I started Alli last Monday and I have a few questions.  I am on the 1600 calorie plan.

 If I have eaten everything from the list (proteins, starches, etc...) but haven't hit the calorie or fat goals for the day should I eat more?  Also, is there a place to find exchanges for foods not in the books.  For example, if a roll has 100 calories, 5 grams of fiber, and 1 gram of fat how many starches is it? Stuff like that is driving me nuts.  There also seem to be differences in the fat and calorie book and the pre planned menus book.  What is the final word? 

If anyone is looking for a buddy, maybe to check in with a couple of times a week I'm interested. 

I have high hopes for this program.  I have been overweight for as long as I can remember.  I'm terrified to get on the scale, if there is no loss what do I do next?  If I lose and gain the same 20 pounds again (I really need to lose 40) I'll scream.       

If you haven't met your calories/fats for the day but have eaten everything "on plan" then I would not eat more but make sure you adjust things so you are more on track the next day. It may also depend on how off track you are. It doesn't hurt to be slightly lower but if it is significant you may want to rethink your menus.

I don't do exchanges or follow the menu plan. I use the plan as a guideline and make my own foods that I know I will stick with. I have a program that I log my food into and it calculates my totals. I've found it very helpful. It also tracks my exercise so I can see what kind of a calorie deficit I have each day.

You can do this. :)

can you tell me what that program is??  I would love to have something like that since I make all my own food and feed others with it. 

Thanks,

Dee =)

The program I use is called FitDay. Just do a search for food or nutrition journals and you will find a number of sites available. Some are free. :)