Dealing with weightloss and Hypothyroidism sucks....

As much as I would love to blame all my weight loss issues on my thyroid, I can't.  But there are some things involving weight loss and thyroid issues that I CAN blame it on and sometimes, its simply defeating.  The trouble I have losing this weight makes me absolutely terrified to gain any! I knew it was going to be hard - but in the past, I never had this issue.  Of course losing weight is never easy - with or without thyroid issues, I just don't remember it being THIS difficult.

For instance, lets talk falling off the wagon.  It happens.  You do AMAZING for a couple months then a wrench get tossed into your perfect little schedule.  Maybe you go on vacation, have a baby, get married, girls night out....stuff happens.   When I fall off the wagon, I can literally undo a couple months worth of work in a week.  Which of course goes down another path of depression and destructive eating.  I suppose the best way I can describe it is that a switch gets turned off.  And it's not until that switch gets turned back on that I can really get focused and back on track.  All of this can be related to my thyroid.  My thyroid does not produce enough hormones.  Some days it's just out of wack.

Fatigue.  *yawn*  There are days where I am so danged tired.  If I forget to take my medication for a couple days, or sometimes even a day, I notice it.  It's so strange.  I mean, I can be tired all day long, wanting to nap but come night time when I can sleep, no, I am wide awake.  But tired.  Does that make any sense?  I'm having a hard time finding the words to explain this.  Since switching to a more natural medication, Armour thyroid, it's much better.  But occasionally I'm barely there.

So what's a girl to do?  I've got 2 little boys and a house to clean, daily naps are not the answer!  Here are some things that have helped me: 

• Cut out sugar - this really helps with brain fog and mood swings
• Eat my fruits and veggies - Not only are these good for me, but they help aid in digestion.  Constipation and hard stools are a symptom of Hypothyroidism.
• Exercise - Could be as simple as walking for 30 minutes.  I feel better when I'm done.  This has helped not only my eating but also my depression
• Switch my medication - I had been taking Synthroid for years.  Then I read the book Hypothyroidism, Health and Happiness by Steven F. Hotze MD.  I switched to Armour (dessicated pig thyroid) and feel so much better.  It is really a night and day experience.
• Get a good nights rest - duh... this is a gimme. 
• Smile - even on days I don't want to.
• Have a support group - people who cheer me on and support me have been VITAL

My biggest struggles with thyroid would have to be depression and weight gain.  I'm lucky enough to have an AMAZING support system.   They wont let me quit.  I wont let me quit.  With the help of family and friends, and following my guidelines above, I know that I will succeed.  Quitting isn't an option.  My kids look up to me and I am becoming healthy for myself and for them.  No matter how hard it is, I will keep going.