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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

Anyone else taking alli?

36 replies

CaraLondon · 10/05/2009 11:08

Have been on alli for a week and just wondering if anyone else was going to give it a try.

It has definitely improved my discipline around snacking and how I prepare meals - and so far I haven't had any side effects. 2lbs lost, but a long, long way to go...

OP posts:
whyme2 · 10/05/2009 11:11

Glad it is working for you - I've been put off by the negative reviews about side effects.
Good luck with your weight loss.

MerlinsBeard · 10/05/2009 11:15

a friend was refused it because her BMI is 27.9 instead of 28. Then she came home and googled the side effects and decided to drastically change her eating (ie what you would do on Alli) and has already lost 6lb

Original poster
CaraLondon · 10/05/2009 11:34

Yes, whyme2, I was put off by the reviews of the side effects at first - so I'd really like to know if anyone else has tried it.

MoM that's great for your friend! How long did it take to lose 6lbs, if you don't mind me asking? It would be good to compare that with versus without the tablets. The eating plan is sensible - I think you could lose a lot of weight just by following it. I guess I need the psychological discipline of taking a pill with my meals to help me really rationalise what I am eating and when, as I have no willpower of my own!

OP posts:
MerlinsBeard · 10/05/2009 14:18

2 weeks Cara. She realised that as one of the side effects was literally shitting fat that if she had to cut out al fat anyway she may as well do it! This way she can still have a pub lunch if she wants with her family

Original poster
CaraLondon · 10/05/2009 14:39

That's a good enough reason!

OP posts:
cheekysealion · 10/05/2009 16:07

i dont take one with every meal as i cant see the point of taking one with weetabix or my sald lunch? maybe i should i dont know.... no side effects here but i onky take one a day

sandra79 · 10/05/2009 16:17

im on the ones described from docs which are twice as effective as alli, certainly do what they say on the tin so to speak! Lots of running to loo, sometimes just in time, having to give myself breaks form them though as i feel that i wouldnt be able to enjoy a meal out thinking about how soon will i poo!

Original poster
CaraLondon · 10/05/2009 17:51

Cheekysealion - how have you found them in terms of the weight loss - has it been really effective for you, even on one a day?

sandra79 - what's the name of the stuff the doc prescribed? I was going to ask the doc for something, but wasn't brave enough. I guess if the alli programme doesn't work, I am going to have to ask for something, as my BMI is 34, and something's got to give... On the other hand, I don't really want to go down the laxative route!

There seems to be a blanket advertising campaign on at the moment, but it is hard to gauge what people really think about them.

OP posts:
cheekysealion · 10/05/2009 17:56

i have been eating more carefully and have lost 3 stone

the ones from the doctor are Xenical... alli are half the dose of them so you could just take 2. although would be expensive

cheekysealion · 10/05/2009 17:59

Cara- how much do you want to lose?

Original poster
CaraLondon · 10/05/2009 18:04

I want to lose three stone over the 6 month period of the programme, and then I am hoping to lose 2 more by Christmas through my own effort (hoping that the healthier eating regime has become normalised for me). I think that is reasonable, and I think I could just about do it with healthy eating, it's just that I think the pills are a great kick-start for me in terms of changing my attitudes to food - or at least it is an reason for me not to not stick to it, iyswim. It's pretty expensive as it is, though I am sure that if it works it will save money in the long run.

OP posts:
Original poster
CaraLondon · 10/05/2009 18:05

Congratulations on your 3 stone, cheekysealion!

OP posts:
Dior · 10/05/2009 18:17

I have been on Xenical and they did not work for me. I cut out the fat and ate more sugar instead! The best thing is to cut down fat anyway.

Rialentless · 10/05/2009 18:35

I was prescribed xenical, but I found they made me bloated, I don't eat a lot of fat anyway. My GP did say there was no point taking them if you meal was just salad etc, only when the meal had a certain % fat content.

I am thinking of finishing the pack though.

Original poster
CaraLondon · 10/05/2009 18:35

Dior - I guess that's what will happen to me anyway!

But I think that the programme is designed to be a traditional calorie-counted diet, but you can have more of your calories from fat than you would on a normal diet, no?

OP posts:
Original poster
CaraLondon · 10/05/2009 18:38

Rialentless - did you find that you were drinking more/had to add more salt to the food and that water retention was the problem? I was wondering about that. I have drunk gallons of water this week.

OP posts:
Rialentless · 10/05/2009 18:49

I don't know cara, I do drink a lot of water and use salt so maybe. If I give it another go I will pay more attention!

Original poster
CaraLondon · 10/05/2009 18:50

I've been adding a lot of salt too - must try harder!

OP posts:
Dior · 10/05/2009 20:14

I'm afraid that I found the whole 's**tting fat' thing really disgusting. My neighbour had some really bad side effects, but then I am guessing he still ate a lot of fat!

Original poster
CaraLondon · 10/05/2009 21:14

Dior - I hate to ask - but how do you know about your neighbour??? There's a good story there!

I'm assuming that all shit is at least a bit disgusting - correct me if I'm wrong. I have yet to perform the "manicured poo"... There's a bit of fat in shit anyway, no?

OP posts:
Dior · 11/05/2009 11:06

Cara - we discuss weight loss alot . She told me that her dh had been caught short a couple of times but not too many details thank God!

@ 'manicured poo'. There may be a little fat in poos but a lot is stored in the body, hence putting on weight. These pills stop the body absopbing the fat, so it comes out the other end. Look down the loo when you have been and you will see globules of fat floating on the water. It makes you think about what you are eating I can tell you. Also (and sorry if TMI), the smell is horrible.

Thankfully it is past breakfast time

Dior · 11/05/2009 11:07

absorbing

Original poster
CaraLondon · 12/05/2009 20:44

Right - won't look down the loo !

Worried about smells, though. Given the tablets up for the day for rich lunch. Back on the horse tomorrow.

Articles like this don't help.

OP posts:
Original poster
CaraLondon · 13/05/2009 06:22

I guess if you're on a low fat diet anyway the side effects won't be very noticeable - and I am with Kara in this that it's the fear of the side effects that's going to keep me on the (hopefully) straight and narrow. Although is seems rather irresponsible that she's on this pill when her BMI is less than 28 and the Telegraph are using her to test alli.

OP posts:
Dior · 13/05/2009 10:28

Oh my god, what an irresponsible article!