FOFs -- hypothyroid

Hi! A few weeks ago I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, which made me gain quite a bit of weight over the last few months to a year... I hadn't changed much about my lifestyle or diet (which was relatively healthy always) but was gaining weight more than ever and losing it has been ever so difficult, hence the thyroid testing. Now I'm not looking for dieting or excercise tips, I've been doing that pretty well over time and managed my body perfectly. I've even tried keto now but am just staying the same !! I am currently taking Eltroxin (T3) which was prescribed to me which has only really prevented the fatigue I was getting. I'm also taking it in conjunction with Thyroid Complex and Selenium. Cut out all the foods bad for hypothyroid (cruciferous veg like broccoli, no more soy etc). Staying this way is really frustrating and when I am eating my absolute top form it is SO slow I am beside myself now:( I just want to know, could I take a course of F**k Off Fats just as a motivator to speed things up a little. Then from there I will obviously continue my "thyroid-friendly" lifestyle (minus the stress, lack of sleep etc that led to this). FOFs don't affect the thyroid, right? Please help!

If you are not losing fat then adding fat burners will only add strain to your body. You are not getting results because there is something very wrong with your approach. The role of the thyroid in weight loss is very much overrated and there are super studies to prove it! Post your diet and your training then I will help you find the problem.

So you saying the FOFs won't help, not even for short term?? To be honest over the last year I was on various diets and excercise plans cos I was going into a panic and was stressed at work and kinda made more of a mess of everything... I maintained my weight before. Over the last 2 weeks I was eating pretty low carb: eggs, bacon and mushroom for breakfast, salad or ryevitas with tuna for lunch and dinner is usually chicken and roast veg with a side salad. I only lost 1kg after all this time. I don't have a gym membership at the moment so I've just been running, lifting light weights I have at home and doing some hiit and toning excercise I have seen online but not much happening. I read that running not actually the best thing for the thyroid because of the high cortisol, adrenal fatigue etc, but right now I guess it kinda just makes me feel not useless when I run a bit... I dunno- is it that bad? My mom says she can see a difference in me but I am getting discouraged by this terribly slow hand I've been dealt with! I know it's not going to be overnight and I have to work twice as hard and all, but is there absolutely nothing that will help this be a more pleasant rapid process!?? Your advice is greatly appreciated.

You were dealt not a bad hand simply a different hand. So did I. The trick is to learn how to play the hand that you have been dealt, and you have not done this. You have two options- you can go lie down and sulk and blame everything on bad luck, or you can man up and stand up against all odds. Why the latter? Because in the future you will reach your goal. Maybe not tomorrow maybe not next month, but that day when you reach your goal inspite of the hand you were dealt that victory will be so much sweeter than someone who gets everything on a plate! Think about hollywood celebrities- they have everything a person could wish for. Money, the hottest girls/guys fall over themselves for you, holidays 10 times a year in 7 star luxury. But are they really happy? Most of them on cocaine or meth or a cocktail of drugs like Leonardo diCaprio in The Wolf of Wallstreet. Why is this? I think because they have nothing to strive for. Nothing to achieve anymore. They simply exist without furthering themselves. They got that way probably just because they were born beautiful. You know what? That sucks! I would much rather be the trooper who looks like a greek god inspite of everything! So which one would you like to be?

Your problem is your diet and your training. It is shit. Noone on this forum will be able to lose weight like that and even the guy with the Royal Flush genetics will struggle.

Wow bro. Awesome words. Real inspiration.
If that doesn't get me in the gym nothing will. Wow

Yes bud end of the day winners don't bitch and moan. They keep getting up until they succeed!

Winners never quit and quitters never win.

Lol words to live by. That is some rad tough love right there! Thanks, that's pretty inspirational. I refuse to throw in the towel! So I am a female age 23, weighing 75kg and I was 55kg.... Eeeek! Just trying to get back down to at least 60kg for now... A long way to go. I've tried various things that worked incredibly slowly for me... I know nothing is overnight but after the little bit that has helped I literally plateau for eternity. I stumbled across intermittent fasting the other day and have been doing some research to see if other people with HYPOthyroidism also do it and I found many that do and are successful with it and have improved their t3 levels with this and even got to lowering their dosage of hormone replacement. What do you think of trying that out like twice a week (they say if HYPOthyroid don't do over 16hour fasts) so would do that a follow a calorie controlled low carb diet with a bit of weight training, core conditioning and some cardio. What do you think?

@fitspo: Hey there, go over to our dieting stickies and have a read, that should save some time and effort in this thread. We can asses from the little info you have given us that your diet is not up to scratch for optimal fat loss. Diet is extremely important in weight-loss and there are plenty easy things you can tweak that will have an impact.

