going to be brave.

N

NeuroRN76

0
Well I guess I will share of few of my pics.

First of all, let me explain my situation. I have always been naturally thin, never worked out, very sedentary, and ate like a pig. I know I was underweight, so I'm not saying I'd like to go back to that. I'm currently 5' 6" and fluctuating between 113-115 pounds. I have gained 20 pounds in the last 5 mos because my thyroid became underactive. I am taking thyroid replacement medication, but I have other endocrine disorders, so I am still gaining. My goal is to stop gaining, lose the FAT, and tone my muscles.

This is what I looked like BEFORE I piled on the pounds. (Must preface this by saying I was not, nor I have I ever been, anorexic. Just very thin by genetics, and I do not wish to be this thin again.)

And this is what I look like today, 20 pounds heavier. (I want you to know, it took a LOT for me to do this.)

I don't expect to be perfect, since I am almost 30, and I've had a child. But I'd like to be toned and fit. To critique my own photos, I will say in the first one, that my thighs are getting flabby, and I'm starting to develop "saddle bags." I hope I can lose them because I had them once before, and lost them completely. They've returned with my recent weight gain. In the second one, you can see that the majority of my weight went to my butt. I do have some stretch marks from pregnancy, and a few new ones, so be kind. You can also see my "pooch" tummy. I don't think it's out of hand YET, but it's definitely not as flat as it used to be. The 3rd pic is probably what bothers me the most. Love handles. My waist is not as small as it used to be and it's because of those. I doubt I'll be able to lose them completely, but I'm going to try my best.

And here are a couple of my "goal" pics... this is how I would like to look. I wanted to reach this goal by December, but since I have a thyroid disorder, I may not be able to do it as quickly as healthy people. But I'm darn sure going to try. Wish me luck, please. This is very difficult!!
 
Looking really good right now. I know how it is, people are very critical of themselves. I have to say that you do have a very nice body though.
judging by the pics and what you have said, you are probably an ectomorph. You will likely respond well to less frequent working out, say 3 times each week. If you want to lower your body fat, I would either trim the diet to solely healthy foods and possibly add cardio as well.
check out my blog, there are a few posts that will apply to you :)
 
Thank you... I have cut out all fast food, all pop, I only drink water.. and I cut my calories down drastically. Only problem is that I am too stringent with my calorie counting, and before the day is done, I realize I haven't had enough. I've made myself so sick from not having enough calories to sustain energy, so I couldn't eat a thing yesterday. I went the entire day without eating except one bowl of cereal. I feel better today, but I'm sure I screwed up my metabolism. Not intentionally, I was just too nauseated to eat. I over did it by not eating enough and not getting enough sleep... my migraine was disabling.

Thanks for the tips about my body type and what works best -- that's really interesting to know. I will check out your blog!
 
I'm in the same boat as you-- as far as being naturally thin and now not wanting to lose weight but get some muscle and lost some fat%.

I also tend to undereat, right now my focus is increasing my calories and gaining some muscle. My sticking point is I haven't started with any real cardio, I walk fairly a lot but I know I need to amp things up a little.

Anyway I don't have any advice since I'm just starting out myself to see what works. This is the first time in my life that I've been on any kind of fitness program, too. You've got a great frame to work with, good luck!
 
I am speechless...you look fantastic...but the pooch syndrome strikes again, my wife has the same mindset, she is georgous as well....But honey you should be proud, you look fantastic!
 
Thank you, Mellow. I am proud that I'm not all skin & bones anymore -- I do like my curves, but still. I hate not being all streamlined and toned. I've never weighed this much in my life. (Except for when I was pregnant.) I'm afraid my metabolism will never bounce back after having hypothyroidism. Although part of the problem may be my birth control pills. They increase my appetite, and I ate like a horse. But I can't stop taking them because I take them for polycystic ovaries, not birth control. You don't want to see me without them, it's not a pretty sight. (I get acne without them.)

Here's a side by side comparison pic, and I have put on about 5 pounds since this pic was taken. But you see that lumpiness where my bikini bottom is, on the side? Yeah, I hate that. These pictures were taken 10 mos apart.

