Truthfully these are the only thoughts I ever have when seeing someone run or workout:

If I have been on top of my own workouts - I feel a sense of fellowship like "cool, another runner" like they are my friend even though we've never met

If I have been slacking its " god I have GOT to get my butt moving again"

You see how in both cases it's all about ME. People in general are highly self-absorbed.

At first I felt sooo self-conscious when I joined a gym. Then I began focusing more on my own exercise and my own groove. Overtime it faded.

I think it's absolutely fantastic to see people try to be healthy

That is so true. Notice how when we're worried about going to the gym, we worry about what others think of US. Like we're that important to everyone else? Face it, we ain't THAT hot. <yet > But, truly, noone pays that much attention to anyone if they're working out. And the ones who are paying attention to others, usually quit going to the gym before to long anyway, so whats the biggie?

There's nothing wrong with "diet pills" IMHO - as long as you are HEALTHY ENOUGH to take them, & your doctor AGREES. There is no "magic pill" tho. Even on prescribed medication, you STILL have to "eat right & exercise."

I have taken pills before - Adipex. It really DID help me from eating so much. And I did lose weight while under a doctor's supervision - but I must point out that I ALSO ate healthy foods:
* turkey sandwich on wheat w/lettuce & tomato and mustard instead of a can of ChefBoyR-Dee Ravioli...
* snack on an apple & slice of 2% cheese instead of a Reece's Peanut Cup or bag of Bugles
* skinless chicken breast & steamed broccoli for dinner, instead of Domino's Pizza....
.............Get the point?

And I was at the gym 4-5x/week doing 45 minutes on treadmill & 30-45 minutes of weight lifting.

YES I LOST 40 POUNDS. It was great! And I was happy, & got off the pills after 6 months, & I continued to lose weight.

When I re-injured my shoulder (old rotator cuff injury) & couldn't work out for 12 weeks, & it was around T'giving, Christmas, New Year's & Valentine's Day.... all those "snackity holidays" - I got all depressed & started eating bad again & GAINED BACK ALL THE WEIGHT.

Don't think you can DEPEND on diet pills alone. But yes, they CAN help you, BUT YOU HAVE TO DO all the other things that are required of you.