CharmaineSchmidt's Journal, 13 March 2023

The amount of protein you eating. It can only be muscle. Remember the scale doesn’t know the difference between fat and muscle mass. You doing great. Please don’t feel disheartened. 

Thyroid issues = loads and loads of patience. Every change in meds / dosage sets you back a bit. I hate the “i am just not myself” feeling…… but it will also go away again. 🤗💚 

I've dealt with both thyroid and menopause, so I know it's frustrating. It's my understanding that the weight you gain in menopause comes off pretty readily afterward (mine did). You might also do a little research to see if they're undertreating your thyroid and whether you might benefit from pushing your TSH lower. I know I was undertreated for mine for a long time  

You might want to be patient with yourself and focus for now on just not regaining. Big hugs, I know it's hard! 🤗 

I had a quick read of your journey. I think you should read it too. You have come sooo far. Be proud of where you are now. Give yourself some time off to just destress. Keep a good balanced diet going. You will get there. 

Is your thyroid overactive or underactive? I had hyperthyroidism - an overactive thyroid and the doctors told me I would gain weight once the medication started to work. And I did gain, no matter what I did. But just for a short period of time and then things got normal. I think more people have hypothyroidism, or under active thryoid. I've never had to deal with that but people I know couldn't lose weight until the medication worked for them. If that's the case with you, maybe ask the doctor about the dosage. I know things don't happen right away in either case. 

Tak a look at the Pahla B podcust (she has a YouTube channel too) Not sure if I am allowed to share a link here, but you can just search her on social media. 

I have been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid and the doctor has put me on a reasonably high dosage of meds but he wants me to be on them for a least 6 weeks before he tests to see if the dosage needs to be adjusted. I have been gradually gaining weight for 11 months now, but of late it has just gotten ridiculous... I have been on my weight loss journey for well over 19 years now, and thought I knew everything there was to know... until thyroid and middle age hormones decided to teach me a lesson or two, I am trying to be patient but weight gain is such a difficult thing for me to accept, and it is making being kind to myself even more difficult... But this too shall pass and I will not give up. Thank you for all the supportive messages and advice it is absolutely greatly appreciated 🥰🤗 

It may take a while for them to get it dialed in, but you'll get there. Do know the newer standard for TSH is 0.3-3.0, not the old standard of 0.5-4.5. I had every symptom in the book, including weight gain, but I kept testing high "normal" by the old standard. I'd encourage you also to advocate for yourself if they go by the numbers and not by your symptoms. Even though 3.0 is considered normal, a lot of people feel better at 1.0 or so. Trust me, I know what you're up against with thyroid! Best of luck to you 🤗 

my mother is 51, she is beginning with menopause. has an underactive thyroid and high blood pressure with diabetes type 2, she is struggling to lose weight. I have started losing weight because of her to live health with her and walk this road with her. I see the disappointment in her eyes when we weigh in and she hasn't lost anything. she's also on a lot of medication. I wish you all the best because I know that this isn't easy. It's a hard, long battle. but remember, we will always support you and be by your side ❤️❤️❤️ 

I have been on my thyroid medication for years now and the only thing that has consistently worked for me is weightlifting heavy with eating at a deficit.  

Dont give up I have been struggling with getting my thyroid to function and lose weight for a while ... mine is due to an auto immune disease called Hashimotos which can effect insulin levels making you insulin resistant which also prevents weight loss ... I am now on thyroid meds, take Berberine complex for the insulin (maybe do a fasted insulin (not glucose) blood test ... and I am on the AIP Auto Immune Protocol diet and its finally coming right .... sometimes just thyroid meds just dont work on their own  

All your hard work and commitment WILL pay off. I’m sending you lots of hugs! 

You eat very healthy and exercise. You are focusing on your health which are more important. If you know that you have not cheated, ate healthy, exercised and drank alot of water... Then you shouldn't be too concerned about the number on the scale. You are doing all the right things. Eventually the weight will drop. Don't be so focused on the The number on the scale. Maybe measure yourself weekly. Scale can be water weight, muscle gain etc.  

Regarding the thyroid meds - I am asking this because both my mom and sister ate on Eltroxin. One thing they did not know and was not told by their dr is that one should not eat or drink anything within the 1st hour of drinking the meds. It does not work effectively if you do. 

Thank you to each and everyone for the amazing support and great advice, it is really greatly appreciated, fat secret is truly an awesome family🥰🤗, @rafiki.gs77 I do take my Euthyrox at least two hours before I eat in the morning. I am going to do my best to stay consistent with my balanced eating and exercise and actually try ignore the scale for a while...We ard relocating from Jhb to KZN in 2 weeks, this is stressful enough. Will concentrate on loosing the weight once we are settled in completely on the other side☺️ 

Dear Charmaine I can so sympathise. I too have gone into full menopause a good couple of years and had to go it without meds due to underlying conditions I.E. blood clots 😬 all I can tell you is you need to be kind to your body, hard core exercise no longer works but light weight strength training seems to be the way forward for us and try and stay away from stress as this ups the cortisol levels in short try and be patient. Unfortunately for me I only got to know all this long after I had picked-up so much weight. Today I am with a dietitian and the weight is very slowly coming down. But keep on you are on the right track, that I promise. Kind regards Leigh-Anne 

Keep your determination going💪& stick with your program. Try a cup of warm water 1st thing in the morning with ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, lemon juice & cayenne pepper. Adjust the quantities to your taste. Last thing at night warm water with ginger, cinnamon & teaspoon of honey... the sweetness also helps curb night cravings. All these ingredients have medicinal properties. Good Luck  

Sometimes metabolism kickstart/reset can help. Take 3 days, start with 8 hours sleep. Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day. Eat breakfast the same time every morning, eat your full calories for 3 days and do starter HIIT every morning. This one article said that if you are before exercise it helps with boosting metabolic rate. I often hit a plateau with cardio/walking so I have to change it up. 

I had the same problem, I control my sugar now and boom dropping weight. Forget supplements, get a good vitamin B, a good metabolism booster, and insulin regulation vitamin and you’ll be good