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This is a wonderful article! Thank you!
I love weight lifting (heavy weight lifting). It gives me a lot of energy. I also like walking…I find I have to take it easy here. I tried HIIT a few times and I had a hard time recovering.
Thank you for this information,
ReplyGREAT article – I was an avid Crossfitter with Hashimoto’s and never knew why I had such a hard and long time recovering vs. others. I get it now though I miss the positive side of the intense workouts especially the Olympic lifting. I’m focusing on healing and gentle exercise like walking and yoga now.
thanks for this article.
Hi Kimberly,
Thanks for your comment. You know, you can still do crossfit like workouts, but just do them them for short periods of time. I don’t know if you saw the workout mentioned in the article that I linked to. But it had what was essentially a full body (mellow by cross fit terms) workout that you do for 7 minutes. This way you get all the benefits of intense exercise but none of the diminishing returns of overdoing it.
Best, Marc
ReplyThanks for the great article! Any tips for muscle weakness and running? I get so frustrated because I can’t seem to feel any stronger in my legs which means getting passed 3.5 mph is super hard. I would love to do a 5k, but have been really discouraged because of my inability to progress with my speed. I recover normally, but I really think it’s because my leg muscles refuse to work harder to begin with. I am definitely going to try the 7 minute workout you posted above! I used to play tennis and now I can’t even climb 3 flights of stairs without being really winded and needing a nap afterward…
ReplyHi Kimberly,
Thanks for your question! With regard to muscle weakness. You must ensure that you are getting enough of the building blocks for muscle: protein, electrolytes, vitamins and minerals, etc. One common problem with Hashimoto’s is the tendency to have poor digestive function. Hypothyroidism can lead to lower stomach acid, and intestinal permeability and the breakdown of the intestinal lining. What all of this leads to is poor absorption of all the things that build muscle. So, if you want to improve muscle mass and strengthen muscle, work on your strengthening and healing digestive function.
This is something I do with my patients. It is very important to understand that this is much more than just a thyroid problem.
Best,
Marc
This is a wonderful article.
I am a Beach Body coach and am doing T25 and drinking shakeology. I workout in the evenings because I just cannot get myself to wake up at 4am to workout. I have managed to lose weight but I have noticed that my anger issues have returned. I am not certain if this is due to the workouts or my meds. I have had a really hard time losing weight and I still don’t know where else to head. I have two kids and I just want the energy that I used to have.
ReplyHi Julia,
Thanks for reaching out! Fatigue is, of course, a major problem for many people with Hashimoto’s. The reality is that this is much more than simply a thyroid disorder. It is a multi-system disorder that requires a multi-system approach to healing. Thyroid meds and Shakeology while helpful, are probably not enough and are only dealing with part of the problem. I don’t know if you are ware of it, but I offer a free 30 minute Hashimoto’s Healing Discovery session. In it you can share where you are and where you want to be and I can share some resources that will be helpful right away. We can also discuss how I may be able to help. If that interests you, you can use the link in the right column of the home page to schedule a time.
Best, Marc
[…] • Reduced tolerance for exercise and muscle pain after exercise: This certainly could be caused by what we just discussed. In addition, there are a host of issues that hypothyroidism can cause that relate to reduced tolerance for exercise. Check out my previous post on this. […]
Reply[…] It can be done. It takes commitment and it takes perseverance. But, the results are well worth the effort. For more information on how to exercise with Hashimoto’s, click here: https://www.hashimotoshealing.com/how-to-exercise-with-hashimotos/. […]
Reply[…] It can be done. It takes commitment and it takes perseverance. But, the results are well worth the effort. For more information on how to exercise with Hashimoto’s, click here: https://www.hashimotoshealing.com/how-to-exercise-with-hashimotos/. […]
ReplyI had cervical fusion (C5,6,7) back in 2002 and live with chronic pain, along with fibromyalgia, but have just found out through my Holistic doctor that I DO NOT HAVE HYPOTHYROIDISM (diagnosed over 15 years ago and on synthroid) , but rather Hashimotos. I’m being treated with Acupuncture, supplements, diet restrictions of wheat/gluten for over 3 months. I was going to check out the Health & Wellness Center here in Roseville as they are medically approved and more than a regular gym; 5 years ago I was swimming every day and lost 40 pounds and I felt so good; but after reading this site, and now knowing I have this “Hashimotos Disease” am so afraid to do anything. I’ve looked at the article you referred to on HICT but have difficult time lifting arms, push-ups, etc., due to this neck issue. HELP!!!!!
ReplyHi Michelle,
I think you have to tailor this to your unique set of circumstances. If you can’t do those exercises than you must make adjustments. However, you can still apply the same basic principles. That is high intensity for short duration. That is the key element to getting the best return on your exercise.
Best,
Marc
I usually dance in my own homej for about 10 minutes and then rest. It sounds as if I should “just listen to my body” as I have been doing. However, I have an appt. with this highly recommended gym because I need some guidance; I will just show them this article and hope for the best. I may be moving back to L.A. soon….are you still in Gardena or San Pedro or both?
God Bless
ReplyHi Michelle,
Yes, that’s right, always listen to your body. It’s ok to exercise for short amounts of time. My concern about the gym is that they might not get it and push you too hard. You really need to work within your limitations. A good 10 minutes might just be enough for you right now. Make sure when you show them the article that you also explain that you have an autoimmune disease and that doing too much, too hard can exacerbate your symptoms and really set you back. I am in Gardena now. We closed that office in San Pedro. Part of my own learning what I can do, I had to downsize.
Best,
Marc
[…] a longer blog post that really goes into detail and provides a great 7 minute high intensity work out. Check it out […]
Reply[…] with exercising – in an effort to not “over do” it. This article: “How to Exercise with Hashimoto’s” was very informative and it shares a High – Intensity Circuit Training 7 minute […]
Reply[…] I believe the importance of exercise comes in many forms. It is a great stress reliever. Something about exercise just cleans out those negative thoughts in the brain. It can feel like a weight has been lifted off of you after exercise. Oh, of course I must bring up the “weight” thing. Here’s one big problem with this disease. Our metabolism is seriously compromised when there is a sluggish thyroid. If you combine exercise with the right diet and right treatment, well, you’ve got a chance. But that “right” combination is still not fully documented. What we do know is that a whole body approach has the most benefit. So find a fun exercise. Don’t make yourself do something you hate to do. Choose a variety of activities to alternate during the week to keep you interested and just “move” your body. And since we need to work with our compromised system, I find this post by Dr. Marc the very best on guiding us to the best way to exercise with Hashimoto’s. […]
Reply[…] Marc Ryan, founder of Hashimotos Healing, has written an article about what he thinks the ideal exercise options for Hashimotos are. […]
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