How to Lose Weight When You Have Hypothyroidism

If you have thyroid disease, particularly hypothyroidism, you may find it more difficult to lose weight and feel energetic. You may also find that your weight tends to fluctuate no matter what you do. Sometimes you just start putting on weight when you haven't been overindulgent in your diet. However, being hypo thyroid does not mean you are doomed to being pudgy and out of shape. You just have to know what your body needs to help your thyroid function better.

Instructions

1

Make sure you are taking the correct amount of thyroid medication as prescribed by your doctor. If you find yourself feeling more sluggish and gaining weight, go get your thyroid levels checked to see if you need a stronger prescription. Make sure you are taking your medication regularly.

2

Exercise on a regular basis. In particularly, you should try to engage in activities like yoga as the inverted positions, like downward dog, encourage blood flow to your neck area. Your thyroid is located in the neck area, so bring the blood flow there will help stimulate your thyroid to function better while you get in shape at the same time. This is a double workout as you work out your body and your thyroid!
Aim to get at least 30 minutes of exercise 3-4 times a week, but 30 minutes a day would be ideal. Aside from doing some yoga, you can go walking, jogging, swimming or whatever feels comfortable for you and gets your heart rate elevated. If your lethargy keeps you from getting the motivation needed to exercise, then sign up for a fitness class. You will feel more accountable and motivated to show up and will have the support of an instructor telling you what to do rather than trying to force yourself to decide what to do.

3

Drink green tea. People with hypothyroidism tend to have slower metabolisms. Green tea helps to increase your metabolism therefore helping you to loose weight. Drinking Green tea will also increase your energy level, giving you the energy to exercise since hypothyroidism can make you feel so lethargic.

4

Supplement with Iodine. Take a Kelp supplement or buy some liquid iodine and make an iodine patch on your skin about the size of a quarter. Iodine helps improve thyroid function.

5

See my article How to Treat Hypothyroidism Naturally for more ways to naturally improve your thyroid function. (see resources).