First, fix your carb intake; you’re on the right track by lowering carbs, so limit them to only good carbs after your workout. If you don’t work out in the mornings, don’t have carbs for breakfast. Stick to egg whites and other low calorie and healthy proteins. For lunch, the tuna is a good idea, but depending on workouts, cut the ryvitas unless you feel lethargic later then you might have to have a small about of carbs at lunch. (I’ve found in general something like 2 ryvitas is ok for low carbing, but stay away from Provita and other crackers, they are actually quit dense for their size and not worth it – they don’t satisfy your hunger enough). Don’t cut out broccoli completely, it alone is not responsible for your low thyroid levels and crufercious vegetables are important for satiety and fibre. Regarding you roast veg at night, limit yellow/ orange coloured veg like pumkin, carrot ect – they are actually quite starchy. Keto works but, a word of caution: it’s rather advanced and a lot of people gain back most of the weight they loose because coming out of keto is a delicate process. I have used Intermittent Fasting to great success and continue to use it as it fits my awkward lifestyle and working conditions. It’s a hot topic of debate on these forums. I would say you can give it a try but only later – get your base diet and workouts in line first!

Regarding workouts, you are not lost, go over to Project Swole or Breaking Muscle for HIIT/ HIRT and tabata style workout ideas, or google “Tabata” and “High Intensity Resistance Training”. You’ll find a host of workouts and regimes you can try out that will work well. Gym membership is always preferable, but this is working with what limited equipment you have available.

As far as fat-burners go, they all work to a lesser degree, although only really required when dialling into really low bodyfat. You mentioned a difference between 75 and 55kg, so there is a great deal you can do without touching pills. For now make sure you drink 3+ cups of green tea a day and get some caffeine in before your workouts (pills or pure coffee, cheap instant coffee is just chicory and dextrose). That ought to give you a bit of a kick for working out.





@Pyro: Hey man, I have to disagree and I find a problem how you are approaching fitspo’s challenges. The girl doesn't need to be broken down or shown her place. She has identified something that potentially holds her back and is looking for ways to reach her goals in spite of this, thus she came to people experienced and knowledgeable about the subject, asking for advice and direction.

I see no problem with wanting to broaden your knowledge and checking whether an idea/solution will help and is advisable. You don’t need to scorn her to motivate her, because it seems you were aiming for motivation in your post, but you approached it incorrectly. It feels like you are amping yourself up more than her. I didn't expect that type of attack from a moderator towards a newbie member. As for Jordan Belfort, or (“Leanardo De Caprio in Wolf of Wall Street” as you put it), I find it difficult to see how you cannot find him inspiring to some extent. Belfort found creative solutions (albeit morally questionable) to accomplish his goals and further himself. He kept pushing himself to accomplish more and more, never satisfied – always hungry. Doesn't this sound familiar? I’m surprised not more people can relate to this. The drug chasing was just one of his pleasures and addictions; it doesn't make him hollow because he has so much cash that he can blow boat loads on recreational drugs. He wasn't given everything on a platter, and you’ll find a lot of celebrities and movie stars also had tremendous struggle to achieve their status – it’s what they do with once they get there that separates groups. As for pleasures: don’t we also find certain pleasures and rewards in lifting and sculpting our bodies? Strength, aesthetics, sheer size, endorphin release, the pump, attention- c’mon, there is satisfaction next to the sacrifices and effort you put into working out.

@Furk, wow thank you for taking the time to type such an informative message, will def be using some of your good advice given here. I think how I ate and exercised before (which was always pretty good) worked for me THEN obviously and I thought I could keep to my old ways and just modify things a bit to make this work for me, but seems like I actually really need to restructure the way I am doing a lot of things. I am really trying to tackle the hypothyroid and also get my body back so good advice for this is always great as this is very new to me. I take Thyroid complex, selenium and zinc in the morning; got myself some kelp powder to sprinkle over my food (for the Iodine) and I take my Eltroxin in the evening about 2hours before bed (recently discovered the bioavalability of this is better at night) . So hopefully all that will get my t3 in check – apparently my TSH levels are normal. Maybe I won’t do the keto then but lean more towards a Paleo/Mediterranean food plan which is still pretty low carb. Is it ok if I have like ONE fruit a day? I usually only eat apples. Once I get this right, I’m going to experiment with the IF. 5:2 is a pretty cool method, 2 fasting days a week with 16hour fasts and only 500 calories in the 8hour eating window. What do you think? For me it actually kinda seems like a lot less to think about than a ketogenic diet which I find kind of obsessive. And apparently with a regular sort of “5 small meals a day diet” isn’t the best way to go either cos you will be constantly spiking your insulin levels. Shakes were not being digested very well for me anymore so I’m rather going to stay away from all that – even the soy free ones.
Will cut the ryevitas. Ok what do you think of this:

Breakfast:
1 x chopped apple 100g plain Bulgarian fat free yogurt sprinkled with 1tsp cinnamon 1x boiled egg