On the left, I weighed 95 pounds. On the right, I weighed 110. I'd like to be at that weight again, but not so pudgy. I want to SEE my abs and have a nice firm behind, and shapely toned legs. I am definitely hiring a personal trainer because even though I'm getting great tips here, it's too overwhelming. I need someone to show me exactly what to do and how to do it. I feel like an idiot when I walk into the gym.
 
Neuro, you look fantastic girl! Good luck on completing your goals, there's no doubt in my mind you can accomplish them.
 
I am assuming you mean the "before" pics! Maybe I am my own worst critic, but I still think I am "skinny fat." Even my boyfriend at the time (he's gone) said so. I was always sick and tired when I weighed 95 pounds. I feel "healthier" at 115, but look sloppy. Luckily I don't think it's out of hand or anything, and I'm sure I can get where I want to be if I am determined enough. And you have to know my personality, I won't accept failure!! I WILL get a firm body, but it's going to be hard work and take lots of patience. Thank you for the compliments.
 
i think ALL the pics you posted looked awesome!! i wish i had a bod like that!
 
I think you look fantastic.

What are you taking for your thyroid? The problem with thyroid medications is they don't address both teh T3 and T4 hormones. You have to address both or your results will be little or nil. I'd suggest you have your doctor write you a script for Natural Armor Thyroid.

Also, you might send an email or attempt to contact Dr. Teitelbaum regarding your thyroid issue. I spent an afternoon with him a month or so back recording his lecture and picking his brain and he's a fantastic individual.

Also, how are you testosterone levels? Typically when the thyroid is messed up, so is the test levels.
 
Don't be so hard on yourself, you look awesome! My personal opinion is that you look great in all of your pics, before and after. :)

BTW congrats on the child.
 
You're very beautiful NeuroRN76 (in all pics). Just tone, tone, tone! Good Luck with your fitness goals! :p

(MellowGAman: lol pooch syndrome, *puts on best innocent face*)
 
You look good in both sets of pics, but much better in the second set for sure. Most women would kill to look like either of those pics, so be happy. :)
 
Neuro you look great. A few things after looking at you goals- one being posture. Yes and everyone will laugh but from your pictures it looks like you need to work on it, your hips look tilted, could be the angle but probably not. 2. Get into some weights and add muscle to your frame. Look for a good full body or upper/lower split. If you lift heavy and keep your reps lower you should be able to tighten up your weak spots and get the body you want pretty fast. You are right with a thyroid problem it will be much harder for you but is totally doable. I am guessing you have hyperthyroidism because you are so thin. What kind of routine are you doing now?

Free weights would be best for you to get into. It looks like you have a low bf% so you should see results pretty quickly. I'm not sure other than the two picture what you are looking to do. The pictures are both very different in terms of goals so it really depends on what you want. If you like the delicate look bw stuff might be better for you. However if you want more of an athletic build I would hit up some heavier weights. Just my 2 cents.

Having said that I think you look Fab, kids or not! Good luck on your goals :D
 
evolution said:
I think you look fantastic.

What are you taking for your thyroid? The problem with thyroid medications is they don't address both teh T3 and T4 hormones. You have to address both or your results will be little or nil. I'd suggest you have your doctor write you a script for Natural Armor Thyroid.

Also, you might send an email or attempt to contact Dr. Teitelbaum regarding your thyroid issue. I spent an afternoon with him a month or so back recording his lecture and picking his brain and he's a fantastic individual.

Also, how are you testosterone levels? Typically when the thyroid is messed up, so is the test levels.
Click to expand...

Thank you!! I will ask my Endo, I am seeing him sometime this month. I am currently taking Synthroid 50mcg daily. I started out on 25mcg, and was bumped up 2 mos ago because I was still sluggish and gaining weight. Well I'm STILL gaining weight now, but I think one reason is that my metabolism isn't going to bounce back as well as it did when I was 20. As for my test levels, well I do have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and adrenal dysfunction. My testosterone levels are normal, but I'm very sensitive to ANY circulating level, which is why I have to remain on birth control pills, to keep it in check. My DHEAS was sky high, so I started on Dexamethasone 0.5mg, but I've cut back on that, and my last level was within normal limits. I am asking my Endo to change around my meds because my hair is still falling out, and like I said, I'm still gaining weight. (Though I did lose 2 pounds on my diet this week.) I was thinking about going on Metformin (Glucophage) because I may have some problems with my insulin levels, but it can cause nasty side effects, so I'm not sure. My doctor is wonderful, I will let him figure it all out.

