I'm really confused and need advice.  I started Alli over a week ago and instead of losing I've gained a lb.  Not only have a gained I haven't had a bowel movement in 5 days.  My stomach is cramping and I feel swollen and bloated.  I'm eating no more than the recommended calories that I'm supposed to in a days time.  I do not eat over 15 fat gms per meal and I take the pill right before I begin a meal.  What could I be doing wrong?  I know how much I'm eating and I am not going over the recommendations. 

Please advice,
Patch357

Hi Patch357,

Many factors can attribute a small weight gain - Menstrual cycles, high sodium intake, medications, etc.  Sometimes, even if you follow a diet plan perfectly well there are moments when your body plateaus and that is OK.  Even when the scale does not show progress, you should not feel discouraged.  Chances are that you are making progress in many other ways. 

• You are eating healthy and that is positive
• Maybe you are feeling more energetic
• Maybe your clothes are fitting better
• Maybe your cholesterol level is lowering

If you stay the course you will start to drop the pounds.  You can also help your body if you increase your physical activity.  You may add resistance exercise to your routine or cut a snack or about 100 to 200 calories from your meal plan (as long as you are not going to be very hungry in between meals).  Most importantly, stay on track.

It is normal to have some digestive discomforts during the first two weeks of the program due to a couple of things:

The alli meals are about 25 grams of fiber per day, which is the recommended amount per day.  Most people only take about half of the fiber recommendations, therefore I will recommend you start adding fiber rich foods slowly.  Add about 5 grams fiber per day until you are able to get your digestive system regulated.  Also, you may want to try one of the yogurts available for digestive health, they help speed up your digestive system.  

Here is some information you may find interesting from The American Dietetic Association Complete Food and Nutrition Guide by Roberta Larson Duyff, RD

"When it comes to fiber, you can overdo a good thing!  Too much fiber can move food through the digestive tract faster than some nutrients can be absorbed.  By eating more than 50 to 60 grams of fiber a day, your body may lower the absorption of vitamins and minerals, among them zinc, iron, magnesium, and calcium.  An excessive amount of fiber may cause gas, diarrhea, and bloating.  By filling up with too many high-fiber foods or fiber supplements, you may not have an appetite for other nutrient- rich foods.

How might you get too much fiber? By eating a lot of bran, very-high fiber cereals, or perhaps using a fiber supplement in an eating plan that already has plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains."  The key eat your recommended amounts of fiber (start slow - about 5 grams per day until you reach 25 grams) and drink plenty of water - new requirements call for a minimum of 13 cups per day!  

Hope this helps,

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

Unfortunately the information really doesn't help. 

I'm not eating the alli meals.  I count calories, fat and grams of fiber.  If anything, fiber helps you to go to the bathroom.  My issue is that I'm not going at all.  I have been on Alli for almost two weeks and my bowel movements have been pretty much non-existant.  If things don't change soon I'll have to use a laxative.  Regarding weight gain...it's not time for my menstral cycle, I'm not on other medications and I watch my sodium intake.  Why would my body be hitting a plateau when this is a brand new supplement that my body is intaking.  If I had been on the program for a month or more I could see where a plateau could fall into play, but not now.  I drink water and I excerise.  For my current weight and height I am to eat no more than 1200 calories a day and I always watch my fat intake so I know I'm not going over.  At two weeks on the program I should see results...instead I've gained a lb.  Is there a money back guarantee with this product?  It seems like I was doing better on my own.

 So sorry, I misunderstood your question.  Let me ask you a few questions so I can better understand your situation:

Are you using the nutrition logs or some other system to track your food intake?  By tracking your food intake with the nutrition logs you receive a daily nutrient analysis, which will show you if you are exceeding your fiber intake, calories, etc. 

I want to let you know that you are not alone, it's normal to have some stomach discomfort at first.  When you have a few minutes, search for all the previous post on this subject.  To summarize the findings, here is what has worked for others in the same situation.  Aside form keeping the fiber to 25 grams per day, drinking water and exercising, which seems like you are following those steps without a doubt, try taking one of the yogurts for speeding your digestive system - such as "Activia"  They are several brands in the market but this is one I am familiar with and has worked for others in the same situation.  They recommend 1 or 2 (4 oz.) containers per day. 

Hang in there, you are just getting started.  Once your bowel movements return to normal, the weight will start to come off.  I hope this helps, but if not, please continue sending me your questions.  I truly want to help you get over this hump. 

Have a peaceful and healthy weekend :)

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

I keep a log daily of my food intake and I eat no more than the recommended daily allowance of fiber.  Before starting alli I already had a routine of eating Activia daily for breakfast along with 1/2 cup of kaski go lean crunch cereal. 

