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shwankie
03-02-2007, 01:57 PM
Eric Stoner, thanks for the concern. It's nice to know there's someone out there who doesn't think women should be rail-thin and have no body fat :-)

I am currently at about 18% body fat, and ideally would like to get to 15-16%. An additional 5lbs. or so should do it, and put me at a good and reasonable weight for my small stature. I am by no means fat right now, and I know I'll never have a 6-pack. Genetically, it's just not in me. But, I would like to get rid of a bit of the extra I still have hanging on. I get plenty of fluids, mostly in the form of water with lemon (I don't drink soda at all, and rarely consume alcohol). And, I get plenty of sleep and cross-training excersize. It's hard for people who don't have hypoadrenal/hypothyroidism to understand how slow the metabolism of those of us with it is, but the basic math equation for losing fat simply does not work for us. I consult regularly with my doctor (who knows about and monitors my ephedra usage, including monitoring heart rates, etc), as well as use fitday.com to track nutrients, calories, and caloric output. I eat very well (my full-time business is presonal chef to people with diabetes and weight management issues, so cooking light and flavorful is a specialty).

It's not lack of good habits that is a problem for many of us, it's simply that our bodies will *not* let go of the fat as easily as it does for those without the health issues.

Ephedra, when used properly and in low doses, is fairly safe. I did a good bit of research on it before I decided to take it, and for people without pre-existing risk factors it is actually safer and has fewer side effects than the prescription weight-loss supplements. So long, of course, as it is used responsibly. I take low doses, and do not take it continually. 3 weeks on, 3 weeks off is pretty much my standard. I also do not "stack" it with other things, such as caffiene or asprin. If I found something that worked as well, I would happily switch (hence my interest in this thread). Unfortunately, thus far, it is the only thing aside from upping my meds that works for me, and increasing my dosage carries far more risks than the ephedra does at this point.

lunchbox
03-02-2007, 05:28 PM
(my problem is actually the t3 conversion, not t4)
I got RAIT, and they basically burned out my entire thyorid.

Eric Stoner
03-03-2007, 01:25 PM
shwankie- EIGHTEEN PERCENT ! is fine and dandy for a woman. It's good for a middle-age ( 30+ ) man. There is absolutely no need whatsoever to go below that UNLESS you're competing in bodybuilding or figure competition. So if I were you I'd change my workout and try to increase the SIZE of my muscles a bit. For a couple of months- work out "like a guy" i.e. standard power-lifting workout =
Squats ( try to do your own body weight for reps ) Bench ( try to get to 2/3 of your own body weight ) Dead Lift- ( your body weight ) Curls ( 1/3 body-weight)Military's ( 1/2 body weight ) and Pull-ups ( try to get to pulling y-self up w/o assist at least 5 reps ).
I hope you're seeing an endocrinologist. For some reason ( I don't know why )too many doctors act like the thyroid does not exist unless you have a goiter or something. Even when they are SUPPOSED to be internists, cardiologists and/or bariatric specialists. T-function is like the last thing they look at or check out.
Caffeine should be banned for women imho. It's a primary cause of ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, cystic breast disease, endometriosis not to mention an increased risk of breast and reproductive cancers. Wean yourself off of it asap. It promotes over-production of estrogen and inhibits the liver in breaking it down to estriol; a much less dangerous form of female hormone. In YOUR case you'd like to bump up
your testosterone production so why are you taking something that generates estrogen ? Which inhibits testosterone ? Makes no sense AFAIK.

shwankie
03-04-2007, 02:38 PM
Um...I am not sure where to start out here. You seem to be making a good deal of assumptions about what I do or don't do, regardless of what I've said (i.e., the whole caffeine thing--I rarely drink it, as stated previously. I have a really good coffee like twice a month--there's no weaning to be done). I appreciate your input, but you're conclusions are erroneous because you are assuming things that aren't accurate.

I do work out like a guy, and have been doing high-intensity weight training on and off for years (as dictated by knee injuries and adrenal glands--HIW actually can exacerbate HA if it's not already under control). Not having big enough muscles is not my issue. If I could lose the layer of fat that HT and HA cause, I WOULD have the body of a body-builder underneath. Heck, some parts of me already do (calves and arms, specifically). Again, many people do not realize that the standard equation to lose fat DOES NOT work for most people with HTHA. More muscle does not automatically equal more fat burning and therefore fat loss. Instead, in people with HA, it often simply slows the metabolism down even moreto conserve energy and feed the muscles. I do see an endocrinologist--hence, I know I am hypothyroid and hypoadrenal, and have medication for it as stated. I do not need to bump up testosterone. Those levels are checked via an assay test every 6 months due to the adrenal gland issues, and they're actually a bit high.

18% body fat is too high for me simply because it is. I have no desire to be a stick figure, but my one job does depend on my looks and body, and 18% on me isn't my ideal figure. I've been at 15-16% (pre-adrenal failure) and it was an excellent physique for me. Lower than that, and I look gaunt. Higher, because of where fat deposits settle on people with my condition, and I look a bit chubby. At 5-foot-nothing, there just isn't a lot of play in how much body fat looks good and how much doesn't.

Eric Stoner
03-05-2007, 07:47 AM
shwankie- My sincere apologies. I forgot and you reminded me how unique EACH Of us truly is. Speaking GENERALLY, 18 % body fat for a woman is excellent. For you the optimum is lower. I was not aware you had adrenal exhaustion. Not Addison's I hope ? There is adrenal replacement therapy available. Best of luck !