Losing weight is a challenge for everyone, but if you’re diagnosed with hypothyroidism, it can seem impossible. Hypothyroidism is basically the condition of having an under active thyroid. The main purpose of the thyroid hormone is to regulate metabolism, so when the thyroid gland is performing below average, symptoms will be consistent with a slow metabolism: fatigue, weight gain, lethargy and mood swings. Approximately 10 million Americans struggle with hypothyroidism, including one of our ambassadors. We reached out and asked her to share her story:
Let me tell you a little bit about me: My name is Carolina, I am 36 years old, I got married in December 2014 and I don’t have any kids. I lead a normal, at times stressful, yet happy life.
I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism when I was 13 years old. I went from 120 lbs. to 210 lbs. in the blink of an eye. Nothing fit me; I loved going out with my friends, but hated how I looked. I always kept a smile on my face but on the inside, I wished I looked like my friends or models. I was an in-the-closet insecure person. I always felt hungry. I had no clue about calories/carbs/protein/fats, all I knew is that when I was hungry, I ate until I was full. I ate because I was hungry AND because the feeling of being full made me feel good.In my mid-twenties, I began to yo-yo diet. I would go from 200 lbs. to 175, 150 and back up to 175. I didn’t really understand what I was doing with these yo-yo diets, all I knew is that according to what I heard and had seen, these diets “worked”. I would pretty much starve myself for a week or two, lose 5-10 lbs., then go back to my old eating habits and gain the weight right back, along with an extra 2-3 lbs. I felt like all I had to do was look at food and I would gain weight. It sounds funny, but at times I truly believed that.
Yo-yo diets don’t work long term. Diets in general don’t work for the long-haul. Weight loss is a lifetime journey. Being HEALTHY is a lifetime journey. Moderation is key!
I began to eat healthier. I stopped drinking soda. I now only drink water or seltzer. I cut back on carbs and fats. I went from 175-155 lbs. Two years ago, I joined Crossfit. I fell in love with lifting heavy! I really got into fitness, I made my Instagram all about healthy eating, and started to make workout videos. I mainly work on my lower body because it’s the biggest part of me. I make the videos to help motivate people to go to the gym or to just get up and move.
As soon as I started getting more and more into fitness, I made sure that my thyroid levels were on target. I felt that if I was doing all this work at the gym, that my thyroid wouldn’t “mess” me up and take me back to square one: not losing weight, feeling tired and hungry like I used to.
I still have a long way to go. I still don’t have any kids yet. And, I know when I have a baby it will be difficult as a person diagnosed with Hypothyroidism to lose the weight again. But, I know I will continue with my progress if I stick to taking my thyroid medication.
My motivation comes from within. I’m like you: sometimes all I want to do is eat, lay down and do nothing! But, I know that won’t get me to where I want to be. Because once you see results, it becomes an addiction to get better and better.
