alli ~ diet pill

CRNI-ICU20 · Sep 12, 2007

No one is looking down on some who have struggled with a weight problem for their whole life, or who have other co-morbidities that prevent them from exercising easily.....I don't lack empathy for those who have tried "everything" with not the greatest results....BUT

many of the men and women at the gym I go to are just those kind of people....they have tried EVERYTHING....pills, starvation, grapefruit, high colonics, acupuncture, bio-feedback, and more pills, and the bottom line is, from their own experience, the EXERCISE/portion control path is what really works! Yeah, I know, it sounds oversimplified....but I think taking a pill is very simplified....and who knows what the LONG TERM effects of a pill are? as opposed to: we KNOW what the benefits of long term exercise are.....

Many of the people who work out at my gym have been as heavy as 400 pounds....one of my personal trainers used to weigh 382 pounds....and without any surgery or reconstruction, he looks wonderful....he is toned, healthy, and has added years to his life by doing the very simple hard work of exercise and portion control....

This isn't to say it's for everyone.....because, alot of people just want to keep searching for the "magic pill" that will "cure" their eating habits and their genetics.....they have to keep going that path until they finally accept the fact that there is NO MAGIC PILL.....

It might work for awhile...but I have to wonder what happens when you stop taking it?? what happens to the internal workings of your body when you 've taken this over time....does anyone know?

I tried weight watcher, nutrisystem, (bleh) slim fast, Relacore, Green Tea extract, Hoodia, ....and I lost alot of water...no fat, and still felt crappy....

Then I started exercising....

I didn't set a weight loss goal....and still haven't...my goal is just to look and feel better....which is an easy goal to achieve....

To that end, I don't spend alot of time worrying about what the calories are of say, a steak, etc....I think about food as a source of support for my body....rather than something to satisfy my emotions.....which IS a new way to think for me....because much of my eating centered around comfort foods, and eating from a position of sadness or anger....

So, for breakfast, I eat a cup of whole milk yogurt....I get the Greek kind, organic, from Whole Foods or Trader Joe's....then I put fresh berries on top....any kind....a half cup or more.....then I add a half cup of organic granola, or some kind of dry cereal....

In two hours or so, I slug down one half of my protien smoothie that I make at home...it usually consists of a mango, a banana, a cup of strawberries, a few chunks of fresh pineapple, two scoops of whey protien (provides 14 gms. of protien and 80 calories) and just enough orange juice (about 1/4 c.) to offer a bit of liquidity to it...whirl that for about 2 min. in a blender....pour into a pint sized water bottle....and I am good to go....

Noon is salad, a piece of chicken, or a half sandwich and cup of soup....

afternoon snack...a protien bar like a cliff bar that offers about 29 gms. of protien....

then dinner: something light...small piece of grilled fish and a cup of jasmine rice and a small cup of cooked spinach....

before dinner, a cup of milk or piece of cheese...and an apple...

I admit, with our schedules sometimes, it's hard to fit in time to eat well and not wolf down food....but this has been working for me...

I work out four to five times a week....and FINALLY this is paying off...

I hope those of you who have struggled with weight can glean some help from what has worked for me....not in any way meant to demean or discount your own efforts....

I hope you find what works for you....good luck...crni

Katnip, RN · Sep 12, 2007

The only problem I have with weight loss pills-besides my bought with Xenical-is what happens when you have to stop taking them?

It's my understanding that pills are only supposed to be used for a certain period of time. Once you've gotten to your goal weight you're supposed to stop. Everyone I know who has taken them, lost the weight and stopped, regained their appetite or uncontrollable eating.

Honestly, I wish there were a way to take those pills and make maintenance a permanent thing.

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Sep 12, 2007

I thought about it, and decided against it because I have had GI issues over the past year(they think either Crohn's or IBS) and the last thing I need is something that'll make me spend even MORE time in the bathroom. :uhoh21:Especially working in the OR, where I can't just leave the room.

I've been doing weight loss the old fashioned way and have lost 8 pounds(it was actually 13, but I backslid a little). Right now, I'm a size 14 and would like to get down to an 8 or 10. Back in the day, I had really nice legs and a nice fanny. I'd like to get those back before I get too old!

liljsmom02 · Sep 12, 2007

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this yet because I only read the first two pages, but what about your sex life? I would much rather about my mate seeing me with some exra pounds than greasing the sheets during an intimate moment. I say diet and exercise...oh natural.

MizSporty · Sep 13, 2007

I am with CRNI.....I am the diet junkie and I did exactly what she did.....took one day at a time, decided what I wanted, and became aware of what I was eating. I made a commitment that's all and yes I was overweight. You must have a starting point and educate yourself about food and exercise. Don't set unrealistic goals but just get started. If you can invest $50.00 on pills then you can invest 50 minutes of time. Try it and see. But it takes you and making changes within you. If you like the way you look and how you feel, then more power to you. Excuses are the only downfall to success.:balloons:

CRNI-ICU20 · Sep 13, 2007

I talked with my trainer last night about the diet pill regimen....

