This is really the best explanation I have read so far, and makes sense.

 Thank you

Wanda  :o)

I'm glad to hear you're making time to exercise -- that's a very important part of the Alli Program. 

You can eat these frozen meals though you may need to add something additional like the salad you mentioned in order to get the proper amount of fat. Watch the sodium content on the label as many of these may contain a lot.  For some people too much salt or sodium or salt causes water retention and that will mask a weight loss.

I realize you have a hectic schedule, but it might be good if you can find the time to balance out what you're eating...and perhpas you have them at home.  It sounds like you need more variety and that dairy products, vegetables, and grains are a little short.

Alli is about making healthier food choices that not only help you to lose weight but to maintain it once you meet goal weight.

Good luck!

Pat Baird, MA, RD, registered dietitian

Hi Betty

Would it be possible to get one of the nutritionists to review the board on the age group 50-60?

In a nut shell...us older gals are really terrified of eating the calories the alli plan calls for.  The vast majority of us are at 1200-1300 calories per day. 

 We were wondering, Betty, can someone go thru the trial data and look specifically at the weight loss results of the participants in our age category?  We would love to see the data of how much weight a person was trying to lose, how many calories they ate  and their time frame to lose the weight at our age.  Do you have access to this information?  Or is there somewhere else we can request this type of analysis?

 Thanks!

angie1020:

This information was a help to me. I tend to get carried away with things and weight loss is included. I plan on this diet being the last diet for the rest of my life. THANKS  ALLI!!!!

Please see my reply of 9-30.  That was actually a reply to you, and I neglected to insert your quote.

Pat 

 Wow, the information in this post has helped me a lot.

 I did not realise how important it was to get close to the recommended fat intake or calorie intake.  I've been treating the 1800c/day 19g fat/meal as an upper limit and as a result have been hitting closer to 1500c/day and 8g fat/meal.  The good news is I've been losing weight like gangbusters (for the first time ever), but I guess that's not the healthiest way to make it happen.

 I guess I will have to re-evaluate what I've been eating and add in a bit more fat content and calories into the mix!

 Thanks for the information!

 =-MDP-=

Michael D. Peters


 

Donovon:

 Wow, the information in this post has helped me a lot.

 I did not realise how important it was to get close to the recommended fat intake or calorie intake.  I've been treating the 1800c/day 19g fat/meal as an upper limit and as a result have been hitting closer to 1500c/day and 8g fat/meal.  The good news is I've been losing weight like gangbusters (for the first time ever), but I guess that's not the healthiest way to make it happen.

 I guess I will have to re-evaluate what I've been eating and add in a bit more fat content and calories into the mix!

 Thanks for the information!

 =-MDP-=

Michael D. Peters


 

This is great news!  It's also good for the others to see that this IS important + the key to successful weight loss.

Keep up the good work!

Pat

macandseven:

I have been on xenical and changed to alli because of cost of xenical--I am on a 1600 day calories and not more than 40 grams of fat per day .  I have made my own menus and enjoy some  of Alli's menu ideas.  I see my doctor once a month and will continue to do so, my question is:  how do I get the amount of calories reduced from the Alli Diet plan?  I would like to stay with my 1600 per day for now and change to 1400 soon. I have a Health problem and I cannot exercies or take long walks (copd)

I keep a daily record of food intake and amounts of caloreies and fat.  I weigh my self at doctors office every two weeks--I bought a scale so I could weigh myself more offten and hope to continue to do good.

Welcome to Alli!  I think you'll do really well and benefit from all the support and features of the Alli Program.  That said, at this time you can't change the calorie levels in the system, though you can on your own and do a written record for that or go to www.calorieking.com.  We're working on changing that since some people mentioned they did better at a different level.

I understand your limited ability to exercise, and I strongly recommend you post on the Fitness Specialist message board.  They are terrific, and able to help those with limitations with great suggestions.

Good luck!

Pat Baird, MA, RD, registered dietitian

This is all making sense to me and I have read multiple responses to questions to use the sample menus provided, however, I honestly can't do that. I have a low cal, low fat diet already, I just wanted alli to help a little more than what I'm doing already. I take in about 1400 calories a day about about 20 g of fat. What I am wondering is that everyone says to eat more fat and calories, but if this is a diet that I've been on, will alli still help?

I understand the importance of eating enough calories, but my question/problem is what should you do if you're simply not hungry?  There are many days when my calorie consumption isn't even 1000 and I go through the day feeling full and don't want or have a desire to eat.  On these days what should one do?  Should one eat anyway or just let the body decide?  I worry if my body's natural hunger telling ability is screwed up from all of the various diets I've been on.  I wonder even further because there are days when I'm beyond ravenous and never seem to be able to get full (I do watch what I eat and shovel in the veggies and fruits on these days, but my stomach rumbles all day long).

stormnangel:

I understand the importance of eating enough calories, but my question/problem is what should you do if you're simply not hungry?  There are many days when my calorie consumption isn't even 1000 and I go through the day feeling full and don't want or have a desire to eat.  On these days what should one do?  Should one eat anyway or just let the body decide?  I worry if my body's natural hunger telling ability is screwed up from all of the various diets I've been on.  I wonder even further because there are days when I'm beyond ravenous and never seem to be able to get full (I do watch what I eat and shovel in the veggies and fruits on these days, but my stomach rumbles all day long).

