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  #1   ^
Old Mon, Jul-23-07, 05:49
yvonnedawn's Avatar
yvonnedawn yvonnedawn is offline
New Member
Posts: 20
 
Plan: South Bech
Stats: 230/228.4/170 Female 5'5
BF:
Progress:
Default $1000 diet

I seem to be doing alot of journaling here today. I hope no one minds.

After TRYING many diets with very little success I went extreme at Christmas time and had no sugar and no carbs except for VERY little veggies and lean meats aka Kimkins. I lost about 8 pounds. Then my weight loss stopped and I did not lose a bit more even though my calories were under 800 and as loww as 600 some days. I was loseing my hair and my mind. I was very depressed.
I followed some advise that I received from a thyroid patient activist. She told me that as a hypothyroid patient I could not go under 30 grams of carbs.

So, I upped my carbs and started losing and feeling better. But for one reason or the other I added in some grains and BOOM I was back into the food. i gained back the weight I had lost and a pound or two.

After a few months of exercising only and NOT dieting my husband gave the gift of health, a package offered by my gym. It was a 12 week weight loss plan which involved meetings with the dietician, a weekly meeting with a health coach, personal training 2 times a week with a trainer. All of this was a little over $1000. I was so greatful to my husband. He knows how much I struggle. It meant soooooo much to me so you can image how I feel as I sit here telling you that I have NOT lost a pound during this whole 3 month process!!!! I feel like I failed my husband. He spent alot of money on me and I did not lose weight.

I knew from the beginning that there was going to be a problem when the dietician gave me the food pyramid as my guide. She put me on a low fat high carb plan. I weighed in the exact same every week for a month even though I was working out 5-6 days a week 1 1/2 to 2 hours each time.
I told the dietician that my body could not handle that many carbs and that I needed to cut back but she would not allow it. She would argue with me about how unsafe Atkins, and Southbeach, and any low carb diet is.

Finally around week 6 I told her that I was going to give Southbeach a try because I was not losing on their plan. In 5 days on Southbeach I lost 5 pounds. she told me that it would be all water, but much to her surprise their fancy scaled showed that the loss was indeed fat and I had actually gained a little muscle. so, you are probably wonder why didn't I stay on the Beach.
I gave in to the Health coach and my dietician telling me that it was unhealthy and not good for my body. So, I added in some whole grains because they said I HAD to have them. I only added in 3 serving of whole grains but that's all it took to start the cravings and see my weight go back up and surpass where I started. I was humiliated and frustrated. They will not listen to me. I finally said enough and quit meeting with them till I could do some research and get my bearings. I know that I MUST do Southbeach and do it in a way that is beneficial and healthy for my body. I can not add in grains at all. Maybe later, I don't know but for now I MUST just keep things simple. Thanks for listening, Yvonne
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  #2   ^
Old Mon, Jul-23-07, 06:09
DrH's Avatar
DrH DrH is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 2,185
 
Plan: Atkins (Strict Induction)
Stats: 183/120/115 Female 5'7.5"
BF:21.6%
Progress: 93%
Location: Jupiter, FL
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It is interesting about the carbs and being hypothyroid. I have Hashimoto's diseas (hypothyroid) and I kept my carbs under 15 during my entire weight loss phase. I am curious if there is medical/scientific evidence to support your friend's assumption?
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  #3   ^
Old Mon, Jul-23-07, 08:01
Judynyc's Avatar
Judynyc Judynyc is offline
Attitude is a Choice
Posts: 30,111
 
Plan: No sugar, flour, wheat
Stats: 228.4/209.0/170 Female 5'6"
BF:stl/too/mch
Progress: 33%
Location: NYC
Default

I'm happy for you that you've taken control of your body back into your own hands!

Annabel is also on thyroid meds and does find that she needs to eat the good carbs on SBD and exercise and she's finally been losing after a long while of no weight loss. I don't know how many grams she eats a day but will give her shout to come here and chat with you as she is very knowledgeable about her meds and her condition.

