I'm trying to look for some answers so this is the second post I placed concerning the Nextphase.  

I just don't get it.  This phase doesn't talk about stopping the pills, doesn't talk about how much more or less I should continue eating or if I should still eat the same way, all it does is talk about adding exercises that I can't do yet, due to back problems.  I don't get the "calorie gap" thing either.  

It asked me how I was before I started the program and then it calculated my calorie gap.  Can you explain in a simpler term what this means?  

Basically, these are my questions:  Do I stop any of the 3 pills I take in a day?  Do I still continue eating the same food with the same daily caloric intake that I've been eating?  If I can't exercise, what are my other options and how does this even help me maintain my weight?  Wouldn't I loose even more weight?  I mean I don't mind, but I don't want to be too skinny... :-) 

I would appreciate any help and advice you can give.

Thank you, Arpy

Hello Dietitians!  I've posted this in several places and have not gotten any replies.  Can you look at my questions and let me know what I need to do?

I'm really confused about this nextphase...

At the moment, I'm going about the same way of doing things, haven't changed a thing.  I'm still taking all 3 pills, eating the same recommended meal plan.  I've never exercised because of back pain and still can't. 

What am I supposed to do with this next phase???

Please help!

Thank you!

I am wanting to know about the whole calorie gap and the nextphase also. It is confusing.

Hope we get a response soon.

Hi Arpy,

So sorry for the delayed response, not sure how we missed your messages!  We answer all messages that need our response within 24 hours...Anyway, I am so happy you continue to ask your important question. 

Let me ask you a few questions to make sure I understand were you are at the moment. 

Are you registered at myalliplan?  If you are you should have a check-in date every week and this check in will change your calorie level and fat grams once you achieve a certain weight loss and it will go on like this until you reach your goal weight.  Once you reach your goal then you will be placed on a maintenance plan, which doesn't include the alli pills. 

Are you tracking your calories with the nutrition logs?  You will love the daily nutrient analysis! 

Not sure I understand the "calorie gap" issue, but you may ask the alli administrators or tech support staff and they should be able to answer this question.  In the meantime, I will place an e-mail to the alli administrators as well.

Hope this helps,

Sylvia Melendez-Klinger, MS, RD, LDN, CPT - registered dietitian

Hi Sylvia, no biggy about the delay... so here's my story.  I am registered with myalliplan, yes I do and have been tracking my calories... in the nutrition log, which I love the way it calculates all my nutrients!  I have been checking in every week.  I started the plan end of March and I have reached my goal weight.  So last time I checked in, I chose the maintenance plan and it took me to the nextphase where the "calorie gap" information is.  It's been very easy so far and I'm scared as hell about maintaining the weight I lost.   So now I don't know what I need to do in this nextphase, maintanance program.  I don't find it to be clear and don't get the whole idea of exercise and calorie gap.

Who are the administrators and where can I reach them?  is it only by phone?

At the moment, I'm still continuing the myalliplan as I knew it.  Although I am skipping some of the pills.

Any advice will help!

Thank you, Arpy 

Hi Arpy,

I did find an answer to your "calorie gap" question:

The purpose of the activity calculator is simply to illustrate that your body will use fewer calories when you weight less. (performing the exact same activities will use fewer calories when you weight less).  Therefore, whatever, calorie level that allowed you to maintain your weight at your larger weight will be lower now at a smaller weight.  The difference between these two calorie levels is your calorie gap.  So, to ensure that you don't gain weight, you must fill your calorie gap by exercising more or reducing calories (or, optimally both). The tool provides a method from filling the calorie gap based on exercise alone but luckily, most members have learned that they can't go back to their previous method of eating so their calorie gap is partially filled by eating fewer calories.   

Hope this helps,

Sylvia Melendez-Klinger, MS, RD, LDN, CPT - registered dietitian