ravenfyre:

 I think Im in the same boat as you.  I started at 253lbs and thru good old fashioned exercise and healthy eating I managed to drop down to 179lbs.  But, due to circumstances I had to stop my exercise routine and my eating habits took a slight turn for the worse.  I got back up to 195lbs.  I felt discouraged after my unexpected ordeal and decided to try Alli.  I have been on this product for 2 1/2 weeks now and have seen no weight loss. 

Perhaps for individuals who have experience in keeping meals and snacks balanced and low in fat  - Alli may not be the best choice?

It seems to me, if a person is eating the right amount of fat, protein and carbohydrates....Alli is simply taking away the fats the body needs and, therefore, putting a stop to weight loss efforts.

If anyone can shed any light on this please do.  If healthy eating and exercise is all it takes...then Alli, along with all other weight loss supplements, seems a waste of time and money.

By the way, if Alli works for you that is wonderful!  I'm not knocking Alli's efforts in trying to change the way people look at and consume foods.  I'm simply trying to understand some of the mechanics behind Alli.  Thanks!

Congratulations on your initial weight loss; that's a terrific accomplishment!  Healthy eating and exercise are important elements to weight loss but calories and fat (especially with alli) also count.

Take a look at the previous post I wrote to "Pearlgirl".  It there are too many calories at the end of the day regardless of whether they're from broccoli and fish, or pizza and ice cream -- a calorie is a calorie.

You might try the same thing I recommended about and see if that helps.

Pat

Please post additional questions on the main portion of this message board.  Feel free to mark it "Pat, please reply" if you'd like me to answer. My colleague, Sylvia Melendez (who is terrific!) also covers the board.  We don't check this thread frequently as we meant the top post for information only -- but we weren't clear about that.

So it's ok to hit or even go a little over the recommended fat a day but I should try and hit or stay under the recommended calories? Just clarifying. Thanks!

I'm new to this and I'm trying to do it right. I like the idea that this could be the last diet I go on!

Yes.  It's really best to come as close as you can.  Try not to be too much lower on either.  Please post on the main Dietitians message board so we can always give you a prompt reply, and help with what you need.  We want it to be right too! :-)

Pat

MRSNGREJ:

 

So it's ok to hit or even go a little over the recommended fat a day but I should try and hit or stay under the recommended calories? Just clarifying. Thanks!

I'm new to this and I'm trying to do it right. I like the idea that this could be the last diet I go on!

Dear Betty,

I have some confusion about the fat grams which is why I'm so very glad that this message board is here. I have finished my three day introduction into the alli program. I will begin taking pills tomorrow. I wanted to share that at the end of the day I count up my fat grams and they are under 19 for the WHOLE day. I know that it says 19 per meal but this seems like way too many for me. Could you please explain how to read the fat grams and if I am doing this wrong. Also, what are the problems with taking alli when I am not eating enough fat grams per meal? I am confused and don't know if I am doing this right or not.  I first of all count up to make sure that the fat percentage is under 25% and then I make sure the fat calories are less than 30% of the total calories. Then I look at the total fat grams for each item I eat and add those up throughout the day. I would say on average for breakfast I have less than 5 grams of fat so I'm planning on skipping an alli pill then. For lunch I eat about 7 grams and for dinner I have about 8 grams of fat. Am I reading the fat grams wrong by looking under the total fat grams? Please help!

Thanks,

Danielle

danidani:

Dear Betty,

I have some confusion about the fat grams which is why I'm so very glad that this message board is here. I have finished my three day introduction into the alli program. I will begin taking pills tomorrow. I wanted to share that at the end of the day I count up my fat grams and they are under 19 for the WHOLE day. I know that it says 19 per meal but this seems like way too many for me. Could you please explain how to read the fat grams and if I am doing this wrong. Also, what are the problems with taking alli when I am not eating enough fat grams per meal? I am confused and don't know if I am doing this right or not.  I first of all count up to make sure that the fat percentage is under 25% and then I make sure the fat calories are less than 30% of the total calories. Then I look at the total fat grams for each item I eat and add those up throughout the day. I would say on average for breakfast I have less than 5 grams of fat so I'm planning on skipping an alli pill then. For lunch I eat about 7 grams and for dinner I have about 8 grams of fat. Am I reading the fat grams wrong by looking under the total fat grams? Please help!

