On Synthroid; Can I Still Lose Weight?
QUESTION
Dear Fitness Expert,
Hello. I have a 2-month-old baby, and started back at the gym. It's okay'ed to do anything as far as exercising with my doctor. I would like to know if this routine sounds good. Do you think I'll start to see a difference? I know it takes a while to get back into shape. I go to the YMCA 4 times a week. I usually start on the elliptical machine for 20 minutes, then I go do the resistance machines.
Examples are:
- DAY 1: elliptical 20 minutes, then upper body machines.
- DAY 2: treadmill 20 minutes, then lower body machines
- DAY 3: repeat day 1
- DAY 4: I repeat day 2
I like to mix it up because I know its not good to do the same exercises. Also I do the pilates at home at least 3 times a week.I have a thyroid condition. It's been under controlled for a few years now. (I'm on Synthroid.) Do you think that's why it seems always harder for me to lose weight? (now only trying to lose 30 lbs.) Is there something I can take to help me with my metabolism too because of my thyroid condition? It just seems harder for me because of my metabolism.
Thank you. I appreciate it!
Leigh
ANSWER
Hello,
Your routine sounds great. Be sure that when you work out, your third rep is a struggle. A common mistake women make is thinking the reps shouldn't be too hard and that if they are, it means you are building big, bulking muscles. Absolutely not true. You want to fatigue the muscles and can only do so by making the third rep a bit of a struggle. The best, most natural fat-burner is muscle. This is why those commercials that brag "I didn't even have to work out" are so absurd. The more you feed your muscles, the more you will burn -- even while you sleep.
I used the word "feed," so lets talk about that. Don't skip meals. Nothing will slow that metabolism down faster than skipping meals and causing your body to think it is starving, thus storing fat. We are truly machines that respond to how we eat, sleep and train. Your metabolism is directly linked to these three things. By eating three healthy, well-balanced meals with mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks in the middle combined with your training schedule, you are doing everything possible to burn fat and speed up the metabolism.
I would just one more thing ... if your schedule allows. Every evening (assuming you are working out in the morning), fast walk. Yes, I am actually telling you to take a second workout in one day. If you are able to add walking three times a week on top of your existing workout, it will jump start your metabolism and you will really see results. Many people become frustrated when they workout without immediate results. Sometimes the workouts simply aren't hard enough. Sometimes the workouts aren't enough. I know many moms who were dedicated about working out but needed that extra umph! to burn metabolism If you can find someone to watch your baby, grab some 1 or 2 pound hand weights and go for a fast-arm-pumping .5 to 1 mile walk. It really does work.Good luck.Note: No soda pop! No sugary juices! Drink water, water, water...
-- Alex
Alexandra Allred
Alexandra Allred is a former member of the US Women's Bobsled team, is an accomplished martial artist, and continues to teach kickboxing while juggling her career as a full-time writer and mother of three. She has interviewed hundreds of athletes, models, actresses, trainers, doctors, and health/fitness experts as she sought to find answers to her own questions about working out while pregnant, arranging breast-feeding around a training schedule, diet when pregnant and breastfeeding, and encouraging her whole family.
Alex is the author of ten books, including Atta Girl! A Celebration of Women in Sports and Entering the Mother Zone: Balancing Self, Health & Family. We're excited to have her on board!
