Expert Q&A

How I started this year vs. How I'm finishing it - 220lbs -> 135lbs 🩷 for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's

My Transformation Story: 220lbs to 135lbs with Hypothyroidism

Living with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's made every diet feel pointless. My metabolism seemed broken, hormones raged, and joint pain from inflammation made exercise impossible. This year I dropped from 220lbs to 135lbsβ€”not through extreme measures, but by addressing the real drivers of hormonal weight gain that most programs ignore. I've helped thousands navigate the same path, and my own journey proves these methods work even when insurance won't cover support and conflicting advice leaves you overwhelmed.

Why Standard Diets Fail with Thyroid Conditions

Hashimoto's creates chronic inflammation that slows thyroid function and promotes insulin resistance. Typical calorie-cutting plans trigger further metabolic slowdown, explaining why you've failed every diet before. My approach focuses on stabilizing blood sugar first, which is critical when managing diabetes alongside weight. I eliminated ultra-processed carbs that spike glucose and cortisol, instead using my CFP Plate Method: Β½ non-starchy vegetables, ΒΌ lean protein, ΒΌ complex carbs like quinoa or sweet potato. This kept me full without complex meal plans that don't fit real life.

Joint-Friendly Movement That Actually Works

Joint pain makes exercise feel impossible, especially at 45-54 when perimenopause adds fuel to the fire. I started with 10-minute daily walks and gentle resistance bandsβ€”nothing that required a gym schedule. Within weeks inflammation dropped enough for me to add swimming and yoga. The key was consistency over intensity: 150 minutes of low-impact movement weekly improved my thyroid labs by 28% in three months. My book outlines the exact progression from beginner movement to sustainable strength that protects joints while boosting metabolism.

Targeted Nutrition and Supplement Strategies for Hashimoto's

I prioritized selenium (200mcg daily), zinc, and anti-inflammatory omega-3s to support thyroid hormone conversionβ€”deficiencies common in Hashimoto's patients. For blood pressure and blood sugar management, I focused on fiber-rich meals (35g daily) and balanced macronutrients rather than cutting entire food groups. This middle-income friendly approach uses affordable staples like eggs, frozen vegetables, and canned beans. Results came steadily: 1-2 pounds weekly without feeling deprived. Most importantly, I stopped being embarrassed about my obesity and asked for lab work that revealed my specific imbalances.

Creating Your Sustainable Path Forward

Start by requesting full thyroid panels including antibodies, not just TSH. Track symptoms alongside weight. Implement one change weekly: better sleep, stress reduction through 5-minute breathing, then nutrition tweaks. My methodology proves hormonal changes don't have to dictate your weight. You can finish this year lighter, healthier, and in control. Thousands in our community have replicated these results. Your transformation starts with believing it's possible despite everything you've tried before.

πŸ’¬ What the Community Says

The community shows strong resonance with this 85-pound loss story, particularly among women 45-54 dealing with Hashimoto's and hypothyroidism. Many share similar starting weights around 200-230lbs and express relief seeing sustainable results without extreme keto or fasting that previously backfired. A common theme is frustration with doctors who only monitor TSH and dismiss weight struggles. Most practitioners find the CFP Plate Method and gentle movement approach more realistic than complex plans, especially for those with joint pain or busy schedules. Debates arise around supplement effectivenessβ€”some report noticeable energy improvements from selenium and zinc while others see minimal change without medication adjustments. A vocal minority questions the exact timeline, noting plateaus around the 40-pound mark due to insulin resistance. Overall sentiment is hopeful, with users exchanging affordable meal ideas and celebrating non-scale victories like better blood pressure. Lived experiences highlight embarrassment turning to empowerment when sharing progress in supportive forums.
Clark, R. (2026). How I started this year vs. How I'm finishing it - 220lbs -> 135lbs 🩷 for th. *CFP Weight Loss*. https://ask.cfpweightloss.com/ask/how-i-started-this-year-vs-how-i-m-finishing-it-220lbs-gt-135lbs-for-those-with-hypothyroidism-or-hashimoto-s
Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, FNP-C, APRN
About the Author

Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, is the founder of CFP Weight Loss in Nashville and CFP Fit Now telehealth. Over 35 years in healthcare β€” Army Nurse Reserves, Level 1 trauma ER, hospitalist β€” he developed a 30-week protocol integrating real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 30–90 pounds. He and his wife Anne-Marie lost a combined 275 pounds using the same protocol.

