Coconut Oil

Do any of you use coconut oil on a regular basis in cooking? I have found many sources online about the benefits of coconut oil for people with hypothyroidism. But I am not sure about using it with cooking. The only kind I have found in stores is solid. I have read that you can use the solid form as a replacement for butter/margarine, but I don't use much of either.
Just curious and wanted opinions :)

Weight Loss...

Four weeks ago, I started taking medicine to help with my hypothyroidism. I was nervous when I started taking the medicine...because starting any new medicine worries me a bit. But I was also hopeful. I was hopeful that this medicine could help in my struggle to lose weight. Last year, I lost seven pounds during the twelve months of 2010. I also worked out at least 5 days a week (except on the rare occasion that I was sick.) I ran my first and several other 5k's (even if it was at a turtle's pace). And I tried my best to eat a healthy diet. Of course, there were days when I ate more than I should, or ate too much sugar and not enough protein. But overall I felt I had a healthy diet. I tried to not focus on the number on the scale, but found my victories in my improved fitness...and I was happy. The last four weeks, I haven't been as happy. I wanted so bad to see the scale move because of this new medicine... and it hasn't. Well it has moved, but I have gained 4 pounds! I stopped finding as much pleasure in my workouts. I continued to workout, but I began resenting the fact that I was working out so hard and not seeing the results of my other blog friends. I wanted so bad to lose a single pound...honestly I would love a half pound loss. And yet, I would read people complaining over only losing 2 pounds during the week. And I wanted to scream! Why can't I lose this weight!!!
In being hopeful with this new medicine, I had lost my joy in gaining better health and fitness. Today, I want to start finding that joy again. I want to make fitness goals, and get excited to mark them off again. And I will. I am putting away the scale. I may never lose the weight I want to lose, but if I keep going joyfully and making the best decisions...I will be happy with my progress.

Just Meds and How the Doctor broke my heart!

Hooray! I went in for my scan this morning and the nodules were not solid, so I did not have to have another biopsy. I will start synthroid tomorrow, and hopefully in a month or so I will feel better than I knew I could feel. And for this I am so grateful!

BUT!!! I will no longer be seeing my general physician and will soon begin the process of finding a new doctor. I am so glad that Tommy went with me this morning, so that he could verify that I am not crazy in how I feel this doctor treated me. When I went in to talk to her after the scan, I could tell she was in a hurry. She had already written out the prescription for the new meds, and basically threw it at me and said that we would check on things in three months. I asked her if this medicine could possibly help with weight loss, and she said yes, and then said she wanted to put me on a diet plan and diet pill. I was all fine with a diet plan, but told her that I really didn't want to take a diet pill. She then handed me a diet plan (which honestly I feel is not as healthy as what I currently do), and told me that I should try to briskly walk around the block once a day if I really wanted to lose weight. I was soo confused!!! I quickly looked at the diet plan, and tried to tell her what I was already doing as far as diet (counting calories). She then said, that I should throw in some 100 calorie packs! (WHAT???) She said they were a great low calorie snack. (What about some fruit?!)  At this point I figured I was getting no where with the diet discussion and began to tell her that I work out six days a week for an hour. The look she gave me broke my heart because I could tell she didn't believe me.  I again tried to tell her that I didn't want to take the diet meds and she told me to just try them for a month because if I saw some weight loss I would be more likely to stick to a diet and exercise regime. WHAT!?! GIVE ME A BREAK! I HAVE FOR OVER A YEAR! I see her every three months because of my tachycardia, and I have told her multiple times about my exercise and diet plan. Granted I have only lost about 7 pounds in the past year, but I am putting forth the effort...there has to be something else ( I am hoping thyroid) that is keeping me from losing this weight. I don't want a stupid pill. It was like everything I was saying she wasn't listening to, or didn't believe I was being truthful. When we left the office I was heart broken and crying. My husband told me not to be so upset because he knows what all I am doing, and that I just need to find a new doctor that would listen to me. This is not the first time I have left this doctor's office upset, but it will be the last time. I am hoping to ask around for info on other doctors and find one that will truly listen and want to help, not just throw another prescription my way.

