Thursday, May 31, 2007

South Beach is the Way to Go!!

After endless research the general consensus on the best diet for people who are hypothyroid is the South Beach diet. Finally I think I have found a way to success. I started yesterday and already I'm feeling better and noticing a lower number on the scale. Of course that could just be water weight but at this point I'm willing to take any encouragement! I have some errands ton run but I wanted to get a post in before I went since it has been several days. I will post some of my findings later today.

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Trying Combination Therapy For Hypothyroidism

After all I've read yesterday and today on Hypothyroidism I am kicking myself for waiting so long to educate myself. I have always just went along with whatever the doctor told me. I never even asked what my TSH levels were.I just took the medication the doctor prescribed and tried to deal with the symptoms that never went away or improved as best as I could. I am now learning that it is very possible that I have never been on the correct dosage of levothyroxine and that I may even need what is called combination therapy.

Combination therapy is a combination of synthetic levothyroxine T4 and synthetic liothyronine T3. The traditional treatment of Hypothyroidism is T4 only. That is what I have always been on. I tried to get one doctor to prescribe T3 about a year ago after reading an article in Fitness RX but he said no. My doctor now is more open to patient imput and I believe he will actually prescribe me a drug called Armour which is a combination drug containing both T3 and T4. I am going to make an appointment for this week and see if I can get this thing straightened out.

I always knew that it took a lot for me to lose weight after I became Hypo but I didn't think there was anything I could do about it. I have been reading and it seems that I am going to have a more difficult time than the average person to lose weight, but I have always known that. I tried to tell my Dad this but he thinks that I just eat too much. I may not make the wisest food choices but I do not eat a lot.

In the past every time I began a new diet or exercise program I would get real excited that THIS time I will actually lose weight. Three times in my life I have had to lose weight that I gained from being sedentary and I did not lose any weight until I got a job that was very physical. I had to be moving for eight hours a day to lose the weight. I love working physical jobs. I am good at it but right now my husband and I have decided it is best if I stay home and work form here. We can' t afford the extra gas, insurance and car payment. I do admit that since September I have not excercised like I promised myself I would but I should not have gained 46 lbs. I just didn't eat emough. I am praying that this new medication will help me to lose this stupid weight.

I am going to be doing more research about Hypothyroidism and become as proactive in my treatment as I can. There has got to be a better way than just settling for being fat!

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Can Anything Be Done About Hypothyroidism Weight Gain?

Hypothyroidism weight gain is caused by an under active thyroid. It afflicts millions of people every year. It is a result of a decrease in the production of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The pituitary is the gland that produces this hormone. The thyroid regulates the metabolism which helps to control weight. Without TSH in inadequate amounts, weight gain occurs. Often hypothyroidism weight gain is overlooked or attributed to some other underlying ailment. During my bout with hypothyroidism, I actually gained 20 pounds in 2 months.

Although hypothyroidism is easy to treat, losing the weight is sometimes difficult. The symptoms of gaining weight are often very subtle. As a result, physicians do not look to the thyroid first as the cause of weight gain. Sometimes the weight gain is so out of control that people take drastic measures to lose weight because they don't know they have a thyroid problem.

In order to get weight gain under control, you will need to work with your doctor to develop a medication, diet and exercise plan. The three are interconnected, meaning that one will not work without the other. The good news is the symptom of weight gain is one of the most treatable afflictions of the disease. It is just a matter of finding the right medication, diet and exercise program.

When you suffer from hypothyroidism weight gain, it is possible to lead a normal life. Your doctor will order blood tests usually every month for the first six months, then after six months and at one year intervals unless there is a change. This will help to make sure that the disease is being properly controlled. So it very important to stick to your diet and exercise program and take your medication as prescribed.

I normally recommend walking for exercise and a low carb diet. Walking is a very good way to increase metabolism and distribute the use of carbohyrdate and fats that are burned for energy. A low carb diet also increases metabolism because it takes more calories to burn protein and fat then to burn carbohydrates. Increasing the metabolism is the key to losing weight caused by hypothyroidism.

It is important to notify your doctor if you experience any sudden weight gain as it could be a sign that your medication needs to be adjusted. It is important to notify your doctor if you feel that you are loosing too much weight, as this could be an indication that your medication dosage is too high. This is also very dangerous to your health.

