is that why I keep getting a borderline message when my calories are under my goal - my 7 day average is 1250 while my goal is 1800 calories.

Hi.  I am a 50 yr young woman, 180lbs, 5'6" tall, in menopause, formerly a Jenny Craig dieter (I lost 25lbs on JC a year ago, but have gained 2/3 of it back), and fairly active (I try to do at least 3 days a week eliptical and/or treadmill for 45 mins).  On JC on was on the 1200 calorie level menu.  I went back to JC about 4 mos ago and have not been able to lose but maybe a couple pounds this time.  One more thing to note is that I have been a "fat-intake" label watcher for about 15 years.  When I read what my fat intake and calorie level should be on the Alli plan I freaked!  Is this really true???  On JC the meals range from 3 to 10 grams each, and like I said, my daily calorie intake was supposed to be 1200.  Now I have heard that there is such a thing as eating too little calories, have I been eating "too little" in my efforts to lose?  I know with my age and being menopausal it is going to be more difficult to lose (I have spoken to my Dr.) but is it unrealistic to believe I can be 155 pounds some day??

Thanks!

I have a really hard time getting the 1800 calories a day.  Any suggestions for me.  I am afraid that if I eat more to get the calories that I will return to my old eating habits with eating too much fat and calories.  Any suggestions?

atranmer:

I have a really hard time getting the 1800 calories a day.  Any suggestions for me.  I am afraid that if I eat more to get the calories that I will return to my old eating habits with eating too much fat and calories.  Any suggestions?

I find the 1800 calories hard to reach also, what I have been doing is adding to my snacks like a piece of cheese, real cheese not low fat.  I am more satisfied and this increases the fat amount too.  I have been afraid of this adding calories but I am boarderline diabetic so the balance makes sense to me. I am counting my carbs so they are between 40-50 per meal per my doctor.

I am running into the same type of problem.  I was previously going to Physician's Weight Loss Center and was supposed to be on a 1500 calorie diet.  I followed it part of the time, but was not motivated to continue with it.  Now the 1800 calorie diet I'm on with alli seems like loads of food to me.  I'm only on my first day (9/24/07) but I hope I can actually eat all the food I should be eating. 

 I've heard before that you don't want to cut down the calories drastically because your body will think you are starving and will hold onto the fat etc. and you won't loose weight.

Yes, you're correct that it actually halts weight loss if calories go to 1,000 or below.  My suggestion is you try 1,800 for a week and see how you do.  You can drop one or two levels -- but not more than that -- if you truly find it too much.

Unfortunately, you won't be able to change the levels in the system.  That's something that we're working on right now.

I hope this helps.

Pat Baird, MA, RD, registered dietitian

Excellent...especially with your diabetes.

Pat Baird, MA, RD, registered dietitian

I have been on xenical and changed to alli because of cost of xenical--I am on a 1600 day calories and not more than 40 grams of fat per day .  I have made my own menus and enjoy some  of Alli's menu ideas.  I see my doctor once a month and will continue to do so, my question is:  how do I get the amount of calories reduced from the Alli Diet plan?  I would like to stay with my 1600 per day for now and change to 1400 soon. I have a Health problem and I cannot exercies or take long walks (copd)

I keep a daily record of food intake and amounts of caloreies and fat.  I weigh my self at doctors office every two weeks--I bought a scale so I could weigh myself more offten and hope to continue to do good.

This information was a help to me. I tend to get carried away with things and weight loss is included. I plan on this diet being the last diet for the rest of my life. THANKS  ALLI!!!!

Hi there, I had the same reaction as you did when I read how much fat intake you are to have every day. I can't imagine doing that. I can't imagine the calorie count per day also. I wish a dietician would respond to these questions.

Thanks

 I'm glad this is working for you.  Please let us know if you need anything else.

Pat Baird, MA, RD, registered dietitian 

 Take a look at the first post of this thread from my colleague, Betty Kovacs.  She has given a lot of good information on why this important to be successful on the Alli Program.

Pat Baird, MA, RD, registered dietitian 

HI MY NAME IS GERALDLYN COOK. I HAVE BEEN BACK TO ALLI SERIOUSLY FOR THE PAST TWO  WEEKS. MY BIGGEST OBSTACLE WAS EATING ALL OR CLOSE TO MY 1800 CALORIES PER DAY. I AM A VERY BUSY MOTHER OF FOUR, FULL TIME STUDENT AND PART TIME NURSE. MOST OF THE TIME I DON'T HAVE TIME TO EAT OR AT SCHOOL THE ONLY DIET CHOICES ARE A SALAD BAR. OR GO WITH THE CHEESEBURGER STAND. I DO EAT SOME FRESH FRUITS ON THE RUN OR VEGGIES LIKE BABY CARROTS OR CELERY STICKS. I THOUGHT ABOUT THE SMART ONES DINNERS BY WEIGHT WATCHERS, WOULD THOSE BE A GOOD CHOICE FOR AT SCHOOL LUNCH WITH A SIDE SALAD. I WANT TO LOSE 15 POUNDS BY CHRISTMAS. I HAVE MADE TIME FOR EXERCISE 3 TIMES PER WEEK AND I REALLY WANT TO LOSE THE WEIGHT. PLEASE ADVICE. THANKS G. COOK