Thread: Normal weight use Alli

Hi all,

I'm new to this site. I chose to join because I started taking Alli and I do not know if it is helping...well, let me be honest...it is not working, and I want to bounce a few things off you all.

First of all, let me tell you about me. I'm 33 y.o. I'm 5' 3 1/2" tall and I weight 130 lbs. I used to be 120 and I want to get back to that weight. I have depression and ADHD, but I'm on medication that is helpful. I know that I emotionally eat and I try to only eat when I'm hungry, but it is hard.

I know Alli is for overweight people. I am not overweight and that may be part of my problem.

I find that I have very STRONG binge urges while on Alli. Also I am very tired. Honestly my eating is Worse now that I am on Alli. I stopped taking it for one day because I knew I was hurting myself. I am eating fatty foods (eg. peanut mms) and taking the drug...it just does not make sense.

Do you think I have binge urges because I am "normal" weight? Do you think my body is not getting enough of something due to the drug and is sending me signals to eat more? Do you think I am tired because I'm not absorbing the nutrients I need? Do you think this is all in my head, and is a placebo effect?

I want to be 120 lbs, but I'm not putting forth the effort needed to lose weight. I am upset with myself. I know how to eat well and I know how to exercise and I'm not doing it...it is so frusterating. I am good for three days and then I totally blow it and end up eating 800 calories at night.

All I have to do is keep my calorie count to about 1500 and exercise 5 days a week. I'm consistently eating 2500 calories daily and exercising 4 days a week. I am doing Hot yoga (bikram), I'm lifting (15 min sesssions) and I'm doing machines (bike, eliptical for 60 minutes while reading). I do not think I am working hard enough. When I was 120 lbs, I used to run at 6.5 on the treadmill for 6-8 miles 5 times weekly, and I don't have the motivation to do that now.

I wish I could be satisfied with my current weight and give this up, but I'm not. I like being a size 2-4. I like my clothes feeling loose not tight. I like how I feel when I'm 120. I feel chubby now. I am a size 4-6. I know that does not sound big, but it FEELS big.

I'm just frusterated.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I appreciate it.

Alli works by decreasing fat absorption of the intestines, which in turn reduces the caloric intake of the body. Alli disables an enzyme called lipase, which normally helps break down dietary fat for immediate use or energy storage for later use. With lipase disabled, some of the fat remains undigested and continues through the intestines to be eliminated through the bowels.

Alli should not be taken with meals containing more than 15 grams of fat because of unwanted side effects such as gas with oily spotting, diarrhea, or urgent bowel movements. Bowel movement changes may occur when taking Alli, such as loose stools and more frequent or hard-to-control bowel movements.

There are conditions or circumstances in which Alli is not recommended. Consult with a doctor before starting any diet plan with Alli, and do some research online to read up on Alli and its recommendations. Alli is not recommended if you are already at a healthy weight, have had an organ transplant, are currently taking a medication called cyclosporine, or if you usually have trouble absorbing food. Avoid taking Alli if you are currently taking blood-thinning medication, or if you have thyroid disease or diabetes.

When dieting with Alli, be sure to take a daily vitamin supplement to prevent possible nutrient deficiencies. With less fat absorption, certain fat-soluble vitamins may be decreased in the body as well. A vitamin supplement can help replenish these to the body in a natural way.

Allison
Diet and Fitness Enthusiast
Visit My Personal Site AllisonDunstan

Originally Posted by jules

Hi all,

I'm new to this site. I chose to join because I started taking Alli and I do not know if it is helping...well, let me be honest...it is not working, and I want to bounce a few things off you all.

First of all, let me tell you about me. I'm 33 y.o. I'm 5' 3 1/2" tall and I weight 130 lbs. I used to be 120 and I want to get back to that weight. I have depression and ADHD, but I'm on medication that is helpful. I know that I emotionally eat and I try to only eat when I'm hungry, but it is hard.

I know Alli is for overweight people. I am not overweight and that may be part of my problem.

I find that I have very STRONG binge urges while on Alli. Also I am very tired. Honestly my eating is Worse now that I am on Alli. I stopped taking it for one day because I knew I was hurting myself. I am eating fatty foods (eg. peanut mms) and taking the drug...it just does not make sense.

Do you think I have binge urges because I am "normal" weight? Do you think my body is not getting enough of something due to the drug and is sending me signals to eat more? Do you think I am tired because I'm not absorbing the nutrients I need? Do you think this is all in my head, and is a placebo effect?

I want to be 120 lbs, but I'm not putting forth the effort needed to lose weight. I am upset with myself. I know how to eat well and I know how to exercise and I'm not doing it...it is so frusterating. I am good for three days and then I totally blow it and end up eating 800 calories at night.

All I have to do is keep my calorie count to about 1500 and exercise 5 days a week. I'm consistently eating 2500 calories daily and exercising 4 days a week. I am doing Hot yoga (bikram), I'm lifting (15 min sesssions) and I'm doing machines (bike, eliptical for 60 minutes while reading). I do not think I am working hard enough. When I was 120 lbs, I used to run at 6.5 on the treadmill for 6-8 miles 5 times weekly, and I don't have the motivation to do that now.

I wish I could be satisfied with my current weight and give this up, but I'm not. I like being a size 2-4. I like my clothes feeling loose not tight. I like how I feel when I'm 120. I feel chubby now. I am a size 4-6. I know that does not sound big, but it FEELS big.

I'm just frusterated.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I appreciate it.

Alli works best for people who have a high BMI (body mass index) and consume (or did) a high fat diet.

Your diet and exercise regime has slacked from what you used to do. Stop reading while 'exercising'. Exercise needs you full attention. Get back on that treadmill and the pounds will drop. As for the binging ~ hey your a normal girl; we all do that from time to time. As we age however the pounds stick around longer!! So develop healthy exercise habits now and the binging will slowly resind. Have fun with it!!

Your BMI (weight vs height) is considered in the ideal range; therefore your results with Alli will be very minimal.

It's a good idea to lower your calorie intake from 2500 to 1500 (1800 is better since you're active) but I suggest you start cutting back slowly, let's say 500 calories less every 2 weeks until you're down to 1500 (or 1800). That way, it won't affect your metabolism.

I understand what you feel jules. I've been through that stage before too. I think the problem is not Alli but your eating habits. You mentioned your binging right? I've read the side effects for Alli and I don't think it includes binging. I think you should stick to your regular exercise and do something to stop food binging.

If you want to stop food binging, there are a couple of tricks posted in this forum. You can try them, perhaps it will help.