If you’ve been doing everything “right“, eating clean, working out, even counting calories, yet the scale refuses to budge, you might want to look at your thyroid.
That was me a year ago. I was frustrated, bloated, exhausted, and constantly gaining weight no matter what I did.

After months of trial and error, research, and eventually success, I want to share exactly how to reset your thyroid to burn fat, based on what worked for me. I’m not a doctor, but I’ve lived this journey, and what I’m sharing could be the missing piece of your weight loss puzzle.
What Your Thyroid Has to Do With Fat Burning
Let’s start with the basics. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that produces hormones (mainly T3 and T4) that regulate your metabolism. If it’s underactive (hypothyroidism), your body burns fewer calories, your digestion slows down, and you gain weight easily, even when eating small portions.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/VWH-PaigeMcLaughlin-LosingWeightWithHypothyroidism-Standard-037969ce48184a0cb9bb5c175e328484.jpg)
That was my reality. No amount of HIIT workouts or green smoothies made a difference until I focused on healing my thyroid first. Once I did, the fat started melting off, slowly at first, but then consistently.
How I Knew My Thyroid Was Sluggish
I had classic signs:
- Constant fatigue (even after 8 hours of sleep)
- Weight gain around my belly and face
- Dry skin
- Brain fog
- Cold hands and feet
- Irregular periods
I also had bloodwork done, and while my TSH was technically “normal,” my T3 was low, and my reverse T3 was high, meaning my body wasn’t converting hormones properly.
That’s when I started learning how to reset your thyroid to burn fat naturally, without jumping to medication first.
The Natural Thyroid Reset Protocol That Worked for Me
Here’s exactly what I did to support and reset my thyroid, improve hormone conversion, and finally lose weight:
1. I Nourished My Body (No More Dieting)
Extreme calorie restriction slows the thyroid. I had to eat enough to let my body feel safe again.
My daily nutrition focused on:
- Protein at every meal (chicken, eggs, salmon, Greek yogurt)
- Healthy fats (olive oil, avocado, nuts)
- Complex carbs like sweet potatoes, oats, and fruit
- Iodine-rich foods (seaweed, eggs)
- Selenium (Brazil nuts — just 2 per day!)
- Zinc (pumpkin seeds, beef)
I cut out:
- Gluten (which can trigger autoimmune thyroid issues)
- Processed sugar
- Seed oils
- Excess caffeine (which was messing with my adrenals and thyroid)
READ NEXT: 10 Day Oatmeal Diet Plan: How I Lost Weight Got A Smaller Waist
2. I Balanced My Blood Sugar
This was huge. Fluctuating blood sugar messes with cortisol and, in turn, thyroid hormones.
I started:
- Eating within 30 minutes of waking — even just a protein smoothie
- Having balanced meals every 3–4 hours
- Pairing carbs with protein/fat to prevent crashes
No more skipping meals or fasting until noon — it did more harm than good in my case.
3. I Reduced Stress and Supported My Adrenals
Your thyroid and adrenal glands are besties — if you’re constantly stressed, your adrenals produce too much cortisol, which slows thyroid function.
Here’s what helped me:
- 8 hours of sleep (non-negotiable)
- Magnesium glycinate before bed
- Ashwagandha (adaptogen that supports stress response)
- 15 minutes of deep breathing, journaling, or stretching daily
- Saying no to overworking and toxic people
My weight loss finally kicked in once I started resting more and doing gentle exercise like walking, pilates, and yoga instead of hardcore cardio every day.
4. I Took Supplements That Made a Difference
Always consult a professional first, but these helped me immensely:
- Selenium (200mcg daily) – for hormone conversion
- Zinc (15-30mg) – supports T3 production
- Vitamin D3 (2,000-5,000 IU) – mine was deficient
- Ashwagandha – for thyroid and stress balance
- B-Complex – supports energy and thyroid hormones
I also took L-tyrosine on and off — it’s a building block of thyroid hormones.
5. I Got My Gut in Order
Your gut health affects thyroid health. I had bloating, sluggish digestion, and irregular bowel movements — all signs that my gut needed love.
I added:
- A quality probiotic
- Fermented foods like sauerkraut and kefir
- Bone broth for gut lining
- Digestive enzymes with meals
Once my digestion improved, so did my energy and metabolism.
When I Started Seeing Results
Around week 3, I noticed less bloating and more energy.
By week 5, I had lost 5 pounds without restricting calories.
At the 8-week mark, I had dropped 11 pounds, and my waist was down by 2 inches.
But the biggest win? I felt like myself again — focused, alive, and calm.

To achieve 10,000 steps daily for weight loss, I used this walking pad (mini treadmill) at Luxury Handbag because I work from home. You can buy it if you want to work out from Luxury Handbag OR you could go to a gym or walk outside.
Buy My Walking Pad Here

How to Reset Your Thyroid to Burn Fat: A Simple Checklist
If you’re overwhelmed, here’s a quick recap you can start today:
✅ Eat enough calories — no starving
✅ Focus on thyroid-nourishing foods (iodine, selenium, zinc)
✅ Balance your blood sugar (protein + fat + fiber)
✅ Reduce stress (sleep, breathwork, gentle movement)
✅ Take key supplements (with guidance)
✅ Heal your gut
✅ Avoid inflammatory foods (gluten, sugar, processed junk)
Final Thoughts: You Can Reset Your Thyroid and Lose Weight
I know how discouraging it can feel to do everything “right” and still gain weight. But your thyroid might be waving a red flag, asking for support — not starvation. Once I learned how to reset my thyroid to burn fat, my body responded with gratitude.
You deserve to feel vibrant, balanced, and strong. Start small, be consistent, and don’t give up. Healing takes time but I promise, it’s worth it.