Healthy Dieting and Healthy Snacks

[blksapphire]

This may seem like a simple question, but  I need an answer.  Lots of answers.

How does one start to lose weight? I was doing fine in the weight department until I started having issues with my thyroid and I haven't lost anything but my mind.  This is really frustrating.

Where does one begin when they are hypoglycemic and forever sticking food in your mouth?

If someone could please, please tell or give me steps as to set the mind and get the ball rolling to lose weight.
My energy level ***** right now and I know staying alive and being healthy is my motivation, but I just can't get started.

Please give ideas.

Thanke you in advance.

[Barb135]

I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and have the same problem.  The weight problem is extremely common with hypo's.  I'm told that once my thyroid is balanced, I will be able to lose weight semi-normally - I can only trust that information and do my best to keep from gaining any more and hoping I can actually shed a few pounds in the process.  

To take care of the hypoglycemia you need to eat frequent small meals in order to keep your blood sugar steady, but that doesn't mean you can eat as much as you want or constantly be eating!!  Make sure that you are eating to maintain your blood sugar levels and not because you are craving something, which can mimic hunger or low blood sugar.  I say that because I've been down that road too.  

I have a problem with my blood sugar taking a nose dive if I don't eat the right things also.  What happens when you eat something with sugar (candy, cookies, etc), which is a simple carb, is that your blood sugar shoots way up when the sugar speeds through your blood, but it only takes a short time to be broken down, so it's used up very quickly; suddenly your blood sugar dips and hits rock bottom, so most people will eat more sugar to bring it back up and it becomes a vicious cycle, with blood sugar spiking and dipping.  And while all that's happening - guess what's happening to your weight!!??  lol

I have almost quit eating sugar, items made with white flour (bread, etc).  In place of sugar, you can use stevia, agave nectar or honey (in moderation) for sweetening;   make sure you get plenty of complex carbs (fiber) - whole grains, and eat plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, low fat dairy, lean meats, etc.  Also make sure you get some of the right kinds of fat, like that contained in nuts, avocado, legumes, etc.  Do a web search for "complex carbohydrates" and you can come up with a whole list.  

Try to make sure that you include some protein and fiber (complex carbs) in each meal as they tend to fill you up faster and because they take longer for the body to break down, they will keep your blood sugar steady longer.  

Aside from that - spend some time reading the posts suggested above along with others throughout the forum.  

Oh, and don't forget to exercise.  Sometimes even when I'm dead tired, I find that if I go for a walk or do some other kind of exercise, it actually makes me feel more energized.  

Good luck.  Ready, Set , Go

[TrudieC]

There is a lot of good info on this forum.  I'll point you to a few posts you may find useful:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/681356

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/727736

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/726613

Have you considered joining Weight Watchers?  

[JoyRenee]

Fruits and vegetables have natural sugar and are healthy for you! Whole grains also help. Low-fat natural peanut butter on whole wheat bread/crackers.

Drinking juice that is mixed with water (to give you the sugar you need).

And don't forget that working out and doing weight training also helps!