 

Thanks,

 

Danielle

The most important post is the first one written by my colleague, Betty Kovacs.  She now covers the Personal Experiences message board if you'd like to reach her directly.

The reason fat is so important to the alli diet is that it's based on a diet that is 30% total calories from fat.  That's the same as the diet of the American Heart Association, and the diet that was used in over 100 studies that showed people lose 50% more weight with alli than just diet alone.

As the first post mentions, the capsule blocks 25% of the fat in the meal at which it's taken.  So little or no fat = little or nothing to block.  And, basically, it's a waste of money.

The calculation for fat and menu planning is NOT based on % of fat in a single food.  It is based on the total fat grams in that food.  You can find this on the label of packaged food (be sure to include extra grams - and calories - if you have more than one serving); in the Calorie & Fat Counter provided in the Starter Kit; on restaurant websites (McDonald's, Applebee's, etc.); and sites like www.calorieking.com.  Essentially we count calories and fat grams on the alli Program.

It's fine to skip the capsule at breakfast if it's 5 grams of fat or less.  But it's very, very important to come as close as possible to your fat recommendations for the other two meals for best results with alli.

I hope this helps.  Please let me know if you need anything else.  I suggest you post on the Dietitian's message board, and start a new post for fastest response.  We don't often check this section -- but we weren't clear when Betty wrote the post.  When you start a new post feel free to mark the subject "Pat, please read" if you'd kile me to reply.

Pat

 Hi Betty, what if you are staying within your calorie and fat intake Alli guidelines, but over in the carbs %?

Favored13:

 Hi Betty, what if you are staying within your calorie and fat intake Alli guidelines, but over in the carbs %?

 That would mean you're probably not having enough protein.  The alli diet is formulated around 30% total daily calories from fat; 20% protein and 50% carbohydrate.  So if your calories are correct, and your fat grams are at recommended levels, and carbs are over then it's compromising your protein status.

Protein is a very important nutrient - for a number - and I'd suggest that you try to cut back on your carbs a bit to get your numbers closer to the guidelines.

Pat

I also suggest that you post a new thread on the dietitians message board.  We meant the top post "for imformation only" but weren't really clear on that -- and we check the other posts more frequently.

 Ok I am so ready to commit to everything Alli has.  The question I have is this, my fat grams goal is 19g each meal.  Now this morning I had 2 pop-tarts without icing and they had 6 grams of fat per pop-tart.  Well I had 2 of them so that means I only ate 12g of fat, then I added 1 cup of milk with consisted of 5g of fat.  Now if you add that up I only consumed 17g of fat and my goal is 19g of fat per meal.  So that means I had a difference of 2g of fat.  Now I know that the diet guidlines says do not save fat grams and that is not what I was trying to do.  That is the reason I added the cup of milk so that I could get to my goal per meal. And yes I measured 1 cup of milk.  So all I need to know is that if your watching what you eat and how many grams of fat are in what you eat, that if you don't quite make the per meal goal, is it going to be ok?

Bandi08:

 Ok I am so ready to commit to everything Alli has.  The question I have is this, my fat grams goal is 19g each meal.  Now this morning I had 2 pop-tarts without icing and they had 6 grams of fat per pop-tart.  Well I had 2 of them so that means I only ate 12g of fat, then I added 1 cup of milk with consisted of 5g of fat.  Now if you add that up I only consumed 17g of fat and my goal is 19g of fat per meal.  So that means I had a difference of 2g of fat.  Now I know that the diet guidlines says do not save fat grams and that is not what I was trying to do.  That is the reason I added the cup of milk so that I could get to my goal per meal. And yes I measured 1 cup of milk.  So all I need to know is that if your watching what you eat and how many grams of fat are in what you eat, that if you don't quite make the per meal goal, is it going to be ok?

