Looking for Advice on Alli

Ironically, Xenical (which is the prescription version of Alli) was the first drug I sold as a pharmaceutical representative. That was several years ago, but I can share what I remember about it.

The product works by blocking 30% of your fat intake, and it has nowhere to go but out your rear end. So, almost all the side effects are GI (gastrointestinal) related.

It makes you eat a healthier diet unless you want to chance side effects. I used to hear all kinds of horror stories about people who had taken a Xenical with a fast-food meal and spent the afternoon in the bath room as the fat passed through their system.

Recently, the FDA required label updates because of concerns over some liver-related issues. I'd highly recommend speaking with a pharmacist or your doctor before using either product.

I do know that Alli has a really active online community with all kinds of personal stories. I googled using it during BF'ing, and it is not recommended according to the FDA's clinical information I could find.

There are also a lot of hormonal issues that can cause you to gain/lose weight, so don't let yourself feel like you've failed if you're doing all the right things and don't see the results you want.

I did hear a story of one lady (who did not use these products) who lost over 100 lbs and had kept if off over a year by always starting a meal with a full glass of water and really, really, really chewing each bite of food. It made her take more time (it takes the body 20 minutes to recognize when you're full) to eat.

Another really good thing you can do is to add more fiber to your diet both through high fiber foods (Fiber One has some really good products) and fiber supplements. Fiber helps you feel fuller sooner and also helps to block the absorption of carbs.

Whatever you decide, good luck! I wish you well.....I could stand to lose a good 15 lbs, and I'm having a heck of a time getting it off.

I have not taken it but I would not! Especially while nursing. Once you begin eating right, you will see a huge responce. Also, taking a multi-vitamin is essential. Also, protein helps! I work with a wellness company!

M.

http://www.WorkingGreenMoms.com

Don't use it! It causes all kinds of side effects, and truthfully, it only claims (if you read the fine fine print) to cause an extra couple of pounds of weight loss. Any drugs like this can stimulate the central nervous system as well as cause problems in other organs where some of the toxins are stored (e.g. liver). There are some diet products you can use that don't do this.

If there were an easy way to lose weight, we'd all be skinny. There is no magic bullet.

Also, there was a report on the local news last night about how the calorie content on certain low-cal diet foods (e.g. Lean Cuisine but many others) are WAY off, like 30%!! My husband saw it and said it's unbelievable - something that says 260 calories might be 330! It should be illegal but it's not - so far. So beware of these.

There's a book series called "Eat This Not That" that shows a lot of better choices we can make in our purchases and in restaurants. There's one for just kids but there's also one for weight loss. I think it's great.

One thing that may help you is the livestrong website which has a section called "My Plate" - you can enter in your calories just by listing the foods you eat (it calculates, even by brand name). You can also enter in your workouts - I think it's called "My Workouts" and you can include things like "30 minutes treadmill" but also "dog walking" and "walking with stroller" or "vacuuming." It lets you know how many calories you have left for the day. My son used this and told me about it. Too many details to write here but email me if you want. Livestrong is a free website so there are no fees involved.

You can also get a cheap pedometer ($10 or so) and measure your steps. 10,000 steps is key - and you'd be surprised how many you take pushing a grocery cart or running up and down stairs to change diapers.

Alli (the brand name for Orlistat) has been proven safe to use as an over the counter medication but NOT for breastfeeding or pregnant women. The label specifically says not to use it if you are breastfeeding however it is not absorbed into the bloodstream and therefore cannot reach your breast milk. But they haven't done any studies on it so the general rule in the pharmaceutical industry is to tell people "No!"

I used Alli before becoming pregnant with my now 7-month-old and had some good success with it. It is kind of like a safety net in your diet. You have to eat a low-fat, low-calorie diet to see results but Alli can help if you have a little too much fat by not letting your body absorb it. If you "cheat" and eat a high fat meal while taking it, the results are found in your bathroom later. So it's also a motivator to keep your fat content lower. I'd say give it a try if you need extra help keeping on a diet but wait until you're done breastfeeding or talk to your doctor about it first.

I recently took off five pounds in 3 weeks using LiveStrong.Com and I'm really liking it! It's a free website and you can get apps for your Blackberry and iPhone (if you happen to have one) that let you track your food intake regardless of where you are. It's a free website though I paid for the "gold" membership which is $45/year so I could track a few other things not offered on the free site. I LOVE that you can track all sorts of activities to credit your available calories. It doesn't have an option for factoring in breastfeeding but if your baby is a year old I'd imagine you aren't seeing too much of a benefit from nursing so I wouldn't add much more to your daily allowance than maybe 100 extra calories a day.

My biggest tip is to join a gym that has childcare! I joined a WOW in December and I love being able to drop my two kids off and just go hop on the treadmill for 30 or 40 minutes. I know they'll come get me if there's a problem and I can peak in through the one-way mirror anytime. It's made it much easier for me to get the exercise I need. So see if your local YMCA or gym has that option.

Good luck! You are not alone in your quest for a healthier you!

Alli does work. I am taking it now for the 2nd time in an effort to take off the last 25 lbs of baby weight. I will warn you, if not careful you will experience treatment effects including stomach discomfort, oily discharge (from your bum), greasy stools and hard to control diarrhea (lol a few days into my 1st time on Alli, I literally SH** my pants in the grocery store)... Basically Alli cuts the amount of fat your body absorbs. So if it goes in your mouth and only 1/2 gets absorbed then the rest comes out...Bottom line, Alli is NOT a quick or easy fix. You will need to eat right.

You will find those loyal and those against but for me, it fits.

I also must tell you that taking Alli IS NOT for those pregnant OR breastfeeding. As long as you are nursing your little one, I would suggest you steer clear of ANY diet pills or programs not geared towards nursing mothers.

You may want to look into www.babyfit.com. REALLY helpful free online diet plan that works!!! You can even do it while nursing.

Good luck with your diet efforts and please let me know if I can answer any more questions for you.