The days on which you are "beyond ravenous" is because of the days without enough calories and nourishment.  The best way to overcome this is to eat regular, consistent meals.  You may eat less than the recommended amount of calories from the Personal Calculator -- but never less than 1,200 calories per day and the corresponding 39 grams of fat.

This is not only important for your weight loss, it's important for your health.

Please let me know if you need anything else, and post on the regular RD board if you do...I check that more regularly.

Thanks, Pat. 

I too had a question about the change from 1600 to 1400 cal a day.  It may be coincidence but as soon as I dropped to the 1400 cal a day, I plateaued.  I am hungry all the time it seems.  If I ate everytime I felt hungry I would be eating every two hours.  I've been on Alli for 3 weeks.  Is it just about time to plateau a bit?  I know I really need to add exercise, and just havent. 

gcook77:

HI MY NAME IS GERALDLYN COOK. I HAVE BEEN BACK TO ALLI SERIOUSLY FOR THE PAST TWO  WEEKS. MY BIGGEST OBSTACLE WAS EATING ALL OR CLOSE TO MY 1800 CALORIES PER DAY. I AM A VERY BUSY MOTHER OF FOUR, FULL TIME STUDENT AND PART TIME NURSE. MOST OF THE TIME I DON'T HAVE TIME TO EAT OR AT SCHOOL THE ONLY DIET CHOICES ARE A SALAD BAR. OR GO WITH THE CHEESEBURGER STAND. I DO EAT SOME FRESH FRUITS ON THE RUN OR VEGGIES LIKE BABY CARROTS OR CELERY STICKS. I THOUGHT ABOUT THE SMART ONES DINNERS BY WEIGHT WATCHERS, WOULD THOSE BE A GOOD CHOICE FOR AT SCHOOL LUNCH WITH A SIDE SALAD. I WANT TO LOSE 15 POUNDS BY CHRISTMAS. I HAVE MADE TIME FOR EXERCISE 3 TIMES PER WEEK AND I REALLY WANT TO LOSE THE WEIGHT. PLEASE ADVICE. THANKS G. COOK

That's a very busy schedule you've got!!  Yes, you can use some of the WW dinners along with a side salad, vegetables or whatever you need to get to your recommended amount of calories and fat for that meal.

It might be helpful for you to make a list of some portable meals or snacks; and items you can buy at work.  Things like containers of yogurt; baby carrots; leftover chicken; vegetables; whole or cut-up fruit; whole grain rolls and sandwiches made on whole-grain bread are some possibilities.

If you can pattern your food against the Sample Menus included in the Starter Kit that would help as well.  All you have to do is substitute similar types and amounts of food -- and you'll get to the calorie and fat levels you need.

I suggest you post on the regular section of this message board for a faster reply next time.  We don't often check this post because it's a general reply to what we call a "Sticky Post"

I hope this helps.

Pat 

AnnieStout:

I too had a question about the change from 1600 to 1400 cal a day.  It may be coincidence but as soon as I dropped to the 1400 cal a day, I plateaued.  I am hungry all the time it seems.  If I ate everytime I felt hungry I would be eating every two hours.  I've been on Alli for 3 weeks.  Is it just about time to plateau a bit?  I know I really need to add exercise, and just havent. 

It's hard to predict when a plateau will happen -- if at all.  This varies widely from person to person.  It's really not a coincidence that your weight loss slowed, however.  I suspect 1,600 calories is closer to what you need -- especially since you say you're hungry all the time.  That shouldn't be the case.

I suggest you go back to 1,600 calories and 54 grams of fat per day (check the Sample Menus for how to distribute between meals and snacks) and see how you do there.  It's also very important to get started with some physical activity.  Walk for 10 minutes per day and build it up from there.  Just get started.

Try to post on the regular message board as these top two posts are what we call "sticky" posts.  They're always on top and meant to be for informational purposes.

I hope this helps.

Pat 

Yes, I will begin to check this section.  Betty is now on the Personal Experiences Message Board only.  W will also try to find out if there is data on what you asked and post that on the 50-60's board.

I apologize for the delay.  This top post is meant for information purposes so we check it less frequently.  For a quicker reply, post on the regular message board for "Ask our registered dietitian."

I hope this helps.

Pat 

sameolmegan:

This is all making sense to me and I have read multiple responses to questions to use the sample menus provided, however, I honestly can't do that. I have a low cal, low fat diet already, I just wanted alli to help a little more than what I'm doing already. I take in about 1400 calories a day about about 20 g of fat. What I am wondering is that everyone says to eat more fat and calories, but if this is a diet that I've been on, will alli still help?

I'm sorry for the delay.  This was meant to be an information-only post with Betty's original explanation so I don't check it often.  Please start a new post so we can get back to you quickly.

Alli works best with a diet that is 30% total calories from fat, distributed throughout the day.  Quite frankly, at your current level of 20 grams per day, it's really not worth taking the capsules.

Orlistat, the active ingredient in Alli, works by blocking 25% of the fat in the meal at which it's taken.  So little or no fat consumed = little or nothing to block.

I hope this helps.  Please remember to start a new post if you need anything else.

Pat Baird, MA, RD, registered dietitian