Have been on Alli since mid April of last year.  I was well over 250 lbs at that time.   I signed in for the first time with Alli in mid May I weighed 246 lbs.   I am now down to 153.  During all that time I did light exercise - last week I started a regular walking routine and now have stretched it to almost 2 miles.  Since I have started walking I have not lost a single pound.  What are your thoughts on this???? 

 Hi Pat,

Wow you are doing great!  Your results are amazing! 

I would not worry about the fact that you haven't lost since you started walking.  I do not think that there is a connection between the two.  I recommend that you keep following your sensible diet, taking your alli pills and continue to exercise (including walking).

Due to the fact that you have lost so much, it might be a good idea to start  incorporating some strength training into your exercise program if you haven't already.  The alli site had many movements that you can try (there are video demonstrations on the site).

Don't give up on the walking and stay motivated!  Let me know how things are going with your walking and weight in a couple of weeks.

Good Luck,

Paul

First let me congrats way to go on your weight lose. now that you are starting to follow a exercise routine such as walking your going to see more tone legs your building lean mussel mass thats good you will start to see a differtent  also like i read from another reply left. If you do start to lift weight you will not bulk up but redefine and thats part of the goal.

 Thank you so much for the quick response.  And thank you for the encouragement. All help is greatly appreciated.   I will let you know my progress again toward the end of the month!!!

I use to think that I wanted to reach 140 lbs but I am beginning to really change my mind and get down to 130.  Besides that there is plenty of toning that needs to be done.  A lot of loose "stuff" so all suggestions are greatly welcomed. Have a great day!!!!!!

Hi patobert, 

Welcome to alli fitness forum and thanks for writing!  Congratulations on your weight loss!  You should be very proud of your progress! 

So, to address your question.. It isn't unusual at all to experience a short-term plateau when beginning any weight-loss or exercise program.  There are many, many factors that can influence the # on the scale from day to day, even hour to hour.  Things such as time of day, hormonal fluctuations (men and women), hydration level, the amount and type of physical activity performed the day before, and more.  It is therefore, important that you weigh once a week, at the same time of day. That doesn't ensure a error-proof measurement, but gives more consistency to it.

Additionally, the smaller you get (the less you weigh), the more challenging it is to take the pounds off.  This is b/c your body requires less calories (energy) to function all day long, therefore, you must continue to adjust your caloric intake, as well as activity to make up for the difference.  The key to this is to continue performing both cardiovascular activities such as walking, hiking, biking, swimming, etc. as well as strength training.  Strength training is going to allow you to maintain/increase lean muscle mass as you lose weight (fat). This is so important b/c lean muscle requires more energy (calories) than fat mass and therefore really ramps up your metabolism, even at rest. 

Continue with your walking program!  The walking is not to blame for the plateau, and is only a positive to your healthy lifestyle in every way.  You will gain heart-healthy benefits, increase your fitness level and burn extra calories!  So, keep it up!

Do begin to incorporate a strength training program into your weekly regimen 2-3 times per week for 25-35 minutes each session. Go to "my activity" and click on "strength training log" to view animated demos for each strength training exercises. 

Best of luck to you and keep us posted with your progress!

Your friend in fitness, 

Kelli

Just to give you an update like I promised I would ... I have now lost 3 more lbs.  Just yesterday I stretched my walking to 3 1/2 miles in about 53 minutes.  My goal is to get to 4 miles within an hour.   What is your feelings on that???  Anymore suggestions that you can give me will be greatly appreciated.  

 Hi Pat,

Thanks for the update.  Good for you!  I knew if you continued to work hard, the weight would continue to come down.  You must feel really proud of yourself. 

To answer your question about the walking work out, the answer is: it's all up to you!  I can't tell you what you should be doing because I can't tell how intense and challenging the workout is for you.  If you can challenge yourself to do 4 miles in one hour, then by all means do it.  You certainly don't want the walk to be comfortable - remember, the goal is to increase your fitness level and amount of calories and fat you burn.  The harder you work, the more you burn.  You can also try incorporating hills into your walks and intervals (some light jogging for a couple minutes, then walking for several minutes, back to jogging, etc.  Intersperse these intervals throughout the walk and you'll feel the burn!

Keep up the terrific work, and please keep me posted on your progress.  I look forward to hearing about it!

Good Luck,

Paul

Just to keep you updated as I promised ... I am now down to 146lbs ... still walking for about an hour 4-5 days a week ... the other days I walk for 30 minutes.  Just 16 more pounds to go !!!! 

Thanks for all the support.

Pat

 Hi Pat,

Great job!  Keep up the good work and you will reach your goal!

Keep sending me updates.

Good Luck,

Paul

Just to keep you updated ... this morning I was at 141 ... still walking ... still watching calories very careful ... but I can see the finishline now.  Thanks again for the support.

Pat

Hi patobert, 

Thanks and good to hear from you!  It looks like you're making great progress!  Keep up the hard work, stay committed and you'll cross the finish line!  

You should be very proud of yourself!  

Best in health, 

Kelli

Just a quick update ... I am now at 136 lbs as of this morning ... kinda in a stuck mode ... either that or I am just over anxious to get to 130 ... still walking at least 5 days a week ... allowing myself to eat a little more but it scares me to death that the weight will come back on ... been too long on this to allow it to happen.  Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

sw 247 May 2008

cw 136

gw 130 

Hi patobert, 

Congrats on getting so close to your weight loss goals!  You've done a great job. 

Those last few pounds are going to be the toughest to get off b/c your body (now weighing less) requires less calories to function throughout the day, therefore making it a little harder to create that caloric deficit each day. 

My suggestion would be to change up the exercise routine, if appropriate and possible.  Incorporate some new exercises such as including biking, hiking or swimming.  Add in a little bit of intensity by walking hills or including elevation to your walks. Jogging for 1 minute intervals would also be helpful to burn more calories per session. 

Lastly, if you're not currently performing any strength training, that will really help rev up the metabolism as it helps you maintain/increase lean muscle mass.  Lean muscle requires more energy that fat mass, burning more calories all throughout the day. 

Best of luck and keep your eye on the goal!

Kelli

It has been over 6 weeks since I last posted here.  Just to let you know that I am now at 132 with 2 more lbs to go.  Man - ya'll were not lying when you said that the last 10 lbs are the hardest to lose.  

I am really going to be at a loss when I reach 130 lbs because so much of my time and energy for the last 17 months has gone into losing this weight - I guess the next step is making sure it does not come back. 

Thanks for all the encouragement!!!

Pat