If I didn’t have it on my computer screen in front of me, I wouldn’t believe it.
Actually, maybe I would, because this has happened before.
For the past six weeks, three of my best blog friends and I have been embroiled in a friendly “healthy living challenge.” Each day, we get points for getting enough sleep, drinking at least 64 ounces of water, getting in our fruits and veggies, working out and so on. We keep track of our current points in a Google Doc spreadsheet, with an optional “weigh in” column.
I’ve been getting my sleep points. And my water points. And my produce points. And between walking everywhere, gardening and cycling, I’ve been getting plenty of workout points. I’ve even been successful in limiting myself to one treat a day.
And yet, there in the weigh-in column, is proof that I have gained six pounds in the past six weeks. Six. Pounds. In. Six. Weeks. That’s one pound a week, people.
This is not the weight trend one should see when competing in (and holding her own in) a healthy living challenge. My workouts have increased but my food intake has not. (Well, except on days when I ride 30+ miles, but that’s just refueling.) If anything, my food has gotten healthier with the appearance of fresh spring produce.
I’d like to think the weight is all muscle, but most of the six pounds appears to have settled around my belly, making the pants I bought at the end of April uncomfortably tight around the waistband. When you’re only five feet tall, six pounds can make a big difference.
As you may imagine, keeping a positive body image is more than a small struggle right now.
I can’t wait until I can see my new endocrinologist at the end of July to figure out what’s up with my hypothyroidism (or if this is something else entirely). Maybe starting fresh from scratch with a new doctor will provide me with new insights on my treatment. Hopefully I just need to tweak my thyroid medication and it isn’t something else entirely. Until then, what can I do? Just keep aiming for healthy living, I suppose.
For more about my experience with hypothyroidism, check out this post:
I’m so sorry to hear about this. I know thyroid problems can be tough, especially since it takes SO LONG to get an appointment with a doctor. In the meantime, you’re left to deal with the effects. Not. Cool.
Hang in there.
Seriously. I’m on the cancellation list, so if someone can’t make their appointment, I may be able to get in earlier. Crossing my fingers for that!
I cannot imagine how frustrating this must be for you! I really am impressed with your positive attitude about, however, and so I hope you can keep that up!
Hope that your doctor visit goes well, also, stinks that you have to wait that long for it.
Thank you so much! He’s the only endocrinologist in the area who takes our insurance and is accepting new patients…which is probably why his schedule is so packed
Oh Julie, I’m so sorry
I know that must be so discouraging & frustrating for you. Thinking of you today & sending hugs your way. …Hoping for a positive & insightful doctors appointment at the end of July!
I can’t imagine how frustrated you are feeling right now. I know that is challenging, but keeping up such a positive tone (at least on the blog) is so inspiring to me. I hope that you are able to get some answers and help at your doctors appointment.
Thank you! I definitely have some downer moments, but am trying to stay positive…and am glad to hear that’s coming across!
Oh that would be so frustrating – I cant even begin to imagine how hard that would make it to keep a positive attitude. Yet, you seem to be doing it. I think all we can really do is our best, and thats clearly what you’re doing. Hopefully, seeing a new doctor will help. But in the meantime, at least you can know that you’re doing everything right.
Thank you. It is hard to remember that when you aren’t seeing results, but I just have to keep reminding myself!
Wow, that must be tough to go through, but keep your head up! Glad you found a good doctor who will listen to your concerns, and having the record/sheet will help you explain what has been going on.
I’m sorry. Keep your chin up and try your best to think about the big picture— you are active and eating healthy and that is great!
I’m so sorry J, I know exactly what that feels like.
I’m sorry either of us have to deal with messed up bodies. Not to mention the frustration that you know you’re doing everything right, but things still aren’t working out…there are a lot of mental battles there. Gchat/ text/ email me anytime, hon. Even if you just want to vent. I know it sucks. It took me 2 yrs of trying to convince doctors that I really was doing what I was saying I was doing and that there was something more going on. I don’t want to leave you a novel of a comment, but you can read my post from last night about it – I finally (FINALLY!) have figured out what’s wrong, and with it came a new lifestyle of a low calorie, low GI diet, and 6 mini meals. Suffice it to say, it’s working – I can’t believe it, but it’s working. You WILL get everything figured out, I promise!
One last thing – have you ever googled thyroid stimulating foods? I learned in A&P 1 that there are certain foods that can stimulate and inhibit your thyroid. Off the top of my head, I know coconut oil was a stimulant. I’m sure you’ve probably already been there done that, but I figured I’d mention it anyway! love you!!
This is indeed strange! Out of curiosity, if you can set aside the emotional aspect of weight gain from the equation for a moment, how do you feel physically? Does your body like to move more or less than it did six weeks ago? Do you have more energy? Are you sleeping better? If the answer to any of those questions is yes, then don’t forget to consider that in your thinking about how all this is going…
Another Q just popped into my head: Have you been tested for Celiac? I believe one of the symptoms can be weight gain…(of course, it could also be weight loss… apparently everyone reacts differently.)
Keep us posted on what the doc says!
(Also, regarding the health challenge: Have you seen http://www.healthmonth.com yet?)
Best,
Andrew
Thanks for your thoughtful comment. Unfortunately, the weight gain is only one of my symptoms. I am sleeping better, but in the sense that I am exhausted all the time and want to keep sleeping.
