I have been on the plan for almost a month myself, and yes, I am a "real" person.  I started the diet the first of November, but waited to start on the pills until the 16th.  It has taken me awhile to finally notice the scale start to go down (I've lost 7 pounds so far) and as much as I would love "better" results, I keep telling myself it's better than nothing.  I do have some hard times, when I'd really love a good ol' cheeseburger or the like (especially when that's what my kids want) but overall it's not that bad.  I will say this, and as suprising as it may sound, make sure you eat the correct fat grams, and by that I mean as close as possible to the maximum!  The closer you get to that, the more fat Alli will block and in doing so cuts out more calories than eating something with the same amount of calories and less fat.  It can be difficult, I've found, because most items that are low-cal, low-fat are TOO low fat.  So you've got to find a way to add fat.  Nuts work great, especially since they are a healthly fat.  What I have started doing as well (so I don't feel so deprived of the beloved chocolate) is get the mini bars (Snickers, Twix, whatever) and eat one or two as part of my meal with a pill.  From my figures, one of them has 42 calories and 1.8 grams of fat.  That in and of itself may be high in fat, but if you eat it with stuff that is lower in fat in proportion to the number of calories, they will work together. 

I too have had a problem finding time in my day to fit in exercise.  I have heard all the advice about HOW to find time, I just haven't been able to work it out just yet.  I know if I keep on I'll get there eventually, and again, something is better than nothing!

Regarding what you said about tracking your calories, I've found that has helped me greatly!  I keep a little book in my purse and I write down EVERYTHING I eat everyday.  I write in the amount of calories and fat and add each meal up.  It helps me track my totals as well as if I should ever have any treatment effects (none so far, YAY!!) I can go back and see what I've eaten and narrow it done.  I know my memory isn't good enough to remember all I've eaten without writing it down!!  Best of luck to everyone!!

Great advice. Just what I needed to start planning this diet. Tomorrow I go grocery shopping to begin this plan. Wish me luck!

I was dying for a cheeseburger the other day and I came up with a healthy but somewhat satisfying alternative (of course you cannot exactly replicate the real thing):

Take 4-6 oz of turkey breast meat, ground (be sure to get the white meat, not the ground dark meat) and pan-fry in patty form as you would a normal hamburger (use at most 1 teaspoon of olive oil and be sure your are using a non-stick pan). I used alouette brand spreadable goat cheese which is really reasonable for fat in 2T. Additionally, I sauteed about 1/4 cup of thinly sliced leeks in the pan with the turkey burger. Finish off with some stone ground mustard, lettuce, and pickles on a couple slices of whole wheat bread and you have a pretty decent burger substitute that is well within the guidelines for alli.
 

I am planning on starting Ali for the New Year. I have little to no willpower but have to do something! I am a little aprehensive about this diet since this will be my 3rd attempt at dieting this year. It seems like I start out gungho but slowly but surely let my old habits creep back in. There are so many temptations out there right now and I too have to walk by office goodies every day! I have never posted to a website like this but wonder if that is the key. Just being able to share with someone that may be going through the exact same thing as you. Over the past 3 years I have gained about 50lbs. I was (way back when) a size 7 but since I am over 40 have resigned to the fact that I will not ever get back to this size. My goal is to loose 45 lbs. That seems almost impossible. I have a husband that is a very picky eater and I may be faced with cooking 2 meals; one for me and one for him. This has been another downfall with previous diets. Anyone else have to deal with a picky eater? Wish me luck. Thanks.

I apologize if I am misreading this, but you want to lose 35 lbs by Christmas...and you posted on 12/5?  I am sure that it is possible, but I doubt that it is healthy to lose 35 lbs in 20 days.  I think that setting more realistic goals will help you out more.  Also, your body can fluctuate by about 5 lbs on any given day so I definitely wouldn't worry about the 1 lb gain.  Maybe you weighed yourself after you drank a glass of water, or maybe you hadn't recently gone to the bathroom. 

I am also terrified of the treatment effects! I am going to start taking the pills on January 4th (closest to the weekend as possible). I don't eat overly bad for meals. It is the late night snacking and "ice cream runs" with my husband that have caused me to gain weight. I think that with something such as treatment effects running through the back of my mind, I will think twice about that midnight snack or ice cream run.

 I wish you the best of luck!!

Hi Carly:

I actually haven't started the program yet. I have decided to start my low-fat and low-calorie diet on December 26th and taking the pills on the 2nd of January.

I have a question...

