Is weight loss possible with Hashimoto’s disease?

Every cell in the body requires adequate thyroid hormone and just about every organ needs enough thyroid hormones to function. The thyroid really is the Queen bee (or butterfly lol) of the body, orchestrating everything to keep you healthy and in homeostasis.

The truth is that it isn’t the Hashimoto’s directly that is causing weight gain, it’s the low thyroid function caused by the sustained attack on the thyroid tissue.

Due to this tissue destruction, eventually your thyroid will not be able to produce enough hormones and your metabolism will slow.

Enter stubborn weight gain.

When I was in the midst of a Hashimoto’s flare it felt like I only had to glance down the chocolate aisle to gain weight.

So is it possible to release that stubborn weight?

Heck yes! Absolutely! My clients & I are living proof. You do need to master a couple of key concepts though.

1. Regulate your blood sugar levels

In order to release weight with Hashimoto’s (and feel a million times better) you need to get yourself off the insulin roller coaster pronto. This daily rollercoaster ride causes weight gain and taxes the adrenals by causing a lot of stress in the body; which in turn negatively affects thyroid function causing it to drop and slow the metabolism. Yep, it’s a nasty cycle.

But it causes some other less than desirable effects for Hahsimoto’s healing too.

Dysregulated blood sugar levels also causes dysfunction in the tight junction function of the intestines causing intestinal permeability (leaky gut). Intestinal permeability can be a cause and driving factor of autoimmunity. Trying to heal from autoimmunity with compromised gut health and intestinal permeability is like trying to shoot a goal with your hand tied behind your back.

BTW this step is also essential for regaining the energy that was sucked into the bottomless pit of Hashimoto’s disease.

I have a free guide on this very topic available here.

2. Lower inflammation

Reduce or eliminate the consumption of inflammatory foods like gluten, vegetable oils, additives, excessive added sugars and processed foods. I’ll write a more detailed blog on why gluten is inflammatory for Hashimoto’s sufferers soon but due to molecular mimicry it is essential you cut gluten from your daily eating completely.

3. Reduce stress on the body

We ask a lot of our bodies, reducing physical stress will aid in releasing that extra weight. When your body is in survival mode it ain’t letting go of any of that stored energy (AKA fat cells) just in case it needs it to keep you alive. It’s a protective mechanism.

• Sleep more!
• Commit to self care by not doing too much, relax on the to do lists & learn to say no when you know you don’t have the energy.
• Bring some joy & fun to your life. Watch a comedy, dance in the kitchen, take up a hobby, book regular catch ups with friends.
• Eat three balanced meals per day to provide regular nutrition for your thyroid to function well and get that metabolism firing.
• Breathe; breathwork/meditation/yoga, whatever it takes to slow you down and signal to your body that it’s safe.

Yes there are other stressors which are more difficult to pin down like GI infections, heavy metals, trauma etc but we’ll cover that another day. These basics need to be mastered first!

Now, these all tie in together because each one contributes to the other.

So choosing to work on one will actually help with the others.

I want you to commit and show up for yourself – comment below and let me know which point you are going to work on first.

Trust me, once you get some positive momentum happening then the flow on effect makes it a lot easier. Just pick a place to start, and know that change happens with every little choice you make across the day.

Need some targeted help and/or accountability? The Thrive Method addresses all three of these crucial steps to weight loss with Hashimoto’s disease.

Book a Discovery Call today to find out if it’s suitable for you.

Tessa