I was misdiagnosed with a gluten sensitivity at one point and went gluten free for 6 months, but it was determined that that wasn’t the problem.
I haven’t heard of the health month site, but I’ll check it out. Thanks!
I have another friend who was just diagnosed with hypothyroidism… I don’t know much about it, I’ll admit. I wonder how effectively it can be managed with diet? Or is medication more effective? or both…? Would love to learn more.
As for health month, “Team Eating Rules” has been playing for a few months, and we just started a new month today. Wanna play with us?
http://healthmonth.com/teams/show/424
(If you set up three or fewer “rules,” it’s free. More than that and it’s $5 for the month.)
Oh man. I have been in your shoes before. I feel for you! I’m crossing my fingers that you’ll have some success with the MD.
Thanks for the support, Anna!
Hopefully the new doctor will work out! My younger sister has struggled with thyroid issues for a few years, and I know how hard she works to try to lose even a single pound. No matter what your weight, your readers know YOU and will be here for every step of your healthy living journey!
I hope your doctor visit goes well! I’m a fairly new reader, and I just wanted to say that I’m so impressed with your attitude and great spirit! I can also relate to feeling like you’re doing the right stuff but not getting the right results because I have intestinal/leaky gut issues, and even on the most restricted diets, I don’t find relief. So then I start eating more sugary stuff because, well, no amount of dietary restriction seems to help (despite what some doctors say). Not the same situation, I know, but I can relate. Sending hugs your way!! xo
It can be so difficult to get out of the mindset that “what I eat doesn’t seem to matter, so I’ll eat whatever”, especially when you’re feeling down about feeling sick, isn’t it? Good luck on finding something that works for you!
Aw, hun, I know how frustrated you have been with this, but i also know how much you have kicked my a$$ these past 6 weeks.
The days I’d open the spreadsheet and exclaim “HOW THE HECK???!!!” so yeah, you kick my butt, you accomplish things i can’t even fathom, you inspire me.
Hugs!
Haha, says the girl who is up about 50 points
its not about the points…. i think we’ve all accomplished so, so much during the challenge!
Definitely. I was just giving you a hard time, you crazy boot camp-er, Barre-er and runner
i have to retire another pair of work out capris today… i almost had a pants on the floor incident at bootcamp. WHOOOPS!
I’m sorry that you haven’t seen the benefits from all your working out and eating right, but that doesn’t take away from all your hard work.
I love the idea of the healthy living challenge.
Thank you. The challenge has been helping me feel better mentally for sure!
Dear Julie
<3
Also I agree with Liane. The way you put your heart and soul into the challenge is definitely inspirational. I know its hard to think you've accomplished so much (Hello, 30 MILES?!?) and not dwell on the weight gain, but once you get that appointment hopefully together you will be able to figure some things out!
Wow, so many of us can relate! Thanks for sharing. I went through this when menopause started (and I was fairly young for menopause so didn’t realize it) and it was hard to keep on track. As Andrew says, you’re doing all the right stuff. And, I am WAY impressed that you can ride 30 miles. If you can focus on all the amazing stuff your body CAN do, and send love into any part that’s not where you want it to be at that moment, I find that helps a lot.
It can be hard to keep that mindset, looking at what my body CAN do, but I’m doing my best. Thanks, Stephanie!
So frustrating!! I often have the conversation with my friends about how we eat healthy, work out consistently, drinks lots of water but yet the weight doesn’t budge. Then my husband decides to stop drinking soda and drops 10lbs?? This is when I have to remind myself being healthy more than the number on the scale, it’s about feeling strong, balanced, and healthy mindset. All things you my dear definitely have
Hang in there!
Thanks Lindsey!
Aw, Julie! I can’t imagine what it’s like to be in your shoes, but you seem to maintain a good amount of optimism, which is very admirable! I hope you’re able to find someone else to see soon. Maybe try finding someone in Syracuse or Rochester?
I should look in those areas. Most endocrinologists seem to have a long waiting list for a appointment, but maybe I’ll call around and see if I can find a doctor I can see earlier.
How frustrating! I hope the doctor has some answers for you. Until then, keep up the good work on your healthy living challenge!
Thanks Danielle. Heather and I are neck and neck right now
So sorry, Julie. I know it must be so frustrating. Hang in there.
[K]
Thanks, Kim!
I am experiencing the same thing- and I have been so perplexed for awhile. I went to the doctor and they said they had never seen someone gain 30+ pounds being vegan for 2 years. I eat GREAT, exercise, and still the pounds pile on! It’s so frustrating – my thyroid tests always come up normal, so everyone always just assumes I’m lying about my exercise level or my good intake. I even count WW points – so I KNOW I eat well under what I should be eating! I hope you get answers soon! I know how frustrating it is.
So sorry to hear about this. Have you had them test your Free T3 and Free T4 in addition to TSH? My TSH was technically “normal” when I was first diagnosed (albeit near the high end of the range), but my Free T3 and Free T4 were WAY off, which was causing all my symptoms. Worth looking into if you haven’t already!
That’s so frustrating! I hope you can get into your appointment soon to figure out what’s up. Keep living healthy!
Oh man, that really is frustrating! Hope the doctors figure out what it is… until then, continue being active and feeding your body (and mind) with balanced meals (and daily treats… my fave
). It’s the best way to make yourself feel your best. With 6 extra pounds or without.