HI EVERYONE.  I AM NEW TO ALLI AND HAVE ENJOYED READING THE MESSAGE BOARDS.  THEY SURELY WILL PROVE TO BE HELPFUL.  HERE'S MY BIGGEST ISSUE WITH DIETING.  ME.  THE PROBLEM IS ME.  I DON'T WANT TO SAY "NO" TO MYSELF AND IN MY HEAD IF I THINK I'M NOT GOING TO CHOW THAT WENDY'S #1 DOWN IN 5 MIN. THEN I GET FUSSY OR ANGRY FEELING.  THEN IN GO AND SNARF THE BURGER, FRIES AND POP DOWN AND I FEEL SATISFIED.  I ALSO FEEL THE GUILT BUT I FEEL FULL AND FEELING FULL MAKES ME HAPPY.  I'M AFRAID TO BE HUNGRY.  I GET HEADACHES, I HAVE HYPOGLYCEMIA, (YOU MUST EAT IN BETWEEN MEALS TO CONTROL) YOU KNOW, THE LIST OF EXCUSES CAN GO ON.   I'LL LISTEN TO ANY ADVICE ANYONE HAS.  SOMETIMES I THINK I'M CRAZY.  I TRULY HAVE HIGH HOPES THIS TIME.  MY MOM (BEST GAL IN THE WORLD) SURPRISED ME WITH THE STARTER KIT ALLI.  SHE IS TOO WORRIED ABOUT MY HEALTH.  HOW CAN I TEACH MYSELF BETTER CONTROL OVER MYSELF???

Alli is a tool, you are in control of what you are consuming.  A good thing to get is the Calorie King book.  It was calorie and fat contents of most anything.  Its OK to go to Wendys, you just need to learn to make better choices.  That's what is all about.  Not starving or depriving yourself.  That never worked before, and it still doesnt.  Learn to eat 3 meals, a day,. and space then about 4 hours apart.  Have a low fat, low calorie snack in between.  The idea is to keep your blood sugar on an even level. 

When you go to Wendy's opt for the chili, and a side salad or baked potato without butter or sourcream, try using salsa instead or get some of the I Cant Believe its Not Butter spray.

Learn to volumize your food.  Add more vegetables.  One of my favorites is a Turkey Chili I found in the frozen food section at the grocery store.  I pour that over a BIG plate of shredded lettuce, add a little no fat/low fat sour cream on top and its so good.  There is a book called Volumetrics, that has really helped me.

Read the posts on meeting your calorie and fat allotments.  The thing about Alli is if you want it to work, is to eat those 1800 calories a day and get as close to 19 grams per meal as possible.  Do not go over your fat grams.  Thats where people get into trouble. 

Alli is what has kept me honest.  I dont want any problems, so I never went over my fat grams. 

This is a lifestyle change.  One that you can live with for the rest of your life.  Everyone is going to slip up.  Dont beat yourself up over it.  Just start again. 

Set small goals for yourself, and reward yourself when you have met them.  2 of my goals were to wear jeans.  I am in size 10 now.  Another was to go sleeveless this summer. I am showing my arms now. 

Dont give up when you dont see results right away.  People are making that mistake way to often.  This program really works.  Stick with it. 

You are going to get lots of great support from some wonderful people here.  Come here often, vent when you need to, and when you have a great day, let everyone know.  This is the best bunch of cheerleader's you'll ever meet.

Good luck!

J

 

DEAR MS J.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT.  I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE WHOLE DIET THING IS A COMMITMENT TO CHANGE YOUR EATING HABITS; IT JUST HELPS TO HEAR IT OVER AND OVER.  I WILL VISIT HEAR AS OFTEN AS I CAN, IT'S ONE OF THE COOLEST MESSAGE BOARDS I'VE EVER VISITED.

THANK YOU AGAIN, MS J.

     RACHEL

That was amazing advice you gave! I was doing well on the diet at first, then fell off the wagon.. slowly climbing back on again.. your advice was so inspirational!

