Fatigue, muscle weakness, insomnia, hair thinning, skin dryness, constipation, brain fog, swollen joints, heavy period in women — these are the symptoms of hypothyroidism, a condition characterized by the insufficient production of hormones by the thyroid gland. Then there is also weight gain, another symptom of hypothyroidism that can be hard to dodge.
The reason why gaining excess pounds is inevitable when you have the said condition is because your thyroid gland is the one that controls the rate of various metabolic processes in your body. Because of this, you are not burning a lot of the calories found in the food you eat, causing excess ones to be converted into fat.
Getting the condition diagnosed by a doctor is the initial step that you need to take in order to receive the necessary treatment, thus putting a stop to the expansion of your waistline. While waiting for hypothyroidism to get resolved, there are a few things that you may do to help shed off excess pounds. Here are some of the best ones:
Say Goodbye to Sugary and Fatty Stuff
Because you have a slow metabolism, it makes perfect sense for you to steer clear of foods that pack a lot of calories that your body may not be able to burn. Refrain from including anything that is loaded with refined sugar and fat in your diet. Without sugary and fatty stuff, you don’t have to worry about packing a lot of unwanted weight. Skip going to your favorite fast food joint and spend more time in your kitchen preparing healthy meals.
Eat Small Frequent Meals
When on the hunt for tips on naturally accelerating your metabolism, it’s for certain that having small frequent meals is something you will run into several times. This particular tip helps you enjoy a speedier metabolism because the digestive process is activated more often. Your digestive system eats up plenty of calories each time.
Ward Off Hunger Pangs by Consuming Low-GI Foods
Since you are always tired and fatigued, it’s not unlikely for you to turn to food in order to obtain much-needed energy. This is something that can make your waistline expand! What you need to do is opt for low-GI foods as they leave you feeling full and energized for a long period of time. Some good examples are rolled oats, whole wheat bread, brown rice, peanuts, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, tomatoes, peaches, cherries, plums grapes, kiwis, oranges, beans and yogurt.
Have Your Regular Dose of Exercise
First things first: avoid going for exercises that leave you exhausted. What you need to do is opt for those that have mild to moderate intensity only such as walking, brisk walking, bicycling and swimming. All of these not only help accelerate your metabolism, but also strengthen your muscles, joints, and respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
Get Plenty of Sleep at Night
Whether or not you are suffering from hypothyroidism, it’s very important for you to get a good night’s sleep. Lack of sleep is something that’s bad for your health, and it also makes you pack a lot of extra pounds. The combination of a slow metabolism and lack of sleep is something that can ruin your figure big time!
Look for Stress-Management Solutions That Work for You
Just like lack of sleep every night, stress is something that can contribute to unwanted weight gain when you are suffering from hypothyroidism. It has something to do with the hormone cortisol which causes fat accumulation most especially in your midsection. Bring down both stress and cortisol levels by looking for ways to relax. Some wonderful examples include painting, listening to music, embracing a new hobby, having a massage and doing yoga.
