"One last share: My 11 year-old daughter let me know she is proud of me for doing such a good job and sticking with it. She's starting to check labels and trying to make healthier choices too. If I keep it up, history will not repeat itself with her and she'll never experience this struggle. I'm a better mom than I was 2 weeks ago. So I'm going to bed tonight with a warm and more determined heart.
Thanks again Alligators. You are a great buncha "Chicks" "


Phoneix - That's the mom I want to be. I don't want either of my children to know the pain I have felt. If Alli helped you do that, then it's already worth it to me.

Keep up the good work!

Slept in LATE today so I'm just getting rolling and havent called the hotline with my questions yet but wanted to comment on one thing. The nutritionist on the Alli board says you dont need to take your pill if your meal is less than 5 fat grams.

Great post Mez! and Aphil!

dont you just love how many times you hear "yeah but when you stop taking X or when you stop doing the X diet you'll gain it ALL back" well thats the case with EVERY diet! If you go back to eating and acting how you did when you were fat...guess what...you are gonna get fat again!

Katrina....prenatal vitamins have a higher content of Iron in them than regular vitamins and Iron is SO hard on your stomach my OB always told me to try taking them at night. But, funny you mention Flintstones, my dh doesnt take an adult multivitamin, they make him sick so he eats the kids vitamins right along with them LOL..hey whatever works I suppose.

Danielle...I'm sorry day 1 is getting off to a rough start! I decided to stay under the covers extra long today, might have had something to do with going to bed well after 3am though LOL! I hope you are feeling a little better..stupid AF!! Dont let her get you down though! Did you open that journal yet?

Virgo....you can do Alli with any weightloss plan you choose. Good luck!!

Stilltrying.... .6 of a lb is 9.6 ounces I believe. There are 16 oz. in a lb. Way to go on skipping that late snack!!

Debalina...you've got a great philosophy that i could grab onto. I dont like the idea of saying things are forbidden, just a choice not to have them...or like you a bit or 2 and then the craving is over. Appetite changes is what I'm looking forward to most!

kc...you definetly shouldnt weigh yourself everyday. Your body fluctuates all the time and that can just get too frustrating. The constipation could be why you arent losing. Have you tried getting some benefiber and adding it to a glass of water?

katallan....I'm just starting so I havent experienced having a hard time getting the fat but just an idea is to add the good fats, like some avacado or olives to a salad, a snack of some nuts, cooking with a little olive oil...things like that.

Bev...that is what I love about Alli...it makes you THINK about what you eat.

Thingirl....keep up the GREAT work!!!

whew...hard to keep up with everyone when you laze away half the day!! Time to get rolling though, have a great OP and TE free day everyone!!

~melissa

Hi folks,

I posted this recipe in the Calorie Counters message board, but figured some of my Alli amigos might be interested in this- it's 14 grams of fat for the actual pizza, before toppings. It is delicious and filling. Anyhow, here's the post I made of the recipe at the other board, in case someone is looking for a yummy pizza that is satisfying:

Here in New England, we're lucky to get some yummy pitas and wraps by a comany called Joseph's. Their Joseph's Flax, Oatbran, Whole Wheat Flour Lavash Bread is a staple in our diet- one sheet of it is 100 calories.

Last night, I decided to try and make pizza with it, as I was hunkering for it. This is what I used:

1 sheet Lavash bread- they are 10 inches by 9 inches- big pizza all for you
1/4 cup Prego Three Cheese Spaghetti sauce
1/2 cup Reduced Mozzarella cheese
2 cups of mushrooms, cooked in onion powder with a couple of sprays of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spray

I baked it in a 375 degree oven for 8 minutes, and it was absolutely delicious and FILLING! All for 320 calories, just under my 400 calories that I allot myself for each meal. If you just have cheese pizza only, it's 285 calories per pizza.

Tonight, I am going to try it with a slice and a half of Oscar Mayer 98% Fat Free Smoke Ham and one pineapple ring, crushed for an additonal 15 calories more than the 2 cups of mushrooms! I love Hawaiin pizza, so I am looking forward to dinner tonight. That will total to 380 calories tonight, and I plan on having some sugar snap peas on the side for an additional veggie (I just love those snap peas raw- I could eat a whole bag of them in one sitting, if I let myself ).

Edited: my math stunk today- it's actually lower in calories than I originally posted- woohoo!

It took me a long time to come to terms with my weight. I used to get depressed and eat. Then eat because I was depressed about my weight. I've been on so many diets that deprived me from eating what I wanted and after a few weeks, I'd literally go crazy and eat until I gained everything back plus.

I read a book where you legalize all foods and eat what you want. I did that and it helped me, but I noticed I was gaining weight, so when I saw the TV ad advertising Alli, I knew I had to buy it and I didn't matter what it cost.

