[cathycnm]

#1073023

erobinson – It is daunting. First, I will start with the lesson my dietitian mom taught me over and over – it takes 3,500 calories to make a pound of fat. So, 3,500 calories of extra food – or 3,500 calories less burned off when our heart and other metabolic functions slow. Think about it – that is a lot of calories. The best weight loss comes from adopting a lifestyle change we can live with forever – be it eating healthier or increasing exercise or both. For most women – 1-2 pounds a month is actually pretty good – I would say no more than a pound a week if you are not robbing yourself of nutrition. I always suggest talking with a dietitian, though, for an individualized plan. And of course – your doctor to be sure it is time to start the process.

That said – I can tell you that I put on my weight while I was still hyper. I was up 7 times a night and more irritable than an elephant with PMS. So – thinking it was job stress – I was started on remeron. I slept like a baby – I was exhausted enough that, with the med, I slept 12 hours a day. And my appitite increased. So, in about 2-3 months, I put on 15 times 3,500 calories. Spring came, and I felt good enough to cut the Remeron in two (I think I had SAD on top of everything else). I began to garden, hike – all my normal activities. By June – I was only a few pounds above my normal weight. Then was when the found the hyperthyroidism/Graves – from a bone scan that did not improve with the latest, greatest osteoporosis med. It was early and mild enough that I kept some physical activity going through the summer. I was blessed – because I know many cannot do this. I felt a race with not letting my bones get worse – so I balanced lots of mellow slow walks and frequent pulse checks to get through. I only slowed down when I was hypo and on beta blockers – which made my pulse so low it was a real cardiac risk. I have not lost any more weight. Part of me would like to loose another 5-10 pounds – but it is protective to be a little more on the high side with BMI with osteoporosis – so I now focus on just keeping my exercise enough to build bones and good nutrition (which has slid with full time work and going back to school).

That said – my pedometer has worked well. It gives me instant feedback on my steps and the calories burned. It works well for me. Others like the gym machines. I just really like the instant feedback with exercise – it is motivating. Again – be sure to check with your doctor on exercise and a dietitian can help on the diet side. My best to you – let us know how it goes.

[erobinson219]

#1019638

As someone who is facing the need to lose about 50 pounds, I would love to hear from those who have any success stories to share around this daunting task. What works and what is realisitcs to expect as far as how long it takes.

[Kimberly]

#1073024

Hello – One of the attendees at the NGDF conference last year said that she had gained 60 pounds post-RAI and then lost the weight by focusing on exercise and eating lean proteins. I don’t recall how long it took her to lose the weight, though.

I am a Weight Watchers lifetime member, and am weighing in every week to try and stay on track in getting back to my goal weight. If I stick to the program, I lose anywhere from 2/10ths of a pound to 8/10ths of a pound per week. The slow pace is frustrating, but I know that I will get there eventually if I stick with it. What’s *really* aggravating is that if I have one bad week, it seems to take about 3 good weeks to undo the damage. That is SOOOOO unfair!

[elf]

#1073025

I’m 10 lbs down since last month, 25 lbs more to go! lol

I ate. It was not just Synthroid’s fault. So I’m 150 lbs now, and I have to watch calories.

[cathycnm]

#1073026

Elf – Good point. All weight loss gain is a matter of calories in vs calories burned. When we are hypo – our metabolisms just don’t burn as much. Fortunately, thyroid replacement hormone stabilizes this once our levels are stable. It is that our metabolizisms are slow for a while that is the problem.

I saw my PCP after RAI to talk about weight – and it was basically a reaffirmation to focus on calories in/calories burned. I thought about going off the antidepressant thinking that if that caused a 20 pound gain and hypothyroid caused a 20 pound gain, I could get in real trouble (I am 5’1"). I have exercised more this winter than ever – the snow and cold usually cause a cyclic decrease in exercise. This winter – I stuck with 8-10 thousand steps a day even when that meant taking my i-pod and dancing around the living room for 2 hours. I think I wore a hole in my carpet.

I think weight watchers is wonderful!!!! Great idea. Cathy

[erobinson219]

#1073027

Thanks for the replies. My doctor today suggested using the "Take Shape for Life" program which uses "Medifast" for the food program. Is anyone familiar with this? http://www.tsfl.com

[randolphj]

#1073028

My friend is a nutrionist and she recommended getting a resting metabolic rate test. This way, as you are treated for whatever condition you have, you can get the test every 6 months to year and as your metabolism changes with treatment, you can see what your new calorie intake should be. My friend said you can find nutritionists in your area to give you the test and then develop an eating program. This way you get a customized program and one that will give you the optimal mix of protein/carbs/fats, etc. Also, I recommend this book: Choose Your Foods: Exchange Lists for Weight Management by the American Diabetes Association and American Dietetic Association. I am sure docs have it for free and it is really cheap if you order online. It tells you what the serving sizes should be for all types of food, even restaurant food.

[Ski]

#1073029

I’m going to reply to this last message in a new thread ~ look for it on the main forum list under "Son just diagnosed".

[erobinson219]

#1073030

I am interested in the idea of going to a nutritionist. No one ever eecommended that to me before. Does insurance cover that? What doe it cost and how often does one need to usually go?

[janetvj]

#1073031

I am very interested in this topic. I have not had the RAI treatment – at least not yet. I’ve been on tapazole for a little over a year, and my levels are now within the "normal" range. However, I’m definitely feeling hypo, and have been working with my endocrinologist on that. He’d like me to stay on the meds for a while longer before seeing if I have gone into remission. I hate the way the meds make me feel. I used to be fairly active, and always kept my weight in check. But I have picked up more than 40 pounds since I have been on the meds, and I believe it’s a combination of the fatigue and lack of stamina, along with the lowered metabolism. But I also can’t ignore the fact that since this has all happened, I’ve developed a HUGE sugar craving. I never used to eat sweets, and now I can’t resist them. I think this is my body trying to make up for the lack of energy, and I think a lot of it is related to the tapazole and the repressing of the thyroid. Am I off base here? And what, if anything, can I do about trying to jump-start my physical acitivity while being so wiped out, and at the same time trying to stick to a healthy diet?

[Author]

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