I love alli and have lost 30 POUNDS!!!!  However, I have hit the worst plateau yet.  I haven't lost any wt in almost 2 months, and I only have 3 pounds left to lose to reach my alli goal (I would actually like to lose 8 pounds total)!!!  I have written about the plateau before, and I know part of the reason is because the last few are the hardest to lose.  Also another problem was my calorie intake started changing 2 months ago from 1800 to 1600 to 1800, and so one.  This is because every week I keep losing and gaining the same 2 pounds so I must be on the edge of 1800 and 1600.  I had gotten into the habit of eating 1800 calories; therefore, I was having a hard time getting down to the 1600 calories for a while.  I know this is part of the plateau problem.  In the past 3 weeks I have been pretty consistent with the 1600 calories.  Now here is my question.

Since going down to the 1600 calories, I have vomited twice after working out.  For example, yesterday I had eaten all of the calories I was alotted for the day amd was still hungry.  I also stillhad to do my daily workout, so I ate a pickle (5 caloires) to hold me over during the exercise that evening.  I felt fine after the workout at first; then all of a sudden I felt so hungry I thought I was going to vomit (if that makes since).  I could barely make it to the bathroom, bit since my stomach was empty all that came up was a pickle and the water I had been drinking during the workout.  Last week my stomach was empty and so all that came up after exercising was Diet Dr. Pepper.  I do high intensity workouts for 1 hour 6 days a week.  Sometimes I do a little more (sometimes 8 hours).  Is there something I am doing wrong?  I wasn't sure wheter to ask the exercise experts or the dietitian since it involves both so I decided to post the question to both of you.  Thank you for all of your help in the past.

Yes, I think it's a good idea to ask the Fitness Specialist as well.  It sounds to me like you're exercising TOO hard, and may be doing too many abdominal exercises which then brings on the vomiting.

Did I read correctly that some days you exercise for 8 hours?!?  Talk to the Fitness Specialist about that too.  It seems excessive to me. 

I can tell you that pickles (which are in the cucumber family) can be very gassy.  The gas - coupled with the exercise - may cause you to vomit.  You'd be better with some crackers; a piece of bagel; or some pretzles

Finally, I think you should try to save about 100 calories on the days you work out for the workout snack -- or go over the 1,600 to 1,700 calories.

I hope this helps...and I'd still run it by the Fitness Specialist.

Pat Baird, MA, RD, registered dietitian

Thanks for the response.  I meant I workout 8 hours a week sometimes, not in a day.  Sorry for the typo.  That is interesting about the pickle causing gas.  I have also noticed that Diet Dr. Pepper makes me a little berpy, which I had the first time this happened.  So it is interesting that the two times I vomited I ate/drank some gassy foods.  So I should try a workout snack of about 100 calories after I workout?  Would pretzels and crackers be good choices for an after workout snack?  Thanks for the help.

 I cannot workout on an empty stomach or I feel sick. If I don't have time to eat before I work out, I'll grab a power bar or something...just watch the ingredients and fat in those.

Thanks for clarifying about the 8 hours! Gassy foods include ny carbonated beverage (gas is what gives it the fizz!); beans; cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and Brussels Sprouts; sipping through a straw, etc.

It would be best if you could have a small snack about two hours before you work out and another after.  That's to provide your body with the energy to do a good work out; and then to replace some that's been lost and help with muscle repair.

Pretzels, crackers, 1/2 bagel, and some fruit are good choices.

Let me know if you need more.

Pat 

Lafox:

Thanks for the response.  I meant I workout 8 hours a week sometimes, not in a day.  Sorry for the typo.  That is interesting about the pickle causing gas.  I have also noticed that Diet Dr. Pepper makes me a little berpy, which I had the first time this happened.  So it is interesting that the two times I vomited I ate/drank some gassy foods.  So I should try a workout snack of about 100 calories after I workout?  Would pretzels and crackers be good choices for an after workout snack?  Thanks for the help.

Just an update.I finally made it past my plateau.  You were right; I just need to be patient.  The last post I wrote was about getting sick after working out.  I have stopped getting sick after you suggest I stop eating pickles and drinking Diet Dr. Pepper before exercising.  The best update of all is I made my goal, and I am going to maintenance!!!!  Which is kind of scary, but I certainly can't complain.  I was wondering if you thought the following was a good maintenance plan:

I am going to finish up my alli bottle, and then stop the pills but continue the diet and exercise plan (exercising 6 to 8 hours a week and loving it).  But I am planning on using the alli pills during various holidays to keep myself from eating too much.  Avoiding TE's is a great motivator, hehe.  What do you think about this plan?

If you are interested in reading my recap of my alli experience, I wrote it in real all stories and the personal experience section under "Ahhhh!!! I did it!!!! I did it!!!!! I can't believe it!!!!"  But you certainly don't have to, I know you must be extremely busy with all of these post. 

Lafox:

Just an update.I finally made it past my plateau.  You were right; I just need to be patient.  The last post I wrote was about getting sick after working out.  I have stopped getting sick after you suggest I stop eating pickles and drinking Diet Dr. Pepper before exercising.  The best update of all is I made my goal, and I am going to maintenance!!!!  Which is kind of scary, but I certainly can't complain.  I was wondering if you thought the following was a good maintenance plan:

I am going to finish up my alli bottle, and then stop the pills but continue the diet and exercise plan (exercising 6 to 8 hours a week and loving it).  But I am planning on using the alli pills during various holidays to keep myself from eating too much.  Avoiding TE's is a great motivator, hehe.  What do you think about this plan?

If you are interested in reading my recap of my alli experience, I wrote it in real all stories and the personal experience section under "Ahhhh!!! I did it!!!! I did it!!!!! I can't believe it!!!!"  But you certainly don't have to, I know you must be extremely busy with all of these post. 

Congratualtions to you!!!  It's wonderful seeing that you not only solved the vomiting problem -- and that you reached goad weight.  Outstanding!

I think your strategy is a good one.  I also agree that TE's are a great motivator! :-) :-)  Many people continue to take the capsules the way you suggest, or on weekends, or one meal a day...or whatever makes them comfortable.

It sounds like you've learned a lot for the Program, and will do a good job at maintaining your weight loss.

Let me/us know whenever you need something.

Pat