08/05/2022
𝙏𝙝𝙮𝙧𝙤𝙞𝙙 𝙒𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙇𝙤𝙨𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘿𝙞𝙚𝙩 𝙎𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨
One of the most common struggles of people with thyroid disease is an inability to lose weight despite a healthy diet and exercise. If you can relate, you may feel like you are immune to the effects of even the most rigorous diet and exercise program. You might even find yourself gaining weight.
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙏𝙝𝙮𝙧𝙤𝙞𝙙 𝙇𝙞𝙣𝙠
The mechanism by which an underactive thyroid causes weight gain—or an inability to lose weight—isn't well understood, but several key factors are believed to be at play:
Somewhat slower metabolism
Lowered energy, resulting in less movement and exercise
Changes to the way your body processes, stores, and burns off fat and glucose
Tendency to hold on to fluid in tissues
For some people, a thyroid condition is the reason for unsuccessful weight loss efforts. And according to researchers, even slight shifts in thyroid function are linked to weight gain.1
If you have thyroid disease and are frustrated by your efforts to lose weight, take a look at some of the approaches that you may find helpful in overcoming these factors—and get on the right path to healthy eating and successful weight loss.
𝙊𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙡 𝙃𝙮𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙮𝙧𝙤𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙢 𝙏𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙄𝙨 𝙑𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙡
In some ways, no matter what diet or exercise approach you follow, you may find it difficult—or even impossible—to lose weight if you have undertreated hypothyroidism. Those who experience this and aren't yet diagnosed with thyroid disease may want to consider testing.
For some people with thyroid disease, it is not enough to get thyroid treatment that puts you into the "reference range." You may discover that you don't lose weight unless your thyroid hormone replacement treatment is optimized.2 So, as first step, partner with a knowledgeable practitioner and get optimal thyroid treatment.
𝙊𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙃𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮 𝙖 𝙆𝙚𝙮 𝙍𝙤𝙡𝙚
Some people with thyroid disease experience other hormonal shifts that can get in the way of successful weight loss. For example:
Those who are struggling with diet should learn about the impact of the hormones leptin and ghrelin on weight loss.
Insulin resistance, also known as metabolic syndrome or prediabetes, is a factor that can affect your ability to lose weight.
Your adrenal health, and in particular your production of the hormone cortisol, can have an impact on weight loss efforts.
𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙈𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙀𝙖𝙩 𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨
How much, or how little, you eat and when you eat are important factors that can affect successful weight loss for people with thyroid disease. New studies show that changing your timing of eating and the length of breaks between meals may help enhance your metabolism and promote weight loss.
And while we all know that calories often need to be cut for successful weight loss, they can be reduced too much, slowing metabolism. Find out if you are eating enough calories to lose weight.
𝙍𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝘽𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙘𝙨
Whatever diet or exercise plan you are following, there are two basic requirements that you should incorporate into your weight loss plan:
Get sufficient sleep. Studies show that this is one of the most important things you can do to help lose weight.
Drink enough water. Sufficient water intake and hydration is linked to more successful weight loss efforts.
