The cliché “life is a roller coaster” is a fitting metaphor for Nicole Snedden, 24, who has endured several life changing events over the years. Ironically, she also happened to be born in a city that boasts being home to one the highest roller coasters in the world…Sandusky, Ohio. She now resides in Portland, Oregon where she attends the University of Portland as a fulltime MBA student, and she maintains a healthy lifestyle in spite of having type 1 diabetes and hypothyroidism.
In seventh grade, Nicole was diagnosed with a specific form of hypothyroidism called chronic thyroiditis; also known as Hashimoto’s disease. Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disease in which your immune system attacks and damages your thyroid gland—the gland in your body that releases a hormone associated with regulating your metabolism—and one of the common symptoms is weight gain.[i]
At the age of 21, Nicole was then diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Her struggles with weight are a constant battle, and it is a battle that is compounded by the diabetes.
“I was having a hard time losing the weight I gained after my type 1 diabetes diagnosis, they (type 1 diabetes and hypothyroidism) cause weight gain and lethargy” said Nicole. “My struggles with diabetes and hypothyroidism affect every aspect of my life, and most of the choices I make are in some way related to these diseases.”
But her energy and attitude are inspiring, and when you speak with Nicole there is never a sense that she feels like a victim of her diagnoses. Instead, she views her diagnoses as part of the formula that allows her to live a happy and healthy life.
“My goal is to get back to the weight I was before my diabetes, and then to maintain that goal indefinitely,” said Nicole.
Nicole’s goal is easier said than done, considering the implications that hypothyroidism has on your body’s ability to regulate your weight. But Nicole is making tremendous progress, and it’s her approach to dealing with life and these diseases that are responsible for her achievements.
She exercises regularly and she is meticulous about what she eats in order to control both her weight and her diabetes. Each day she understands a little bit more about herself and how these diseases affect her body.
“Everyone is different, and every day is different,” said Nicole. “Working out, for instance, could raise my blood sugar one day and lower it immensely the next. But I’m getting pretty good at understanding my body, especially when it comes to working out.”
Follow Nicole’s inspirational story to find out more about how hypothyroidism and type 1 diabetes affect her life and fitness goals, and how she maintains a healthy lifestyle while dealing with these diseases.
[i] Information obtained from PubMed Health, U.S National Library of Medicine – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001393/
How do I follow Nicoles story?
Nicole has such a great spirit and it’s great to see that she is so strong in battling this fight to maintain a healthy lifestyle and in not letting these diseases get the best of her. I wish Nicole the best in all her endeavors.
I too have hashimoto, what are the SPECIFIC types of blood tests done by your Endocronologist? My Dr has only done basic blood test and I’m hearing about other tests that are more in-depth and can provide info to help in prescribing proper doses of thyroid medications. I suffer from fatigue and have difficulties with motivation for my w/o’s.
So proud of you Nicole! Keep up the hard work, I can’t imagine what you are dealing with but always love giving credit to those that work hard 🙂
I also have Hypothyroidism and I can tell you that this girl is working very hard to get where she wants to be! Congratulations!
Well done Nic, as a Personal Trainer in Melbourne, Australia I’ve heard so many weak excuses over the years. Keep strong and go hard
Hey nicole outstanding job keep that drive and determination and you’ll be fine all your life like you I’ve had problems with my thyroid all my life iam 50 now just recently had it removed due to cancer you look fantastic and I hope your story inspires other good job marc
Hey Nichole, just wanted to let you know you are not alone! I’m also 24 and living with type 1 diabetes and hypothyroidism. I know how hard it is! Keep up the good work! If you ever see this and want to talk my e-mail is Taryn.dannemann @ yahoo.com
I’d love to swap stories!
HEY I BN TYPE 1 DIABETIC 4 10YRS & I HAD MY THYROID REMOVE ALMST 6 YRS AGO, I BN BATTLING WIT THIS FOR SUMTIME & IM 25 YRS OLD & I HAD DIABETES FRM PREGNANCY WIT MY 1ST CHILD , AFTER I HAD MY LAST DAUGHTER WHICH IS 5 I WAS WEIGHING 145 NOW I WEIGHT 234:( ITS HARD 2 LOOSE WEIGHT & IM SUFFERING FRM DIABETIC NEUROPATHY & ITS TAKING A TOLL ON MY LIFE …. I CANT STAND ALONG TIME, I CANT EXERCISE IT HURTS SO BADLY I TAKE PAIN RELIEVERS BUT U GUYS KNO HOW THAT GOES!!! 🙁 IM TIRED OF DA STRUGGLE BC NO MATTER HOW LIL OR BIG I EAT I CANT LOOSE DA WEIGHT IDK WAT ELSE 2 DO ???? PLEASE HELP SUMBODY I WANNA HAVE A NORMAL LIFE & DO MORE WIT MY KIDS
Like Nicole I have diabetes and hypothyroidism, but my thyroid is completely missing since birth abs I’ve had to adjust my synthroid my whole life and later out contributed to weight gain and yotype2
Diabetes. I just recently competed in a mud race and got hurt but finished. For women like us fitness is not just a choice, it’s a must if we want to stay in shape becausewe’ll never be able to maintain a regular weight without it. Keep up the good work and communicate with your MD and you’ll no doubt be successful.you should be very proud of all you’ve accomplished.I can appreciate how much it took to get there
In 1994 I had both my thyroids and parathroids removed due to Cancer. Within a month I had gained 35 lbs! It is very hard to lose weight when your metabolism is compromised. I continued with my w/o’s and work hard to lose weight. I hate when people say they can’t lose weight when they still have their thyroids and have no problems except they refuse to stop eating and w/o. Its a sruggle but you can do it. Keep up the good work you have started.
My son is a type 1. He lives in Mass. I wanted to help him so I used to attend meetings at the Diabetes meeting once a month (Gastroenterology Dept.) (Western Hospital on Tustin Blvd. in Tustin). I live in Irvine. I was very impressed with the group. Daughters and mothers come, older people, younger people. They get up and talk and everyone is friendly. Plus, they have speakers and questions are always answered. If you have not joined such a gorup, I suggest you do. Bill Kent
excellent post, very informative. I’m wondering why the opposite experts of this sector don’t understand this.
You should continue your writing. I am sure, you have
a great readers’ base already!
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