Thank you for posting on this subject. It's one of the toughest things to deal with when fatigue comes into play. I find, even when fatigue is somewhat alleviated, it's really tough to "get over the hump" and "get back in shape". It's the curse of hypothyroidism IMHO.

Here's what's worked for me (and others) in the past:
1. Don't be too hard on yourself. Realize you have a disease, and you didn't get out of shape because you're lazy...but because you were sick.
2. Change JUST ONE THING! Sometimes its as simple as not turning on the TV, or sitting somewhere different, or eating one new food that's healthy, or listening to music to break out of that sedentary routine.
3. Start out slow...and gradually build on your exercises. It can be as simple as taking a walk, stretching, or just moving around your living room. Go for 5 minutes, then 10, then take it as you tolerate it...but move, and don't set impossible goals.
4. When you eat, ask yourself one question: "Will this nourish me? Or will this add to my disease?
5. Find your weakness foods and don't buy them. Period. Only use them for "rewards" at like the 1 month mark.
6. Talk positively to yourself
7 Dont weight yourself every day. Start a new program and don't weigh in until week six.

Finally, there's a great app out there to help track nutrition and calories called MyFitnessPal. I found that my diet was greatly lacking in magnesium and a few other nutrients. And, it gives a shout out every day if you meet your goals.

Remember: Weight doesn't fall off due to optimal thyroid levels - it just keeps you from gaining more from simply breathing. It takes good old fashioned hard work (exercise) and a wholesome diet to get it off.

Good luck! And, I'm glad you're feeling better.

Wow - Butterfly you have brought tears to my eyes. I am on MFP, too, and it has been really helpful but also very difficult to remember that there is no SHAME for what has happened to me.

Thanks again.... HUGS!

Shame is a motivational killer for me. I have a "go to" friend that "talks me down" when I start feeling bad about myself or thinking, "but I'm not where I should be...waaaah!"

She brings me back down to earth by saying, "Do something nice for yourself, and if it were me in your shoes...what would you tell me to do?" SLAP. Then I'm over it. ;)

Oh Mariposa - you mean MFP - My fitness pal...duh

MButterfly,

Thanks for your thoughts on this. What really spoke to me was "Change JUST ONE THING!" I think we so often feel like we have to make this mammoth change just to see some results, we get overwhelmed, and then we abandon because it's just too much change at once. I know I'm guilty of that.

The other thing I keep waiting for is that proverbial light bulb that will turn on when I find the mental solution to this hurdle. I'm waiting for that moment of inspiration that will be the switch that turns my mind towards being active. But in that same vein, I keep thinking that the switch will change everything and I will do it all because I'm miraculously inspired. But you're right, it's only about changing one thing. At least at the start, then change another thing, and gradually building on it.

I've got a fitbit, which in some ways is similar to MyFitnessPal. I can input things, track things, and track foods, etc. It gives me a shout out when I meet fitness goals, or even just half of them! :)

Thanks for sharing this with me. It's hard talking to someone about this who doesn't have the added hypo factor. They just don't understand. Another reason for me to stay more in touch with people here on DS.

Thanks again MButterfly! :)

Hey I used to be a "gym rat" ;) it was super tough for me to deal with hypothyroidism and fatigue when I was used to working out almost every day, then BAM it was tough for me to do much of anything (getting dressed took all I had, ya know?).

So, when I first started to feel somewhat better - I kept thinking - I need to get back into the gym. Then, it'll all be fine. But, the mental block of thinking I needed to get dressed for the gym, buy a gym membership, drive to the gym, work out, then shower, then change into civies, then drive home...overwhelmed me. And I made NO progress.

Then, I heard a life coach (not mine, I was eves-dropping LOL) say, "What if change isn't one big momentous transformation, but changing one small thing today. If you wear that for just one day, why not try it again the next day? Then, over time...you will reach your goal and stay there. "

Bam, I felt like a light went on.

And, I had this same conversation with my child (now almost grown) yesterday who recently suffered a "workout injury" due to using too much weight too quickly. He was feeling a bit down. I said, "Don't give up just because you made one mistake. Let yourself heal, then get back at it. It's not "all or nothing". Just treat your body kindly because it's the thing that tethers us to this earth."
He looked at me and said, "That makes sense! Mom, I didn't know you were a deep thinker!" LOL

So, it's not just hypo patients - it's everyone - especially perfectionists and those who've been out of the game for a while- sidelined with an injury or any illness, really. But, the fatigue...yes, it's a challenge.