I actually ended up having to take a laxative just so I could have a bowel movement.  My stomach feels much better and I've never had problems before now going to the bathroom and hopefully I won't again.

It is really frustrating when you are doing all the right things and instead of losing...you gain.  At two weeks on the program I should see at least a small loss and not a gain.

Do not be discouraged, It is normal for some bodies to respond slowly to a new regimen and to the medication.  I will encourage you to continue the course for at least 2 more weeks so you given alli at least a month.  

I totally feel your frustration...it is so hard to do all the right things and see no results...  Hang in there a little longer and let's hope your body starts to respond soon.  Keep me posted. 

Let me know if you have any further questions or if I can be of any further help,

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

 As of this Friday I will have been on the Alli program for 4 full weeks.  As of today I have not lost any weight, no inches and I have actually gained a pound.  I used Alli completely as directed and read all of the information with my starter kit.  At this point I should have lost something.  I have looked on the website but I am curious as to if this product has a money back guarantee.  I am very disappointed and actually lose weight better while not on this program.

I was truly hoping this would work.  At this point I don't know what else to do besides stop using the product.
Patch357

 Hi patch, I just thought i'd give you some advice from someone who has gone through the exact same problem about a year ago when I first started using Alli.   Are you taking a vitamin?  If so, does it contain iron (as most do)?  Or are you consuming extra amounts of iron in addition to the vitamin?  Iron is known to cause a bit of constipation, dont ask me why.  I found that after stopping my daily vitamin for a couple of days, I found relief from the constipation without using a laxitive.  then you maybe able to reintroduce the vitamin, maybe try a different time of day/night, or a differnt type of vitamin all together.  also if you find you are having large amounts of iron from your food, you will be able to adjust that as well while still staying on alli.  hang in there though and try these tips, hope it gets better for you :)

 patch,

Are you weighing and measuring your food AND using the nutrition log?

I would recommend doing so. I've learned my idea of a portion and what a portion really is, are two very different things. You can be underestimating or overestimating what you are eating.

Good Luck on your journey to a new healthy lifestyle!

 Sparklies - Yes I do take a vitamin but it doesn't have any additional iron compared to other brands.  The constipation has gotten much better in the past week though!!!

Deb - I have been measuring and weigh my foods - I've been doing that for years actually.

I joined Weight Watchers in January of 2002 weighing 255 lbs and in July of 2003 I reached my goal of 165 lbs.  Since then I lost an additional 20lbs putting me at 145 lbs until this past January 2008.  I am in nursing school and I guess I was snacking more than I thought while studying and gained 10 lbs which put me at 155 lbs.  I have been trying since March to lose the 10lbs without any success at all.  I count my points daily and even with that I can't shed the weight.  That is why I am trying Alli to see if it will help me lose the 10 lbs and an additional 10 lbs which will take me to my new goal weight of 135 lbs (I'm 5ft 5in).  I am starting to wonder if I am not getting enough fat grams in my diet while taking Alli and that the pill is actually working against me instead of for me.  I am currently at 157 lbs and when I started this program a month ago I was 155lbs.  I am getting EXTREMELY discouraged and ready to go back to counting pts and exercising like before.

Thanks for the advice,
Patch357

 Sorry to hear you actually gained weight - What a bummer :(

Refresh my memory - what is your calorie/fat recommendations?  Not consuming enough fat can work against you because that means you are probably not reaching your recommended calorie level, which may slow your metabolism. 

Let's see if missed anything:

Are you exercising for 1 hour on most days?

Are you still tracking your food intake?  How are you measuring up?

Are you getting enough sleep?  Studies have shown that people who sleep 8 hours have better success at weight loss.

Are you getting enough motivation from me?  :)

Here are a few of my top weight loss tips:

·         If you need a snack, make it 100 calories or less and very little fat or fat free. For example, Popsicles/sugar free Popsicles (my favorite!), fat free yogurt, low fat cottage cheese, etc.

·         Don't eat while you are engage in other activities (specially sedentary activities).  For example watching TV, reading, driving, talking on the phone, etc.

·         Eat slow, I mean really slow...

·         Plan meals in advance. 

·         Think before you eat.  Remember, every calorie counts toward your target, even a tiny bite!

·         Plan a strategy to avoid "uncontrolled eating" and drinking at special events, or when emotions urge you to binge.  Stay away from the food table.

·         Serve all the food from the kitchen; avoid bringing the casserole dish to the table. 

·         Promise yourself that when you feel the urge to snack (or eat more), you will engage in some activity that will distract you away from food.  For example, put a CD, call a friend, visit your local library, organize a drawer (my favorite!), etc. 

·         If you are bored, find a hobby or interest that gets you off the house. 

Wishing you some weight loss,

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