vprothero:

 The alli book says for my weight (206) I should consume 1800 calories per day. I don't currently consume that on a regular basis (although there are days when I do-perhaps twice a month). Should I really increase my intake to 1800 calories given that information. On a regular basis I consume approximately 1400 calories per day. I have been eating less than 1400 since I started alli, but someone pointed out that I may be affecting my metabolism negatively. I have been taking alli for a little over 2 weeks and have lost 7 pounds. I also started walking 30 minutes each morning on the treadmill where before I had no exercise at all.

You don't mention if you're using the Nutrition and Activity Logs and the weekly check-ins.  I mention this because you'd mostly likely have gone through the Personal Calculator and entered all your information - height, weight, age, sex, etc. - and that gives the best guidelines for calories and fat, though the book is fairly good.

Were you on a weight loss program before you started alli?  Is that why you're at 1,400 calories?  I think you should follow the recommendations given if you also backed up the book with the Personal Calculator -- especially since you've started the treadmill.

Even though it may seem high, the calorie and fat suggestions are meant to provide a steady weight loss.  And, the levels are reduced as your weight declines -- though never less than 1,200.  When you start too low, there's not much room to change.  If you haven't already, go back up to the very first post on this thread from one of our dietitians, Betty, it's great information.

I hope this helps.

Pat

Please note that we don't check this section of the message board.  The top two posts about calories and fat were meant to be for information only -- but we weren't clear about that.  Start a new thread for the quickest reply from Sylvia or me.

rekni:

I'm also finding it hard to get the 1800 cals & 19 g fat per day. Starting week 4 only 1 lb lost. Should I drop down to next level?

Rekni

Before you drop to the next level weigh and measure everything you eat and drink for a week.  Be very sure you're actually consuming 1,800 calories.  It's very, very easy to underestimate portion sizes and calories.

I agree that you should have lost more than one pound after 4 weeks, and I suspect it's because of too many calories.  I hope you have also started to include some physical activity as the Program recommends.

Pat

Please note that we don't check this section of the message board.  The top two posts about calories and fat were meant to be for information only -- but we weren't clear about that.  Start a new thread for the quickest reply from Sylvia or me.

Hi Betty,

I completely understand the science behind the recommendations on caloric intake, however in tracking my intake since February, I have found even though it is recommended that I take in 1800 calories per day, if I take in any more than 1200 calories on a day where I don't go to the gym, I am up a pound the next morning.  Even on days when I go to the gym and do cardio and weight training, 1500 calories seems to be the max I can go without gaining.  I am hesitant to increase to 1800 for fear that I will end up gaining weight that I will then have to work even harder to get rid of.  Please let me know if you have any suggestions.  I have been stagnant in my weight this week, but I had a few days where I missed the gym.  I did not take in more than 1300 calories any of the past 7 days.  Please note that nothing that I eat has an excessive amount of fat (I don't think I have hit th 19 gram maximum in any of my meals) but I have had some sugary and salty food that I do not normally eat. 

 Any suggestsions would be great!  Thanks,

Sara

i have a problem in that i dont eat enough calories. unless i eat fast food once a day i dont get anywhere close to the number of calories im supposed to have, including the calories from unhealthy snacks. im supposed to get 1200 calories a day but i only get like 700 or 800. i am only hungry enough for one meal a day, on days ive been really active i eat 2 meals a day.

about 2 years ago i had severe emotional problems (which i am still trying to manage) that caused me to stop eating twice and my stomach shrunk. because of that i barely eat. help! what can i do?

I have a hard time reaching my 1800  calorie goal and my fat gram since I've been on this plan each day I only reach up to 1260 calories and 30 fat grams. Is that alright ?

I officially started alli yesterday but today was my 1st full day. I did well today. Took all my pills during each meal, worked out and had the right portion amount. Now let's talk about supper.  Come evening I lose all self controle. I had 2 bowls of rice plus a bagel and a hotdog bun. As you can see, my downfall is carbs, not fat. How does alli work against carbs? I took the alli pill but it didn't do anything (whatever carbs I didn't have during the day, I made for at supper). I was expecting at least a small spot. Nothing happened. Please advise.

it sometimes takes awhile to see the oil. i ate fried chicken the other day, and had taken 2 pills that day, and saw nothing. now today ive had about 6 bm's and every single one has been full of oil. however, im not sure what alli does for carbs. but i reccomend switching to wheat bread and wheat buns and wheat bagels. they have less starch and are better for you.

Thanks for the info. I finally saw oil and then some. It was facinating, but I never want to see it again. I'll take your suggestion and change the bread to whole grain. Thanks again.

You may lose weight initially, but that will soon slow down -- and then come to a halt. I't's very, very important to follow the recommendations for calories AND fat for best results with alli.  There's more on why each is so important in the top two posts on this message board.  Be sure to read the very top post in each thread (written by my colleague Betty Kovacs, MS,RD).

Please note that we don't check this section of the message board.  The top two posts about calories and fat were meant to be for information only -- but we weren't clear about that.  Start a new thread for the quickest reply from Sylvia or me. 

Pat 

MonicaN:

I have a hard time reaching my 1800  calorie goal and my fat gram since I've been on this plan each day I only reach up to 1260 calories and 30 fat grams. Is that alright ?

It's very, very important to have the recommended amount of calories and fat for your level.  Take a look at the the reply I just wrote to MonicaN.