I like wine as well and I feel I HAVE to have 1-3 glasses after a long day. Gosh, I hope I don't look like an alcoholic! Anyways, with taking the pills and say, have some wine, does that make you have "treatment effects"? and is it really slowing you down from losing more than 1lb a week?

Man, I really don't know how I am going to stop with the wine!!!

That's too funny!!! - I have the same wine question Ha! - I will be starting on January 6th and I hope that it will not interfere with my glass of wine...

Ldrakekat:

where do you go on this message board to just talk about life? Or how you're doing? Or tips or experiences or just plain talk? Everything I've seen so far, (and I hope I don't offend anyone) looks like posts from alli employees.  Any real people out there? Anybody fall off the wagon or just starting or didn't lose weight on week or whatever? How long have some of you all been on alli. Whats the deal?

Hi Everyone,

It sounds like what you want is in a few sections.  You can go into the "Age" categories; or the "Geography" (northeast, etc.) category -- or check the boards that are for those wanting to lose a specific amount of weight: 50 pounds, 100 pounds, etc.

If it's a food or nutrition question we're always happy to help you on the Dietitians Message Board.

I hope this helps.

Pat Baird, MA, RD, registered dietitian 

Has anyone gotten an answer on the wine issue yet and is there a chat site or board where we can post about life in general. How work, kids, etc may be effecting how we are doing on our diet and get moral support from others on the diet and not the moderators?

Laura

Yes, you can drink wine. You just have to factor in the calories as part of your days intake.  As far as chatting, there is no real time chat here. There is a personal experiences forum and several other more personalized forums such as age group and lacation where you can share you thoughts and seek encouragement.  They are all very supportive.  If you ask questions specific to the program the moderators will respond but they are also extreamly helpfaul and supportive.

There is also a "search" button at the top of each page that you can use to look up specific topics, posts and people.  You can also click on a posters name and it will show you all of thier posts, even your own.

Play with the program and use as much of it as you can.  Best to you.

Famie

Both my husband and my youngest daughter are EXTREMELY picky eaters.  Neither will touch fruits/vegies or most spices and sauces.  Basically they are meat and potato all the way.  My oldest daughter and I love a variety of foods but because of time, and money, I tend to cook more towards their dietary desires out of convenience.  Ironically, my oldest and I are the overweight ones. 

 I sympathize with your plight.  I have a different problem in that I have a home office and, though I keep healthy food on hand, I eat ALL the time.  I do not eat out of hunger but becasue it is there.  I try to be good and can be if not left alone or am busy but come any down time and I am on it.  I have tried several diets in the past, with limited success, to only regain it later and am currently at an all time high for me.  Sadly.  I am apprensive at its success, probably because I have failed so many times before.  I guess I just thought, why not.  I like the idea that it "punishes" me for not eating right since appetite suppression is not helpful.  I am hoping that it is enough to get and keep me on target.  Plus, I like enlisting others to help, though it is somewhat a task to open up to people close to me and admit things, like weight and screw ups.

I do not think that I have helped you at all.  I guess I just wanted to show you that you are not alone and I felt like I understood what you were saying. 

Just started.  Hoping ofr success THIS time.  Trying to be positive but...  Once bitten, twice shy.  I am my own worse enemy.

lchilds:

Real person here too.  I started Alli a week ago and have totally committed to it; I have lost 4 lbs so far.  ...So far this has worked for me and I do not feel deprived which is so important when you’re trying to lose weight.  Good luck and I hope this helps.

Laura

ME TOO!  I just started a week ago - and I, too, lost 4 lbs (which, for me, is UNHEARD of).  AND it would have been more except for having to go to a New Year's Eve party the other night.  ;)  But, I didn't deprive myself that night - I allowed myself to relax since it probably won't happen again until my anniversary in March.  LOL.  

 And, like many of you, I'm a real person, too.  I'm 42 with 2 boys - ages 7 and 2 - and have been hypothyroid for the past 20 years.  Stupid thyroid makes it difficult to lose weight.  But, since being put on Armour thyroid, it has gotten a bit easier.  Still, I've never had a 4 lb loss with any other diet plan in my memory.  So, I'm really happy with Alli.  And I have had absolutely NO side effects, either.  I'm kind of excited because I was doubtful at first.  ...We'll see what this week brings now that the holidays are over and I can get back to a "normal" life again. 

 
Good luck to you all!  :)

 

I totally agree with your advice for starting gradually.  Many "weight loss experts" I have heard have said to start by making one small habit change at a time.

 Regarding your Twix habit:  Have you seen the 100 calorie candy bars?  There's Twix, 3 Musketeers, M&M's, and more, I think.  It may be just enough to make you mad, but it could actually be the moderation you need!