Love this, Butterfly. Going to go home and jump on my trampoline, maybe do some squats & lunges. Made the mistake of dancing on Saturday and my poor legs are in complete spasm. This is surreal, isn't it?

Indeed mariposa - the muscle spasms are awful! Getting back into shape...it's a challenge! But we can do it!

I used to be a dancer, trained 5 days a week. I'm 5'7" and I was a mere 127 lbs! I also was a track athlete, then soccer, you name it, I was busy! So being a 200+lb girl is so foreign to me. I've never done anything half-assed, but I just can't go all out anymore. 40 years old (ugh I hate saying that), and hypo does not bode well for me to be like I was when I was in my 20s!

1 thing at a time, eh? I just might be able to do that....

It's funny how the simplest things make sense, and we couldn't think of it on our own! I was making it so complex and hard in my head, and yet this is so simple!

Wow Marla B! I feel like I am in really good company!

Has anyone ever read books by Dr. Sarno where he hypothesizes that the chronic pain is due to a system set up by our brains to help us deal with buried subliminal rage?

I am very skeptical, but I know that there is a huge relationship between the pain and my stress & angerrrrrrr levels.

I have started "talking to my brain" the way he suggests in his books. It isn't doing a thing, but it does help me stop feeling sorry for myself.

Going to go to the gym at lunchtime and take a leisurely stroll on the treadmill. NO INCLINE, no elliptical. Just walking.

I will let you all know how it works out.

I think I might go for a bit of a walk over lunch time. It's a very long day sitting at my desk, so maybe a walk might freshen me up! One small change at a time...

You guys are helping me out as well - we all need a "boost" don't we? And to know we're not alone?

"but I just can't go all out anymore" or as my mother says, "Gurl, you can't go at it like you're killing snakes anymore. You better find a way to balance things out." No kidding!

And, I'm quite the perfectionist. It was never "good enough" to be "just ok" at something. I had to be the BEST or as close to it as I could get. When I got sick...I had to let that go. I have to strive for my personal best, and somedays that includes a nap :)

Mariposa - what's the name of the book? There -is- a strong connection between stress levels and illness. In women and children most especially. Long periods of stress actually changes our DNA and shortens our "telomeres" (as if we didn't have enough to deal with , right?) Exercise can only help in that situation, so you go girl!

More on that for the eggheads in the bunch (raises hand slowly):
http://www.pnas.org/content/101/49/17312.long
http://www.nature.com/news/stress-alters-children-s-genomes-1.14997
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/30/health/30age.html?_r=0
https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2011/04/9652/exercise-may-prevent-impact-stress-telomeres-measure-cell-health

Exactly! Please check in & let us know how it felt.

Hey Butterfly! The books are "Healing Back Pain" and "The Mindbody Prescription."

I am trying to keep an open mind and do some re-visioning of the Me that Used to Be. But every time I try, I end up in more pain. Dr. Sarno will have us believe that my "faith" just isn't strong enough and that there are no real physical reasons for the chronic issues.

Well - Malarchy, I say!

I think a positive attitude can never hurt, but total denial is just silly.

See what you think. xo

That's what I thought you were referring to. I read one of those books a long time ago - and he falls into the category of "healers" who feel like no matter one's ills, one just isn't trying hard enough.

Of course, there's a bit of truth there - meditation, calming, and removing the FEAR of pain (which can be worse than the pain itself in -some- cases) can only help the situation. However, if one has an illness - especially one that causes significant pain - meditation is dam*ed near impossible. (I've been there).

So, while the intentions are good - it's not much help in reality.

Certain actions are common sense- "remove toxic people", envision the self you want to be (but make it realistic - haha), move, meditate/pray/whatever makes you calmer.

But, if one has a pinched nerve, one does more cursing than meditation. So, yep, it's mostly "mind over matter" BS that is akin to "heal thyself" IMHO.

And, I used that book as a door-stop for a long time...it was the ONLY usage I got out of it in reality.