personal experiences

Re: Starting Over

astroyo — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:32:57 GMT

Yes we do hit plateaus and I am encouraged to hear that they do end. Remembering to do something different or eat some new foods to surprise the system a bit probably does help. I was thrilled to lose 20 lbs quickly and then noticed I slacked off a bit to "celebrate" with some foods I hadn't indulged in. This caused a 2 week slow down of my previous steady loss. It's important to be sensitive to our habits and patterns, and harder than we may admit.

It does help to keep a diary and I love all the online tools! Very very happy with the program. I hope to be able to ride out the future plateaus, and to stay on program. I prefer to think that an easing up of attention to diet is more to blame than "pills stopped working" but I haven't been on the plan long. I still have a lot to lose and hope never to find alli losing effectiveness. More ideas about this?

Keep at it everyone. Don't dwell on the slip ups and start anew each day.

Yolande

Re: Starting Over

jessann104 — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 22:34:58 GMT

I am with you on that point, points really. Not only do I agree that we too often take our health for granted, until its too late, but I also understand and struggle with the concept that I will start doing it right again tomorrow. That has always been my worst downfall. I have spent years figuring that if I was not watching my diet as a whole that little changes would make no difference. For the first time, I am now learning to see the whole picture. I just finished my second week of eating balanced meals sans sugar and major fats and last night I had the worst urge to binge on whatever I could get my hands on. Instead, I chose to find a small piece of desert covered in fresh strawberries and savor every bite. Maybe there is hope yet...

Re: Starting Over

harrisk — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:59:41 GMT

I am also restarting on my Alli plan. I started orginally on June 17 2007. Stayed on it faithfully until March 2008. Had lost about 50 lbs. But I developed acute pancreatitis and had to have my gall bladder out. Since then it has been one thing after another. Birth of a grandbaby, death of mother-in-law and getting my son and his family convinced to move closer to me in Georgia from New Jersey. Now that all by 10 lbs are back on me, I have decided that I need to kick myself in the butt and get going again. It's hard now with the kids living with us, but they will be moving into their own place soon and I can get back to planning for just myself and hubby and getting back in line. Not sure if I like the changes to the website yet, have to find the time to explore it first.

Re: Starting Over

Suzy53 — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:43:59 GMT

I was never overweight until I hit my late forties so it is very hard for me to stick to calorie counting. I lost 15 lbs with Alli and stopped taking it and restarted after the Holidays, but could not loose more than a couple pounds so I stopped again. Whille on a three week vacation I gained back 12 lbs. even though I tried to stay active. I am very devistated about the weight gain and have started to eat properly and watch fat & calories but have not started Alli again. I hope to start it by the end of the week and I hope it will work again for me.

Re: Starting Over

crowmom — Thu, 21 May 2009 13:08:06 GMT

Hi! Dont get discourage , we all hit plataus , remember to add some activity to your day and stay possitive, you will get there.

Re: Starting Over

robinest58 — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 18:42:51 GMT

Hi,

Glad to see this group-it is just what I need to see. I started Ali in January 2008-by July 2008 I had lost almost 60 pounds. I was doing well and exercising. Then in July 2008 my Mother passed away after being in a nursing home for over 4 years. I was the guardian for her and still am for my Father who has Alzheimers and lives with my husband and I. He has an attached apartment by our house and has lived with us for over 5 years now. Anyway a week after my Mom passed away I was checking into my Ali and accidently pushed the button that said I wanted to start my plan over-so from then on I never saw the weight I lost posted on my page etc. I know that might sound like a little thing but I upset me because it was a constant reminder of how far I had come. And I still had another 50 something to go! After checking with Ali several times they always said there was nothing they could do about it. Anyway I kept losing even though the weight loss slowed down and then just stopped the last few months-I had maintained the last few months but when I went to the doctor yesterday it showed I had gained back 5 pounds or so. So that is a wake up call-I think mentally I went through some things after my Mom's death and this winter I quit being as active with walking etc. Spring is close by and I am determined to get out of this mind set and back on track. Just want to thank the others on here who have shared and wish us all luck. I am going to start checking in again and trying to keep track of things better like I used to. I think one reason we think the pills aren't working anymore is because we have to re-set our calories as we lose weight and yes we do get to those set-points that our bodies love. I have kept taking the pills every since I have started and think that is why I have kept off the major part of the weight loss I have experienced. But now I need to jump start the program. If anyone ever hears about Ali fixing the glitch in their system online so that it shows how much you have lost no matter how long ago you started the program please let me know! Meanwhile I will be pulling for all of you re-starters especially like me. Thanks for listening-take it One Day At A Time-Have a Blessed Day! robinest58

starting weight-January 2008-313 pounds

current weight-270 pounds

goal weight-185 pounds Height 5'8" Age 50

Re: Starting Over

robinest58 — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 18:24:56 GMT

Re: Starting Over

slbeebe — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 02:10:29 GMT

Hi everybody!

