How to manage weight with Thyroid problems?

The Thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck area whose role is to release hormones to regulate energy consumption in our body. All the mishaps in that gland are commonly known as Thyroid disorders. For example, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, goitre, thyroiditis, etc are the name of the diseases. These diseases can be caused by both over or less secretion of hormones in the thyroid gland.

The most common symptoms or effects of these diseases include fatigue, muscle weakness, coarse hair & skin, cold, constipation, unnecessary weight gain/ loss, etc. If your concern revolves around your weight change by thyroid then this whole article by Healthier SideUp is for you. This article covers information about weight management for all types of thyroid disease. Before we get into the solution we must know what causes weight imbalance in your body.

How Does Thyroid Affect Your Weight?

To understand how Thyroid diseases affect your weight you first need to know a little bit about Metabolism and BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate).

• Metabolism is the process which involves turning your eaten food into energy.
• BMR is the minimum metabolism rate needed if your body is at rest position. And here comes the diseased thyroid gland which releases hormones in improper amounts eventually altering your body’s BMR.
• When BMR goes high (in Hyperthyroidism) the rate of calorie burn will increase and hence cause weight loss.
• Whereas when BMR goes low (in Hypothyroidism) the rate of calorie burn decreases which could lead to weight gain.
• Other than this there are multiple other factors also which are responsible for improper weight changes. Like chemical reactions, medical side effects, other diseases, etc.

How To Manage Weight (Thyroid Management)?

Weight management or thyroid management involves many different things. There are several aspects on which you need to focus. Here in this section, we will look for all those aspects one by one which we can do to maintain weight in case of Thyroid disease.

1). Listen To Your Doctor

You should follow all the basic medications that your doctor told you to have. Try not to miss any of that. Many thyroid patients state that they faced many repercussions after missing a doctor’s prescribed medicines. And most important of all don’t miss your regular thyroid checkup routine with your doctor.

2). Have A Balanced Diet

If you want to avoid unnecessary weight gain/ loss then you must think of developing a balanced diet for yourself. And if you can manage to get a good thyroid-focused diet chart then it is even better. For your ease, healthier side up is providing you with the best diet plan for thyroid. It is made by highly certified and experienced nutritionists and dietitians.

3). Follow A Exercise Routine

Exercises are recommended to all thyroid patients as it releases many good hormones in your body. It also boosts energy levels and promotes good sleep & metabolism. A healthy daily exercise routine can help in both weight loss and weight gain. Let’s see which are those exercises.

• For Weight Loss: If you are looking to lose weight then you can do these exercises - running, brisk walking, swimming, cycling, pushups, leg raises, lunges, etc. You can do whatever suits you in cardio or strength training.
• For Weight Gain: If you have lost weight because of thyroid then you can also perform some basic exercises which will ensure some daily body movements. You can do stretching, yoga, tai chi, walking, cycling, resistance bands, etc.

4). Avoid Stress & Anxiety

Stress is one of the primary causes of imbalance in weight. Stress and anxiety are responsible for the release of the cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine hormones in your body. These can increase your appetite, cravings, fat storage, etc in your body.

Managing stress can boost your other efforts to 2-3 times. For that, you can indulge yourself in multiple stress-relieving activities like deep breathing, meditation, yoga, listening to music, dancing, swimming, etc. You can also consider joining the therapy or counselling sessions.

5). Sleep Properly

Just like managing your stress boosts your other efforts same goes for sleep. A good night's sleep can help you in a thousand ways. Sleeping properly can help you digest well, maintain circadian rhythm, reduce inflammation, regulate hormones, regulate metabolism, boost energy levels, and many other things.

Conclusion

An imbalance in weight during thyroid is very common. Don’t rush for quick results. Have patience and believe in the process. With proper sleep, stress management, our diet plans, and exercise routines you can easily manage your weight. Stay fit and healthy and for the best diet plans for thyroid contact us at our helpline.