Thank you to everyone who complimented!! Someone said I didn't have stretch marks -- Oh, YES I DO! On my hips, butt, and breasts. They are the light superficial kind (striae) but they are definitely there. I just consider them battle scars of childbirth. I've inherited lovely cellulite too, which is one big reason that really prompted me to work out... I read that toning your muscles is the only safe, proven way to smooth out the appearance of your skin. (Not that cellulite will ever go away, but toning should improve the appearance, I am told.) Also, my son is 10 yrs old now, so I've had plenty of time to "bounce back." :) Don't want to give anyone the impression that I've RECENTLY had a baby.

Just so you can all place a face with the name, this is me with one of my dogs... Another thing, since I gained 20 pounds, my face looks so chubby. (That's one thing all my friends can agree on.) It's better than how gaunt I looked before, my eyes were all sunken, my cheeks were hollow, it was terrible. Now my face just looks ...well cheeky. You tend to retain water in your face (and everywhere else) when your thyroid is underactive, so I'm sure it will eventually "flush out" once my thyroid kicks in gear.

Thanks again, everyone. Don't compliment me too much, I won't want to work as hard, LOL! :D
 
jenn said:
Neuro you look great. A few things after looking at you goals- one being posture. Yes and everyone will laugh but from your pictures it looks like you need to work on it, your hips look tilted, could be the angle but probably not. 2. Get into some weights and add muscle to your frame. Look for a good full body or upper/lower split. If you lift heavy and keep your reps lower you should be able to tighten up your weak spots and get the body you want pretty fast. You are right with a thyroid problem it will be much harder for you but is totally doable. I am guessing you have hyperthyroidism because you are so thin. What kind of routine are you doing now?

Free weights would be best for you to get into. It looks like you have a low bf% so you should see results pretty quickly. I'm not sure other than the two picture what you are looking to do. The pictures are both very different in terms of goals so it really depends on what you want. If you like the delicate look bw stuff might be better for you. However if you want more of an athletic build I would hit up some heavier weights. Just my 2 cents.

Having said that I think you look Fab, kids or not! Good luck on your goals :D
Click to expand...

I have scoliosis, nothing I can do for my posture except strengthen those back muscles. That might help a little bit. My back is HORRIBLE. My chiropractor can't even believe how terribly tense and misaligned it is. Some of it may be camera angle, and I may have been leaning to one side... I don't ususally try to pose perfectly straight in pictures-- I usually pose to HIDE my flaws, not accentuate them! LOL

And no I don't have have hyperthyroidism, I have hypo, which is why I am here -- I just gained 20 pounds of fat due to my disorder. As I said in my first post, I have always been naturally thin. Just genetically had a fast metabolism.... until my thyroid became underactive. Now it's time to actually WORK for my body, and that is all new to me.

PS: I just changed the first "recent" pic to one where I am standing more straight. My hips are still slightly tilted due to the curvature of my spine, so not much I can do about that. :(
 
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I just typed out all the answers to your other questions, and I somehow lost it all!

I forgot to answer -- You asked what sort of routine I am doing now. Nothing, at the moment. I started my diet on Tuesday, and I came here to learn about getting in shape. I don't know the first thing about working out...I walk into the gym, and I feel like an idiot.

I am hiring a personal trainer (hopefully they call me back tomorrow), and taking the advice of my physician on whether or not to incorporate cardio and/or weights into my workout. I came here looking for tips and advice, but quickly realized it only applies to healthy people. I am mostly here to tie it all together, and STAY MOTIVATED. I love to hear about your success and learn about fitness. In the past, I had restrictions to certain exercise, (was limited to aquatics) but I never cared before because I weighed 95 pounds and could eat whatever I wanted. NOW I care!

As for my goal pictures... I just mean that they are both at healthy weights, both have nice muscle tone, both look to be in great shape. I realize they are modeling, and they are airbrushed. It's not my focus to look exactly like either picture... I just mean that I want an incredible, shaplely, toned body that I can be proud of. Hope that makes sense. :)
 
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