So in looking at the whole picture hypothyroidism weight gain can be controlled. The complications associated with hypothyroidism such as high cholesterol could lead to a heart attack or stroke. So therefore be sure that to follow up on regular blood tests, take your medication as precribed and follow your diet and exercise program because weight loss is possible.
About Author: Zandra Jones, RN BBA writes about health related issues and alternative treatment. Learn more about hypothyroidism weight gain at http://www-reverse-hypothyroid-symptoms.com.
Article Source: http://www.article-outlet.com/

http://www.article-outlet.com/article.detail.php/25103/196/Diseases and Conditions/Health/27/Can+Anything+Be+Done+About+Hypothyroidism+Weight+Gain%3F

Friday, May 25, 2007

Ups and Downs

Well, I don't even want to write about good days like yesterday because it seems the very next day is blah! I woke up sore from the workout I did yesterday so I knew I wasn't going to be doing any today. I got on the scale and it was up another pound! I hate that scale! And I looked on the calender and realized I didn't pay a fine for an expired inspection sticker so now my license is suspended! That's $85.00 that we definitely do not have!

I felt so good yesterday. I got things accomplished that needed to be done. Today I feel like I have just backslide into my old cruddy life. I just thank the Lord I'm not depressed! I feel like crud but I'm not in depression. Anyone who has ever been depressed knows what I'm talking about.

I've been doing a lot of research on hypothyroidism and weight loss for my new website and I believe that my medication must be very low. I mean I have been restricting calories and somewhat attempting to exercise and I cannot lose weight! I'm gaining still. That is a sure sign that my medication needs increasing. I plan to post a few of the articles after I get a chance to read them.

I was going to give up on my diet this weekend, it being Memorial Day weekend and all, but no I think I am going to stick to my program as closely as possible. I do plan on having country style pork ribs on Monday but if I don't gorge myself I should be fine. Tonight I'm having BBQ chicken and pasta salad.

I plan to enjoy this weekend no matter what!

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Life Is Good

Wow! I feel so much better today. I'm back on track, I'm not so overwhelmed with all the things I'm trying to do with my websites. I had a great and blessed outcome at a court appearance (some of the residual consequences of my addiction). And I got back to my course work for The Lord's Table. I also spent some time with my spiritual mentor. I was still in a lousy mood yesterday evening, that is always a symptom of going to court. But today I feel refreshed and renewed. God really has blessed me. There is no way I would be here with my beautiful family if not for the grace of God. I pray that I will not mess up!

Now that I feel so great I am going to exercise and do some more computer work.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Busy, Busy, Busy!!

I've been trying to get traffic to this website and my other one so I have been spending countless hours on the computer. It seems like for every hour I'm doing something related to my sites another hour is spent fixing the latest problem with the computer. All kinds of weird things keep happening, my keyboard seized up, I kept getting a popup of a file that wanted to be downloaded before it would open up Internet Explorer then it still wouldn't let me open up Internet Explorer. One thing after another. Plus all the wasted time looking for ways to drive traffic to my site. It's almost impossible to find a legitimate way to do that! Well enough whining for awhile.

I did exercise today. I did about 15 minutes on the elliptical and I did deadlifts, leg extensions, hammer curls, bentover rows and situps. I meant to get back on the elliptical trainer this evening but I got so caught up on this computer that I never made it.

I tracked my calories on Fitday today and I realize how little food that it takes to get my daily required calories. I just made it in at 1500 calories and I know that is a little high for me since my metabolism is so slow. I just don't know how I'm supposed to get it revved back up and still keep my calories low enough to actually lose weight. The stupid scale still isn't budging. I have to stand on it sideways so it doesn't say I've gained weight!

All in all it is getting pretty discouraging not seeing the scale move. I have to keep reminding myself that the other times I lost weight it took awhile for it to start happening. I just need to keep thanking God for all that he has given me and blessed me with. If I put all my focus on Him then I won't be able to get discouraged about the desires of my flesh (to look good for my own vanity not to be healthy the way God intended me to be). I need to remember to glorify Him in all things.

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Wow! Am I Out Of Shape!!

Today I had the motivation to exercise. I was on the computer and I realized if I didn't just get up and do it now I wouldn't. So I got on the elliptical trainer and all I could do was 7 minutes! I can't believe I let myself get this out of shape! Especially since I know how important exercise is for me. I had told myself when I stopped working that I had to keep exercising so I wouldn't gain weight. But first I was struggling with my addiction and then depression. Eventually I just sank into a pattern of waking up, sending my son off to school and then getting on the computer and staying there. Now that I'm trying to live in the will of God that is just not an option. I'm beginning to see that God wants me to take care of all things that he has blessed me with that includes my body.I'm going to get on the elliptical again in a little bit. I need to at least get 20 minutes in and do some weight training. By the grace of God and some obedience on my part(something I'm not too strong on) I'll get it done.

