Women’s Health Matters asked 100 women to record their dietary mistakes and weight loss triumphs and then to share their experiences online. Here’s what they had to say.
Record Your Detours
Dieting is hard. We know this because every other article on weight loss advises us to ‘just stop biting off more than you can chew’. Unfortunately, this is what we tell ourselves when we fail to lose weight as quickly as we would like, or when we stumble upon a ‘diet disaster’ that leaves us feeling weak and lousy. So it’s important to step back and remember what worked and didn’t work for you, particularly when you’re feeling down about yourself and the way you look.
One of the things that worked well for me was a whole food, plant-based diet. I followed this religiously for over a year, and it slowly but surely helped me to lose weight. I would encourage anyone who is looking for ways to lose weight to give it a go. It’s healthier for you, and it’s easier to follow than a diet filled with processed food.
Thyroid Issues Can Pose Weight Loss Problems
Thyroid issues can present themselves in a variety of ways, from infertility and miscarriage to thyroid cancer. While the link between low thyroid function and weight loss isn’t clear, it is known that people who have thyroid problems are at a higher risk of obesity. Additionally, there is some evidence to suggest that the medications used to treat thyroid conditions, like Levothyroxine, can be weight loss medications.
If you’re concerned about your weight and whether or not your thyroid is functioning normally, there are things you can do to optimize your weight loss efforts. First of all, it’s important to rule out any underlying causes for your weight gain. This means getting your cholesterol levels, glucose levels, and blood pressure checked, as well as getting a TB test and a Pap smear. If you’re not sure whether or not your thyroid is functional, you can obtain a blood test to check for levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
Another approach that has been shown to help with weight loss is using an app such as MyFitnessPal. With this app you can keep track of what you eat and how much exercise you get, as well as set goals and receive encouragement from others who are also trying to lose weight. Additionally, if you’re concerned about your thyroid’s functionality, you can ask your doctor about using a medication that promotes weight loss when combined with a TSH suppressant.
PCOS Can Make You Fat
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the leading cause of female infertility. It’s also the most common cause of female obesity, with 90% of people with PCOS experiencing some kind of weight gain over the course of their lives. This is largely due to the fact that people with PCOS are prone to insulin resistance, which can cause them to store fat more easily. Additionally, PCOS can cause amenorrhea (lack of menstruation) and secondary infertility (inability to conceive after having children).
The take away from this is that if you have PCOS, you’re likely to experience weight gain and it’s important to address this alongside your infertility issues. One of the most effective ways of losing weight and feeling great is via a low carbohydrate, high fat ketogenic diet. This type of diet can help to improve insulin sensitivity so that your body is better able to convert fats into energy, instead of storing them as useless calories.
If you’re looking for ways to lose weight, you’re probably wondering what the best diet for you is. Women’s Health Matters asked 100 women to record their dietary mistakes and weight loss triumphs and then to share their experiences online. The majority of the respondents said that a low carbohydrate, high fat diet was the best way to go. This makes perfect sense since when you eat fewer carbs, your body doesn’t have enough glucose to spare for fueling activities. Additionally, the high fat content of this type of diet can help to restore some of the nutrients that get destroyed during digestion, like vitamin A.
So, if you’re looking for the best diet for losing weight, be sure to pay close attention to what the respondents in the 100 Women Survey had to say. And remember, the right diet for you can change over time, so don’t be afraid to experiment.