Every year, so many people with Hashimoto’s come to me with the same frustration – they’re eating well, exercising, and doing “all the right things,” but those stubborn pounds just won’t budge. It’s disheartening, I know. In this episode, I break down the reasons why traditional weight loss approaches don’t work for people with Hashimoto’s and explore real, practical solutions for lasting results. I’m sharing three real-life mini-cases from my practice to show how small, targeted adjustments made all the difference.
Before we get to that, let’s cover a few basics in case you’re new here.
What is Hashimoto’s?
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, also known as Hashimoto’s disease, is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly sees the thyroid gland as a threat and attacks it. This attack can gradually destroy thyroid cells and reduce the production of thyroid hormones (which are essential for metabolism, energy, and overall bodily function). The result is often hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid. In addition to affecting energy and weight, Hashimoto’s can impact nearly every system in the body, causing symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, and sometimes even mood swings. It’s not just a “thyroid problem”—it’s a complex condition that requires a holistic approach to manage both the immune response and thyroid health.
How to Lose Weight with Hypothyroidism
Losing weight with hypothyroidism can feel like an uphill battle, but it’s not impossible. When the thyroid is underactive, as is common with hypothyroidism, metabolism naturally slows, which can lead to weight gain or make it harder to lose weight. There is a bigger picture than just having a slower metabolism as there are different types of hypothyroidism. If you don’t know your thyroid type, I have a training all about this and you can join at www.innatopiler.com/training
Once you know your thyroid type, the weight loss battle gets easier.
In general, I often recommend a balanced approach that includes specific adjustments in diet, exercise, and lifestyle. Stabilizing blood sugar, managing inflammation, and optimizing thyroid medication or supplementation can make a significant difference. For some, increasing protein intake, timing meals thoughtfully, and focusing on gentle but consistent exercise like strength training can support metabolism and aid weight loss. And remember, with hypothyroidism, it’s crucial to prioritize sustainable strategies that don’t add stress to the body.
You don’t have to have hypothyroidism to have Hashimoto’s. In this episode, I’m addressing cases where those with Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism struggle with weight loss but many people who just have Hashimoto’s also struggle with weight loss which is why this episode is so important for anyone with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s or both.
How to Lose Weight with Hashimoto’s
Losing weight with Hashimoto’s involves a careful, supportive approach that takes both thyroid health and immune function into account. Unlike straightforward calorie-cutting approaches, Hashimoto’s weight loss strategies focus on balancing blood sugar, reducing inflammation, and working within the body’s limits. I often find that managing stress and supporting cortisol levels are essential because stress can worsen immune attacks on the thyroid. Diet also plays a huge role: eating anti-inflammatory foods, incorporating enough protein and healthy fats, and avoiding known trigger foods can support weight loss without further inflaming the immune system. Every case is unique, so it’s important to tune into your body’s responses, adjust as needed, and be patient. With the right support, you can make steady progress.
This is exactly what I wanted to showcase for you in this episode by sharing real-life cases that prove it is possible.
Jill’s Case: The Blood Sugar Balancing Act
- Jill was eating as clean and organic as possible.
- Despite her efforts, the scale wouldn’t budge.
- She was trying to balance her blood sugar, but it wasn’t working for her.
I see this all the time – people doing everything “right” but not getting the results they deserve. In Jill’s case, while she was eating wonderful, healthy foods, her approach to balancing blood sugar wasn’t actually right for her body with Hashimoto’s. She was focused on balancing blood sugar by incorporating more fat, but her body just wasn’t processing it effectively, and it was creating a hidden roadblock in her weight loss.
The Solution: Once we dialed in her macros to fit her specific needs with Hashimoto’s, Jill finally started to see progress. That’s the beauty of customizing your blood sugar balance – it’s about finding what works for your body, not just following what’s “supposed to” work. When Jill got this right, she was thrilled to see that scale start moving in the right direction.
Melissa’s Case: The Stress of “Doing Everything Right”
- Melissa practiced yoga four times a week and walked three miles on the other days.
- She felt she was managing her stress well but wasn’t seeing any weight loss.
- When we dug in, it became clear that she wasn’t actually “present” during her stress-relief activities.
Melissa felt proud of her routine, and rightfully so! But when we really got into it, we discovered that while she was doing yoga, her mind was elsewhere. Instead of being present in her body, she was mentally ticking through her to-do list, which added more stress. And if she missed a yoga day, she would feel guilty and frustrated – adding even more stress.
The Solution: Together, we worked on finding ways for Melissa to truly connect during her relaxation practices, focusing on mindfulness and being “in the moment.” This helped her manage stress at a deeper level, which supported her cortisol balance and made a real difference in her weight loss. It’s all about being intentional, even in our relaxation.
Erin’s Case: The Missing Link in Thyroid Support
- Erin was already on thyroid medication, and her doctor said everything looked fine.
- Despite this, she wasn’t losing weight and felt like something was off.
- Her doctor was only testing TSH and T4, but she hadn’t had a full thyroid panel.
Erin’s story is one I hear often. She was on thyroid medication, and her doctor assured her it was working well, but she still wasn’t feeling her best. I suspected we were missing something, and sure enough, when we ran a full thyroid panel, we discovered that her T3 levels were low. Even though her TSH and T4 were “in range,” she wasn’t getting the support she needed to feel her best.
The Solution: By providing targeted support for her low T3 levels, Erin was finally able to see improvements in her weight and energy. Her case is a great reminder of why a full thyroid panel is essential. It’s not enough to look at one or two markers – we need the whole picture to create the right support plan.
The Bigger Picture for Weight Loss with Hashimoto’s
These cases all show that weight loss with Hashimoto’s isn’t about simply cutting calories or exercising more. Blood sugar balance, stress management, thyroid hormone optimization, and immune system balancing and inflammation control all work together to make sustainable weight loss possible. Conventional approaches rarely address all these pieces, which is why they so often fall short.
While this may seem complicated, it can be a lot simpler with the right approach and just the right guidance so you don’t have to struggle alone.
And so… I have something really really really really exciting. (can you tell I am almost jumping out of my seat as I write this?? he he 🙂
Ok this has been a secret for the last few months as I was putting the final touches on it and I am ready to share it with you before anyone else!
Drum roll…..
I have a brand new 10 day step-by-step solution to jump start your weight loss and energy, specifically for Hashimoto’s. AND it is going to be really really really affordable and doable (it’s only 10 days) so anyone can do it.
I wanted to let you know about it before it opens up to the public because I want you to be the first to know and to give you an even bigger discount and free bonuses that will only be available to my audience.
All you have to do is click here and I will add you to the waitlist and you will be the very first to know when it’s live (less than two weeks away). The first 100 people will get a really big discount and free bonuses not available to anyone else so please be sure to click on the link above for the waitlist so you can get all those bonuses.
Eliminating Health Mysteries
For Jill, Erin, and Melissa, we were able to find that missing piece of the health puzzle and help them regain their health. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?
Links:
Related Podcast Episodes:
What Is Your Thyroid Type? (and How to Manage It) Best Kept Weight Loss Secrets for Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s with Michael Antonelli The Honest Truth about Semaglutide for Weight Loss and Thyroid Health with Emily Sadri Counting Calories Not Working for Weight Loss? Try This Instead with Brian KeaneThanks for Listening
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PLEASE NOTE
All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.
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