Friday, May 18, 2007

Lexapro Side Effects

I was on Lexapro for about 6 months. I was under the impression that Lexapro doesn't cause weight gain. I didn't even put two and two together until I decided to stop taking them. By then I was up to 155. I looked it up on the web and others had gained weight and had a difficult time losing it even after they quit taking it. They were exercising and dieting but they just couldn't lose the weight. So I have another obstacle to overcome! Lucky me!

Discouraged

Well today I stayed on track with my eating. I tried to do the Biggest Loser workout and my knees started popping and grinding! I can't stand that sound. So I just did some deadlifts and some bicep curls. I have some MSM coming in the mail so I'm hoping that will help with my joints. I got on the scale and it was back up to 166!Stupid scale. I've been eating right!! I guess this just shows me how important exercise is. And I know that I was just trying to do this the easy way. I need to keep asking God to give me the motivation to exercise. I've got to stop listening to my flesh. That is what always gets me into trouble. I need to take my thoughts captive.
Well back to the grindstone tomorrow!!

Thursday, May 17, 2007

2 lbs Gone

I was down 2 lbs today! I'm so happy! I really feel good about dieting now. I don't even want to stuff myself anymore (except at night). I'm still trying to figure out if it's mindless eating or that I want that full feeling. I think it is the later.
I didn't exercise today though. I had a pretty hectic day and by dinner time I was beat! Tomorrow is grocery shopping and that's always fun because I have to go to three different stores to get the sales. I also have to drop some paper work off at my attorney's office. And my 4 year old doesn't have school on Fridays so I get to take him all these places with me. I just need to keep praying for patience. I did that today but I still lapsed back into old behaviors. I get irritated so easily. I really did try not to let everything get to me but I must admit it did. It took about 2 hours after being home to calm down. Well at least I now recognize when I'm not walking with God. That is progress!

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

This is My Exercise and Diet Plan

Okay I'm going to write down how I plan to lose the weight this time. I plan to do the course work from Setting Captives Free at The Lord's Table. I have already begun. I eat 5 to 6 small meals a day comprised of a 3-4 oz serving of protein, a cup serving of complex carbohydrate and as much vegetables as I like. I will only eat enough to satisfy me. I will not gorge or eat mindlessly. By eating small meals it will keep my metabolism up and prevent me of going into the next meal starving. I will allow myself a small treat in the evening such as a 40 calorie fudge pop or a 100 calorie serving size pack of Hostess cupcakes. I am trying to do the Biggest Loser workout which looks very good. Today I walked up and down 8 flights of stairs so I figured that was a good start. After I begin getting more in shape I will add weight training because muscle speeds up the metabolism and it makes your body shapely.

Check out this site!

I found a great website that I think everyone should take a look at. Copy and paste it into your browser.I believe this is great weight loss support.

http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Another Day Dieting

Well I believe I did rather well today seeing that I wasn't feeling well. I stayed on track with my diet except for a chocolate swiss roll. When I am tried and don't feel well I am usually more hungry so I allow myself to indulge. I didn't exercise today. There was just no way I was going to even attempt that.
I feel good about the way things are going right now and I believe that it all has to do with my praying. Things are slowly starting to come together for me and I believe that it's all God's blessing.I can see his work everywhere in my life. I should not be here the way that I used to live my life. I am grateful that He has given me the opportunity to share the Good News.

Tomorrow I will write down my diet plan and my exercise plan.

Monday, May 14, 2007

Finally!!

I believe I am finally motivated enough to get serious about this weight loss thing. Last week I was totally off. I didn't even really try. And then yesterday being Mother's Day, well there is no way I was going to attempt to diet on that day. My family all loves to eat so whenever we get together that's what we do.
I have been praying and praying for God to bless me with the motivation to do this and today He has! I am so grateful. Last week I was feeling so guilty about not exercising and watching what I ate. But today I know I can do anything through the power of God.
What was really cool was in church yesterday the thought popped into my head "you are not living to the glory of God. God does not want you to make food a god. Everything you do should be to glorify Him." And I was suddenly hit with the desire to do that! This is something I have been struggling with ever since I was saved. I believe some of it had to do with the depression I had been feeling. I prayed for healing and I have been speaking it and it has come to pass. A couple great books that have helped me are
"Your Best Life Now" by Joel Osteen and "The Prayer of Jabez" by Bruce Wilkinson. I also have put lists of confessions up to speak everyday and that has helped also.
I feel so empowered today, it is amazing.
So far today I have had a handful of pretezels and a hard boiled egg.
I plan to eat a chicken salad for lunch and pork stirfry for dinner. I have 40 calorie fudgesicles and 100 calorie packs of Hostess cupcakes (so good) for a snake if I need one.
And now it's time to exercise!!!!

