Guest Post: Tips to Overcome Hypothyroidism and Get into Great Shape and Health

If you’re one of the many people out there that has recently been diagnosed with hypothyroidism then you’ll know the struggles of actually being able to lose even a small amount of weight. And it seems that this condition isn’t relenting anytime soon as more and more people are getting diagnosed every single year!

Right now there are said to be about 25 million plus Americans who have officially been told by their doctors that they have an underactive thyroid but there are still many more out there that are still awaiting for an official diagnosis.

Surprisingly hypothyroidism isn’t the only condition that’s getting more and more common. Subclinical hypothyroidism is another disease that more and more people are getting every single year. While not as damaging as hypothyroidism (as the thyroid is not affected) the person still experiences many of the symptoms that are usually associated with people who have full blown hypothyroidism. The good news is however that if you improve your diet for the better then you will be able to get rid of this disease for good.

Anyone with an underactive thyroid will essentially have a much slower metabolism which will basically mean that they are not going to be able to burn the calories they need to burn in order to lose weight.

Having thyroid glands that are just not producing enough essential thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) will mean that your metabolism will slow right down. This is because these hormones are the ones responsible for making sure that your metabolism is running as it should be.

Not having the right amount of thyroid hormones inside your body will mean that you are just going to burn way fewer calories than normal. Hence why people with hypothyroidism find it so difficult to lose weight.

But please, worry not my friend, follow the steps below and you’ll end up in the best shape of your life. In fact you won’t even notice that you have hypothyroidism.

1. Get Down To Your Doctor Immediately To Get Diagnosed and Treated

The most powerful tip of all and one thing that will help you get your health back to where it should be is to get your doctor to diagnose and then give you the adequate treatment you need. Don’t do this and none of the other tips will matter, so please take this step very seriously.

Your diagnosis will actually depend upon the results of the blood test. This blood test will actually measure the amount of T3, T4 and thyroid stimulating hormone you have in your blood at that moment in time. If the results come back and show that you have low amounts of T3 and T4 in your blood but high amounts of thyroid stimulating hormone then chances of you having hypothyroidism are quite high!

If you’re one of the few unfortunate people that have been officially diagnosed as having hypothyroidism then more often than not you’ll be given some medication by the name of levothyroxine. This medication will work to slowly but surely get your levels of thyroid hormone back to the right level. Once this happens your metabolism will begin to rise which is exactly what you want to get into amazing shape!

2. Start Eating High Quality Meals That Contain a Good Amount Vegetables and Protein in Them

Losing a good amount of weight even when you have an underactive thyroid is super easy when you start eating healthy and nutritious meals that contain a good amount of vegetables and protein in them. Having a clean diet is absolutely essential because you’ll never be able to get results unless you do.

While vegetables are absolutely essential so is making sure that you consume a good amount of protein. Protein not only helps to preserve all that metabolism boosting muscle mass but it has the quality of being extremely satiating which is very useful when you’re on a mission to lose a lot of weight.

3. Start Eating A Lot of Foods With Fiber in Them and Totally Avoid Sugary Junk Foods

Nothing is going to be a bigger hindrance to your weight loss efforts than eating foods that are full of sugars! So if you’re really serious about getting healthy and losing weight you’re going to want to get rid of all the junk foods you’ve been used to eating. Do this and you’ll notice the weight literally melt away! Rather than consuming junk foods, you should focus as much as you can on eating foods that contain a lot of fiber in them. These are really great for your digestive system.

Ensuring that you get enough fiber through your diet will mean that you will help prevent any sort of chronic constipation from coming about which is really common among people who have an underactive thyroid. Of course the other benefit of consuming fiber rich foods is that they are extremely satiating which is great news when you want to lose weight and get into great health!

4. Implement a Proper Fitness Routine into Your Life

Believe me, exercise is a very important part of your long term success when it comes to overcoming hypothyroidism and getting into great shape. Even if you can only spare 10 minutes a day because you live a really busy and hectic life you’re going to want to do something because it all adds up to helping your metabolism get higher and higher.

