Coconut Oil!!

Well, I've come to the conclusion that fasting slows my metabolism. I know it works for some people, but I've come to believe that I have an under active thyroid aka hypothyroidism. I have so many of the symptoms. I had my doctor test me and my results came back "normal"***...whatever that means. Well, it means they aren't going to help me and I will have to help myself-same old Western medicine story. That's how I came back to coconut oil. I've known about coconut oil for years. I love it and use it for oil pulling and it's many topical healing properties. I knew it was supposed to help with weight loss but was afraid to start eating 3 tbsp. of oil a day. I just didn't trust that I wouldn't gain weight. After hitting a wall with fasting-it seems like my body just adjusted to the less food and my weight started going up (slowed metabolism), I decided to stop before I was never able to eat again. After quitting fasting and resuming normal eating, my weight bounced up to 177.4. That was horribly depressing and I had fears of my weight climbing out of control to an all time high of 180 or more! I had to find a way that I could eat normally and at least not gain. Here's how my weight looks after starting coconut oil 3x a day:

(I am 5'6")
start (after giving up fasting) 3/22/10 177.4
3/24/10 177.0 (down .4 lbs.)
3/25/10 176.4 (down .6 lbs.)
3/26/10 175.4 (down 1 lb.:) **weird thing here is that I ate salt the night before (sea salt on my popcorn) and I didn't exercise that day...

2 lbs. in 4 days...not bad. Not sure if it's just a fluke or if it will continue. It seems like every time I try something new, I will lose a few lbs. and then it levels off. I guess only time will tell. I have also added 60-90 minutes of biking 3-5 days a week and a thyroid supplement called Thyroid Strength that is supposed to support your thyroid-that could be helping too.

I actually like the coconut oil, so it's not that hard to fit in. In fact, it seems like my body was craving fats because I crave buttered toast etc. I love being able to have fat on my food. In the am I have whole wheat toast with 1 tbsp. coconut oil and 1 tbsp. all natural peanut butter. A little oily, but very satisfying. The coconut oil keeps hunger at bay. Last night I had popcorn with 1 tbsp. of melted coconut oil and sea salt. Pretty good and I actually lost weight the next day-even after the salt!

***I have read that people's thyroid tests come back "normal" even if they are only functioning at 30%. So, people are told their thyroids are fine and are left to suffer with their symptoms.