Heck, I've paid $100 for the pill that was supposed to replace the gastric bypass surgery and all the pills were loaded with fiber. Well, heck, I could have done that myself. I'm happy to report that I got a refund. That pill is no longer out there.

I was always searching for the "miracle pill" and never found it. I already knew that low fat and exercise were the way to go, so when I saw the ad, I knew Alli would give me that extra "reminder" not to eat too much fat. BUT I wasn't going to deprive myself of the sweets I love and nowadays, you can find so many items to satisfy a sweet tooth that are low in fat or have no fat. Yes, I do pay attention to the sugar and I think I've done pretty good so far. I've lost 12 pounds in 3-4 weeks. I know the weight loss will slow down some time, but I'm going to enjoy watching the scale go down. I haven't been 223 in a LOOOONG time.

My mini goal now it to get below 200 and I can do it with Alli! I know it's not a miracle pill - it's a side tool that's helping me keep on track and I'm willing to pay for alli forever - even when I'm maintaining. My clothes are looser and I'm looking forward to shopping for new pants on Friday.

We now have to wear kakie pants and a polo shirt for work. Ugh, and I'm in the office of an engineering firm. Oh well. At least I won't have to stress over what to wear for work.

Hi everyone!!

Well, I went camping for five days with my family. I took my Alli every meal. The only time I had a semi-TE was when I ate about a cup of boiled peanuts on the first day. I wasn't even thinking, I know nuts are high in fat, but I had a major brain fart. It wasn't until after I had the extra oily slicks that I put it together and figured out what I had done. What a bonehead.

Anyways, I kept my fat intake down the rest of the time, but didn't do as well with the calories. On Monday when I weighed in, I had gained two pounds. Thankfully, it was temporary and as of this morning I was back down.

So, I'm calling the last week a wash and getting back on track. My goal for this week is to start exercising like I'm supposed to.

Mez:

Hmmmmm....guess they can't fully figure it out either! HA! Oh well. I'm gonna see if I can convince the store to take mine back, as it's still sealed, but if they don't I might hang onto it as a last ditch effort if I hit a plateau.

I wish all of you on it alot of luck and hope that it does work for you! Anything that helps you lose, I think is worth it! Good luck ladies!!!!

Hi All. This is such an active board that it's hard to keep up ---> that's a good thing, though, because we're in this together and need this terrific support.

You know, I've been taking alli for 8 days and it's been good - .5 pound here, .5 there - but until I had a history of my meals through the myalli site, I didn't know I was eating WAY too much salt/retaining more water than the Bonneville Dam. Since finding this out, and greatly reducing my sodium, I've lost two pounds! Not a magic bullet, but I'm wondering if this bit o'information might help those having trouble losing weight on alli? I really recommend using their site.

Welcome, Danielle, and welcome back to civilization, Paula! I bet camping was fun. Good job, StillTryin and Shanee. Thank you, Elmuyloco5 - good luck 2U2! Mezmerize: MZE/Mindless Zombie Eating. Way too funny & way too true! Great show of willpower with the ABC chicken nugget. WTG! And thanks for the great info from the alli 800# reps. Thanks for the great recipe, Steelslady. 12 # in 3-4 weeks, Debbie? You're an inspiration! And the khaki pants/polo look can be a good look...for a cult. Just kidding I'm just jealous because I'd like a standard dress code. I have actually 'called in fat' before to work because I couldn't find anything to wear.

-Bren

Bren, a male friend of mine had to have his spleen removed because of Slim Fast. One day, we were talking about losing weight, and I was telling him I was going to try Slim Fast for the umpteenth time (I always gave up after the first day, lol), and he got upset and told me to forget about Slim Fast, and told me what happened to him. Ever since then, I've been very leary of any of those type of shakes.

Besides, for me, none of those shakes work. I am always hungry right after, or within a half of an hour after drinking one. Last time I tried one was three years ago, when I was thinking of getting the Lap Band surgery done. Good thing I tried doing them, it made me realize that I could not last on those things for meals.

Definitely stay away from Slim Fast! It is dangerous. I don't know why doctors don't tell folks this- then again, we don't need a prescription to buy it, so unless folks tell the doctors they're doing it, they may be unaware that their patients are using this dangerous method to lose weight.

Hey Everyone!
I have been reading all of the posts on this new Alli diet plan. The posts have been helpful. I picked up the Alli pills at Walmart when they first came out, and put them back. I have tried all the diet pills over the counter and spent tons of money. (I know, you must diet and exercise) but sometimes, its hard to stick to things. Life gets busy. My issue is that I work 12 hours at night for a week, then I have a week off. My routine gets screwed up. I also have issues with meal planning, I eat whatever. I do good when its my work week, only bring fruits, and a lean cuisine. Then my week off its another story, (Or that time of the month) I have bad craving for sweets!!!and I over do it!!! Anyhow, point is I have to lose weight, I will be 32 next month. I am bigger than I have ever been,(except when pregnant) AND I AINT! Just wanted to put in my 2 cents and let everyone know I am enjoying the website. I am going to purchase Alli tommorrow! I joined 3 fat chicks site in Jan, you know, the resolution thing, but my heart wasn't in it! My heart is in it now. I am more determined than ever, even if the Alli thing doesn't work, I AM LOSING WEIGHT THIS TIME. Thanks, for reading!