For now, when you get to phase II, you will be adding in starchy veggies as your starches and see how you do with them.
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  #4   ^
Old Mon, Jul-23-07, 08:03
joesfolks's Avatar
joesfolks joesfolks is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 3,231
 
Plan: general leaning toward Sb
Stats: 336/196/150 Female 5'4"
BF:gettin/down/there
Progress: 75%
Location: Grand Rapids, Mi
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I , too, have Hashimoto's. My endocrinologist was very happy to see that I had lost weight on my last visit to him. South Beach is not a low carb diet. It is a good carb diet. You can get all of the carbs you need from vegetable sources. You really don't need to go to the grains. I find that when I eat grains it causes cravings and stops my weight loss. Now, I don't know about the 30 carbs thing because on SBD we really don't count carbs. But IMHO it is important to watch to see which carbs (Even good ones) cause cravings and avoid them. Everyone will be different when it comes to figuring out which carbs to add back in. Some folks are very sensitive to certain carbs and will want to wait before adding them in. One little hint for you. Most dieticians will give you the food pyramid to go by. Just forget about it. Part of the reason that the food pyramid is so heavy with grains is because if the government advocated eating fewer grain carbs it would anger an awful lot of farmers. And farmers vote! Just do what works for you. No one knows your body like you do. Wishing you success.
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  #5   ^
Old Mon, Jul-23-07, 12:25
lovemyvet's Avatar
lovemyvet lovemyvet is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 455
 
Plan: whole foods
Stats: 280/166/167 Female 64 inches
BF:
Progress: 101%
Location: So CA
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Hey, Yvonne!

I can relate to what you are saying. I lost my first 50 pounds or so going quite low carb and my hair came out in clumps. I switched to SB, upped my carbs and that all cleared up. I also can't exercise at all if my carbs are too low.

Now, having said that, I think a big mistake many SBers make is adding grains back too fast. In Ph 2 fruit (like berries) should be added first. Add a second fruit in week 2. Then in week 3 add something like a sweet potato if you like. Grains should be the last thing you add in. In your case, there's no reason to rush into adding grains at all ~ you know they are a problem for you. SB is NOT low carb, it's good carbs, not white refined junk. I get frustrated that so many "professionals" call it low carb. There really are many similarities between SB and a healthy Mediterrenean diet.

That is so sweet of your husband and it sounds like he is supportive of you. DOn't feel bad about the diet from the gym. I looked at my gym's recommended diet and it was garbage IMO. You know your body better than any dietician. Lots of good veggies, lean protein, some fruit and you'll do fine. And don't keep your calories too low for very long ~ it will just slow your metabolism.
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  #6   ^
Old Mon, Jul-23-07, 12:55
2of3's Avatar
2of3 2of3 is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 294
 
Plan: South Beach Diet
Stats: 170/144/135 Female 165cm
BF:no idea
Progress: 74%
Location: Eng(er)land
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Quote:
In Ph 2 fruit (like berries) should be added first. Add a second fruit in week 2. Then in week 3 add something like a sweet potato if you like.


That's the advice that Judy gives and that's exactly how I did it this time.
Although I probably didn't do it in 3 weeks as I was cautious.
Now I'm up to 2 fruits and 2 starches.

Although I'm finding the starches a bit limiting as the only starchy veg I can find in my local shop this time a year are sweet potatoes and butternut squash. Swede (rutabaga) is out of season. Apparently it's a winter vegetable.

2/3
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  #7   ^
Old Mon, Jul-23-07, 13:18
LoveMyGSDs's Avatar
LoveMyGSDs LoveMyGSDs is offline
Strong Chicks Rock!!
Posts: 8,999
 
Plan: Atkins (total, not net)
Stats: 194/151.2/150 Female 5'5"
BF:35.8%/19%/17%
Progress: 97%
Location: MD
Default Carbs and thyroid (conversion of T4 to T3)

