hi all-

I'm disappointed in myself but trying not to make excuses for myself either. I know what I was doing was wrong, but I just kinda "ignored" the problem- which is what got me in this overweight business to begin with!

I started Alli June 4th. Boy, was I motivated too. Put my favorite foods in front of me and I could have pushed them aside without thinking twice. I did good and lost 8 lbs in 2 weeks (not expecting that, but i realize it slows down to 1-2 lbs a week) but then I went on vacation. And binged. then i came home, i had gained 4 or 5 lbs- i was motivated to keep going, but it was too easy to not take the pill if i already messed up at lunch, etc. I was having some side effects but they were minor. It has been almost a week since I have taken my pills or eaten right. I actually gained all the weight back plus an extra 1/2 lb.

I realize what my triggers are now. i realize now I CAN DO it, it is POSSIBLE- but im starting from scratch again- just with some knowledge about my eating habits.

Anyone else have this problem at first? Was anyone able to jump back on and succeed and stick with it? I have thrown out all the junk food and am going to take it 1 day at a time but I just wanted to post to get some feedback and advise, if anyone can relate- thanks! :)  

Hi Kelly,

I started alli on June 6.  I lost 8 lbs in the first 3 weeks.  Then I went on a 4 day mini vacation.  I didn't go crazy but I didn't take my pills because I was eating out (high fat) foods.  I weighed in today and I gained back 1lb.  Today I started back on the plan and taking the pills.   I think it was really hard to go on vacation this early in the new eating plan.  I think if we had gone on vacation after we had been on it for a few months, it wouldn't have been as hard to make good choices.  I hope you will start again.  I worked for us in the beginning.  One day at a time. I am determined to give it another try.  Good luck to both of us.  Keep posting,  Lynn

 thanks for the message Lynn. It helps to know someone else was in the same boat! I agree- i believe if the vacation was a month or so, i would had been more used to my new eating habits. i was gone for 4 days, as well. good thing it wasnt a full week! lol! good luck to you too! thanks again

 I'm trying to decide if I want to join Alli but have heard several bad side effects, i would like to hear from an actual person who is taking alli. any information would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Shasta,  I have been on alli for almost 1 month.  I have not had any side effects.  Check other message boards...some people have been taking alli since it came out in 2007.  I know on the 50 something boards several people have been on for a couple of years.  Good luck.  Lynn

ps I have lost 8 pounds in less than a month.

 i was very afraid too. super afraid. so my first day i kept my fat grams very very low. i was fine. i started to get braver and even was able to eat outside at the house and i found i can still eat the foods i like, but in smaller portions. and just by cutting out the butters, etc. I did have some treatment effects, but as you read by my first post it was because i way over did it and the pills were still in my system. if you stick to the program, you will be fine. if you are worried about it, wear a panty liner until you know what your body will do when it has Alli in its system. bring a change of clothes, wear dark pants, start it on the weekend, etc. whatever you have to do to feel better. my side effects were in the morning and were just gas and some oily discharge when i went to the bathroom- but only when i really over did it and ate beyond my fat calories.

hope this helps!

 I have been on the plan since early June.  I had lost 7 pounds until last week when I gained back 2 pounds.  During this time I have had a family reunion, two vacations, and various other special occasions.  I did pretty well watching my fat, but I'm not so good at counting the calories.  We have to find some way to deal with special occasions, because they're part of life.  I'm going to start doing the journal - well really I'm just going to list what I eat daily and estimate the calories.  If you all are like me, you've done so many different diet versions that counting calories, fat, fiber, etc are now second nature - no need to look up everything in a book.   I'm motivated again from reading these posts.

 Hi Shasta,

I originally started taking Alli in June of '07. I lost 42 lbs., but unfortunately I gained all of it back due to falling back into bad habits and not exercising. I have been back on Alli for 2 months now, and have lost 22 lbs so far. The only time you will have to worry about side effects is if you go over your recommended fat grams per meal (based on which calorie plan your on.) If you stay within your fat gram limits, you won't have any treatment effects. However if you do, you can have stomach cramping, oily spots when you use the restroom and oily gas. If you are serious and want plan to stick with your meal plan, you'll be fine. I have seen some other posts on here about Alli and hair loss, but personally, I haven't had any issues about losing my hair. I think it's mostly due to a change in their diets and maybe forgetting to take their vitamin supplements. Anyway, I hope this helps you with your decision.

Crystal