Hi guys,
I’m here because I’d like to both give and find some support.
I’m about to hit 40, have PCOS and Hashimoto thyroiditis (both conditions are notorious for weight gain, among other “perks”) and I started gaining weight on my belly for the first time in my life (could it be low estrogen and/or cortisol problems or is it just age?). What bothers me the most is water retention (my calves are huge), facial hair and weight gain. My periods are regular and painless.
My struggle with weight started when I hit puberty. When I got my first period (12/13 years old) my metabolism changed. It took some time for me to really start gaining weight but I noticed very soon that I was prone to water retention, especially in my calves.
My real problems with weight started in my twenties, just before my two conditions had been diagnosed. Ever since then I easily gain weight and have problems maintaining my goal weight.
I am at my wits end. I am 5.5 tall and weigh 142 lb. It may not look like too much, but my bone structure and built is such that I look and feel fat. More importantly, when I am this “heavy” my PCOS gets worse (mustacheL, for one
). I can’t get into any of my clothes and feel comfortable.
I’ve been extremely demotivated . I just don’t know what to do.
I usually start by juice fast (homemade juices, mostly veggies) and then move to raw diet, introduce cardio exercises and go from there.
These “cushions” around my belly and on my hips not only make me miserable when I’m about to get into my jeans in the morning, but make me feel somehow too heavy to exercise.
I usually gain weight in my derriere and my thighs, this belly and hip thing (and my arms as well! My 40-year old body is full of surprises) is all ne to me.
Has anybody had any experience with losing and keeping off unwanted weight with Hashi and PCOS?
Ever since my diagnosis, I changed my eating habits to avoid sugars, starches, antibiotics and hormones in meat and dairy (buying organic is not only expensive but can be a sham). I’m a flexible vegan (which means that I sometimes eat fish, very rarely organic eggs, chicken breasts and soup). I avoid dairy and do not eat any gluten or red meet. I crave salty and starchy stuff (potatoes, bread, rice, pasta, pretzels etc.) more than sweets. I try not to give in. I do not eat sugar. My only source of sugar is fruit.
I also have digestion problems and sometimes even IBS symptoms. All the good vegetables make me bloated (all types of beans, lentils, broccoli, cauliflower… even butternut squash and chestnuts!). I am considering introducing some organic (sheep or goat) yogurt to try to repopulate my gut with good bacteria. I’ve been suffering from Candida from time to time (vaginal symptoms, frequent non-bacterial UTIs, sinusitis).
My husband (who’s blessed with fast metabolism, lack of cravings and love for sports) has been a huge support. We started going for long brisk walks in the evenings (since I don’t have energy to go running, and I used to run, swim or ride a bike for over an hour most days of the week).
I feel great when I juice fast and eat raw, but it’s hard to stick to it for more than two months (I am being generous here). The moment I stopped being focused on weight-loss I start gaining weight.
Anyway, I would really appreciate your advice and support. I feel that I still have the possibility to find some balance and faith in my own body. I sometimes feel so out of control. Sometimes for no reason at all when I doing everything right my body fails me…
I’m here because I’d like to both give and find some support.
I’m about to hit 40, have PCOS and Hashimoto thyroiditis (both conditions are notorious for weight gain, among other “perks”) and I started gaining weight on my belly for the first time in my life (could it be low estrogen and/or cortisol problems or is it just age?). What bothers me the most is water retention (my calves are huge), facial hair and weight gain. My periods are regular and painless.
My struggle with weight started when I hit puberty. When I got my first period (12/13 years old) my metabolism changed. It took some time for me to really start gaining weight but I noticed very soon that I was prone to water retention, especially in my calves.
My real problems with weight started in my twenties, just before my two conditions had been diagnosed. Ever since then I easily gain weight and have problems maintaining my goal weight.
I am at my wits end. I am 5.5 tall and weigh 142 lb. It may not look like too much, but my bone structure and built is such that I look and feel fat. More importantly, when I am this “heavy” my PCOS gets worse (mustacheL, for one
). I can’t get into any of my clothes and feel comfortable.I’ve been extremely demotivated . I just don’t know what to do.
I usually start by juice fast (homemade juices, mostly veggies) and then move to raw diet, introduce cardio exercises and go from there.
These “cushions” around my belly and on my hips not only make me miserable when I’m about to get into my jeans in the morning, but make me feel somehow too heavy to exercise.
I usually gain weight in my derriere and my thighs, this belly and hip thing (and my arms as well! My 40-year old body is full of surprises) is all ne to me.
Has anybody had any experience with losing and keeping off unwanted weight with Hashi and PCOS?
Ever since my diagnosis, I changed my eating habits to avoid sugars, starches, antibiotics and hormones in meat and dairy (buying organic is not only expensive but can be a sham). I’m a flexible vegan (which means that I sometimes eat fish, very rarely organic eggs, chicken breasts and soup). I avoid dairy and do not eat any gluten or red meet. I crave salty and starchy stuff (potatoes, bread, rice, pasta, pretzels etc.) more than sweets. I try not to give in. I do not eat sugar. My only source of sugar is fruit.
I also have digestion problems and sometimes even IBS symptoms. All the good vegetables make me bloated (all types of beans, lentils, broccoli, cauliflower… even butternut squash and chestnuts!). I am considering introducing some organic (sheep or goat) yogurt to try to repopulate my gut with good bacteria. I’ve been suffering from Candida from time to time (vaginal symptoms, frequent non-bacterial UTIs, sinusitis).
My husband (who’s blessed with fast metabolism, lack of cravings and love for sports) has been a huge support. We started going for long brisk walks in the evenings (since I don’t have energy to go running, and I used to run, swim or ride a bike for over an hour most days of the week).
I feel great when I juice fast and eat raw, but it’s hard to stick to it for more than two months (I am being generous here). The moment I stopped being focused on weight-loss I start gaining weight.
Anyway, I would really appreciate your advice and support. I feel that I still have the possibility to find some balance and faith in my own body. I sometimes feel so out of control. Sometimes for no reason at all when I doing everything right my body fails me…