Broda Barnes
http://www.brodabarnes.org/

Quote
Quote:
Well, you know by now that a 'carb is just a carb'....isn't true, lol. This reasoning about getting that many carbs is from Dr. Broda Barnes' studies on conversion of T4 to proper amounts of T3. I will tell you that if you aren't optimally medicated with proper amounts of hormone, than you WILL lose slower. (Meaning a TSH under a 1, a FT4 and FT3 of midway of lab range OR high

Dr. Barnes' concluded that those with hypothyroidism who don't eat about 30 (NET...cuz Barnes even said around 50, but was talking GROSS carbs) have a lowered conversion of T4 to T3. Well, the conversion is what pretty much determines how your metaboloic rate is...so we want some conversion. I, on the other hand, do much better on a diet consisting of 30 NET grams of really good carb (that would mean NO SOY, omg, SOY will bind your thyroid hormones and keep them from working), veggie carb, fibrous veggie carbs.
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  #8   ^
Old Mon, Jul-23-07, 13:28
Judynyc's Avatar
Judynyc Judynyc is offline
Attitude is a Choice
Posts: 30,111
 
Plan: No sugar, flour, wheat
Stats: 228.4/209.0/170 Female 5'6"
BF:stl/too/mch
Progress: 33%
Location: NYC
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2of3
That's the advice that Judy gives and that's exactly how I did it this time.
Although I probably didn't do it in 3 weeks as I was cautious.
Now I'm up to 2 fruits and 2 starches.

Although I'm finding the starches a bit limiting as the only starchy veg I can find in my local shop this time a year are sweet potatoes and butternut squash. Swede (rutabaga) is out of season. Apparently it's a winter vegetable.

2/3


Peas are also a starchy veggie... as are turnips and parsnips too.

How about a little brown rice?

lovemygsds!!
Thats a really good post on conversion....thanks!!
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  #9   ^
Old Mon, Jul-23-07, 13:44
LoveMyGSDs's Avatar
LoveMyGSDs LoveMyGSDs is offline
Strong Chicks Rock!!
Posts: 8,999
 
Plan: Atkins (total, not net)
Stats: 194/151.2/150 Female 5'5"
BF:35.8%/19%/17%
Progress: 97%
Location: MD
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Judynyc
lovemygsds!!
Thats a really good post on conversion....thanks!!

You're welcome.

I'm a member of another board that has MANY hypothyroid members, so I can only take credit for cutting a pasting.
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  #10   ^
Old Mon, Jul-23-07, 13:49
2of3's Avatar
2of3 2of3 is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 294
 
Plan: South Beach Diet
Stats: 170/144/135 Female 165cm
BF:no idea
Progress: 74%
Location: Eng(er)land
Default

Thanks judy!

Hmmm. Peas. I can do peas. 75g according to the book.
I don't think that turnips are in season either.

I tried looking for swede in the frozen section but it wasn't there either.

I've got a confession to make:

I can't stand parsnips.

2/3
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  #11   ^
Old Mon, Jul-23-07, 14:58
Judynyc's Avatar
Judynyc Judynyc is offline
Attitude is a Choice
Posts: 30,111
 
Plan: No sugar, flour, wheat
Stats: 228.4/209.0/170 Female 5'6"
BF:stl/too/mch
Progress: 33%
Location: NYC
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by LoveMyGSDs
You're welcome.

I'm a member of another board that has MANY hypothyroid members, so I can only take credit for cutting a pasting.


But you can take credit for seeing good info and sharing it!!
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  #12   ^
Old Mon, Jul-23-07, 14:59
Judynyc's Avatar
Judynyc Judynyc is offline
Attitude is a Choice
Posts: 30,111
 
Plan: No sugar, flour, wheat
Stats: 228.4/209.0/170 Female 5'6"
BF:stl/too/mch
Progress: 33%
Location: NYC
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2of3
Thanks judy!

Hmmm. Peas. I can do peas. 75g according to the book.
I don't think that turnips are in season either.

I tried looking for swede in the frozen section but it wasn't there either.

I've got a confession to make:

I can't stand parsnips.