You could also sell it on Ebay if the store won't take it back. It is selling very well there.


Vitamins-
One of the reasons that they want you to take the vitamin at night, is because the Alli when it keeps you from digesting all of the fat that you eat, and you expel it-there are some nutrients that go along with it. They want you to take it at night, because that is when you are taking a "break" from the Alli. You are going to get more vitamin absorption during that time.

When I was pregnant, I could not take regular vitamins, or prenatal vitamins because they made me ill. The doctor had me take children's vitamins, like Flinstones. (Make sure they are the "Complete" ones with iron, etc.) and they were just fine. They were a little bit of a lesser dose than the adult form. Maybe you could try that? Something is better than nothing.


As far as the gallstones/spleen/gallbladder surgery-has anyone said WHY meal replacement shakes caused the conditions? I have always read that having a too low calorie diet/losing too fast can cause the condition at times. They have changed the formulation of Slim-Fast a couple years ago, and they also changed the eating plan to a little higher calorie. It used to be loaded with sugar, and they took a lot of that out...and made it a little higher protein instead. They also used to have it in the 1980's and 90's as a "shake for breakfast and lunch and a meal for dinner". Now they have added more snacks, and they have added a mini meal to the lunch shake-like having a cup of soup or 1/2 a sandwich with it.

Also-there are many shakes and bars and protein supplements out there that are not formulated like Slim-Fast, such as Myoplex, etc. that weight lifters, etc. use. So, all meal replacements cannot be put under the category of Slim-Fast. I have used protein powders and high quality replacements such as Myoplex for years with no problems at all. They aren't the same.

Hi sugarandspice, welcome to the board - good luck with your new plan

Good morning everyone, well I am waiting for the TE to start any moment now. Last night I had a big crash in willpower and ate a bunch of crap that I shouldn't have. It's only the second time in 10 weeks that I cheated - the first time involving a tub of salted cashews, this time it was Mrs Fields cookies and pizza

How rotten I felt afterwards (combination of guilt, remorse and just bloated) reminded me why I prefer eating healthy, I just feel so much better and energetic, all those empty calories & fat just made me want to crash in front of the TV and rub my belly.

Countdown to the TE's begins now

Stupid time to cheat, I'm just 2 days away from my weigh in with the dietitian.

Hi all - I am very confused (so what else is new!) I bought the pills two weeks ago and read everything including the book I bought seperately and I am still confused about how much fat I am supposed to eat, so I havent started!!! At 1600 calories how much should I have? Does it have to be equally divided by meal or just manage a daily total? What do you think would happen if I didnt do a phase 1,2 week and just started at a phase 3 level of fat?? I eat low fat cheeses and healthy peanut butter and hummus ( measured portions) but I think for Alli I would need to stop eating these foods and eat more carbs (even thought they would be healthy ones). What I eat currently fills me up and I have been losing weight so I just wanted to add the Alli but not sure if I will be starting off on the wrong foot. All of your insight and advice would be helpful.... thanks, Suzyq

Well my scale is REALLY MOVING NOW!!! MAN, I weighed Tuesday and was 175.6, then Wednesday at 175.0, this morning I was 173.8

It is FINALLY Kicking in! I am seeing some awsome results, the first two weeks were TERRIBLE. Not because the PILLS were not working but because I was not following what is recommended. Well I was close, but not at it. So this week I am seeing awsome results from being CLOSER to the intended plan. The bad thing is that now I am down to 3 pills and my refill wont be here unitl Monday!!!!! YIKES!!! So I will cut my fat for Breakfast/lunch and just use them for my bigger Dinner meal I guess. That is all I can do. Since the weekend is coming, I dont want to be off them for 3 days. I guess a little is better than nothing, right? I also had 2 of my pills in the container that were broken open when I got it, so that is not helping me out here.

Oh well, I will do what I can. That is all I can do, right?

Don't beat yourself up! You are not the only one to have "slipped"! I will tell you that it took a day for the TE to kick in when I did the pizza thing. And I do not, repeat DO NOT, want that again! Although there were no accidents or leakage, the many trips to the bathroom were not fun!

Just get back on the wagon.

And remember, that little blue pill helps keep you honest and on track. And I think it helps you get back on track sooner. Normally after a bad day it would take me days, if not months or years, to get back on track. This time it only took a single meal!

Thanks, yup I'm happily back on the wagon today with a nice healthy brekkie, a VERY light lunch today, and I'm planning a grilled chicken dinner with lots of veggies.

I feel a little sluggish and icky this morning but no TE's............. yet!