Thyroid..so small to be such a BIG problem!

For years, I have been battling the bulge, fatigue, heavy menstrual cycles, all over body pain, feeling of excessive hunger, slight sometimes severe depression and overall feeling of not being able to concentrate on one certain task at a time or "foggy brain". I had my thyroid checked many times by many different physicians but it always came back negative. I fit the profile for hypothyroidism, just like my mom who has had it all of her life since her 30's. I really noticed these symptoms coming on after the birth of my first child(which is common). Come to find out, these physicians were only checking my TSH level and not Free T4 / Free Thyroxine, Total T4/Total Thyroxine/Serum Thyroxine,Total T3/Total Triiodothyronine or Free T3 / Free Triiodothyronine. There are several more tests that they can do but I thought I would just list the ones they did on me. All of these tests taken together instead of just taking the one is more accurate. You can have a normal TSH level but still have thyroid disease. If you suspect that you may have thyroid disease, please ask your doctor to do a more thorough exam. Since I have been diagnosed and have started medication (Levothyroxine 25mcg), I started to feel a whole new Lisa emerge. I feel happier, more energized, thoughts are clearer, hunger is not as strong and an overall sense of feeling good which is such a blessing because for a long time, too long, I did not and at times just felt like giving up. Now, along with my new lifestyle change, I feel stronger and more in tune with my body and mind. Who knew that your thyroid being off, even a little, can throw your whole body off.

I also wanted to touch on the pre-diabetes a bit. This also was probably missed because they never have done a fasting blood draw for this and that can make a big difference in that diagnoses as well. I was checked during pregnancy and was fine, but after her birth had only had a simple blood draw, not fasting, and it always came back normal. Little did I know that they should have been doing the ones listed here: FASTING PLASMA GLUCOSE (FPG) TEST,GLYCOSYLATED HAEMOGLOBIN TEST or ORAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST (OGTT). Well, I guess all that matters is that the Lord was looking out for me and sent me a doctor who really cares. I went in for a pre-pregnancy consult because we have had three miscarriages and wanted to know if there were any other factors going on that may be the reason why we were having them. This is why she ran the tests she did because your thyroid being off and diabetes can cause problems with having miscarriages. So, now that I am on the right track with my overall health..here's hoping for a new baby to cradle by next year.

Have a wonderful Sunday and I'll have another rant on Tuesday!

Thyroid disease, pre-diabetes, osteoarthritis, asthma, soy allergy...OH MY!

Just looking at the title makes me feel as if I am 80 years old. What is a 38 year old doing with all of these issues? I should be fit and trim..right? By whose or what standards?

I look at the calculators they have, calculating my BMI and weight. They say that a person my height should weigh 140-150lbs, give or take. That is insane! I would look like a skeleton and my family would be sending me to a treatment center for anorexia. I have lost weight like that and did look like that. Why do we have to look like starving super models to fit in to what society thinks we should look like? I have decided, for myself, to lose what I need to lose but not by these numbers. I am going to lose to get down to what is healthy for me which is around 170(at the lowest)to 185(at the highest) because for me this is healthy and does feel good and look good. I am going to keep my curves, thank you, and keep most of my boom boom booty and hopefully keep my "home-grown" Texas rack just and voluptuous as they ever have been!(psst..my husband will be very happy for that last comment!)

I decided to write a blog for anyone who wanted to follow my progress, ask me questions or just want to write a little something for support of what I am doing because without the love of friends and family..it is real tough to do but with it you can really succeed alot faster..along with God's help and support.

I started this diet..oops..."lifestyle change"..at 257 and am now 247. It sometimes teeters back and forth do your monthly cycle and all. I never really looked at my number and said wow..your fat..I guess because I always felt comfortable in my own skin and no one ever really judged me or put me down for it until I moved to Colorado. Here in Boulder, they are all about fitness, healthy living and outdoor life. I feel out of place sometimes because I am so much bigger than alot of folks here and when I do see another heavy woman I get excited and tell my husband.."Hey, there's a big lady!"..now I feel better. Jeez..how sad am I? I am just used to being in a state that is..sorry my sweet Texas..Heavier. it is sad, but true. We southerners just LOVE our FRIED foods! Believe me, this is one thing very hard to give up BUT I have to to live a longer life for myself and my family. Having younger children, I really do need to get it together so I can be the hottest older mom going into the elementary school..that's what I am talking about! Just kidding...no really...I really do want to be:)

Anyways..I will try to post everyday or every other day. I will post my feelings, progress and will answer or help anyone who wants to go on the journey with me or just give me a little pat on the back every now and then:) May God Bless us and keep us always and make sure we don't stray off the path to a New You and Me. Take Care!