I've been on alli for five weeks now ith no weight loss at all only a gain of 3lbs. I am becoming very concerned with my taking alli. I read all the post with weight loss successes and wonder if they are real. I do everything I'm supposed to even excerice 2.3 to 2.5 miles M-F, then I read about women who have lost all this weight with no exercise, how can that be? I know everybody is different but five weeks, no results...something is wrong. I watch, read and journal everything I eat and make sure I'm within my range I only slip up every so often and not by much then I read about women who went way overboard and still lose, something is wrong.

Hi favored13,

Are you weighing and measuring your food and also recording everything you eat?

If you aren't, I highly recommend it for a week. You may not be getting the correct amount of fat and/or calories.

The first few days, we (hubby and I) were eating WAY under our fat grams. Once I logged into the boards and started reading the info, I adjusted our eating plan and have been successful in our weight loss.

 Sorry to hear your weight have not changed...it's got to be very frustrating when you are doing everything in your power and still no change. 

alli is the ONLY over the counter weight loss medication to be proven safe and effective.  However, alli is not for everyone.  For example, people with gastric bypass surgery may have problems with food absorption so alli may not be able to provide it's fat blocking mechanism.  I don't know your medical history, but perhaps if you tell me a little bit more about your medical history and how many calories and fat grams alli recommended, we can try to help you get over this obstacle.  Also, let me know your height, age, etc., if you feel comfortable sharing those details with us.

Do not hesitate to send us your questions at any time, in the meantime, I will wait for your response,

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

 I log everything, for instance it's 7:51pm I've eaten 1,375 cal and 49.6 fat, I know what I have remaining for dinner. I do this everyday, no matter what I eat I log all the info. Even if I was off, with my exercise I should be losing something. 

 As far as my health is concerned my only problem is I'm obese, (no surgery). Alli recommends 1800 cal. and 19 grams of fat per meal for me. I am 5'7 and 215lbs. When I started Alli I was 212 still overweight but less than 215 which is my heaviest. I drink a lot of water sometimes with lemon, I also drink lemon, maple syrup, water and cayeene pepper to make sure my system is flushed.  I really need to lose this weigh for the military, I even walk 2.3 to 2.5 miles M-F not including all the other steps I take. I stopped eating so much fiber I think I was overdoing it with Fiber ceral, fiber bars and so much fruit and salad.  

 Thanks for providing all these information! 

I have a few more questions: Are you feeling satisfied at the end of the day with 1800 calories?  Or are you feeling too full?  The reason I am asking is because maybe we should lower your calorie level to 1600 calories, specially if your exercise level is not up to were you want to be.  Let me know what you think...we want to kick the system into weight loss mode.

One more question: how many times a day are you taking alli?  are you taking alli with your meals?  Are your snacks fat free or less than 3 grams of fat per snack?  Just a few more questions to help me get to the root of the issue.

Keep the questions coming and never, never, never give up.  We will find the way to make you lose weight :)

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

 Yes, most of the time I'm feeling very satisfied and my exercise level is 2.3 to 2.5 miles per day, M-F, I think it's up pretty good. I take Alli  three times a day everyday most of my snacks are fat free or 3 grams or less of fat if it's something I'm craving I make sure I only consume the recommended serving. My snacks are very limited in variety, I pretty much snack on the same things. 100 calorie snacks, sugar free pudding, twizzlers, sometimes Mike & Ikes candy, chips, fruit, Sothbeach Diet high protein bars, Chex Mix Whole Grain Bars. I was eating sometimes two Fiber One bars a day but stopped because I thought l was getting too much fibe, I still eat them but in moderation. Breyers Fat Free Double Churn Vanilla Ice Cream and Weight Watchers deserts.  I just knew Alli would do the trick especially with regular exercise and lots of water. The weight is just no budging. When I did WW alone I had better results. 

 Thanks for sharing more information! 

You mentioned a few snacks that I want you to make sure you eat them carefully, if you are eating them in between meals - South Beach Diet High Protein Bars - 140 calories and 5 grams fat, Fiber One bars - 145 calories and 4 grams fat, Chex Mix Whole Grain Bars - 140 calories and 6 grams fat (unless you are having the 100 calories pouch with 3 grams fat), etc.  I will encourage you to continue reading the labels to make sure you are not exceeding calories and fat. 

About your activity - are you walking or running the 2.3 to 2.5 miles?  Are you incorporating resistance exercises with weights, medicine balls or resistance bands.  Gradually try to increase to 1 hour of  walking or more on most days.  Add resistance exercises about two times per week to help speed up weight loss.  You may post your exercise questions to the exercise physiologist board - they can provide more details in this topic.  Hope this helps.

Keep the questions coming so we can map a plan,

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

 Are you using the nutrition log to log everything you are eating? It is a GREAT tool! It takes a little work at first to get your personal food preferences in, but there is also a wide variety of foods already in the data base. You will be able to see if what you are eating is too high in sodium or too many carbs. This may well count for your plateau. It gives you your recommended allowances and shows if you are in range for your plan.

Believe me...I slacked of the nutrition log for about a month and the weight would not budge or I had a gain. I am faithfully logging back in everything I eat and the loss has begun again. Big lesson learned for me!

Don't let another day go by without this tool and stay positve.....This lifestyle change really does work, you CAN do this!!

 Yes, I use a nutrition log faithfully, I put everything in there good or bad. If it's not in the system already I take all the information off the package. 

 When is your next weight -in?  I am wondering if we should cut 200 calories from your meal plan, if you have not weight changes this week.  I am really hoping you start to show some changes at the scale.

Please keep me posted,

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