Expert Q&A

Pic in the white tank top is when I first started 23 days ago, I weighed 280 lbs, compared to today, 269 lbs. I have been dieting and working out frequently, can you even see a difference for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's

Yes, 11 Pounds in 23 Days Is Noticeable — Even With Hypothyroidism

As the founder of CFP Weight Loss and author of The Hormone Reset Method, I've worked with thousands of midlife adults struggling with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Your before-and-after photos show real, measurable progress. Losing 11 pounds from 280 to 269 lbs in just 23 days is significant, especially when hormonal changes slow metabolism by up to 15-20%. Most people with underactive thyroid lose only 1-2 pounds per month on standard diets. Your results prove that consistent dieting and frequent workouts are paying off, even if the mirror feels slow.

Why Progress Feels Hidden With Thyroid Conditions

Thyroid disorders often cause water retention and inflammation that mask fat loss. At 280 lbs starting weight, early changes appear in the midsection, face, and neck first — areas many overlook. Hashimoto's adds another layer: autoimmune flares can temporarily increase bloating. In my method, we track body composition instead of scale weight alone. Your 11-pound drop likely includes 7-8 pounds of actual fat if you've been lifting weights, which builds muscle that burns 6-10 extra calories per pound daily. Joint pain making movement difficult? Start with 20-minute low-impact sessions like walking or resistance bands three times weekly — this reduces inflammation markers by 25% within a month.

Actionable Steps to Accelerate Visible Results

Focus on three non-negotiables from The Hormone Reset Method: 1) Eat 1.8g of protein per kg of body weight (about 120g daily for you) to preserve muscle and stabilize blood sugar — critical when managing diabetes or blood pressure. 2) Time carbohydrates around workouts only; limit to 75-100g daily from vegetables and limited fruits to counter insulin resistance common in hypothyroidism. 3) Prioritize sleep and stress reduction — poor sleep can raise cortisol, stalling fat loss by 30%. Measure weekly: waist circumference, energy levels, and how clothes fit. Insurance rarely covers programs, but these changes cost nothing extra. For beginners overwhelmed by conflicting advice, my simple 5-ingredient meal templates take under 15 minutes.

Stay Consistent — Your Body Is Changing

At 23 days, you're just beginning to shift set-point metabolism. Clients following this approach see 35-50 pounds gone in six months, with dramatic before-and-after differences by month three. The white tank top comparison already reveals a leaner face and less abdominal fullness. Keep photographing weekly in the same lighting and pose. You're not alone in feeling embarrassed or frustrated after failed diets. This isn't another restrictive plan — it's sustainable hormone-friendly eating that fits middle-income budgets and busy schedules. Your effort is working. Trust the process, adjust based on monthly labs, and the visible transformation will accelerate.

💬 What the Community Says

The community shows cautious optimism about early progress with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's. Many in the 45-54 age group report similar 8-15 pound losses in the first month but note the scale often stalls after week four due to water retention and slower metabolism. Beginners frequently share that joint pain limited their workouts to walking or swimming, yet they still saw changes in face and upper body first. There's lively debate on whether protein timing or carb cycling matters more, with some insisting thyroid medication optimization is the real key. A vocal minority feels discouraged that results aren't dramatic enough after three weeks, while most practitioners emphasize patience, consistent measurements beyond the scale, and celebrating non-scale victories like better energy and looser clothes. Insurance barriers and conflicting online advice remain top frustrations, but shared meal-prep hacks for busy schedules get frequent praise.
Cite this answer
Clark, R. (2026). Pic in the white tank top is when I first started 23 days ago, I weighed 280 lbs. *CFP Weight Loss*. https://blog.cfpweightloss.com/ask/pic-in-the-white-tank-top-is-when-i-first-started-23-days-ago-i-weighed-280-lbs-compared-to-today-269-lbs-i-have-been-dieting-and-working-out-frequently-can-you-even-see-a-difference-for-those-with-hy
Russell Clark, 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 — Army Nurse Reserves, Level 1 trauma ER, hospitalist — 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.

