But when certain health concerns come into play, such as thyroid disease, the process of sustainable weight loss can require more attention and monitoring.

Cardiovascular health, cholesterol, and sugar levels can all greatly affect and hinder weight loss efforts, so specific considerations need to be made. Finding a sustainable and practical way to lose weight that works best for the individual with thyroid disease is the only way to keep the weight off for good.

Improve Fitness Levels Through Exercise

One of the most effective and quickest ways to lose weight is to get moving. Depending on your current activity levels, even just going for daily walks will help you quickly shed the pounds and make a difference to your overall health. Start slowly if you have been inactive for a long time, and work up to higher levels. Ideally, you should work up to walking 10,000 steps a day for optimal health benefits. Incorporate other activities like swimming, cycling, or even dancing to ensure you don’t get bored or become stagnant.

Track And Monitor Your Progress

When embarking on a fitness journey, it’s important to monitor your health and the progress you're making, which is especially true for those with thyroid disease. Fitness trackers are a great way to track your steps and movement throughout the day when you're working towards fitting in more activity and reaching 10,000 steps a day. There are many options available, such as the Fitbit and Apple Watch, that are popular and easy to use. In addition to exercise and movement tracking, it’s also important to monitor your body and how your thyroid functions are being affected through the weight loss plan. Your sugars and insulin levels should be checked daily at home, and the proper medications should be followed as directed by your doctor. Nutrients and mineral levels should also be thoroughly checked and monitored when dieting to ensure the body and thyroid is functioning as well as possible.

Find A Diet That Works With You

Maintaining a healthy diet and selecting the right diet plan is imperative to success when losing weight with thyroid disease. In fact, the best diets for weight loss with thyroid disease have been revealed to be the Mediterranean Diet, the DASH diet and the Flexitarian diet. The common principles that can be found in all of these diets are a heavy reliance on vegetables, fruits, lean proteins and whole grains, all while limiting or eliminating processed sugar and unhealthy saturated fats. The less processed and packaged fat you consume, the better your chances of losing weight, regardless of which popular diet you choose to follow.

Weight loss with thyroid disease may be more difficult, but it is certainly possible and achievable. If you’re looking to lose the weight in time for summer, sticking to these principles will get you to a more desirable weight quicker, without sacrificing your overall health.