At 21 years old, I went to the doctor for my annual check-up. I always had a level of anxiety at the doctor, because I am was convinced something had to be wrong with me. Besides my loopy mind.
The appointment went fine up until the end, when the doctor felt my thyroid and said it felt enlarged. I knew nothing of thyroid disease, so I asked her what this meant. Her response? ‘Well, you could have nodules and they could be cancerous.’ Great bedside manner, right?
So after days of crying and weeks of flipping out, blood tests, sonograms, and nuclear medicine scans, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism – more specifically, Hashimoto’s Disease.
My initial thought was that I had an answer. This must be why I have always had a difficult time losing weight, right? I had exercised consistently for years, but had always remained on the ‘thicker’ side. I was proportionate, but plump, usually outweighing most people my age.
My second thought was that I had an excuse. For 4 years I had wanted to train for a fitness competition. However, I just couldn’t lose the weight. I tried. I remember fearing that hypothyroidism would hold me back from ever competing. So instead of push forward with the rigorous training and try, I accepted that I probably would not ever be lean enough to compete.
My pre-diagnosis situation was different.
I had no symptoms prior. No lethargy, no hair loss, no rapid weight gain or loss. I began medication and remember feeling slightly more alert, but it was most likely just in my head. I still didn’t lose any weight.
I had done my research and and knew that going on medication was not an answer to weight loss, but I secretly hoped that it would be – at least a little bit. It never was.
That is when I took my head out of my arse. I was honest with myself. It wasn’t the hypothyroidism that kept me ‘thick,’ it was the copious amounts of junk food that I enjoyed in between my healthy meals. And the 3-day splurges I would have on the weekend where I basically consumed sugary cereals, dinners out, and late-night snacking.
I learned that hypothyroidism was not an excuse to lead an unhealthy life.
Over the last 5 years, I’ve had numerous clients and members of the gym sit down during our first training session and tell me that they have a thyroid issue. That it is the reason they have been unsuccessful in losing weight.
Even once I tell them that I also have a thyroid condition, some still ‘assume’ that it must be a mild case, or I must only survive on lettuce.
The truth is – losing weight is hard any way you play it. It is much easier to find an excuse to the excess weight than to find motivation after work to get moving and exercise. It is difficult to change years of behavior for something that most think is less appealing.
And even though there are books, TV shows, bloggers, and countless sources of information that tell us how losing weight can be fun, it is tough! Especially when you have a medical condition that is known for weight gain, or the prevention of weight loss.
I want everyone to know that it can be done. If you really and truly want it, it can be done – thyroid disease or not. I am hesitant to list the symptoms of thyroid disease because if you are loopy like me, these symptoms will make you think you have a thyroid problem.
I have read before that there are millions living with thyroid disease and it often goes undiagnosed. There is also much controversy surrounding medication and treatment, but then again – what isn’t there controversy surrounding these days?
Before you assume that you cannot lose weight because of your thyroid condition, or go running to your doctor thinking you have a thyroid condition, ask yourself a few questions.
Are you being honest with yourself?
Are you exercising properly and consistently?
Are you eating the proper foods to fuel your body?
Are you eating enough or eating too little?
Are you looking for an excuse to avoid the hard work?
Once I took charge of my health, I knew that my hypothyroidism would not hold me back. In fact, it would not even be an issue. There are people out there that are gravely affected by the disease, including their weight. I am by no means trying to play that down, but it is not the majority.
If you suffer from hypothyroidism, staying fit, or are losing you own battle with weight, I want you to know that you can change. Take hold of your health. You will feel so much better.
It is always worth the fight.
I’m Jessica and this is where I share my stuff. You will find a balance of healthy recipes, comfort food and indulgent desserts.
Jessica, this is an incredible post! Thanks so much for sharing your story!
You’re so right in saying its not an excuse to be unhealthy! Losing weight IS hard work no matter what. It’s a lifestyle commitment.
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Thanks for sharing! I don’t know anything personally about thyroid disease, but my dad had thyroid cancer, so I do know how that little gland controls sooo much. Anytime he had to go off of his medicine after his surgery he was miserable and moody, and we all knew he fought it, but it’s so hard to battle hormones. I’m sure there were times that he felt an entire loss of control–what a frightening feeling!
That’s great that you’ve pushed through and have such a great attitude both in spite of it and because of it! Love you, girl!
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this post can win awards. i mean it.