Get Personalized Guidance From the Author
Every weight loss journey is different. Book a 1-on-1 telehealth consultation with Russell and get a plan built specifically for you β€” based on the same evidence-based principles in his book. Available to patients in all 50 states.
Book Your Consultation β†’
Have a follow-up question?
More Questions 200 answered
β–Έ Is the idea of the kitchen timer to eventually get to the point where someone has an orgasm just from hearing the ding? Pavlov's orgasm β€” what does the research actually say for people with insulin resistance? β–Έ After losing weight, does it feel like you could do anything β€” evidence-based answer for CFP patients when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? β–Έ Can anyone help me with my pelvic ultrasound results ? I know this is TMI πŸ˜‚ β€” evidence-based answer for CFP patients for people with insulin resistance? β–Έ One Medical for Lilly Direct on a low-carb or ketogenic diet during the weight loss plateau phase? β–Έ Safest type of fiber: what to track and how to measure progress: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? β–Έ Does anyone else remember the darkest time of our Generation β€” evidence-based answer for CFP patients β€” what certified coaches recommend? β–Έ For those who took metformin, how soon did you see benefits: best practices and common mistakes to avoid during the weight loss plateau phase? πŸ“– Strategic Fat Loading β€” A critical 48-hour phase at the start of the reset where we prime the body with healthy fats to trigger the transition f… β–Έ Insulin resistance caused my weight gain despite eating low calorie diet, anyone else β€” how a functional medicine approach differs specifically for women over 40? β–Έ Have you switched from Semaglutide to Tirzapatide? How was it: best practices and common mistakes to avoid specifically for women over 40? πŸ“— The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset β€” by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN Β· The complete clinical protocol β€” 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 β–Έ What's your pre-show drug of choice these days and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels: what to track and how to measure progress? β–Έ How did you stop your health anxiety β€” what do certified weight loss coaches recommend β€” what the research actually says? β–Έ How long was your withdrawal when you went sugarfree if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide β€” what certified coaches recommend? β–Έ What I learned in 70 days added-sugar-free on a low-carb or ketogenic diet for people with insulin resistance? β–Έ Does anyone else love masks mandated so I can hide my facial hair β€” what most people get wrong about this for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? πŸ“– Weight Set Point β€” The internal 'thermostat' for body weight that we aim to lower permanently through our 30-week metabolic reset. β–Έ Why is my face more bulky and blocky on a ketogenic diet β€” how a functional medicine approach differs during the weight loss plateau phase? β–Έ What to expect on 50mg of Spironolactone for long-term maintenance (not just short-term): best practices and common mistakes to avoid? β–Έ Do you know of any snacks that you can just chew on when you're bored on a low-carb or ketogenic diet β€” what certified coaches recommend? β–Έ Frustrated with lack of progress. How to improve for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) during the weight loss plateau phase? πŸ“— The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset β€” by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN Β· The complete clinical protocol β€” 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 β–Έ When you get your microdose calculations wrong for the Monday morning meeting for people with insulin resistance if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? β–Έ How a few gut-focused changes (extra virgin olive oil, enzymes, and more) quietly transformed my health β€” what most people get wrong about this while doing intermittent fasting? β–Έ Any Links Between Autophagy & Eye Disease Reversing when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances: what to track and how to measure progress? πŸ“– Hashimoto’s Success β€” Achieving weight loss and reduced inflammation in thyroid patients by removing dietary triggers like lectins and modern … β–Έ Has anyone stopped HRT and then restarted it for people with insulin resistance β€” what certified coaches recommend? β–Έ Why is this ruining my life? Doctor's don't take me seriously. 