[Ooh La La]

My DH and I are going out for his birthday this weekend. My center told me about a fat and carb blocker I can take right before I eat. They said this would allow me to go off op and not gain weight. Has anyone tried these? Do they work? I would love to have a little pasta put I am so affraid I will put on the lbs. Thought this may be a free ticket for one evening. Thanks

[Frosted Cupcake]

I'd be somewhat skeptical about this "fat and carb blocker." I've heard of fat blockers (such as Alli, which blocks a percentage of the fat you ingest from being absorbed in your intestines, thereby giving you a modest boost in your weight loss efforts BUT with potentially icky side effects... do a Google search on "Alli treatment effects" if you want to know what I'm talking about!). However, I've never heard of a carb blocker... sounds too much like a "magic pill" to me!

Go out and enjoy your pasta, just in moderation! If you're afraid of gaining, try to fit in 20 to 30 extra minutes of cardio the day of (or the day before) to burn some extra calories. Whatever you choose to do, don't forget to have a good time

[GoalAug2010]

I take the MRC c&f blocker when i'm at a restaurant for a work lunch or something but I still eat on plan. There is always a bit more fat/carbs in "healthy sounding food" from a restaurant, so I use it as a safety precaution and that's how my center recommended it. She explained that it absorbs about 50mg(or grams?) of fat and carbs and doesn't let your body absorb this. HOWEVER, if you go off plan, you'll likely eat more than that, so you want to stay as close to plan as you can and use it for the "not sure whats in the food". Also drink lots and lots of water (because restaurant foods has more sodium) and don't take your omega's or total woman oils because the fat blocker will grab those all instead of the fat in the food.

Good luck!

[leigh34]

I have used them - mainly when I was out of town for 2 weeks over christmas. I was not in complete control of meals and menus at my in-laws so I took them whenever I felt like indulging slightly. I continued to exercise and maintained my water intake during this time also. When I returned from vacation I still had a loss. I do know even if you take them and eat off program - it still takes you out of fat burn mode so you might not see a loss, but shouldn't see a gain.

[30208]

I used the alli and it does work in blocking 1/3 of fat of the meal you eat. the fat will come out in your urine. If you are going to take it just when you cheat sometimes the side affects will not be too bad or at all. Just make sure you are near a bathroom within 20 minutes after you eat or just wear a ultra always pad with wings to be safe just in case you can't make it to the bathroom. It will catch the oily discharge. The oily discharge only happen if you take alli all the time and cheat alot with each meal.

[leigh34]

Oh I forgot - I never had any side effects (oily discharge or anything) with the MRC blocker.

[dance4ever]

I've used MRC fat and carb blocker 3 or 4 times since I started program in September. I take two pills 20-30 min before dinner and drink as much water as possible. I only use them when I am not in control of what I'm being fed. I have never had an issue with them. Especially with oily discharge (yuck!) Although, I have always been a bit on the constipated side. I take the Total woman oil as well and was advised not to take them with the fat and carb blocker as it doesn't know the difference between good fat and bad fats. I take them anyway and still no nasty oily discharge. They do help me to maintain my weight if I eat off program. I stick as close to program as possible but a little pasta with dinner with fat and carb blocker would be fine. I wouldn't eat off program with out the fat and carb blockers, and I would only do it on rare occasions. Just my personal opinion though. Good Luck with what you decide!