Is your hypothyroidism causing your joint pain? Most people don’t realize that there is a connection between hypothyroidism, weight gain, and joint pain. But don’t worry, the combination of the right supplements and exercises can bring fast relief!
Our thyroid gland secretes hormones that control our metabolism, the body's way of converting the food you eat into fuel. If you’re like me, and you struggle with hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), this means that we have less of those metabolism-controlling hormones. Any disturbance in the way our body’s burn energy also affects how our body feels. If you have “advanced hypothyroidism,” fluid builds in your joints as your metabolism slows, causing swelling that leads to weight gain and pain. These simple steps can help you decrease the aches and pains that are slowing you down.
KEEP MOVING YOUR BODY DAILY
Your aches and pains are telling you to keep moving. Twenty to 60 minutes of daily slow-and-low impact aerobics gets you up and moving around and off the couch. It can help speed up your metabolism, increase weight loss, and also relieve pain. Weight gain is a common hypothyroidism symptom, and it contributes to aches and pains, more than most people realize. It's critical that you keep moving, regardless of how much you may ache.
However, if you have joint or knee pain, it’s important to choose the right kind of workouts. Choose low to no-impact aerobics. Go for the elliptical or indoor cycling over the treadmill to avoid pounding knee pain. Swimming is the ideal low-impact aerobic exercise if you have access. The water buoys your body and cushions joints. The water pressure against our bodies makes joints feel better immediately, especially if it’s cold. Swimming should not be your only source of exercise, however, because it doesn’t strengthen bones. Cross train your low impact cardio exercises for best results and to protect your healthier joints from overuse. One of the best ways to do this is with a metabolic boosting Core Walk. A Core Walk will challenge your muscles in new ways, so you’ll start seeing results again. The endorphins are also helpful when it comes to mood-boosting. You can read more about the Core Walk here.
STRENGTHEN YOUR MUSCLES
Weight training exercises do more than sculpt your muscles, they protect lean muscle mass, which uses more calories than fat, even at rest. These exercises also help lubricate tendons, ligaments, and all connective and soft tissue. This is the secret to a healthy metabolism that promotes weight loss and fat burning. It is the best way to keep your body in working order for life.
Stronger muscles also directly help protect your joints. For example, strengthening exercises such as squats, chest presses, and arm exercises develop the muscles that support the knees and shoulders. The movement delivers nutrients into the area, reducing pain and nourishing joints. Strengthening exercises also remove toxins that cause pain.
Most people think moving isn’t good for aching joints, but nothing could be further from the truth. Without enough movement, toxins build up, and nutrients can’t get into the area where they are needed most. Start slow with 10-12 repetitions of each exercise, and do this workout twice weekly. If 10 minutes is too much, start with five minutes today and tomorrow. Moving will unlock your body's potential, and the endorphins will make you feel better. I can guarantee you will never be sorry.
For starters, try the Anti-Aging, Pain Relief Beginner Metabolic Boosting Workout. It's only 10 minutes, and everyone can do this workout, so there literally are no excuses. The best side effect is you’ll look and feel better, and your clothes won't feel so tight.
Strengthening exercise reaches places detox programs cant!
GET ENOUGH ANTI-ACHING SLEEP
Sleep is when our muscles and joints recover. If you're not sleeping well, you're not recovering as fast as you could be. When you're sleep deprived you’re more likely to crave junk and comfort foods that cause weight gain, adding pressure and stressing your joints, increasing joint pain significantly. Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night. For advanced pain relief and better-quality restorative sleep, take (1-2) LynFit Lean Sleep and (1) LynFit Pure Omega 3 one hour before bedtime. You’ll sleep more soundly and wake up feeling refreshed and aching.
Lean Sleep is also a great immune booster, thanks to pure melatonin’s antioxidant benefits. It also helps burn off stubborn body fat. Everyone should be taking this, even if you already sleep well.
STICK TO A HEALTHIER, METABOLIC BOOSTING DIET
We all know that we need to break up with junk food and replace it with healthier choices like the options on the Metabolic Boosting Plan. This will not only enhance your health but also boost your metabolism. This plan also reduces inflammation. For example, eating more fish versus chicken helps provide a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids are known to decrease inflammation, which may be contributing to your muscle and joint pain. Cold water fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and tuna have some of the highest amounts of omega-3s, so the more fish you eat, the less you’ll ache and the leaner you’ll be.
You’ll also want to make sure to get lots of leafy green vegetables that are high in antioxidants as these may counter inflammation. Minimize fruit consumption due to the blood sugar spikes it can cause that also increase inflammation (as well as your waistline).