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Amen to this! It’s so true…we always can find excuses not to make healthy choices, but in the end, it’s up to us to make these decisions in order to be truly happier in our bodies. You have such a positive attitude!
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Great post! I actually just found out I may also have this! I am going back for a second round of tests at the end of the month. But regardless- I will push through, rock the fitness and good, healthy food. I love your attitude
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Thank you so much for sharing this story! You’re a great inspiration!
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Thanks so much for sharing your story. I actually suspected that I might have hypothyroidism back in the fall since it is very hard for me to lose weight too, but the endocrinologist tested my blood and everything came back normal. I’ve definitely decided that even if there is something wrong with me, I can’t give up. I have to keep pushing myself so that I can be the happiest and healthiest ME! :)
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Jessica, what an amazing story you have. Good for you for realizing the truth, and being honest with yourself. I’m glad you have learned how to manage the condition, and live a healthy, happy lifestyle, that suits you. You’re really an inspiration. You just gotta learn to like some veggies, and then you’re all set! ;)
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Thanks for sharing your story!!! I can make soo many excuses for myself but the truth comes out in the end.
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Thank-you for sharing this with us! You are truly an inspiration!
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OMG Jessica, I knew you were hypo (but had forgotten) but had no idea it was Hashi’s. My heart goes out to you. I have some severe medical challenges that I was diagnosed with in my mid 20s that one would never, ever guess by “looking at me” and my yoga…but they are they. They suck. And I have hard days, but it’s the mind over matter thing. And as your comment said to me today about script-writing, if you believe it, it will happen. Totally. Agree. If you ever want to chat about having major medical sh*t at a young age, well my dear, I could write a book too :)
Onto wayyy lighter matters…
THOSE PANCAKES. WOW.
I have ED&BV and it’s the 1 book, I never use. But the whole b’sphere does, so I get glimpses of what things would look like if i opened it. I swear, all the goodness gets lost on me and it’s a forest from the trees thing and i just never even get started. But on your p’cake adaptation, I will.
Minus the spelt. Will sub out w/ coocnut flour. Wonder if it would be “too much coconut” with the coconut milk, too. Cuz ironically, I dont prefer a ridic coconut-laden taste to my food. Anyhoo..the syrup too. Nice.
And your hubs is crazy. Just lie and say it’s full of dairy fat. Perfect. He’ll gobble it right up LOL
xoxo
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i so appreciate your constant honesty! i’ve always been afraid that i have hypothyroidism, but secretly hoped that was the case so that i could have a magical pill prescribed to help me lose weight. your questions are definitely good ones to ask!
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Jessica – what a beautiful and honest post. I completely agree with your sentiments on this issue. Being healthy and fit takes work. And yes – it is hard and not always fun. But the rewards, as you know, are so wonderful and fulfilling :)
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What a fantastic post girlie!! My mom has Hashimoto’s as well, and my doctors are just waiting for the day that it shows up in my bloodwork too. I’m hoping it doesn’t, but we can’t know…
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That was a great post! I love how you tracked your thought process throughout the diagnosis because I think we can all relate to wanting to embrace something as an excuse. You have an amazing attitude and perspective on heath.
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That was a really inspiring post! I had no idea you went through all of that. And wow. It is so true that if you don’t allow yourself to live with something as an excuse it is totally possible!
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wow what an honest, amazing post Jessica! I love when you write, I can really hear your words coming through the screen. You have inspired so many people in so many ways! It is so important to be honest with yourself, and really just take head on whatever life throws at you. We can all find excuses here and there to not lose weight if we want or make it to the gym or do anything for that matter but when it comes down to it, its YOUR life and you will be the person to do something aboutit. I agree with Heather. This post can win awards
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This is a great post. I have always made excuses and realize that I just need to get serious despite having allergen issues.
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i love the intimate posts about your life/successes/struggles. they’re always so educational. i’m going to share this post w/ my mom. she’s recently completed her breast cancer treatment and found that she gained 20 lbs. over the last year. the medications she’s taking don’t make it easy to lose weight as they affect appetite and heart rate, but it CAN be done. thanks for sharing!
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Great post girl! No excuses!
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Thanks for sharing. I will say my patients (I do weight loss counseling mostly as my patients are usually seeing me for diabetes) often use this as an excuse. It just means you have to pay attention to your body and learn what does and doesn’t work for you. I encourage have indirectly calorimetry done if you can to find out basal metabolism since some people can be way way way off from what they think they need and what they really need. It sounds like you have a really good understanding of this.