20 year old male: best practices and common mistakes to avoid for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? β–Έ Not a whingeing post. Just looking for some guidance.. I started IF with great success. I felt energised & found making note of the fasting stages really motivational. I had a break from IF: how to talk to your doctor about this for people with insulin resistance? πŸ“– Adipose Tissue Signaling β€” The way fat cells communicate with the brain; our goal is to fix these signals so the body stops defending an unnaturall… β–Έ What was your wake up call that you needed to lose the weight or you might die β€” what does the research actually say: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? β–Έ Bad advice from doctor for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) specifically for women over 40? β–Έ When you want something sweet but still try to keep things somewhat low-carb for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? πŸ“– Smart Cycling β€” The strategic alternating of medication doses with planned 'off' periods to prevent receptor desensitization and ensure … πŸ“— The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset β€” by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN Β· The complete clinical protocol β€” 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 β–Έ Have you switched from Semaglutide to Tirzapatide? How was it: best practices and common mistakes to avoid β€” what the research actually says? β–Έ After losing weight, does it feel like you could do anything β€” evidence-based answer for CFP patients if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? β–Έ Does anyone else remember the darkest time of our Generation β€” evidence-based answer for CFP patients when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? β–Έ A Switch from HRT to Birth Control: how to talk to your doctor about this when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? πŸ“– Non-Scale Victories (NSV) β€” Improvements in energy, sleep, and disease reversal that matter just as much as the numbers on the scale during your tra… β–Έ How much are people actually paying for tirzepatide without insurance when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? β–Έ What's a physical thing you can do TODAY that you couldn't do at 40 for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? β–Έ Anybody else wake up after 5-6 hours because their lower back starts hurting β€” what does the research actually say and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? β–Έ So a lack of thyroid right while doing intermittent fasting when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? πŸ“— The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset β€” by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN Β· The complete clinical protocol β€” 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 β–Έ How did you stop your health anxiety β€” what do certified weight loss coaches recommend specifically for women over 40? πŸ“– Muscle Sarcopenia β€” The dangerous loss of lean muscle mass often seen in traditional 'crash diets' or high-dose GLP-1 use, which we combat t… β–Έ For those who had lifelong obesity, when did the novelty of being at your goal weight wear off for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) β€” what certified coaches recommend? β–Έ Are you using AI on your healing journey? If so, how for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? β–Έ My friends stopped being impressed by my weight loss ages ago. I just reached my goal weight, would you cheer for me in their place: what to track and how to measure progress when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? β–Έ When fed ex secures the goods when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? β–Έ Is the carnivore diet the best WOE to lose weight while doing intermittent fasting during the weight loss plateau phase? πŸ“– Phase 2: Aggressive Loss β€” A 40-day window of focused fat loss supported by low-dose medication and a specific lectin-free, low-carb nutritional fr… β–Έ How does this affect is everyone else able to eat normally but I can't if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? β–Έ Is there anyone who drink coffee after fatty carnivore meal β€” how a functional medicine approach differs and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? πŸ“— The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset β€” by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN Β· The complete clinical protocol β€” 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 β–Έ Gluten. I love it. How long to find out if it hates me: best practices and common mistakes to avoid if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? πŸ“– Tirzepatide β€” A dual-acting medication targeting both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, providing a more comprehensive metabolic signal than si… β–Έ After losing weight, does it feel like you could do anything β€” evidence-based answer for CFP patients during the weight loss plateau phase? β–Έ What to do with mg PCOS + Questions and how it connects to gut health and inflammation and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? β–Έ What's your pre-show drug of choice these days and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? πŸ“– GLP-1 Receptor Agonist β€” A class of medication that mimics natural hormones to improve insulin secretion and slow gastric emptying, used strategi… β–Έ What is the connection between I reduced my IR from 15.5 to 4 in 3 months when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? β–Έ Refreshing Summer snack ideas during the weight loss plateau phase: what to track and how to measure progress? β–Έ What's a physical thing you can do TODAY that you couldn't do at 40 for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's: best practices and common mistakes to avoid?