Results

The good news is that my thyroid tests show I didn’t bottom out by going cold turkey off the thyroid. The bad news is that it is not functioning optimally and still persists on needing support.  The good news is that my triglycerides went down 20 points. The bad news is that my bad cholesterol went up by 20 points. The good news is that there is overall improvement in many areas of health but the bad news is that my iron is in a pad spot which is – 11.1 and I need it to be around 40. Which explains why I’ve been buying potatoes and eating the skins and why I have an overwhelming urge to eat dirt. Interestingly low iron is a contributing factor in the under activity of the thyroid.

So the new game plan starting day 53 is to continue the higher protein diet, as it definitely lowered my triglycerides, and increased my strength which I need because the low iron is making me extremely tired, which makes me compensate by drinking more coffee.

Continue high protein, but substitute less fatty more lean options – fewer eggs as they are high in cholesterol, no pork and treated sugary lunch meats. More seafood and lean meat with higher heme iron like beef.

Continue with the exercise as it is obviously healthy and helping. Unfortunately I am so fatigued from the low iron I’ve been making excuses not to go to the gym. This will be improved by the iron supplements and the addition of high iron foods.

I am going to continue to support my thyroid but have requested a naturopathic approach with natural supplementations. At least for awhile to see if increasing my iron and changing my diet will help kick it into a natural gear I can live with while not needing to take thyroid pills. I’m not opposed to taking them should I fail, but I really want to know if my body can function optimally if I just give it what it needs to do it’s job.

My body composition test confirmed that I am overweight. Duh. By the exact amount I already knew, 35 lbs. because when I am my healthiest muscle mass of athleticism I am between 130 and 137lbs. So I already knew that.

What I didn’t suspect was that here is more water outside my cells than inside. Weird. It could be because I drink a gallon of water a day.

So anywhoo, the results were encouraging. What I learned was pretty priceless and when we test again in 12 weeks I want to hit a few more of my goals. My weight has not fluctuated in 22 weeks so the worst fear of gaining weight can be let go. I can focus on being stronger and that is what I needed the okay for.

Ultimately, I want my body to respond to diet and exercise and function at its maximum capacity without too much intervention of the pharmaceutical kind.  I think it can be done.  Anyway, for anyone that was curious – my change in diet (high protein lower carbs) more water, exercise and nutrition supplements – has not done any damage, so therefore it’s a green light to step it up a few notches. SWEET!

I hope all your 90 day challenges are having payoffs that are encouraging and inspiring you to keep going!