Can a 40+ Woman with Hypothyroidism Lose Weight?

Background

I’d like to start this off by thanking my parents for some good genes.  I’ve been able to carry 40 extra pounds pretty well.  I don’t look awesome, but I don’t look heavy.  That has been a good thing since during the last 10 years that I’ve tried and tried to lose weight I’ve been able to conceal victories and losses pretty well.  It has also been a bad thing in that any time I’ve mentioned my desire to lose weight someone always says something about how I “have an ounce or two to lose?” while rolling their eyes.  Not much sympathy from the crowd, I’m afraid.  Neither have they been very supportive.  

But deep inside I know that I have always felt healthiest between 125 (post 2 kids, never exercise, don’t need to) and 135 (post 3 kids, lift weights and do aerobics—smaller than ever and feeling awesome). 

It has been really hard to see the weight creep up and up after my 4^th child and my hypothyroidism diagnosis, topping out at 172 last summer.  My husband has seen my frustration and has been very supportive through the years.

I have been trying all year to exercise consistently and eat better.  And my efforts have paid off.  Since my all-time high last summer I lost 10 pounds and a little off of my hip and waist measurements.  It has taken a long time to lose those 10 pounds and it is all too easy to gain them back so I have to be careful.  But since I now know that I’m a stress eater it’s all too tempting to throw it all out the window during a bad day. 

6 weeks ago I watched my husband begin the Take Shape for Life 5:1 eating plan.  He started the plan just before we had some family plans to eat at a specific restaurant and just before we had an already scheduled family pizza night.  It was hard to fulfill the commitment to the kids and watch my husband longing for just a taste and finally leaving the table so he could remove himself from the temptation.  Since then I have tried to show my support in not having treats and unhealthy snacks in the house at all.  That has made a big difference for me too.  Not having convenient snacks around for stressful times has made it easier to ask myself if I’m REALLY hungry?  Or just feel like eating for no reason?  That awareness has allowed me to answer honestly—that actually I’m not hungry at all—and I can wait for the next meal with no problems.  

My husband started drinking tons of water so I did too.  He started eating a “lean and green” dinner so I did too.  And I saw some great results, losing a few more pounds, even though I’m not able to exercise as much as I’d like to (stupid heel injury).

My overall goal is to get somewhere back in the 125-135 range where I have felt my best.  So I’ll just say a 20 to 25 pound loss is what I’ll be working for.  My husband is now a certified TSFL Health Coach and has agreed to help me in my efforts.  It’s SO nice to have that support.

June 13, 2014: The Experiment Begins

Today I begin the big experiment.  I’m starting the TSFL 5:1 plan.  I weighed in at 155.4—the lowest reading the scale has given me in years!  The changes I’ve made in recent weeks have given me a great head start and have helped me to develop eating strategies that will help me to adjust. 

I do love how easy Dr A has made the plan to follow.  I’m a “stay at home mom” which means I spend most of my afternoons in the car shuttling kids from place to place.  Having a meal replacement bar in my purse will definitely make it easy to stay on the program.  I believe that my biggest challenge will be the temptation to cheat.  I know that cheating can make it take longer for my body to enter “fat burning mode” and will kick me out of that mode once I finally get into it.  So I really need to remain self disciplined in order to maximize results during the 6 weeks that I have the Medifast meals.

June 16, 2014: Progress Already?!?

I’ve already lost 2 pounds!  That’s amazing to me since it is usually SO hard to get the scale to budge downward.  Hip and waist measurements confirm it.  

I love the fast results because I understand that day 3 or 4 tends to be the toughest for people.  Day 3 (yesterday) I felt a bit weak and today I just feel like eating.  Anything.  And lots of it.  But knowing that it’s a common hurdle makes it easier to keep it in perspective.  The hungry feeling is just a temporary thing and that if I stick with the plan I should feel better tomorrow.  And knowing that I’ve lost 2 pounds already makes me want to keep trying. 

The food is pretty good so far.  A few things have been underwhelming, but not bad.  I love the bars—any flavor.  The pretzels and puffs are pretty good.  I like the pudding and cookies the most.  Did I mention that I’m a stress eater with a sweet tooth?  I was gone all day on Saturday but it was easy to stick to the plan.  I just had to throw a few “meals” into my bag and I was all set.

I keep thinking back to my past.  When I was still in High School I used to work after school at a Doctor’s office making copies and doing general filing.  I remember seeing several “before” pictures of people as they began their Doctor-supervised Medifast programs.  

As the weeks went by I’d file reports and photos of the same people making incredible changes to their bodies and health.  I remember being impressed that this was such a great tool for those who were very overweight.  Now I really appreciate that a person can buy everything directly from someone who can coach them to success.  And that person doesn’t need to be so at-risk to be considered.  This is open to anyone who needs to make some positive changes—even if it’s 20 pounds.  Of course a Doctor should be consulted.  And Take Shape for Life repeats over and over that typical results show that people can expect to lose 2-5 pounds in each of the first two weeks and 1-2 pounds in each of the following weeks.  That can really add up.

June 17, 2014 -- I. Am. Stunned.

To follow up on yesterday’s post, I made it through the day, sticking to the plan.  My evening snack was a really, really good brownie—the perfect reward for hanging in there.  And it was lovingly prepared by Boyd—my husband and coach.  The result?  This morning I’m down another pound, verified by smaller measurements in the waist and hips.  I. Am. Stunned.  

Did I mention that it has been really tough in the past to lose weight?  Did I mention that I’ve been dealing with hypothyroidism for 10 years?  Did I mention that I’m over 40?  Did I mention that I have a heel injury that limits me to walking for my exercise?  None of that seems to matter with this plan.  I’m losing weight and inches in the “typical” range of what is predicted.  And it has only been 4 days!