Welcome to alli!  It's a great Program and I'm sure you'll do well.  You may not hit the precise grams of fat at each meal but if you're a little over or under (2 or 3) that's fine.  As for breakfast, that's the one meal we tell people they can have less fat -- and if the meal has 5 grams of fat or less to skip the capsule.  That shouldn't be for more than one meal per day, however.

Be patient.  Like learning any new skill it takes a little practice to get into the swing of things, and then it becomes second nature.

I also suggest that you post a new thread on the dietitians message board.  We meant the top post "for imformation only" but weren't really clear on that -- and we check the other posts more frequently.

Please let me know if you need anything else.  And feel free to put "Pat, please read" in the subject line if you'd like me to answer.

Pat

 I have been on the Alli program for several weeks now and I have been sticking to the recommended 1800 calories and the fat grams, I have even been under on the calories and the fat, I have been walking 2 miles every day and hitting the stair climber for 10 to 15 minutes per day, I had been loosing and then this week I gained 3 pounds.  I am just looking at it as muscle weighs more than fat.

bwoosley:

 I have been on the Alli program for several weeks now and I have been sticking to the recommended 1800 calories and the fat grams, I have even been under on the calories and the fat, I have been walking 2 miles every day and hitting the stair climber for 10 to 15 minutes per day, I had been loosing and then this week I gained 3 pounds.  I am just looking at it as muscle weighs more than fat.

There are two things to consider here.  One is to review your Nutrition Logs for the last week and see if your sodium intake was higher than normal.  If so there may be some water retention (and weight gain) that is somewhat artificial.  In addition, there may be some hormonal factors, if you're premenstrual, that also contributes to water retention.

Muscle takes a lot of very strenuous exercise, over a fairly long period of time to build up and actually add to weight.

If you're fat and/or calorie intake is too low that will slow down weight loss as well.  It's really important to follow the recommendatons for best results with alli.  I'd suggest you weigh and measure everything you eat and drink for a week to be sure portions and numbers are correct.

Pat

Hi,

I've been doing the ALLI for a week now and not 1 pound shed.   I'm 38 yrs old female weigh in at 174lbs. and only 4'9.

I'm very overweight for my height.   I've done everything that the ALLI program says.  At times I'm even constipated.  Why?

 I guess this is why I have not lost anything in my first 9 days - I thought I was doing "better" and therefore would lose more/faster - ok, I see that I need to keep a journal or i will never figure out my own needs.

CLARITZAR:

Hi,

I've been doing the ALLI for a week now and not 1 pound shed.   I'm 38 yrs old female weigh in at 174lbs. and only 4'9.

I'm very overweight for my height.   I've done everything that the ALLI program says.  At times I'm even constipated.  Why?

Sorry for the delay in this reply.  We don't check this section daily as we do the main section of the Dietitian's board so it's best to start a new thread.

Sometimes it takes a week or two to see some weight loss -- only because everybody's body is different and results can vary.  It's very, very important to drink the 8 to 10 glasses of water that's recommended each day.  That may be the reason for the constipation.

I'd suggest you weigh and measure everything you eat and drink each day to be sure you're having the right number of calories and fat grams each day.  It's very, very easy to underestimate portion size and have more calories than realized.

Please let me know if you need anything else.  You can start a new thread and put "Pat, please read" in the subject line if you'd like me to respond.

Pat Baird, MA, RD, registered dietitian

I'm supposed to consume 1600 calories a day, but I've been averaging about 1400, sometimes less, sometimes more but mostly less. I've noticed on my nutrition log that sometimes "borderline" appears. What does this really means? Does it mean that I'm close to going over my caloric intake or does it mean that I need to consume more calories?