Blah Day

I am having a blah day. I have honestly been on the verge of tears all morning. Yesterday was pretty blah too, and I skipped working out last night. The heat was out at the library yesterday, and I had been freezing all day... I just wanted to go home. When I got in, Tommy asked what I was making for dinner and I just have a complete come apart because I didn't feel like cooking. Instead we had Spaghetti- Os (so much for non processed foods) and I was in bed by 7.  I was just exhausted. This morning, I called the doctor's office to confirm the thyroid scan, and was told that they didn't do the scan at that office, that they would just set up an appointment at the hospital. My GP will do the scan in her office and it was at her office that the blood work was taken showing that there were issues, so I called and got an appointment for the scan at 8 and then I will have my yearly physical at the OBGYN at 10:30. These two offices are an hour from each other (and they are calling for MORE SNOW) so hopefully I won't have any problems getting back and forth.

I usually try not to get too involved on the internet when it comes to medical stuff, but I have googled information about the thyroid and found that alot of the foods that I LOVE can affect the thyroid. Cabbage, broccoli, and soy are major offenders, and foods that I eat everyday. After finding out more from the doctor, I will do more research and will possible have to change alot of the things I eat.

I think I am just feeling overwhelmed right now. Hopefully, everything will be okay and with some medication and slight diet adjustments I can move past all of this worry. Please say a little prayer for me in the morning.

Three Things Thursday with an Award

1. I would like to thank Moving Mertle for the Stylish Blogger Award. If you don't read her blog you should, she even inspired me to clean out my fridge and pantry a couple of weeks ago after posting pics of her organizing :)

The rules for this award are simple:

Post and link back to the person who awarded you this award!

Share 7 things about yourself!

Award 5 bloggers who have "Stylish" blogs!

My Seven Things...

1.  I have naturally curly hair and love it! During my teen years, I tried to tame the curls, but these days I just let them go :)

 

2. I am itching to go to the zoo. My husband and I have Zoo memberships and love to visit different zoos through out the year. In fact, I had planned to participate in a 5k at the Nashville Zoo this weekend, but I am afraid the weather is not going to cooperate for us to make the two hour drive...it is suppose to be snowy and icy again this weekend.

 

3. I LOVE candles and burn them all the time. I really enjoy the Wood Wick brand during the winter. It is nice to hear the crackling. I am cheap and would never pay full price for the Wood Wicks, but sometimes I get lucky at get them for under $10 at TJ MAXX.

 

4. One of my New Year's resolutions this year is to not buy any books. *Unless I find an awesome Children's Vintage Christmas Book. I have access to books all the time because I am a librarian, and yet I spend 100s  of dollars every year on them, so in an effort to save money I am restricting my purchases.

5. I collect vintage children's Christmas books and display them with my Christmas decorations each year. I have over 30 books and love finding them in little antique books stores when we are traveling :)

6.  I won a karaoke contest at a party I went to this weekend! The party was so much fun and I had a blast! PS...I can't carry a tune in a bucket, but I had fun and am excited about the gift card I won! ;)

7. I would really like to like to cook, but I don't. I cook alot, but I just don't enjoy it the way some people do...maybe one day I will enjoy it. 

I am passing this on to...

Ann @ 12 in 12

Kim @ All About the Bottom Line

J @ For Real this Time

Jennifer @ Weight Loss Journey- Getting Healthy

Rusti @ Texas Girl Getting Fit

I tried to double check and make sure you guys have not already received the award :) Thanks again for the Award Moving Mertle! :)

2.  I am super excited today because I bought the game Rack-O! Did any of you guys play this when you were a kid? Basically you are dealt cards and have to order them numerically in a rack. (That sounds kind of lame but it is a fun game!)I had forgotten all about it until my Mom mentioned it the other day...and today I found it on Amazon.  WOOHOO! and it was only 10 bucks :) I know it will be worth my money LOL

 

3.  Last Friday I had my regular 3 month check up for my tachycardia. Monday the doctor's office called and said that my Thyroid levels were severely low along with some blood counts being wacky and wanted me to have an ultra sound and biopsy done next week. In the past my levels were "borderline" and I had an ultra sound but things seemed fine and I was never put on any kind of medicine. I am a bit nervous with all of this and am curious if any of you are currently taking thyroid meds or have had the biopsy.