Lunch:
Salad with boiled egg, ¼ avo and half can of tuna
OR Green chicken curry made with Hawaaian stir fry and green beans (without rice/noodles)

Dinner:
100g Chicken/Fish with small side salad and a little bit of roast veg (usually made of beetroot & a little bit of sweet potato)

Ok, so what are your thoughts on this? I seem to do better without any in-between snacks. But maybe you could suggest something I could add in or have around as a snack just in case. Maybe a tbsp of coconut oil 2/3 times a day. I watch a lot of YouTube vids of Stephanie Person, who leads a keto lifestyle -- you should check her out -- - She says we shouldn't really eat seeds/nuts, so I try not go out of my way to include nuts in my diet, but then again won't avoid them comletely. Planning on starting my plan listed above after I go grocery shopping this week. Any modifications? Advice? Also will drink 8x glasses of water a day and green tea plus 1 or 2 cups of filter coffee with fat free milk and one sachet of sucralose….
Can I still do a little bit of jogging for some cardio? Will check out those channels… Hmm have never tried HIRT, only HIIT which kills me lol Kinda hate it… Not that exercise is meant to be wonderful… But HIRT seems more manageable. Would it be good to add DHEA to my supplements for some energy and to avoid adrenal fatigue? Appreciate the tips and your time. Thank you!

Furk wrote: @Pyro: Hey man, I have to disagree and I find a problem how you are approaching fitspo’s challenges. The girl doesn't need to be broken down or shown her place. She has identified something that potentially holds her back and is looking for ways to reach her goals in spite of this, thus she came to people experienced and knowledgeable about the subject, asking for advice and direction.

I see no problem with wanting to broaden your knowledge and checking whether an idea/solution will help and is advisable. You don’t need to scorn her to motivate her, because it seems you were aiming for motivation in your post, but you approached it incorrectly. It feels like you are amping yourself up more than her. I didn't expect that type of attack from a moderator towards a newbie member. As for Jordan Belfort, or (“Leanardo De Caprio in Wolf of Wall Street” as you put it), I find it difficult to see how you cannot find him inspiring to some extent. Belfort found creative solutions (albeit morally questionable) to accomplish his goals and further himself. He kept pushing himself to accomplish more and more, never satisfied – always hungry. Doesn't this sound familiar? I’m surprised not more people can relate to this. The drug chasing was just one of his pleasures and addictions; it doesn't make him hollow because he has so much cash that he can blow boat loads on recreational drugs. He wasn't given everything on a platter, and you’ll find a lot of celebrities and movie stars also had tremendous struggle to achieve their status – it’s what they do with once they get there that separates groups. As for pleasures: don’t we also find certain pleasures and rewards in lifting and sculpting our bodies? Strength, aesthetics, sheer size, endorphin release, the pump, attention- c’mon, there is satisfaction next to the sacrifices and effort you put into working out.

What are you on about? Everything I say or said is to help our members and nothing there is breaking anyone down. Do you think I am here for the money? I did not say she is shit I said her diet and training is shit and that is why she is struggling so. She was run down and demotivated so she needed to hear her problem clearly. If she is so sensitive that she cannot handle some straight forward criticism (which she clearly isn't) then life must be tough. So you can just pipe down there. If you got offended because I insulted your role model then that is your problem.

@Fitspo: Go and read the dieting stickies to give you some good background on how a diet should look like. These are the basics and one needs to master the basics before moving to the advanced. Like when you build a house you don't start with the roof. If you have any questions do ask.

Lass u cannot cardio away a bad diet...jogging for fitness if not overdone = good cardio will only work once the diet is in check U dont seem to want to go and compete just loose 10 kg or so ...try reading Atkins / Banting / Noakes diets which are all versions of Keto but remember there are stages to these diets ...fat and protein green veg for 2 to 6 weeks then add colourful veg then starch ..rice ,potatoe,pasta and then even fruit ..till u stabalize then back off a little with the starch if u want to continue loosing ..when u reach maintenance/stabilize with carbs that is were u stay..for life ..u can pig out once a week with carbs as a cheat meal then back to maintenance...dont be scared of saturated fat in the begining it makes u full quicker and burns for fuel use omega 3 sups as well ...goodluck and remember a lot of men like curvy figures ...


Pyro there are a lot of very rich happy chappies in hollywood bru ...

According to Heat Magazine and Huisgenoot. Mike the context of what I said is to motivate someone, not as a documentary on whether Hollywood Celebs have found inner peace. I will leave that for GQ magazine.

@fitspo: Calculate your daily protein needs and make sure you don't drop below that, the rest is up to experimentation (up to you) but try and follow the guidelines - they are there cause they are proven effective methods (but not the only). So go for the 5/2 fasting if you can make it work.

Beetroot and sweet potato are starches, I would avoid those at night. Looking at your daily menu it really looks like you need to add more protein. IMO increase green salad and green veggies and decrease the default "roast vegetables".

Hope it helps.