Need some help from a professional.  I have been running and I have seen a huge difference in the way I run taking Alli compared to when I did not take Alli and ran.  I am sluggish, exhausted, and can barely make it back to my house.  I am only trying 2.4 miles and am ok the first leg but coming back is awful.  Is Alli taking something more out of my body?  I have no energy afterwards.  This is the worst I have ever ran.  Am I not getting enough of something that my body needs?  My partner seems to think that maybe I am not getting enough calories or Alli might be depleting my body of something.  I have some races coming up and can not even think of running in them because of how I feel.  Need professional help on this matter.

Terri    

The only thing that Alli does it to block about 25% of the fat in themeal at which it's taken.  It does not enter the bloodstream and only works in the small intestine.

I can only assume that you are not eating an adequate amount of calories (possibly fat), and not drinking enough water (8 to 10 glasses per day).

It's important that you also follow the pattern of the Sample Menus.  They are designed to include adequate amounts of protein, carbohydrate, fat -- as well as a variety of foods - for good nutrition.

Take a look at your Nutrition Log and see if you are under the recommended amounts.

What is the distance of your upcoming races?

I hope this helps.

Pat Baird, MA, RD, registered dietitian

Pat,

It is a 5K (3 mile).  I am sticking to my 1400 calorie diet and the fat grams.  The sample menus suck for me because I am such a picky eater.  Sorry but they do!!  I drink 40-60 oz. of water a day.  SO I am pretty sure it is not the water.  I eat mainly chicken, not to much red meat.  Some vegtables but of course dinner is after I run.  Just wanted some help.  My running is not going well and the only thing I have really changed is taking the Alli pill.  

Terri

It's fine not to follow the Sample Menus precisely (or to think they suck :) ).  What is important is to have the foods and the amouns recommended.  Another way to look at it is to use the Exchanges as are listed in section 5 of the Health Eating Guide.  They are groups of foods that have similar calorie and nutrient value.  Take a look at p. 20 of the Companion Guide for a chart of the number of servings for each food group - at each calorie level.  That might be a better way for you to plan your menus.

Finally, did you use the Personal Calculator to arrive at the calorie and fat gram recommendation; or did you do your own calculations using the Alli materials?  What is your current height and weight?

Pat 

I used whatever Alli had to calculate my calories and fat grams.  I was 174 when I started and am 5'4".  I was at 1600 calories but Alli changed my calories I think it was 2 weeks ago or maybe 1 week ago.  I am now at 160 lbs.  I will admit I do not eat as many vegtables as I should or fruit for that matter.  But I have never ate those items and I have always had energy to run.  I should be able to make a 3 mile run (race) and be ok.  I have a 5 mile race coming up I would like to do and am a little scared that I am going to crash and burn.  Granted I will walk a lot of that but I should be able to run at least 3 miles.  A lot of the protein drinks that help refuel me I can not take because they are 2 high in fat.  This is really a depressing thing when I can not run because I lack the energy.

Terri 

I'm not sure,but maybe your body is getting use to the lower calorie intake.  I know when I first started, I felt weak and hungry because my body was use to more food, After my body got use to the new calories, and I started losing wt, my energy actually increased.  I barely liked sitting still.  I am actually having trouble again. My intake was decreased recently according to alli, and I have found I am hungry and tired again.  I have had trouble getting down to the new calorie range, but I have done better the last 2 weeks.  Course if you want to lose wt you have to eat less calories than your body uses in a day because your body has to get some of the energy from your fat stores.  This is just what I have experienced; the dietitian can probably tell us the science behind it all.

You may be lacking energy because you are lacking in vitamins.

My husband is a Physician Assistant and he was concerned when I told him that I was going to start taking Alli because the body only absorbs vitamins through fat.  So if you cut 1/2 of the fat from your diet, you are only getting about 1/2 the absorbtion of vitamins from a normal, balanced diet.  It is VITAL to absorb some amount of healthy fat AND to take a good multivitamin to make up for the loss of nutrition. 

I appreciate everyone that came back with a reply.  The moderator did then quit.  I felt really tired at first while taking Alli then bounced back up but then when I started running went back to no energy.  I am thinking that I am not eating enough healthy foods plus my thyroid might be out of wack becasue of Alli (lifestyle change).  I am going to try to do better with what I eat.  I am loosing weight which is great but sometimes I wonder at what cost because I am so tired and loack energy.  But there might be other factors that I am not considering.  Thank you to everyone that helped with suggestions and comments.

Terri