Hi, I just started taking alli this week, but I have a quick question. I've already started a weight loss plan. I have been doing the weight loss plan on and off for awhile but haven't stuck with it real well. However, I know I can do the plan and it I know it will work well. I was just wanting a little extra boost which is why I decided to try alli as well. I'm hoping now, with the help of alli, I'll be able to stick with the plan and lose the weight. I am 5'8 and a little over 200 pounds, now acording to your chart I should have about 1800 calories a day and 19 grams of fat per meal. Now with the diet plan I have been doing I am suppose to stay within a certain range of carbs, protein, fat, and calories. Which if I try I can usually do without much trouble. My questin is, there is a drastic difference between the calorie and fat intake I am suppose to have. Both alli and the diet have a chart to look at to figure this out. With the diet plan, I am suppose to have between 990- 1235 calories a day and 30 - 35 fat grams. So that would take me down to about 12 grams of fat a meal? Is it okay for me to drop down to the 1200 calorie alli plan? Or is that too low?

Hey Jen!

 I am not a dietician but I have lost about 110 lbs so I have a little experience.  1200 calories is a very low diet plan for your height and weight.  Eating that few calories will allow you to lose weight, and probably quickly.  The problem is that you will also be losing muscle, and slowing your metabolism.  So, once you get to your goal weight and start "eating normally" again you're going to gain weight.

Believe me if you stick to a 1200 calorie diet for an extended time you have to be prepared to eat that way to maintain (and it stinks!).

Perhaps a better idea is to eat at least 1500 calories and increase your exercise (especially strength training which lets you burn more calories at rest!).  Just something to think about.  Good luck!

Teresa

Yes, it's important to follow the alli recommendations for best results.  The alli diet is designed around 30% total daily calories from fat, 20% protein and 50% carbohydrate; it's a healthy diet and similar to the diet of the Ameican Heart Association. It's also designed to provide a wide variety of foods that are satisfying so people don't feel deprived and wind up bingeing.

As you lose weight your calories will be lowered -- but NEVER below 1,200 calories.  Starting too low doesn't leave much room to go from there.  Not eating enough fat makes taking the capsules pointless if there's little or nothing for them to block.  The Personal Calculator is generally very accurate because it's based on all the information an individual provides.

You might also take a look at the top two posts about why calories and fat are so important -- it's great information. 

I hope this helps.

Pat Baird, MA, RD, registered dietitian