In your case, you'll need to slowly add foods that are high in calories and fat to bring your levels up.  Items like a salad with regular dressing; or a whole grain roll with peanut butter or avocado; or sprinkle nuts into oatmeal and salads are a few ways to do this.

If you're not eating enough fat it's a total waste of money to take alli because there's nothing for it to work on -- alli works ONLY to block some of the fat in the meal at which it's taken.

Finally, if you stopped eating several times over the last two years, do you need to lose a substantial amount of weight? alli is meant only for those who have a Body Mass Index of 27 or more -- which is a lot of weight.

Please note that we don't check this section of the message board.  The top two posts about calories and fat were meant to be for information only -- but we weren't clear about that.  Start a new thread for the quickest reply from Sylvia or me. 

Pat 

crazytanak:

i have a problem in that i dont eat enough calories. unless i eat fast food once a day i dont get anywhere close to the number of calories im supposed to have, including the calories from unhealthy snacks. im supposed to get 1200 calories a day but i only get like 700 or 800. i am only hungry enough for one meal a day, on days ive been really active i eat 2 meals a day.

about 2 years ago i had severe emotional problems (which i am still trying to manage) that caused me to stop eating twice and my stomach shrunk. because of that i barely eat. help! what can i do?

alli has no action with carbs at all -- it ONLY works to block some of the fat in the meal at which it's taken.  The reason you didn't see anything is because you didn't have any fat.

It's really important to have a variety of foods throughout the day to be sure you get the nutrients you need.  The alli diet is 30% total calories from fat, 20% protein and 50% carbs so it's quite liberal in terms of your food preferences.

I strongly recommend you take a look at the Sample Menus for your calorie level and try to have meals that are similar in the types and amounts given in the Sample.

Please note that we don't check this section of the message board.  The top two posts about calories and fat were meant to be for information only -- but we weren't clear about that.  Start a new thread  on the Dietitians Board for the quickest reply from Sylvia or me.

Pat 

anethaney:

I officially started alli yesterday but today was my 1st full day. I did well today. Took all my pills during each meal, worked out and had the right portion amount. Now let's talk about supper.  Come evening I lose all self controle. I had 2 bowls of rice plus a bagel and a hotdog bun. As you can see, my downfall is carbs, not fat. How does alli work against carbs? I took the alli pill but it didn't do anything (whatever carbs I didn't have during the day, I made for at supper). I was expecting at least a small spot. Nothing happened. Please advise.

swainwright:

Hi Betty,

I completely understand the science behind the recommendations on caloric intake, however in tracking my intake since February, I have found even though it is recommended that I take in 1800 calories per day, if I take in any more than 1200 calories on a day where I don't go to the gym, I am up a pound the next morning.  Even on days when I go to the gym and do cardio and weight training, 1500 calories seems to be the max I can go without gaining.  I am hesitant to increase to 1800 for fear that I will end up gaining weight that I will then have to work even harder to get rid of.  Please let me know if you have any suggestions.  I have been stagnant in my weight this week, but I had a few days where I missed the gym.  I did not take in more than 1300 calories any of the past 7 days.  Please note that nothing that I eat has an excessive amount of fat (I don't think I have hit th 19 gram maximum in any of my meals) but I have had some sugary and salty food that I do not normally eat. 

 Any suggestsions would be great!  Thanks,

Sara

The salty foods you eat tend to make the body retain water which adds water weight and hides a weight loss.  Check your Nutrition Logs for sodium.  The recommendations are for 2,300 milligrams - or less - of sodium.  So if your numbers are over 3,000 mgs. per day there's a chance you're retaining water.

It also sounds like you're weighing every day.  This is not something I advise because we all have daily fluctuations due to hormones, sodium and other reasons.  I think it's best to do this twice a week; otherwise it will drive you crazy.

Occasionally, I'll agree to have people drop 200 calories from the original recommendations, but never more than that.  The Check-ins will automatically drop calories as weight declines -- though never below 1,200 calories.  Starting too low doesn't leave much room to go down for continued weight loss, and then for maintainance.  In the long run, dropping too soon slows down weight loss.

I hope this helps.

Please note that we don't check this section of the message board.  The top two posts about calories and fat were meant to be for information only -- but we weren't clear about that.  Start a new thread on the Dietitians Board for the quickest reply from Sylvia or me. 

 I agree with many on the site, I will truly not lose on 1800 calories. That is my metabolic rate.  I usually try for 1400-1500, so that I can lose  about a pound a week by cutting calories by 300 and increasing exercise by 200-300.  I have tried to change the calorie count in the profile, but it only gives me meals at 1800!  Very frustrating!

Even My Pyramid says that my metabolic rate is 2000, but I have counted calories for so long that I know that as a 55 year old menopausal woman, I will not lose anything on 1800.

 Thank you, that was very helpful. I struggle with wanting to lose as much weight as fast as I can. Thank you for this post it really made more scene to me on why I need to reach my marks insted of thinking I'll just loss faster by staying a little under.

I'm glad you checked this post.  Many people feel the same way you do, and then become very frustrated when they don't lose weight because they're eating too little fat and/or calories.  I think some of the early posts on this thread really highlight that.

Pat

MRSNGREJ:

 

 Thank you, that was very helpful. I struggle with wanting to lose as much weight as fast as I can. Thank you for this post it really made more scene to me on why I need to reach my marks insted of thinking I'll just loss faster by staying a little under.