GREAT advice!!! I too have been falling off the wagon and am trying to get back on! Im starting my eating good today and gonna restart the pills tomorrow so I REALLY hope I can stick to it ALOT better this time!!!

Brittany

 

I am new to Alli as well. The 100 calorie packs have helped me. I am someone who does not like to be hungry. I just won't do it. So I have to find a lot of good food...that I like to eat, that so happens to be healthy for me. I am mastering the art of preparing my food differently but still having the good stuff. For example, shakes. Love them! I use real strawberries, skim milk ( can't taste the difference), and protein mix. I still put whip cream on top it's just light. What I haven learned is if I deprive myslef of something I'm going to eat twice as much of it tomorrow. So I am doing the substitutions and very small bites. It's still hard but if it was easy we would already be in good shape right. I hope this helps.

I grew up never havign weight issues.  Well, two children and a divorce later I have some work to undo all the stress eating I've done for the past 3-4 years.  I tried Metabolic Research and it was working but it was expensive and I found that putting too many restrictions on myself will only backfire.  I gave up and ate everything in the house it seems like.

Since I have tried other diets and had so many restrictions, I am thankful for the options that I can give myself on Alli.   Find ways to modify the foods you love.  For instance, my family loves to cook hotdogs on the grill.  So, last night I bought 98% fat free turkey franks and put them on a whole wheat bun.  The internet is a great way to find ways to modify the foods you love.  I like Allrecies.com.  There you can find healthy foods and get all the nutrition information and the best part is it is all FREE.

Good luck and hang in there.  I have failed at several diets and it wasn't until my 6 year old lovingly told me how squishy and soft I was.  He thought he was being sweet but that is the one thing I think about while dieting and exercising.

~Amy

Hi, First, good for you for taking the first step to a healthier you. I totally know what you mean about being your own worst enemy. It's easy for me to listen to my own negative talk and to sabotage my own efforts. The first thing I had to do was to forgive myself for these little tricks my mind plays. Forgiving ourselves for our shortcomings is the first step to loving ourselves. Then we can really begin to nurture and take care of ourselves. I think it's important for you to make sure you don't end up feeling deprived just because you're making healthier choices for yourself. It will take time, and research and effort to learn to shop, cook and choose delicious, healthier foods that will satisfy your tastebuds like that Wendy's burger, but you can do it. For instance, it took me a little while to figure out that a plain, baked sweet potato is a perfect substitution for mashed potatoes and gravy for me. You just need to figure out what works for you. And remember that it won't happen overnight. Also, to keep myself from feeling deprived I keep little packages of healthy, low fat snacks handy that I can much on when I get cravings. I pre-pack the portions of the snacks I'm going to eat and these also help me make better choices at mealtime because I don't feel so hungry. Just remember that none of us are perfect and we all slide back into bad habits at one time or another. The important thing is to forgive ourselves and get back on program. Good luck!

I have the same problem. I use to eat just to eat, even when I was full. I am retraining my thought process. Anytime that I want to eat when I'm not hungry or it's not time for my mid morning snack, or mid day snack or right before bed I look in the mirror. It reminds me of why I have started this "diet."  I was afraid of being hungry too, still am. But when I get that craving to eat when I know I shouldn't I tell myself "You are not going too starve, you already ate." It doesn't make the wanting go away, but the more I repeat it the more determined I become. I tell myself I will not let food determine who I am anymore. Sometimes it's hard. The slim fast in the morning doesn't fill me up, the mid morning snack doesn't, lunch, I'm not full. But I'm not hungry either. After you eat your meal and you find yourself wanting too eat more because you're not full, remember your goals. Where do you want to be a year from now. I look in the mirror and remember why I started this diet and I remember where I want to be a year from now. You have to retrain your brain, and forcefully say no. Anytime you start making excuses, make counter reasons why you shouldn't eat what you know you shouldn't. It all comes down to determination, you can do it. But you have too really want it and be willing to do what it takes. Good luck!!!

Remind yourself that the first couple weeks is tough, but it does get easier as your stomach and mind adjust and remember that you are worth it!

 The key is that you watch your diet and excercise, along with taking alli, and you will start to see results.