Over the past several months I have been having an issue with my weight.  Since the end of 2021 I have gained over 20 pounds.  I don’t really eat much, maybe twice per day so that inspired me to reach out to my doctor to see what was going on. After a series of trips to the lab I found out that my thyroid is underactive again.  This is not the first time I’ve had an issue with my weight and my thyroid.  Back in 2018 I had a similar issue and my RX was adjusted and I was able to lose the weight. This time, the bloodwork showed that my levels had decreased again which meant I needed to have my RX adjusted. 

According to thyroid.com, More than 12 percent of the U.S. population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime. An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease. Although it feels very personal to me, I know I’m not alone in my struggle.

Over the course of a year, my medication has been adjusted twice, however it does not appear to be working.  I am not able to move comfortably, I cannot fit into my clothes comfortably and just don’t feel like myself.  With the Fibromyalgia and Chronic Lyme Disease, I am unable to exercise to try and get the weight off.  It’s hard for me to walk long distances and it’s equally hard for me to walk for a long period of time without my heart rate increasing to the point of becoming dizzy, and feeling like I am going to pass out.  My hands start shaking, I become lightheaded and weak. It’s actually quite scary when I think about it.  My doctor suggested water exercise, the only thing about that is I’m not a swimmer. I’m thinking I will be ok in a hot tub or a pool in the shallow end, but I have not yet started and I know I need to.  

Since the weight gain I can tell I’m a bit more self conscious and anxious. You see I don’t like the way to look and feel and in my head everyone has noticed. I know those close to me love me know matter what but I get in my head and just want to crawl under a rock or just stay in bed. I ask my husband more regularly if I look ok and of course he thinks I’m beautiful. My girlfriends think I’m as stylish as ever and their support means a lot. Some days I look in the mirror and feel sorry for myself. In those moments I feel a little depression trying to creep in. It’s a battle every single day, physically, mentally and spiritually. I cannot allow my illness to define who I know God created me to be. I am more than how I look, I just have to be intentional about reminding myself who God says I am and control the things I can control. Some of the things I’ve been working to implement are:

• Eating less carbs and sweets
• Eating more fish, fruit and veggies
• Drinking more water (Especially lemon water…helps with inflammation)

In the meantime I will wait to see what the doctor says about making additional changes to my thyroid medication and go from there. I do realize that it’s not just my thyroid, it also has to do with the amount of inflammation and swelling in my body. Lot’s going on but God is still good!

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XO- Windy

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