RECOVER BY DOING RECOVERY STRETCHING
Recovery stretching is a great way to provide relief for joint pain while also increasing flexibility safely. You won't find any back twisting, disc bulging, pretzel poses here. No matter what aches, recovery stretching will safely and effectively help ease aches and pains using a therapeutic approach.
I suggest that my clients do recovery stretching every other day and do a lighter version daily like the Express Stretch found on FIT in 5 or Anti-Aging, Pain Relief Beginner Metabolic Boosting Workout DVDs. Just remember, do not push; listen to your body, and easy does it.
For shoulder pain, try opening your chest like this: Sit with your feet flat on the floor. As you inhale, stretch your arms over your head. Clasp your hands together over your head and then turn your palms up toward the ceiling. Drop your shoulders and straighten up as if pushing through your head. Hold for 30 seconds. Release your hands, bringing them down behind you. Next, clasp your hands behind your back and lift your arms. Hold for another 30 seconds. Don’t hold your breath because your breath drives your movement.
Every one of LynFit workout DVDs has a variation of this stretch because it’s so important to open tight chest muscles. Hunching over our computers and cell phones causes poor posture and is wreaking havoc on our body’s, so it’s critical that you stretch them at least once a day. More recovery stretching techniques can be found on the Recovery Stretch Workout Video Download or any of the workouts on the Fit in 5 and Anti-Aging DVDs.
DON'T LET FATIGUE STOP YOU
Chronic debilitating fatigue is one of the most common hypothyroidism symptoms. Even though you might feel exhausted, exercise is guaranteed to make you feel better and more energized. You'll always benefit from exercise, not only because it will rev up your metabolism and help burn more fat, but it's also the best way to ease joint pain and maintain your flexibility.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that because you have muscle and joint pain that you’re better off not moving. If you're too exhausted to complete a full exercise routine, break it up into several short bouts. Even 10 minutes done three times daily (or even quick five minute workouts done sporadically throughout the day) will be effective and is so doable you can’t NOT do it. Stretching is one of the best relaxation exercises on the planet. In fact, if you do it within two hours of bedtime, you’ll notice that you sleep better and your stress falls away, along with the stresses of the day.
SUPPLEMENT THE CORRECT WAY TO HELP IMPROVE THYROID FUNCTION AND EASE JOINT PAIN FROM THE INSIDE OUT
Having a condition such as hypothyroidism can be stressful and cause all sorts of problems, but there are some things you can do to help make sure that your thyroid gets the nutrients it needs to function at its best.
Stress also contributes to pain and tension. That's why it's important to find natural ways to reduce stress, such as daily stretching and taking LynFit Thyro-Boost daily, combined with LynFit Vitamin D3 Boost. This combo helps bring more relief than you may realize, by providing your thyroid with the critical nutrients it needs. Both also help your body cope with the negative effects that stress has on your body. Some examples are elevated cortisol levels, anxiety, and hormonal fluctuations. This combination helps to reduce aches and pains, and our appetites. They help make sure your metabolism doesn’t slow down while protecting lean muscle tissue (that means less crepey skin) and strengthening your bones.
If you don’t have this dynamic duo in your medicine cabinet, you should! In today's world, it's essential, and everyone should be taking it as the first line of defense, even if you aren’t hypothyroid, it will still be beneficial.
Taking care of your body switches your focus from your aches and pains to something more positive, so you feel less victimized. Nothing is more empowering than improving your health. This problem-solving versus complaining will teach you how to distract yourself from what's bothering you and refocuses your attention to more positive thoughts. Studies agree (the Journal of Neuroscience) that focusing on taking better care of our body, mind, and spirit can reduce sensitivity to pain. Don’t take my word for it, try it for yourself and you'll quickly see.
For maximum strength joint pain relief you may want to try the following pain-free protocol that I suggest to my clients:
- Power your body with the right kind of protein (LynFit Complete Protein Shakes) at least once daily.
- Always make sure you're taking LynFit Thyro-Boost and LynFit Vitamins D3 Boost (one dropper full, twice daily).
- Include advanced joint support by taking either LynFit Daily Joint Recovery & Repair, or LynFit Recovery Agent, and LynFit Pure Omega 3.
- Never forget to drink lots of fresh water daily.
- Recover better by doing recovery stretching every other day.
- Every Monday and Thursday, lift weights to stay strong.
- Every day should be a movement day. Get your 10,000 steps every day no matter what, or ride an indoor bike... but keep moving!
Yes, these natural protocols can be used with your prescription medications, and in fact, they should be. Medications can deplete your body of necessary vitamins and minerals it needs to stay healthy and live happily, pain-free!