have any of you heard of Hoodia - hoodoba?? if so, what?

also if anyone knows of any pills worth mentioning...

I haven't heard of that particular one. But I've tired lots of pills (stacker, xenadrine, trimspa, diet fuel, and even the prescription xenical). I've decided that using pills is not the way to go for me. I don't want the dependency. I don't want the expense. I don't want to live on pills for the rest of my life. I know that they work for some people, but not for me. I'd lose some weight and then put more back on.

The essential problem was that the pills didn't teach me how to eat or exercise or take care of myself in anyway. I had to find a way to change my lifestyle completely and permanantly.

So my recommendation is forget the pills and find an eating plan (not a diet) that works for you. Make the permanant changes and you reap the permanant benefits.

Great advice! Pills are definitely not the answer, and are generally just part of a different problem.

Regarding hoodia, this is not something I would recommend anyone try. They tout it as a natural appetite suppressant, but I don't think people stop to realize that there are thousands of natural products that are harmful, and some are very dangerous. The word "natural" means nothing if it hasn't been proven safe and effective. Hoodia is the latest buzzword since ephedra is no longer legal. It's not the same type of product, but it's a moneymaker because there are so many people out there that are desperate and looking for a quick fix, and easy solution. I have searched for several months and have not been able to find any documented medical studies on hoodia. The internet is filled with hoodia praises, but you'll notice that they are all by hoodia sales sites. This is a HUGE red flag. Actually, the word SCAM seems to just jump off of the pages of most of these sites.

What are the side effects? Nausea? Diarrhea? Hives? High blood pressure? No one tells us, so we don't know. Maybe they don't know.
What about contraindictions? There are a lot of 'natural' products that can cause serious or lethal results if combined with prescription drugs.
What about long term safety? Can it cause kidney damage? Ulcers? Heart failure? Cancer?

This product needs to be tested in a clinical setting, by a medical organization or university, and monitored over a lengthy period so we know it's safe and effective. Until that happens, I can only recommend to everyone to avoid it. Your health is not worth the risk. A balanced diet and exercise program will work, and you'll be healthier for it.

Hear Hear Star ! i totally agree. have tried them all. without a change in lifestyle, what is the point? the weight always came back.
a friend of mine went from a size 18 to a 9. lost about 60 pounds, in about 5 months on the stacker2's but now? she has to have them everyday. and of course over time, she became used to them, so they weren't as "strong". IMO i would say go natural works better. but that is just my opinion.

I was going to buy the product Propolene that was advertised on TV, but when I called to order it ended up being a big scam. They talk very quickly when they are selling something and the 29.95 for a 2 month supply was actually going to cost 89.95. They advertise free shipping and the second bottle is free. These things are only true if you DON'T cancel the order within 30 days. If you don't cancel they will then send another 2 month supply for 59.95. This was VERY misleading in the commercial and over the phone. I didn't find out about the 89.95 until they were ready to complete the order. It was very frustrating. Besides if you go to the website for that product they tell you what is in the product and you can buy the natural version in a health food store for about 10.00. Beware of the traps these money grubbers set for those of us who are desperate and frustrated with our weight. Good luck to you all.

Does NOT surprise me, not one bit. This scamming and fleeceing of the desperate has been going on for many years now.

The commercial that niggles at me the most is that one for Lipopropin with the gal implying that 'this formula is WAY too strong for people who have less than 20 lbs. to lose - that's why we sell it for $153'. Well guess what's in it - it's your typical ECA stack (they're allowed to sell it until 15 April - I think the FDA gave the companies time to get rid of their existing stocks). I expect that after the 15th, they'll be switching to bitter orange or something else, but rest assured that there will be many other (cheaper) products out there that are pretty much the same thing anyway.

On all those miracle pills...Dave Draper (famous bodybuilder - he's in his 60's and still looks great!) wrote in his inspirational book Your Body Revivial: