any thoughts on ways of losing weight...

[Annamaria]

does anyone have any tips, i really need to lose a stone as i have got 2 artificial half knee joints and the extra weight is playing havoc with them and i am struggling to walk and also is making me feel very depressed at not being able to fit into my clothes, i know its going to be hard to lose it with being hypo and was wondering if anyone had any tips for me....I am addicted to carbs dont know if this is connected to being hypo?

[vikkihope]

I was told by my doctor to go on a low gi diet hope that helps

[Tracey76]

well carbs turn to fat if not burnt up (with exercise). Have you tried swimming?

you could try diabetic food...that's low in sugar.. just a thought...

have you tried a higher protein diet ? (not total protein but just low carbs?)

[thegymguy]

Hi Annamaria. I have had some experience working with people who have had knee replacements and people who are hypo (not at the same time tho!).

I would recommend following a normal healthy diet but instead of having 55% carbs, which is normally recommended, I would reduce this to 40% and instead have 35% protein instead of 20% as is the norm. The reason for this is that, from what I have read and my own experiences being hypo, hypothyroid sufferers have a problem processing carbs. By having less your body can instead use the protein as energy.

By includiing appropriate exercise you can allow your body to use the reduced carbs without storing a good proportion as fat. Also protein makes you feel fuller for longer so your energy levels don't fluctuate as much.

As fior the exercise I agree with Tracey's suggestion, swimming would be an ideal exercise for you. It's a full body cardiovascular exercise that burns lots of calories and has the added bonus that it will exercise your knee's without putting too much impact through them. Start off easy though, a little playing about in the pool to start with and then moving on to swimming a width or 2 is enough. if you can't swim then how about learning now! A good instructor should be able to take your knee problems into account and suggest the best stroke to use.

Further down the line I would suggest doing some form of weight baring exercise though. The reason for this is that resistance exercises (light weights) can help you develop toned muscles and gives you 2 main benefits. 1, by developing (NOT building) muscle you can increase your metabolic rate. In english this means burning calories even when not exercising! 2, the weight baring exercise will help to strengthen the muscles around your knee's and take some of the strain off the knee joint itself.

Remember to listen to your body though. It will tell you if what you're doing is too much. a little tiredness following exercise is ok. Total exhaustion is not! And a slight feeling of muscle stiffness the day after doing some weights exercise is good, it shows you have taken your muscles out of their comfort zone and will be getting some fitness benefits. Having trouble lifting a tea cup or getting up from the chair is not good as this shows you have gone too far!

I hope this helps you a little and maybe some others as well.

Good luck and keep up the effort.

[Annamaria in reply to thegymguy]

thank you gymguy your advice is greatly appreciated and will be taken on board.

[maryferguson in reply to Annamaria]

Thanks Annamaria,i have read your article on weight gain,as i have had a great problem,gone from a size 10 to 14,sometimes i have no appettite,try to be careful,what i eat,so will try weight watchers,i am on 150 levo,a day,started in january,was on carbimazole,and steroids for nearly 2yrs,had radio iodene,in october,as we could not lower the thyroid have had great problems like everyone else,its so awful,but i will give it a go.thanks.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Annamaria,

If you look around at RedApple's posts you will see references to low carb diets. I recommend you look them up.

Always remember that thyroid hormone is intimately involved in energy management. It seems to me that there are all sorts of ways in which carbohydrate intake is related to thyroid disease - but would not be at all sure that it is a cause.

All the best

Rod