To get even better results you are going to want to get involved with exercise such as weight training. This will not only help you burn more calories but it will help you build up some muscle mass which is going to result in your metabolism boosting up even more. 

And of course we all know that the higher your metabolism the more calories you’re going to end up burning.

Always keep in mind that the person that is the most consistent is the one that is going to be able to overcome hypothyroidism for good and get into remarkable shape fast!

You need to remain positive at all times and make sure that you always keep working towards your end goals of good health and a great body. Keep putting in the work and it’s only a matter of time before you end up in the best shape of your life!

Susan Upton really loves to help people all over the world overcome hypothyroidism and get into really incredible health. Go visit her over at http://hypothyroidismdietplan.org/ where you will find out everything you need to know in order to get into really incredible health fast!

If you have any questions for Susan, please comment below. Thank you Susan for your post!

Operation Don't Compare

Lately Little Beast has decided he's anti-sleep. Night night lasts an hour and a half to two hours and it's full of crying and frustration. It's been tough but we're working through it. That said, I am sleep deprived yet again and when you're tired, having energy to work out is tough. Yesterday I went back to CrossFit after a week off. Little Beast was sick last week and I spent some quality time with him (Love my little man). Anyways, I was exhausted yesterday since the night before I barely slept. I was debating going and remembered my previous post on The Real Challenge learning to exercise exhausted. So I signed up and went. The WOD was:

Strength:

Back Squat 5X3

WOD:

3 rounds:

    15 Thrusters 

    15 Pull ups

Rest

100 Abmat Sit ups

Yes it sucked. Lately back squats have been really tough for me. I maxed out at 85 lbs yesterday (increased by 10 from the last time I went) so I did pretty well. My partner who is more or less at the same level as me, did the same and had an easier time with the squats. She actually mentioned how much more all the other girls were squatting. Before she said anything, I really wasn't paying attention. But after she did, I couldn't help but look around. The girls next to us were squatting about 140-150 lbs. The ones to the right of them probably around 170-180. I couldn't help but get discouraged. I know. I should practice what I preach. I always say comparing yourself to others will get you no where yet that's what I was doing. I couldn't even take pride in my workout because I was too busy wondering how they were so much stronger than me! For thrusters, I did 45 lbs and then scaled down to 35 for the last set. I used 1 band for pull ups the first time, and then used 2 for the other rounds. All in all, I did really well for Renita. Why Renita compared herself to the other girls is totally beyond me. 

I'm really going to make a conscious effort to compare myself to myself ONLY. I'm stronger than I was yesterday and very happy about it. My body has changed pretty drastically in the past 4 months and I am happy about that too.

So this morning what did I do? I told Hubby how all the girls at CrossFit are so tanned and how I'm pasty (for an Indian). He just looked at me and told me to STOP COMPARING! Seriously what's up with me? I'm all down on myself. That changes now. I have come really far. I am a lot stronger now than I have ever been. From now on, no hating. No hating on myself and no hating on other people (I don't do that too much anyways). Operation Don't Compare will take effect today.

What about you? Do you compare yourself to others? Do you usually say you're better or worse then they are?

Lowkey Labor Day Weekend

You can telll it's a really lowkey weekend if I'm blogging. Usually we have a million things planned and actually end up saying no to some things because we can't manage everything. This weekend, I am proud to say that Hubby is taking his Level 1 CrossFit Instructor Certification. Since he's not around all weekend, I am getting tons of quality time with Little Beast. He's still nursing a cough and getting better so we're keeping it lowkey this weekend, which means I am getting a ton done around the house. Five years ago, I would have called myself lame. Today, I call myself productive.

Anyways, the pantry is organized - Thank God. That place was a disaster. As the Chubbies get older, they get more ear infections, eye infections, etc so I have a bunch of their meds in the pantry. Little Beast, as you know, has a ton of meds himself - well mostly cough medicines, tylenol, advil and his nebulizer. Is it normal to keep medicine in the pantry? No idea, that's where I put it. I went to Target yesterday (again - productive not lame) and I found two baskets in the $1 section. I now have those in the pantry which the dogs meds in one and Little Beast's meds in the other. Who cares if they are bright orange? They were $1!

Orange Organization

So the pantry is organized and I can cross that off my list, or Hubby's list since he made a list of things for me to do and taped it to the pantry door. I'm not kidding. He did. But in his defense, he bought me a box - the Rogue box - and I was to do things around the house as a result. That was months ago, and little by little I am crossing things off his list.

Pantry, check. I went outlet shopping with Mom on Friday and bought a ton of things for Little Beast. Let me tell you how depressing it is to buy 18-24 months, when you see you all these cute little things that are 3 months or 6 months. Mom didn't help because she kept bringing me over things she thought were cute...they were all 9 months. And have you ever noticed how 3/4 of all kid's clothing stores have girl's stuff in it? I get it. Girls are adorable with their skirts and accessories and tights and all. But what about boys? I went to Carter's, Children's Place and Gap to get his fall/winter wardrobe. Check.

I also got myself a new handbag from Michael Kor's! Woohoo! I have been eyeing the crossbody bag. Is that what it's called? That sounds a little morbid. Anyways, I got that for myself and some reebok crossfit shorts and my first ever pair of Cole Haan shoes. I am excited to see what this Nike Air technology is all about.

For all my guy followers, I apologize. You must be rolling your eyes at this entire post. So now, let's talk about food...baby.

Yesterday I made Paleo Pumpkin Cookies (can't find the recipe right now but it's pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, almond flour, raw honey, baking soda and cinnamon). They were absolutely delicious!

Today's lowkey day involved going to Wegmans and Chipotle with Little Beast and then more lame/productive stuff around the house. I did however make slowcooked pork for dinner with sweet potato mashy (mashed potatoes, we say mashy in my house). 

I also planned my 8 mile route for tomorrow. Since Hubby is home, I will be able to go out for a run! Thankfully so, only a month until my half marathon! In a couple days, we will be starting Week 4 of the Paleo Challenge. It's getting easier. I have also lost 6 pounds. I wasn't big to begin with so I'm going to make it a point to eat more during the day because I really don't want to lose too much weight. Don't get me wrong - I am very happy with the 6 pound weight loss!

Hope you all are having a wonderful Labor day weekend, whether it's lowkey like mine or completely jam packed! 

When Times are Tough

I don't usually post about negative things. It's part of the way I live my life - focus on the positive and you can get through anything. Well recently things have been tough. I usually drown my sorrows in wine and cannolis but since I'm on the Paleo Challenge, there's none of that going on. Well there is wine but not enough to drown in.

Here's what's going on. In my professional life, I don't feel challenged. I accepted that and became complacent. It's not an excuse. Recently I've decided to be more aggressive and give my all in order to hopefully obtain a promotion next year. Since the focus has switched, I feel a little better. But I did apply to one very exciting internal job and just found out, right now, that I didn't make the cut. I'm bummed. It was a work from home full time job which would allow Hubby and I to finally make our move. We are planning on moving out of the state and are focused on trying to get jobs near where we want to live. So that job would have been perfect. But woulda coulda shoulda, it didn't happen and I need to move on.

Now on to my personal life. One of my Chubbies, my pug Bruno has been having health issues and he's only 4 years old. He has permanent vision loss and it is very difficult for me to accept. I know animals don't feel pity and he's not completely blind so I should be thankful (and believe me I am!) but it's just hard to not be able to do something for him. We're taking him back to the vet in a week for a second checkup (he had an eye infection and his eyes are not making tears) so I am hoping for a little improvement. I'll keep you all posted.

Love this guy!

To top things off, Little Beast is sick and has a fever. He hasn't slept well which means Mama is exhausted. Because of my exhaustion, I have no energy to do anything and I haven't worked out since Monday. I am hoping to go to CrossFit tomorrow morning but it really depends on how Little Beast is doing. Poor little guy.

CrossFit is my Therapy

It's also been extremely difficult to stay on the Paleo Challenge. Yesterday was the start of week 3 and I'm getting cranky. My fellow crossfitters are extremely motivating and post amazing food pictures on facebook. I am getting my motivation back but it's a slow process. That said, I haven't strayed too much and I have subtracted points for every time I did cheat so it's not as bad as I make it out to be. This morning I made myself a Banana Cinnamon Muffin Bowl with a little raw maple syrup. It was delicious. I am also planning on making Paleo Pumpkin Cookies later. If I have acceptable "sweets", I won't get cranky when my sugar cravings kick in. At least I'm hoping so.

Here's to staying positive despite having a lot of things going on. I know this is all temporary and that it will pass. I'm looking forward to getting over the hump and going back to my usual active happy lifestyle.....biiitch. I had to do it, just had to!

My Two Loves: CrossFit & Running

Of course this comes after my first loves - Hubby, Little Beast, Chubby Wubbies (my two other fat children).

I've been running on and off for almost a year now. I started at just under a mile last September. I've had good running days and bad ones, times when I'm not motivated to run at all, and others when I want to run twice a day. I used to think that in order to be a good runner, all you needed to do was run. Totally not true. If you run every day of the week, that doesn't guarantee you will be a faster runner. In fact, you risk injuring your knees or your ankles because of how much you hit the pavement. At my max, I was running 13 miles a week and that was all that was feasible for me. I can justify working out up to 4 times a week but anything beyond that I feel is time I could be spending with Little Beast.

Enter CrossFit. I was initially scared my running would suffer because of spending a couple days a week at the box. I actually lost motivation to run because of how fast I saw my body change with CrossFit. I certainly didn't see those changes when I was just running. After a month of not running, I had a 5K I signed up for with my local running mom group. I assumed my time would suffer and wondered if I would even break 30 minutes. I ended up coming in 3rd for my age group. So the more you run doesn't necessarily make you faster.

CrossFit has definitely helped my running. I have stronger legs and more endurance now. I also have a general feeling of being physically fit - hard to describe - but this has helped my confidence. And to be good at anything, you have to be confident.

Now that I am training for my first half, I do one long run a week (just hit 6 miles last weekend) and I go to CrossFit 2-3 times a week. Usually at least one of those WODs has a 400m run in it. I could probably run one more time during the week but unless it's a jogging stroller run, it probably won't happen. Little Beast is growing up way too fast and I don't want to feel like I missed it. He says at least 20 words now and one of them is "Outside". He is growing up to be just like Hubby and that is perfectly okay with me!

So back to running, I really enjoy my long runs on Sunday and I really enjoy CrossFit during the week, especially the crazy Friday classes. I love the combination of the two and am more than happy to be able to do them both.

Are there two sports/hobbies that you couldn't live without? Do you favor one over the other?

I.N.T.E.G.R.I.T.Y that's a Integrity

Let's play a game. If you grew up in the 90's, you'll know the answer to this. The artist who sang U.N.I.T.Y that's a Unity. Do do do do do do do du du du du do do do. Who is Queen Latifah? That's right! 90's musicians for $100 Alex. Okay let's move on.

