I have lost 30 lbs since June of last year on the Alli plan. For me sticking to the low fat diet, monitoring the calorie intake and getting plenty of exercise is key. I always lost more weight when I was exercising more than usual. Been through three clothes sizes (down to a size 12 now). When I was really fat a couple of years ago, I wasn't exercising much and I had some physical problems that kept me from riding my bicycle. I have disk disease in my neck, so I could no longer ride my mountain bike to work. I always loved cycling and was very depressed that I could no longer do it. There were some comfort bikes that came onto the market that year, and I bought one in April of '07 that I could ride because I was upright in the saddle and didn't have to bend forward to grab the handlebars and hurt my neck. I invested in some comfortable cycling clothes so I could ride in comfort (Terry sells plus size bicycle clothes), and I was on my way. I am happy to say that I am too small for my plus size cycling clothes these days, and I back into regular-size cycling kits. In January of this year my weight loss was stalled and the cycling season over, so I made a New Year's resolution to exercise more and keep better track of my calorie intake. I went to the gym 6 days a week, but was careful not to overdue it (I have arthritis and tendonitis). I lost loads of weight after that and got into pretty good shape for a woman my age (I'm 51).
I had always wanted to participate in the President's Council on Physical Fitness program since I was a child, so in late May of this year I signed up for the Presidential Champions program. You earn awards based on exercise points (equal to calories burned) you accumulate to various goal levels (bronze, silver and gold). The program has a great web site where you keep track of your activities every day; in past programs you could only earn credit for specific sports or activites, but now you can cross-train and even accumulate points for things like walking, yoga, pilates, cleaning house or gardening. This program essentially provides extra motivation to rack up exercise points; heck, I actually look forward to vacuuming now since I know it burns loads of calories. I already earned my bronze medal and will soon garner my silver.
The Alli plan has obviously worked well for me. I've certainly had a few side effect moments (result of eating on the road and dinners prepared by my relatives), but these episodes definitely served as a deterrent to eating the wrong things, not checking out the nutritional content beforehand or not asking for modified meals at restaurants. The plan absolutely works if you follow it and get plenty of exercise. I can't emphasize the importance of exercise if you want to succeed in this. It also requires plenty of patience when the weight loss is stalled. It is definitely worth it to feel great about yourself, how you look, and not avoid mirrors or cameras anymore.
For me, the greatest satisfaction was when I recently visited my sister and needed to borrow a sweater. She has been trimmer than me for many years, but not these days! All the sweaters she had were far too large for me, and I had to ask "you got anything any smaller?" Satisfaction indeed!