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Knowing (or not knowing) What I am Doing

I was just looking for an article that I wanted to post and I could not find one that I totally believed or that was relevant to where I am in my weight loss journey. I have read so many fitness and weight loss magazines that I have two entire shelves of my bookcase filled with them. That is after I gave about fifty away. I know exactly what I need to do to lose weight but I just keep putting it off. I have so many excuses. I am getting very disappointed in myself. I am just beginning to learn that if I pray about it God will help me. It just seems so selfish and petty. But I am reading and listening to different preachers who teach that that is exactly what God wants us to do. He wants us to ask him for everything.He wants to hear us talk to him about everything. We are his children and he loves us. If we ask and are living in accordance to His will he will bless our lives beyond our wildest imaginings. It may not be in our time or in our way but he always answers prayers.
I think I need to go pray now.

As you can see I need Motivation!!

Daily Weight Loss Motivation

By Ben Sather

When you are faced with the daily challenge of trying to lose weight, you will need to find ways to stay motivated every day. The factors that keep weight loss motivation high include your specific goals, your ability to envision what you want to achieve, and the degree of success you have in the beginning.



Daily motivation requires a special, concerted effort, and it is not always easy. One great way to keep weight loss motivation high is to find an Internet support group to check in with every day. There are many such chat groups and forums on the web.



Another idea is to keep a daily journal of your progress, struggles and success. You can keep a record of your daily diet or write in your journal about the journey and challenge of losing weight and the emotions connected to it.



Weight loss motivation will stay fresh with something tangible that you can look at to remind you of your goals. For example, you can tape a picture of yourself when you were at a more ideal weight to your refrigerator door. You can buy an outfit in your ideal size and hang it in your closet where you will see it every day. There are many books filled with affirmations and inspiration for dieters. Buy one, and read a bit of it every day.



The motivation to lose weight may not come from the same place every day. If you can develop some strategies for keeping your daily motivation high, you are much more likely to be successful and bounce back quickly if you have any setbacks. Whatever you ultimately see as your motivation for losing weight, you do not have to face the challenge alone.



There are resources and people available for anyone who takes the time to seek them. Make a daily commitment to do at least one thing in support of your goal, and you may soon find that the behaviors that support weight loss have become second nature to you!



About the Author: Ben Sather is the publisher of http://www.a2-weight-loss.com. You can publish this article if the author's byline is included and all links are hyperlinked.



Source: www.isnare.com

Friday, May 11, 2007

I need to do this EVERYDAY!!!!

Simple Exercise For A Bad Day
By Brett Riesenhuber

Some mornings I wake up, or just get up out of bed because I never slept that night. What I did was spend the whole night tossing, just trying to sleep. Motivation leaves a bit to be desired due to the fact that my eyes are half closed and drooping towards the floor. So the question of a workout comes to bear.

Do I even want to exercise? I tell you, I don't want to get out of bed. Sleep is desired, but it isn't happening anyway. Well since I still have an extra 15 pounds of 'winter fat' that I want removed from my abdominal area…guess I should do something.

What does one do in this kind of situation? Keep it simple and move your body.

Get out of bed, kill a couple double espressos, and go do something. Obviously I probably am not going to hit it like I would with the elusive full nights' rest, but something here is better than nothing…calorie intake will probably be the same for the day, if not more. So burning extra calories is the way to go. Being one of the top Fitness Professionals in the South Bay Area, I know that I need to burn an extra 3500 calories per week just to drop ONE pound of body fat. Based on that information, I should do something, anything!

Here is some good news in this case: an easy cardiovascular workout will burn a greater percentage of fat calories than a hard cardio session will. Wait, did I say that? Oh yes, that is right…and that is why we use target heart rate during aerobic exercise! Notice on the charts that your target is not 80-100% of your max, but 60-80%? That is because it has been shown that a higher percentage of the calories burned from fat during exercise can be obtained at the lower heart rate levels, and more carbohydrates (and even muscle) can be burned at higher heart rate levels!

Now about the length time to exercise…yea, you got it, have to go longer. We need to go a bit longer time length because we will be burning fewer calories at the lower level heart rate, but higher percentage of fat. BUT on this day the goal is just to do it! Just getting the lower intensity level session will burn a higher percentage of fat versus carbohydrates, as well as just burning something!

Remember that burning something on a bad day is better than burning nothing due to the bad start. PLUS you will feel better from the endorphins released during exercise!

So what to do? How about a walk? Take the dog out for a walk, or hit the park, par course, track, or neighborhood streets. Raining? Get an umbrella. Bored? Get an iPod. Cold? Wear a jacket or sweatshirt. Don't make the excuse, after all, you already are getting past the 'I'm tired' excuse!