Many of those pills don't have a "long term" study done.....and usually what happens is that people will take them, loose whatever weight they want to lose, stop taking the pills, and continue in their usualy eating pattern....and gain back the pounds PLUS MORE because they have not exercised....they have less muscle mass as they age....and so they end up putting on more fat each time....because there is less muscle to move them around and burn off fat....

Our bodies were meant to move. If you reduce your calorie intake and excercise your body the right way, you will burn fat....it's simple but it is the truth....

Alot of people have been misled into believing that if they slog on a treadmill for an hour that they will lose fat and burn calories....while it is true that they will lose some fat, they mostly will just sweat alot! Because they haven't built a muscle mass....they are just using the same atrophied muscles they had a week ago when they were laying on the couch....and then they weigh themselves everyday, and get all discouraged and think, "I have worked out for hours here, and I haven't lost a single pound!!"

Unless you incorporate a weight lifting program along with cardio into your workout, you: 1) won't lose as quickly, 2) won't increase your metabolism as quickly 3) won't be as strong and energetic....

So going out and running or walking a mile every day isn't going to rev up your metabolism to a target fat burning rate....

This is the first time in my life, and thank God I did this when I did,that I have exercised and eaten like I should....and now, it is beginning to show....

I don't even weigh myself....maybe once a month or so....I initially weighed and did a body fat ratio just so I could see what I needed to do....

Now that I am into my second month, I am very much motivated to continue....my clothes are fitting looser...in fact a pair of pants I bought in July is now too big, they actually fall off without unzipping them....so it feels good to have done this a healthy way....

If I can do it, you can do it....anyone can....truly....

The nice "side effect" of exercising for an hour or two is the natural release of endorphins.....you don't get that with diet pills...and it makes you want to go do it again and again...

I wish you all well....

I plan on keeping this up for my lifetime....as long as I am able...

at least until I am ninety....then I am buying a Harley and riding without a helmet!! Getting a tattoo...and a 50 year old boyfriend!! HA!! crni

kukukajoo, LPN · Sep 13, 2007

I tried this and missed the part where it said not to take with gallbladder issues. Well I don't have a gallbladder! needless to say the med was horrid and a very bad experience. Anal leakage is an understatement- copious amounts of olive oil or pizza leakage with a disgusting stench is more like it!

I then passed the pills to a sister in law, who despite no issues had similar probs. The bottle went to another sister in law and then another friend who ALL had same issues. I think the bottle may still be making rounds torturing all who touch it with it's curse!

Anyhow, I would recommend healthy eating and Dr Oz's book You on A Diet. I would also highly recommend the Body for Life program.

Davisk01 · Sep 15, 2007

I am taking it now, it's been 2 weeks, and the only side effect I have had was the morning after the first day I took it. I had sever abdominal cramping and radiating pain during a bowel movement. I have not had any oily discharge, diarrhea, gas, leakage NOTHING! I am starting to wonder if the stuff is really working lol

MiaKeaRN · Sep 15, 2007

I just started taking it last week and I have found that I only need to take 1 pill a day, not the 3 that are suggested on the bottle (1 prior to each meal) because the effects of that 1 pill carry me through to the next day.

Good luck!

MizSporty · Sep 15, 2007

Now that your taking the "pill" and lets say the pill does wonders for you.....when you stop taking the pill, what plan of action do you have to KEEP it off? Will you or do you have fitness goals? Just curious

bagladyrn, RN · Sep 15, 2007

Now that your taking the "pill" and lets say the pill does wonders for you.....when you stop taking the pill, what plan of action do you have to KEEP it off? Will you or do you have fitness goals? Just curious

Not sure if this was to someone specific, but here's my perspective on it. I am figuring that by the time I am within range of my weight goal (my doctor and I are figuring 6 months to get close) with the help of an appetite suppressent, I should be accustomed to the smaller portions and lower calorie intake and be able to maintain it. Already I am finding it much easier to make appropriate choices, especially when eating out.

As for exercise plan, I've also found it easier to get back to the level of activity I've always enjoyed now that I've lost enough(42 lbs. in the last 3 months) that my back, legs and feet are no longer in constant pain and spasm. When I was younger my body could carry this weight and still be active, but age does tell.

Most of us don't want to spend our lives on pills - my ultimate goal would be to also get off all the other meds I'm on for conditions exacerbated by the weight.

woody62, RN · Sep 15, 2007

I am a Type 2 diabetic. When first diagnosed, back in 1990, I was overweight. I tried dieting but it didn't much help. It was only after I reduced the total amount of grams of carbohydrates I ate a day, that I noticed the weight start to leave. I now weigh in the 130's and eat appropixmately 70 grams of carbohydrrates a day. When my weight starts to creep up, I drop the total amount of carbs I eat. Lossing weight and keeping it off, permanently, is a life time job.

Woody:balloons: