Hello fellow Alli-ers!  I have been on Alli for several months now.  About 3 years ago I was up to almost 350 pounds.  I got a job and off my butt, I lost about 24 pounds.  I decided several months ago that this weight was ridiculous.  So I started Alli.  I am now down to 275.8.  I have been doing a cardio workout about 4-5 times a week.  I eat a whole wheat pop tart for breakfast, a lean cuisine type lunch with salad, and for supper I have a salad with a small portion of whatever meal I serve for my family.  I do try to make my supper fat free or as close as possible.  My question is...Am I not eating enough?  I have periods of time where I will loose several pounds then gain a few back then loose again.  Some coworkers think I am not eating enough.  I did try to add some fruits yesterday and am going to the store today to get some fresh broccoli etc.  I truly am not eating even 1200 calories a day.  I did try to keep the food diary but with my full time job, kids and full time online college it just gets so hard.  Any thoughts or ideas?  Oh, I am planning to start walking today.  I will keep doing the cardio on rain days or extreme heat days, but feel I need to get out and walk.  Thanks in advance for any help.

Hi kamsnannie, 

Thanks for writing and welcome to the alli fitness forum.  Congrats on your weight loss thus far!  You should be very proud! 

From looking at your diet, there are some suggestions that I have for you (although you may want to post this question to the on-line dietician, as well!).  Instead of eating a Pop-Tart for breakfast, I would replace it with egg whites and a piece of whole grain toast and a piece of fruit, a bowl of slow cooked oatmeal or steel cut oats with a few almonds or walnuts, maybe a 1/2 sandwich of peanut butter, almond or cashew butter with an apple, a piece of string cheese with a pear.... these types of breakfasts give you healthy fats and proteins with grains and are full of fiber and vitamins.  Same with the lunch... do your best to go for whole foods, instead of processed or frozen foods which tend to have a lot of sodium and less nutrients, etc. (they are ok occasionally!)  You are on the right track by purchasing fresh fruits and veges as they are full of fiber, vitamins, and fill you up with less calories! 

As far as how many calories that you should be eating, you should not be starving in-between meals, and you should also be able to complete your workouts effectively and safely.  Alli should've provided you with your suggested daily caloric intake.  Do your best to stay with in 150-200 calories of that range.  If you have further questions, please do, as stated previously, post a specific question to the on-line dietician.

Keep up the exercise...ideally you should be getting in 30-60 min of structured exercise on most days of the week (5-6) and your regimen should include not only cardio but strength training to promote optimal fat/calorie burn! 

Best of luck to you!

Your friend in fitness, 

Kelli