The bottom line is that just getting out an doing some form of exercise on a bad day is better than doing nothing when it comes to health, fitness, and sustained weight loss.

Good luck in your program and go exercise!

By Brett A. Riesenhuber
©2007 PrimePhysique, LLC
http://SanJoseBootCamp.com/
http://PrimePhysique.com/

Brett A. Riesenhuber is the owner of Prime Physique Fitness Specialists and San Jose Adventure Boot Camp and is a certified personal trainer of more than 16 years. holding a Bachelor's Degree in Fitness and Business from San Jose State University. He is referred to as San Jose's Top Fitness Professional. His credentials also include Core Conditioning Specialist, Biomechanics Specialist, Functional Training Specialist, and Golf Fitness Pro.



Article Source: http://www.free-articles-zone.com

Thursday, May 10, 2007

www.dietandnutritionarticles.com

thyroid and your metabolism thyroid weight loss

Is A Thyroid Problem Making You Fat?


by Peter Rapport
Are you gaining weight unexpectedly? Are you not losing weight when you're doing everything right? What if you have hypothyroidism and you don't know it? When your thyroid is working against you, looking and feeling better is like trying to exercise with no energy.

As many as 25 million Americans have hypothyroidism. About half of them have no idea that they do. Millions more suffer this condition around the world. Hypothyroidism is the medical name for when your thyroid gland doesn't produce enough hormones.

The thyroid gland controls your entire body's metabolism. That means that your weight, you're hair, your skin, your sex drive, all sorts of things that go on in your body depend on your thyroid to work right.

When your metabolism doesn't work right because you have hypothyroidism, you may find that there's no amount of dieting or exercise that takes the weight off. You may actually gain extra weight, even though you're doing just what you're supposed to.

Your doctor may not recognize that you have hypothyroidism, because it causes such an incredible variety of symptoms that aren't obviously connected. Even blood tests don't always show this condition. People may blame you for what's not your fault.

If you have hypothyroidism, you can start taking control yourself. Hypothyroidism doesn't just lead to weight problems. It can cause anything from depression, headaches, and lack of concentration and memory problems to rough, dry hair and even hair loss.

As well as diarrhoea and loss of appetite to infertility, irregular menstrual periods and loss of interest in sex. and that's not a complete list. Because there are so many kinds of symptoms, and because not all of them appear in everyone, doctors often don't diagnose hypothyroidism.

They may treat you for a problem you don't have. They may even just send you home and tell you to take better care of yourself.

Prescription medications for hypothyroidism have caused many different side effects, including allergic reactions, vomiting, chest pains, headaches, diarrhoea, insomnia, cramps and fevers.

The possible causes of hypothyroidism can include exposure to unnatural toxins in our environment including chemicals, radiation, drugs, pesticides and excessive consumption of saturated fats.

It's especially important that products to treat this are all natural and contain only natural ingredients that have not been found to cause any side effects. That contain Ingredients to help you get your thyroid back in balance and treat the symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Once hypothyroidism starts, it never goes away. Neither do the symptoms if they're left alone. If you don't treat them; they just get worse and worse. You can't beat an under active thyroid with just will power and it won't get better if you just ignore it.

If you have the symptoms of hypothyroidism and they tell you to just take care of yourself, then do it! Act now to work towards looking better and feeling better.

About the Author

For more information on THYROMINE FOR YOUR THYROID HEALTH and to subscribe for "Free Health News," Discounts and Savings.

Peter Rapport writes on a variety of subjects for
http://www.behealthee.com For Your Natural Health Source. The Specialists In Herbal Products To Help You In Different Areas Of Your Life.

Article Source: Content for Reprint

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

DAY 2

Day 2 on my new diet. Here we go again. I lose by working a very physical job. I quit. I don't change my eating habits and become very sedentary. I gain. I have tried so many diets and diet pills I should have bought stock and I would be sitting pretty on my big fat hinney! The problem I think I have is that by the time I have gained a bunch of weight my metabolism has slowed down so much that I can't lose by just dieting. Most people don't believe this can happen. But it can. I have read studies where 20 different people are all put on the same diet and they do not all lose at the same rate.It is not just about calorie intake. it is also about how your metabolism is.But I am going to try again and I just hope I haven't waited too long since being active to get my metabolism back up.
I had been doing great all day until after dinner, I had the munchies so I ate 3 chicken tenders. Bad choice. So now I am stuffing my face with carrots. It's getting late and this is my worst time for snacking. Hopefully I can resist the siren call of the pantry.
Wish me luck. Tomorrow is another day!
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