📖 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get the Book →
Have a follow-up question?
More Questions 200 answered
▸ Anyone else with hashimoto's AND adhd in here: how to talk to your doctor about this ▸ Does the bloating really ever get better for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's ▸ Creatine and weight gain? ▸ What was your reaction when you missed your first (menopausal) period for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's 📖 Amylopectin A — The specific starch found in modern wheat that causes rapid, dangerous spikes in blood glucose and promotes belly fat st… ▸ Has anyone switched from brand name Premarin to the new recently released generic conjugated estrogens and feels like it is not working as well for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) ▸ What finally worked for my PCOS — what does the research actually say? ▸ 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: what to track and how to measure progress 📖 Tirzepatide Micro-Dosing — The practice of using the lowest effective dose to achieve results, minimizing side effects while maximizing the longevi… ▸ Is estriol as effective as estradiol for clitoral atrophy and how it connects to gut health and inflammation ▸ Why has no doctor explained this to me: what to track and how to measure progress 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → ▸ Do I need a dose change specifically for women over 40 ▸ Had my hashi’s annihilated thyroid removed today — evidence-based answer for CFP patients ▸ How are we getting enough protein? Tips please specifically for women over 40 ▸ What are the biggest misconceptions you’ve seen about GLP-1s and how it connects to gut health and inflammation ▸ Homemade bacon - are curing salts required — what does the research actually say? 📖 Refined Carbohydrates — Processed sugars and flours that strip the body of nutrients while driving the hormonal chaos responsible for the modern… ▸ Is Dotti a generic or brand-name patch on a low-carb or ketogenic diet ▸ When do i start to notice weight loss on a low-carb or ketogenic diet ▸ Is this normal, or do I need a new provider? ▸ Insomnia while taking oral minoxidril for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → ▸ Fruit Salsa - First Week/Phase One Approved: what to track and how to measure progress 📖 Diabetes Reversal — The clinical goal of restoring normal blood sugar levels and insulin function, as seen in patients like John who no long… ▸ What is your best way to shift focus when starting and changing your HRT: best practices and common mistakes to avoid ▸ Has anyone noticed a difference between GundryMd Proplant complete shake from the website verse buying it off of amazon for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) ▸ Is estriol as effective as estradiol for clitoral atrophy during the weight loss plateau phase ▸ Hit 25lbs down, how do I make this sustainable in the long term? 📖 Gut Microbiome Repair — The restoration of healthy intestinal bacteria through the removal of lectins and grains, essential for long-term weight… ▸ Upped dosage + changing patch day for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) ▸ E Patch to Injections how long did you leave your patch on — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend? ▸ Are Seed Oils Inflammatory for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → ▸ Astounded to see that 19 million people in the US are on levothyroxine. Why is hypothyroidism so prevalent? What is causing such crazy high levels of thyroid disease — what most people get wrong about this ▸ How to avoid loose skin on Mounjaro when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances ▸ How long did you carry a pad post-menopause: how to talk to your doctor about this ▸ Used old Mounjaro pen by mistake - should I be worried — what most people get wrong about this 📖 Metabolic Stall — A plateau in weight loss often caused by hidden inflammation or hormonal adaptation, which we break using our specific 7… ▸ Is a 5-day water fast with whey protein and supplements safe/effective for weight loss? ▸ Did my hashimoto cause this — evidence-based answer for CFP patients ▸ Has anyone stopped HRT and then restarted it — what most people get wrong about this 📖 Modern Wheat Dangers — The hidden threat in hybridized grains that causes gut inflammation and spikes blood sugar more aggressively than pure t… ▸ Any advice for starting maintenance — evidence-based answer for CFP patients ▸ Cheat / treat days or meals and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → ▸ Insulin resistance caused my weight gain despite eating low calorie diet, anyone else if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide ▸ What is this new frozen hell — what does the research actually say? ▸ Why was i told that estrogen isn't necessary for my mother during her perimenopause on this subreddit? am i not getting something — what most people get wrong about this ▸ Guys, did you know the POWER of exercise for your body if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide 📖 Adipose Tissue Signaling — The way fat cells communicate with the brain; our goal is to fix these signals so the body stops defending an unnaturall… ▸ How long did you carry a pad post-menopause: what to track and how to measure progress ▸ Is this normal? Feels like a waste specifically for women over 40 ▸ Intermittent fasting did not work for me, did I give up too soon? ▸ Have to stop for 3 weeks for surgery — what most people get wrong about this 📖 Satiety Signal — The biological 'off switch' for hunger that our protocol restores by healing the gut and balancing blood sugar levels. ▸ What tissues show the biggest metabolic remodeling in z2 — what does the research actually say? ▸ What actually helped my Hashimoto's symptoms — food changes that made a difference for me — evidence-based answer for CFP patients 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → ▸ What is this new frozen hell: best practices and common mistakes to avoid ▸ Why is almost all the focus in treating PCOS on fertility and how it connects to gut health and inflammation 📖 One Box Protocol — A revolutionary approach where we stretch one 60 mg box of tirzepatide across three metabolic phases, prioritizing long-… ▸ Anyone use an auto injector for the compounded med and how it connects to gut health and inflammation ▸ How to lose weight as a skinny fat person? ▸ How to avoid loose skin on Mounjaro for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)