Funny how you mention it turned your life around - I felt the same way. I got Hashimotos after having a child, and I just figured that my lot in life as a full time working mother was to be tired all the time. Dead tired like I'd never experienced before. And fat!

It was a huge relief to find out that I wasn't destined to be listless and fat for the rest of my life. Slightly chubby and occasionally tired I can live with!