2/3


Ha!! I use them in cooking but haven't tried them mashed yet. I have had mashed turnips and they were very good!
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  #13   ^
Old Tue, Jul-31-07, 03:13
Annabel33's Avatar
Annabel33 Annabel33 is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 5,814
 
Plan: Carnivore
Stats: 319/195/175 Female 177
BF:
Progress: 86%
Location: GOC, Australia
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Judynyc

Annabel is also on thyroid meds and does find that she needs to eat the good carbs on SBD and exercise and she's finally been losing after a long while of no weight loss. I don't know how many grams she eats a day but will give her shout to come here and chat with you as she is very knowledgeable about her meds and her condition.



Helloooooooooo!

That whole 'carb' thing and how much to eat... Well it's different for different people, but in my experience it's quite rare for hypo people to lose on very low carbs. Dr H is an exception to that rule and I've met others..... but not many.

However, importantly, you must have optimised meds to be able to lose the weight. No matter what I ate before my meds were optimised, I didn't lose a pound... apart from a little water weight. Check out the first few pages of my journal if you want to see that happening.


Anyway, I have just been diagnosed as having Hashi's and I've switched from a T4 only med over to an 'Armour' type blend in the last few weeks... though I am very cold and running slower than I should be, so I'm starting that whole 'optimisation' thing again... Oh joy!

Anyway, I've managed to lose over 60lb so far... so I'm quite pleased by that.

I have never measured my carbs on this diet, I am afraid to say. But for each meal, I would have a 'large salad' and this would mean a dinner plate full of lettuce, cucumber, red peppers (I think they're called Bell peppers in the US), and some dressing - olive oil and balsamic. mmmmmmm!
I eat peas, green beans ... I have tomatoes too in the amounts specified in the book.
I probably posted pics of what I eat in my journal in the early days... Perhaps I'll do another and add it to the thread.

I think my main concern has not been so much the carb count (I consider myself to have lost most of my weight doing induction levels) but actually getting my gut moving!
Obviously us thyroid girls suffer constipation so I have to have a big salad to er... ease things through.

Since I've been exercising more and more, I eat more carbs.
I'll have a protein breakfast for example, but add in an orange or satsuma (they stabilise blood sugar) so I might have one or two a day. I might eat an apple in the afternoon as my snack, along with some cheese.


I'm also back to running and will be doing a marathon in a couple of weeks... my first in a very long time ...

Good health with hypo is possible and so is weight loss.

Let me know if I can help you with anything.


There's a good site here you might like to investigate.

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

It also has forums... the info there is excellent.

Last edited by Annabel33 : Tue, Jul-31-07 at 03:21.
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  #14   ^
Old Wed, Aug-01-07, 03:53
Annabel33's Avatar
Annabel33 Annabel33 is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 5,814
 
Plan: Carnivore
Stats: 319/195/175 Female 177
BF:
Progress: 86%
Location: GOC, Australia
Default

PS - I don't touch grains at all, if I didn't make that clear.

Wheat and gluten, bad for thyroid and bad for my stomach.
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  #15   ^
Old Wed, Aug-01-07, 09:25
Slainte's Avatar
Slainte Slainte is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 461
 
Plan: SBD
Stats: 170/169.5/145 Female 5'7"
BF:
Progress: 2%
Location: Rhode Island
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Annabel33
I consider myself to have lost most of my weight doing induction levels.
Hi Annabel

Just wondering, what is 'induction level' of carbs? I'm hypo too, and find that even with a healthy diet I can't seem to lose weight unless I cut out the carbs. So how much do you think is the right amount?

I was on Levothyroxine for a while last year and it did not agree with me (anxiety, dizziness, depression, shakes). Doctor switched me to Synthroid, started with 25, upped to 50 about 2 months ago. Still not feeling like it is enough. She seems happy enough if my TSH is 5, but I'm not! Getting bloods checked again this week and will see her next week. I asked about Armour last time, and she said if the Synthroid wasn't working we could think about it.

Quote:
Good health with hypo is possible and so is weight loss
That's what I'm hoping!
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