I'm Shanna, and I restarted Alli on Jan 6, 2009. I originally started in November of '07, and lost 30 pounds through July /August '08. Then I fell off the wagon. Not hard, i just stopped logging because I felt I know what I was eating. I didn't. And I stopped exercising so much. I gained 20 pounds back by the time the Holidays were over, and I was having a problem buttoning my new jeans I bought when I lost the weight. I had one of those "Oh-no-you-don't" moments, and restarted the plan. I am so happy I did!

I am definately more focused this time 1. because I know this works, and 2. I have so much to lose, there's no more time for slacking.

Don't fell bad about restarting; at least you caught yourself, and got it back together. Keep logging and posting, and we'll all be here for you.... we've been there too.

Shanna

PS. I have 4 pound to get back to where I was last summer, then it's Business Time!!!

Re: Starting Over

wonderwall99 — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:14:36 GMT

Hi Tanya,

I am in the same boat (just with more to lose) as you with the life stress and getting off track. I have 2 kids as well and just turned 30 a little over a week ago. I know it's hard to stay on track when life gets crazy but know you have someone else in the same boat who's rooting for you! Best of luck!

Re: Starting Over

eltrut29 — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 16:21:05 GMT

My name is Tanya and I am finally re starting the Alli plan. I started org in March of 2008 and was doing great for a while! I had lost a total of 30lbs and felt so good about myself. My mother in law died very suddenly and every other month for the rest of the year someone from either my family or my husbands died. Things got very crazy and I just couldn't seem to keep my mind on track. I have gained back 10lbs, but it feels and looks like more to me. I have to kids 7 and 2 and am going on 30 this year. I know they say the older you get the harder it is and it is so hard now that I am so afraid I won't be able to keep myself motivated enough to do it. So my ultimate goal is to loose as much as I can before my birthday on September 27th! Wish me luck!

Re: Starting Over

mymax08 — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 21:58:44 GMT

I feel your pain. I have lost the same 20 or 30 lbs over and over. Sure, it takes a year to put it back on....so frustrating. Anyway, what works for me is getting my head in the right place. I don't care what kind of diet you go on, you have to have the mindset for it and follow it. For me, at least this time, it was planning a vacation and realizing I was not fitting into my favorite travel clothes. Well....buying new clothes hits one in the pocket book, so off I went to the store to try Alli. I have lost 5 lbs in my first week and I am very happy with that. I stick to the plan and do watch both calories and fat.

I want to be healthier and at a lower weight, I know I will feel better. Are you writing down everything you eat? And, are you weighing things ?? I purchased a WW scale (10-15 dollars) when I was on WW - great little tool. The scales don't lie regarding food amts.

I am religious about weighing food and getting all the info off of labels.

Good luck....you CAN do this and you will thank yourself later for hitting your goal !

Re: Starting Over

Lakiesha — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 07:20:46 GMT

I heard something similar about reaching that plateau and not being able to lose anymore weight. I heard that the weight you have held on to for the longest (say in the tummy on thighs) may be the last to go because you have gotten real comfortable with that weight being there. Don't give up! I think we just have to under stand the some weight on our body is going to be more stubborn. I'm dropping my first 10% fairly quickly on Alli but I'm expecting that I will have to work harder to lose the weight after I hit my first weight goal.

Re: Starting Over

catlady911 — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 21:26:52 GMT

Actually, I've had just the opposite problem with diarrhea while on Alli. If I go overboard and eat too much fat I go into a "lock down" situation for a few days. Also, the gas is really bad if you cheat, but as long as you follow the rules you won't have any problem. This is an amazing product. There is no racing heart, no light headed feeling. A little gas in return for weight loss is a small price to pay in my oppinion. Go for it.

Re: Starting Over

JLynn75 — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:25:51 GMT

I have taken Alli before and have restarted the program. To answer your questions, while taking Alli don't eat foods high in fat or you will pay for it with the side effects of the gas/diarrehea. But, your supposed to eat low fat anyway....follow the rules and you should have no problems!

Good Luck!

Re: Starting Over

beach47 — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:10:00 GMT

Hi Everyone,

I am new here and have seriously thought about trying Alli, and then decided to check up on how safe the pill was. I began to worry that the side effects would bother me. Just wondering if you really get all gassy, diarrehea etc? I want to start taking Alli by Friday and have about 50-60 pounds to lose. My 50th birthday is this April and I would like to have a big weight loss by then. Is anyone experiencing the gassy problems?

Starting weight: 215

Goal weight: 150

Char