! You can do it! Let me know how Wednesday goes!

i was on synthroid and felt like crap all the time. i never lost weight and my hair still fell out. you need to keep adjusting meds 'till you find one that works for you. you probably need meds with T3 or you will feel as if NOTHING will EVER work for you and you will give up completly. PLEASE check into this. thyrolar worked for me for about 8 months, but then my thryroid went kaput again, and for the last few weeks have been on armour, with t3 and t4. i don't know WHY docs just prescribe t4 meds, thinking that your thyroid will produce t3 out of t4, when it's obviously malfuncitoning...it needs both t3 and t4...it's something you'll need to fight for and do research on. synthroid is like a placebo -- for me it was, anyway. i was on it for a year and thought i felt better but wasn't. please take my advise and seek meds with t3! i can't TELL you how much better i felt the first time on thyrolar...i lost 35lbs within the first two months with atkins and just switching my meds...it was only after i'd been stalled 6months that we realized how bad i was feeling, and switched to armour, a t3 t4 compound...

as to what someone said earlier, when u have a low thyroid and no med your doc wants to try works, it doesn't matter what changes u make or how much u exercise or even how badly you want it; it's not the person, necessarily, it's your BODY working against you. i know, this happend to me. i would exersize constantly and remain at 200lbs, i would change my eating and until i got the right meds nothing would happen.

doctors will always try and put you on an antidepressant before they'll check your thyroid. your doc sounds awful if all he says is that you have a low metabolism...like DUH!!! change the meds!! if you have a low thyroid of COURSE you have a low metabolism and it's not just going to correct itself!like i said, synthroid is crap and that's the med that docs will ALWAYS put you on first before they change them...try either thyrolar or synthroid...you'll feel better in WEEKS...thyrolar didn't work for me after about 6 months, my thyroid got so low i was hypo again, but i changed to armour and while i'm still not perfect, i have the energy to get dressed again...i'm sorry, i get so mad about stupid doctors misleading their patients and prescribing antidepressants when their not depressed, persay, it's low thyroid!

hope this helps!

It feels good to have someone give me a good kick. would you mind if we started an accountability section. i will post my workout/food schedule for the next week (starting on monday) and i will log in what i do. and you can give me a good kick when i step out of line!

I really want this. I really just have to get more organized. I know i can do it.

starting monday i will go to full implementation.

So how are you doing? What are you studying? How many years left at the university?

suzy

Infiniti.... I would love to post information on how we are doing. (You can give me a good kick when I start to teeter off the wagon too!) Why choose to start Monday though...why not start tonight? Barry Sears said that when you fall out of the Zone all you have to do is get back up and make your next meal zone friendly.

About your question...I am doing my Honours BA in psychology. This is my 4th year at school. This semester I am doing my school work part-time because I need to start making money to pay for all this. It feels like I spend my whole life studying. When I look at my horizon all I see is books books books!


flynnlee...thank you so much for giving me some information on different thyroid medications. I wasn't aware that switching to another type would make a difference. Synthyroid worked for me when I was in my late teens-early 20's but now it seems like I can't loose weight. In the past, after starting the medication, I lost a lot of weight and felt great. Now I am in a standstill though.

So you suggest trying Thyrolar or Armour? What should I say to my doctor...that I want something that targets T3 also? I have an appointment with him next week friday to discuss my problem again. (I don't know what difference he thinks two weeks will have made since I have been struggling with this for two years! ) Is there any info on the net about the benefits of different thyroid medications?

Thanks for your advice. I am very greatful...I have had a very difficult time getting help. I actually saw a thyroid specialist once when I was in my teens who swore that my weight gain was NOT due to a thyroid. He told me I was just getting older and that I had to learn to accept myself. <sigh> It's an uphill battle.

yes, definitly tell him u want to try a t3. do a little research on it so u have a better understanding. about.com has great info! he may wrestle with u a bit on the matter, but may eventually cave in. i was blessed to have a great doc that changes my meds whenever there's even a slight drop in my thyroid...

docs seem so stupid sometimes. i feel so lucky with mine, tho i know that doesn't help u out!

generally docs will listen if you're well informed. about.com is a great place to go. check there first. it's been an uphill battle for me as well in the last three years as well, and just recently i found out how important switching meds work. if u have any furthur questions, don't hesitate to stop by my journal and ask!! best of luck--post how u come out at the doc's office next week! i'll be curoius to know!

ask for either thyrolar or armour. they have small doses of t3 in them, and they have REALLY helped me to feel better.

also, you may be anemic; if u chew on ice a lot, it's one of the signs. taking an iron pill from GNC should help that out. and don't be scared of overdose -- they come in very small amounts for you to take once a day. good luck!

Monday i will start to post the schedule. Should we post here or start another thread?

in college it is always about books. Enjoy it. I miss being in college, but i also like work. Hopefully i will get to go back and get a masters in business.

what kind of psychology degree do you want? what do you want to do with it?

what does your daily food /exercise routine look like?

I didn't do so good today. . .I do waunt to be good. I do i just don't act like it.! I can change. . .

waterfall powering down to long streaming paths

flynnle...thanks SO much for your help. I am going to go and read up on these new medications like you suggested. I hope that switching to a new medication will help my problem. I am already on such a high dose of synthyroid. I also have a real problem with feeling hot/cold and sweating. We were not able to correct this with medication. If this new medication could return me to a better state then I'd be thrilled! Thank you!