Alli - What is it, and does it work?

Redzodd · 10-26-2009, 12:30 PM

I took Alli for about a week and a half after losing 22 lbs on my own watching calories and fat. They tell you not to exceed about 15 grams of fat per meal, but they DO NOT MENTION THAT YOU SHOULD BE EATING AT LEAST THAT. I was already averaging only 6-8 fat grams per meal and when I started the Alli, that was appearently not enough to sustain my body. Consequence: I STARTED LOSING MY HAIR!! Not a little, a lot. Handfuls, I developed very thin spots on the sides of my head in a matter of a week. Suspecting it was the pills I checked the website, Alli claims that hair loss is not a side effect, but others have reported the same problem. Appearently, the science behind it is that if you are not getting enough fat in your diet, your hair can switch from the normal growth phase to the resting phase, causing much more than average hair loss. You then have to wait several months for the growth stage to start back up. Well, it's been about three months and my hair is finally starting to fill in again. I stopped taking the pills when I noticed the effect, so I can't say whether or not they work for weight loss, but if u try them, be sure to get all of your required fats.

Sarilyn · 11-10-2009, 07:17 PM

I started taking Alli when it first came out and it seemed to work. I took it with a regular diet and exercise plan and lost about 20 lbs. Then I got sick (NOT from the Alli) and gained all that back plus 25 more since. I am now ready to lose all that and more, and Alli is back on the plan.

I have had the Alli effect and have to say that it is not pleasant at all, but it is controllable with proper diet. If you have a lot of negative side effects you may want to rethink your diet plan. Alli is not a magic pill, and can only do do much without your helpl I am the first to admit that I love McD's french fries (I could leave the rest of their stuff) and you will pay for eating things like that. It does make you think before you put anything in your mouth however, and that is a strong motivator for me.

hotstuff · 01-02-2010, 10:54 PM

I tried Alli a while ago. I thought I was eating well, but if you forget to factor in your olive oil and vinegar dressing on your salad, you end up with ruined undergarments. Gross, but true.

I stopped because my stomach was really upset. I also don't think I was getting enough minerals and vitamins absorbed into my system. My hair got really dry, my nails were breaking, and I felt a general nausea.
I'm not a big believer in pills as it is, and I think the best way to get healthy is watching what you eat and getting (or staying) fit with exercise.

OompaLoompa709 · 01-19-2010, 06:07 AM

I recently started taking Alli to aid in my weight loss.I don't expect it to magically make all my fat disappear, but I'm hoping it will help me lose a little more weight than if I didn't use it.

kristinb · 01-20-2010, 06:39 PM

I have been taking Alli for 9 days now. For the first 6 I stayed within my weight watchers points range and exercised furiously (exercising comes easy to me). But on day 7 I lost it and ate 3 pieces of pizza, a cheeseburger and fries (ah!). And then yesterday I got through work behaving well but then ate 4 lean pockets when I got home! Obviously I need to work on this but did I blow the 1st 6? I mean lets face it, if I was good at controlling my eating, I wouldn't need Alli in the 1st place. By the way, the side effects are very gross as speculated.

yellowsubgirly3 · 01-20-2010, 09:07 PM

I first want to say I am sorry if this has already been posted somewhere on this forum topic... I looked through the posts and I couldn't seem to find one but I might not of looked far enough.
Anyways, I am curious if Alli really is as good as I hear? I do hear some bad effects with good outcomes though... Can I hear your opinion??

I am thinking about trying Alli out becuase I want to tame myself to eat less. I seem to like to eat. When I am bored I eat. When I am sad I eat. I just love to eat and food is really good! It doesn't effect me in ways it effects other women, but I am still young. (<- I don't want to know what happens when my metab. goes away!)

jewels05 · 01-20-2010, 09:24 PM

I don't know much about it... but to me, it just doesn't seem natural to take diet pills.

bensempress · 01-20-2010, 09:25 PM

There is a sticky all about it right here in this thread...

yellowsubgirly3 · 01-20-2010, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bensempress

There is a sticky all about it right here in this thread...

What is a sticky? sorry

nelie · 01-20-2010, 09:42 PM

In most forums, we have sticky's which are usually the first top posts in a forum. Also, if you search for 'alli' using the search box, the first link is the Alli Sticky.

NightAngel26 · 01-24-2010, 08:04 PM

So, Alli is the thing nowadays? I'm impressed that the FDA passed it here. I ordered it today (the starter kit (60) at Wal-Mart is 25.00 right now). When I receive it and start I will update if I can still find this thread.

I do well most days on my diet and exercise plan, but when I go off, I go waaay off, so this ought to be interesting. TTYall lata

NightAngel26 · 01-24-2010, 08:09 PM

Oh, and as a post-script, here's some history: I've tried many things, not all but many. I'm a sucker for a fad sometimes. I've been obese for a long time. I've tried Sensa, Weight Watchers, Atkins, Vegetarian menu, low carb, low fat... the all fruit detox (for quick weight loss... and gain when you're done), lemonade diet, all fluids (nothing like wanting to rip someone's face off at the end of the day!)... extreme calorie restriction, water pills, a few diet pills, appetite suppressants, oh yes and Stacker. I'm not saying all of these are useless, but I am an emotional eater, not so much effective using appetite suppressants if it's not hunger that gets me. That, and some of these are "fit into those jeans by next week" diets... and the list goes on... so, here we go!

NightAngel26 · 01-24-2010, 08:12 PM

oh yeah (yes me again!) I think it's recommended to get a good multivitamin with it because I'd bet it saps other nutrients with this blocking system....

nelie · 01-24-2010, 11:36 PM

Well the FDA is investigating Alli/Xenical/generic Orlistat due to liver damage. So it is passed but it is also under investigation.

NightAngel26 · 01-25-2010, 03:02 PM

I saw that investigation... that would suck, and I wouldn't want that, but I'm hoping that that's not the case with PROPER use... but I still did order it. I also saw something about gallbladder issues, but hey, I don't have one.