Integrity is important in work, in your personal life and for working out. You can't cheat yourself and expect to see results. Let's take CrossFit as an example. Surprised? Yea I know I have OCD - Obsessive CrossFit Disorder. Anyways, in CrossFit, you're constantly counting - counting your rounds, counting your reps and counting how much you lift. It's easy to forget where you are in a WOD. In that case, I normally back track to where I remember leaving off and start from there. That means I occasionally do more than I need to. I'd rather that than cheat. But I have seen people who say Time before they complete a workout and I honestly have no idea why someone would do that. Are they really winning? Though we compete in time, the real competition is with yourself. I don't want to be last, but I'm completely okay with not being first. My focus is on doing the WOD properly. If that means I'm slower when it comes to time, I'm okay with that. The few times I actually did the WOD quickly, I was concerned I cheated, either I scaled too much or I miscounted. Learning how to scale workouts for yourself takes time and I have learned not to think I cheated because I have to scale some WODs. That said, I am a person of integrity and that's why I think this way. Those who cheat, need to realize they are just cheating themselves. Now that I am beginning to sound like my mother, I'll stop.

Yesterday's strength element was back squats. I haven't done back squats since my last day with Trainer and I wasn't able to beat my 1 rep max of 125. Well, yesterday, we were doing 5 reps so my max was 85. And that was extremely tough for me. Hubby mentioned the other day I'm quad dominant and I'm beginning to realize I am. Wall balls leave me sore for days because of my weak hamstrings. I also can front squat 90 pounds. Since front squats require more quad strength, that completely makes sense. Now that I've realized my weakness, I'm going to work on building my hamstring strength. This article details exercises that help weak hamstrings.

Today marks the completion of Week 1 of the Paleo Challenge and I am happy to report that I have lost 4 pounds! You all know my journey is not about weight loss and that's not the reason for participating in the challenge but it is really nice to see the added benefits of eating clean. 

The Trouble with Paleo

I'm on Day 6 of the 8 week Paleo Challenge and doing relatively well. I start off with 10 points a day and then subtract points depending on what non-Paleo foods I eat and how much alcohol I drink. Weekdays are much easier than weekends and I have learned that sticking to Paleo, while tough, is much easier than not drinking wine. I refuse to not drink wine for 8 weeks when I'm not pregnant. You may think that's an excuse or a cop out and it may as well be but I just won't do it. Hubby and I frequent wineries often on the weekends as a reward to how much we push ourselves during the week. That's one reward I won't live without - unless of course I'm preg with Baby #2 - which I'm not.

Saturday Hubby, Little Beast and I went on a hike at Jenny Jump. The trail was a little overgrown so it wasn't too long of a hike but it was absolutely beautiful.

My Men

Hiking Mama

Before the hike, we went to a pizzeria for lunch. Little Beast had pizza, Hubby had some cheesesteak pizza that looked absolutely wonderful and I had a cheesesteak - without the cheese and without the bread. Yes, I was that person. I basically had steak with mushrooms, peppers and onions. And you know what? It was pretty damn good. I think I found my paleo pizzeria meal.

Paleo at a Pizzeria

Pretty content with myself for staying paleo during the weekend, I enjoyed the hike as well. After the hike, we weren't ready to go home just yet and I was dreaming about this Chocolate Cabernet I had a winery on my birthday. Yes you heard correctly - Chocolate Cab! So we drove about 45 minutes to go to 2 wineries - Vynecrest (their Blush and Summertime Red are great in the summer!) and Clover Hill (amazing Riesling and Chocolate Cab). At Vynecrest, Hubby ordered a cheese, grape and cracker plate. I tried to resist the cheese but ended up having a tiny bit. Lost 2 points there. I also had a total of 3 glasses of wine at 2 wineries (not too bad considering) and I lost 4 points a glass or 12 points for that. I ended up being negative on Saturday. The Trouble with Paleo is that I can't drink wine. There's a grey area when it comes to red wine but my box rules say no alcohol so I will most likely be negative every Saturday. I accept that.

Aside from my love of wine and the fact that I will continue to drink it during the challenge, I am not having as much trouble with eating Paleo. Hubby ate a hot dog in front of me (if you knew me, you'd know of my love of hot dogs) and I had no desire to eat it.

I have been experimenting with cooking paleo and have a couple recipes of my own. I'm debating adding a recipes section to this blog but since I'm not very good with taking pictures of food, I may hold off of that - not trying to gross any of you out!