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Awesome post! I can totally relate to trying to use an illness as an excuse to not to something because you’re not “able” to. It’s amazing what you can accomplish once you get the “I can’t” out of your head and just DO. Thank you for sharing your story! :)
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I really, really respect the stance you take in this post. We all have our cross to bear and it can feel so unfair. But remembering that we can get through our obstacles and they don’t have to control us…it just might take some extra figuring out–that is the most empowering attitude of all. Congrats to you.
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Great post! People will look to blame weight gain on everything else (my sister in law does it all of the time), and it can be frustrating. YOU are the biggest ally to your healthy, take care of yourself! You only have one body, love it!
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You should seriously write more about tips…I think my husband has this. The poor thing doesn’t eat much, but his metabolism is like a slug and he has such trouble with weight gain.
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Love the post! Very inspirational!
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Wow, I had no idea you had thyroid disease! Amazing that you were able to kick yourself in the butt like that and not use it as an excuse.
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Wow. thank you for sharing your personal experience. and for letting others know that it can be done. Getting healthy is HARD work, any way you slice it. For me getting healthy, first losing weight, then working to gain some back, required lifestyle changes both times. If you do not commit to a lifestyle, it will not work.
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Wonderful, open post. I completely agree it’s so easy to just grab on to that excuse, whatever form it comes in. Thanks for sharing.
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This is so interesting! Thanks for sharing.
Also, I love your new design!
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I sometimes think that hypothyroidism might be something I have. I’ve often gotten swollen thyroid or sore thyroid gland.
Recently I started taking iodine just to help with my hormones (I have endometriosis) and on the second day of taking it my thyroid got really sore and enlarged but after that seems to have taken a turn for the better.
You’re absolutely right about being healthy. It IS tough but it IS worth it.
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A sudden weight change was actually my first indication that I had a thyroid problem. Now, I’m not saying if you gain weight or have trouble losing weight, you have a thyroid problem. But in my case, I gained 16 pounds in about 10 weeks without changing my diet/exercise routine. And no matter what I did, I couldn’t lose them. After months of trying to get back to my previous weight, and continually getting more and more symptoms and feeling more and more sick, I FINALLY got diagnosed with hypothyroidism.
Once I started on thyroid meds, part of me hoped the 16 pounds would just miraculously melt off. They came on really quickly because of my thyroid, so they should disappear when my thyroid got under control, right? Wrong. (Though interestingly, I can actually tell when we need to tweak my thyroid meds when my weight suddenly jumps up and stays there for days for no apparent reason… my hypothyroidism is rearing its ugly head again!)
I have since lost about 10 of those pounds, but it has taken a LOT of hard work and about a year. And I’m still working on losing those last 5 or 6… not too worried about the last ones, though, because I am now in the healthy weight range and feel fitter than I did when I was at my lower weight.
Moral of the story: DON’T use hypothyroidism as an excuse for being overweight. But if your weight suddenly rises drastically while you are eating right and exercising hard (no junk between healthy meals!), and you can’t lose it, maybe get your thyroid checked. It is still hard for me to lose weight, and I have to work really hard for it, but at least I don’t feel sick and actually CAN lose weight now!
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You continue to amaze me Jessica! I applaud you for taking control of your life and really looking inside yourself to find the answers to good health! You are truly inspiring and I love your attitude about life, fitness and food! You definitely have your head on straight! :) You go girl!
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My heart goes out to you.. I had no idea you were struggling with this. Its weird… I just started suspecting that I have Hypo… I have been losing a TON, I mean TON of hair lately.. I def have some other symptoms, as well. I need to see a dr. Thanks for sharing your story.
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Great post!
I have a few loved ones who are very overweight and always blame it on diseases. I wish there was a polite way to direct them to this post because I think it could be eye opening for them.
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Thank you so, so much for posting this. I’ve always loved your delicious recipes to keep me busy on the weekends but I had no idea you also had hypothyroidism. I’m 19, and my thyroid literally melted from radiation therapy–so my diagnosis wasn’t exactly due to genetics. Especially with the new year, and the want to lose weight, I also find myself using hypothyroidism as an excuse for why I wasn’t haven’t been losing weight. So, thank you for the wakeup call, because I needed it!
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