Heat regulation and exercise: I began doing Yoga... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

142,582 members167,964 posts

Heat regulation and exercise

Lionmess profile image
13 Replies

I began doing Yoga a year ago and it has made me feel healthy and strong so I gave the next class up, Functional Conditioning a go and really enjoyed it butI over heated quickly and had to stop 20 minutes in. I would dearly love to continue to help regain strength and mobility and stave off osteoporosis in future.

I'm female 61 on 100mg Levo, diagnosed Hashimotos 8 years ago. Without exercise I feel like I've aged 2 or 3 times faster than my non Hashi friends.

Does anyone have any temperature regulation management advice please

Written by
Lionmess profile image
Lionmess
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
13 Replies
asiatic profile image
asiatic

Yoga is all about listening to your body and yours told you to stop 20 mins. in. I would return to the form you were enjoying and was making you feel healthy and strong. At nearly 80 I do Yin Yoga, a gentle form I can still enjoy that keeps me strong and flexible. More isn't always better.

Lionmess profile image
Lionmess in reply toasiatic

I don't intend to stop Yoga, just add a step up

mrskiki profile image
mrskiki in reply toasiatic

I love to do a yin session too as it gives me time to get into the stretches and deepen them. Think it’s done the most for my flexibility and aches out of anything I’ve tried.

Buddy195 profile image
Buddy195Administrator

As asiatic I’d say listen to your body. It may be better to do shorter exercise progress, but more regularly. I like to do Pilates with the window open - fresh air certainly helps regulate my temperature. In strenuous exercise classes, I’ve taken a ‘frozen’ face cloth (ie a damp facecloth that I’ve placed in a bag in the freezer overnight)… really helps me in peri menopause!

Lionmess profile image
Lionmess in reply toBuddy195

That's clever, worth a try thanks. I've done Pilates, no problem. I will continue with Yoga but would love to gradually increase the challenge, Yoga alone has been too easy for a while.

Tina_Maria profile image
Tina_Maria

I have been doing yoga on and off over years, but have stepped it up recently and doing it more regularly now.

If you think the conditioning is a bit too much, go gently and listen to how you feel. Since I have been hypothyroid, I cannot do very strenuous aerobic exercises, as I just don't tolerate it. Yes to the overheating and also heart rate gets a bit funny. Strenuous exercise requires a lot of T3, which your body can only get from your medication, so it cannot ramp it up or produce more, hence you may be naturally limited to what type of exercise you can do.

There are great yoga classes online, different lengths and strengths to suit your level. Try the intermediate level and see if that would challenge you more. There are also classes that are aimed at all levels, so you have the option to do either the easier posture, or try a more challenging one, so you can build yourself up over time.

You can still increase your stamina and strength without over-doing it. It might take a bit of time, but be kind to yourself and if it does not feel right, it probably isn't.

sparkly profile image
sparkly in reply toTina_Maria

You're absolutely right about strenuous exercise and and T3. I found this out recently on an 8 week health and fitness challenge. I cannot do cardio, not even when I was young. On the challenge, I had to increase my T3 dose twice due to the cardio exercise. I still cannot run and have to really concentrate on my breathing when lifting.

Lionmess profile image
Lionmess

Thank you both, that's helpful. I didn't want to give up at the first hurdle

Lionmess profile image
Lionmess

Thank you all for your exercise advice. It was really heat tolerance management I'm most interested in. I'm attending classes with friends, if I can't find coping strategies, I will miss out on the social and encouragement aspects. Tips and techniques to prolong energy levels will be helpful when doing housework and caring for elderly parents. Sadly my 92 yr old Mom has significantly more energy than me but not the presence of mind.

Regenallotment profile image
RegenallotmentAmbassador

my advice would be to try that class that is a step up again but to allow yourself to take it steady, hold the positions/poses/asanas for less time than everyone else, find a prop/alternative to take some of the strain (using a belt/blocks/chair), maybe sit out a few more strenuous parts, see if you can get past 20minutes over a series of weeks. I’ve practiced Iyengar yoga for years and also attend an intermediate class when I can but my holds are way shorter than many others (older than me), I take the props I need to support correct form, I rest when I tremble or get too warm, the teacher should know your limitations, hypo/fibro/injuries etc etc.

Lionmess profile image
Lionmess in reply toRegenallotment

Good advice, thank you

YoginiDancer profile image
YoginiDancer

Did you try the higher class level with adapted involvement? How did it go?

I have Hashi and believe strongly that our age (I am 61 too) that an increased challenge is required for ultimate health as we have the sarcopenia (muscle loss) of age to content with if we don’t engage in progressive overload. I teach 10 fitness classes a week. Heating up is no bad thing BTW - just a sign you’re doing more and that’s really great. My regular regime involves the following:

Daily Dance class (I am a teacher) or hike (7 days)

Heavy weights session (one with a trainer) (2 -3 days) 🏋️

Yoga 5 times a week (I am a teacher)

Keep up the good work and you’ll be beating me!

Lionmess profile image
Lionmess in reply toYoginiDancer

I did and I loved it and got through the whole class without passing out. I know my body needs the effort. I positioned myself near the aircon and slowed down my pace compared to everyone else, to warm up a bit slower. i felt rather embarrassed the first time as I got a lot of attention from the teacher and others in class. i must have looked quite ill when I stopped. I hate attention on me so the urge to avoid that situation again was strong. thank you so much for your encouragement, it means the world

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Heat intolerance

I was wondering if anyone else can't function in this heat.? All I want to do is sleep. I'm on Levo...
raine-wager profile image

Hypothyroidism and...heat?

Everything online seems to point towards hypothyroidism causing us to feel cold but I am so hot and...
Tortellini73 profile image

Graves and exercise

Hi everyone, Hoping to see if anyone can share their story on their experiences with exercise,...
Liiila profile image

Heat and Hypothyroidism

I have been under active for about 19 years, my doses have varied from time to time. But I always...
Tikaneko profile image

Hypothyroidism and Exercise

I am just curious if working out very vigorously for a few days in a row without rest could effect...
Shaf3938 profile image

Moderation team

See all
Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator
helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.