Hi ataylor and everyone else who is just starting. Congratulations on taking a very big, life-changing step. I have been on this program for 16 months and hope I can help encourage you to stick with it. I read many posts from people who haven't lost any weight in the first month or so and are ready to throw in the towel. Weight loss is not the same for everybody, it seems the more overweight you are, the faster you lose it in the beginning. If you are only 20 or 25 pounds overweight, it seems to come off slower. I don't know why this is, I'm sure Betty can explain it. So don't get discouraged, the changes you are making are healthy ones, if nothing else happens, that's a good thing. I seldom take alli now, only when I go way over my fat grams, but you learn how to eat right so that eventually you will not need alli. The T.E.s scare some people away, but I have never let them control me. I know if I go over my fat grams and take an alli that 24 to 72 hours later I may or may not have oil problems, but you get some warning from your tummy and you just head for the bathroom, or wear a pad for a couple of days. It's all do-able, so do it. I've lost 55 pounds, most of it during the first 6 months, but continue to lose maybe a pound a month. It will become easier as you go along, so please don't give up. Keep coming back to the board for support, it has been key for me.
Judy