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rcburto 10-19-2011 12:52 PM

Diet Pills
 
Has anyone had success with diet pills? I had lost 10 lbs. over 2 months using portion control and some exercise. Then I added Alli thinking I would lose faster. Instead, I gained 4 lbs in a week so I quit that. Then I tried Phenphedrine which I have been on almost a week now and it looks like I have gained about 2 lbs and I am ready to quit. Am I giving these things enough time to work? Do they work better over a longer period of time or do they not work at all? Anyone know?

VitoVino 10-19-2011 01:13 PM

I've had success with Fish Oil (supplement), Choline-Inositol tabs (supplement), and a generic brand of Capsimax (weight loss pill; only $12 per 30 tabs and it's a great thermogenic). Diet pills work great IF you're exercising regularly as well as tracking your calories.

Green tea also burns about 80 calories a day. Doesn't sound like much but after a week it adds up to a nice little "extra workout" that you've snuck into the equation. And it has other heath benefits as well!

As for appetite suppression, if you're getting enough fiber and protein and drinking a lot of water/green tea, you really don't need a pill to suppress your hunger...

Check into a thermogenic pill and get exercising more if you can.

This may be of help as well:

http://www.fitday.com/fitness/forums...s%20pills.html

mecompco 10-19-2011 09:03 PM

To lose weight you need to maintain a calorie deficit. If pills/supplements help you do this, I guess it's OK. But, you need to consider what's going to happen once you lose the weight and discontinue their use. Just my .02.

Regards,
Michael

VitoVino 10-20-2011 01:46 AM


Originally Posted by LillMaria (Post 60096)
I agree with Vito. However, there are effective weight loss supplements that help you suppress your appetite and calm cravings for food. These should be taken if you are not getting enough fiber in your daily menu ;)


Good point. Weight loss "supplements" are different than "weight loss pills" and I think I've had more success with the supplements (fish oil, choline-inositol). :)

LOL when I first started with my new lifestyle I though 25 grams of fiber a day was way too high and too difficult to achieve. I've found ways to easily get 90 grams in a day if I want, and most days I now average around 35. And the fiber has not only helped with the hunger, but it also helps to lower cholesterol. Can't beat that combination.

rcburto 10-21-2011 02:51 PM

Waht are some good ways to get fiber? I could use a little movement in that area of my body;)
I got some fish oil and choline inositol yesterday so will see if that helps. Thanks for the tips.

VitoVino 10-21-2011 03:27 PM


Originally Posted by rcburto (Post 60270)
Waht are some good ways to get fiber? I could use a little movement in that area of my body;)
I got some fish oil and choline inositol yesterday so will see if that helps. Thanks for the tips.


Excellent. I think you'll be happy with the results using those supplements. I take about 4-5 500 mg. of Choline-Inositol a day, and for the fish oil I take 5, 1K mg on days I'm not working out, 3 on days I'm working out. I take 2 less fish oil on workout days because I don't take any before my workout. When the workout is finished I actually want the insulin to work more effectively by using a Chromium supplement ("Chromium is the cell's receptor for insulin. The nutritional side of your recovery plan needs to include the right amount of chromium so that the insulin can open the muscle cells and allow the BCCAs and carbs to do their work"), which then feeds the muscles better with carbs and protein for recovery (within 2 hours of the workout).

For fiber, bananas and carrots are a good choice. I eat about 2-3 bananas a day and along with the bananas, that does a good job. For extra fiber on days I'm watching calories I may eat a fiber bar (which can be found at Wally world and are equivalent to "Fiber One" bars.

An amazing source of fiber are Ole brand High Fiber Low Carb Tortilla Wraps, also from Wally world. One wrap has an amazing 12 g. of fiber, so add some veggies in that for a lunch and you're good to go!

I also eat air popped popcorn almost every night as my only snack of the day. It adds added fiber and is low calorie and really satisfies the snack urge later in the day.

I'll probably make a thread soon with my recommendations for good fiber sources.

Let me know how you make out with the supplements. And give green tea (your own brewed ice tea) a shot. That's also a "supplement" in it's own right. Many people, including myself, attest to the fact that it helps suppress hunger. Plus it's just really good for you in many ways! :)

Here's what Armstrong's site says about Choline-Inositol:


When consumed in combination with other B complex vitamins, inositol helps your liver break down fats in the body, which is how it got its reputation for aiding weight loss. When taken in combination with choline, inositol forms lecithin and lecithin is known to fight fat. It is also a lipotropic agent, so inositol also might redistribute existing body fat during weight loss. When taken before bedtime, theoretically it might help your body burn fat while you sleep.
I'm sure it's worked for me because when I've stopped taking it I've noticed my weight loss is slower.

dysonsphere 10-23-2011 03:21 AM

You were successful to begin with, why not keep doing that? The pills won't work, you have seen that. It seems you are looking for a magic pill to rid you of the need to watch your diet. Bad mews I am afraid... not going to happen.

helveticat 10-23-2011 09:29 PM

I've become a bit of a supplement-popper, I'm afraid, contrary to a whole life of telling people they're unnecessary. I've been taking L-Carnitine, green tea & a 100% multivitamin with fish oil for the last 3 months. I also take creatine but not for weight loss and I'm cycled off it at the moment.

So Vito, I'm interested in the Choline-Inositol you're using. I noticed you can get these straight or, at considerably greater expense, stacked with an amino acid called Methionine. There's a bit of info about it here, Google "The Effects Of Methionine On Weight Loss."

As with L-Carnitine and green tea it seems the scientific evidence is pretty thin, and it may not really do anything useful from a weight loss perspective. But if anyone has any tales to tell about it (incl any side effects) I'd be interested.

VitoVino 10-28-2011 11:08 AM


Originally Posted by helveticat (Post 60392)
I've become a bit of a supplement-popper, I'm afraid, contrary to a whole life of telling people they're unnecessary. I've been taking L-Carnitine, green tea & a 100% multivitamin with fish oil for the last 3 months. I also take creatine but not for weight loss and I'm cycled off it at the moment.

So Vito, I'm interested in the Choline-Inositol you're using. I noticed you can get these straight or, at considerably greater expense, stacked with an amino acid called Methionine. There's a bit of info about it here: Google "The Effects Of Methionine On Weight Loss."

As with L-Carnitine and green tea it seems the scientific evidence is pretty thin, and it may not really do anything useful from a weight loss perspective. But if anyone has any tales to tell about it (incl any side effects) I'd be interested.

Helveticat, funny we are taking pretty much the same things. I've tried L-Carnitine and really gave it a go, but as far as a weight loss supplement I've found it to give minimal results. No side effects and I was taking 1500 mg./day. They say the minimal for weight loss is that amount, but the stuff is so expensive I was limiting it.

The Carnitine seems too demanding when it comes to it's requirements as well. When you take it important, as well as having to keep your carb intake below 50%.

The fish oil is a proven winner, not just from a standpoint of being a diet supplement.

The green tea (my own brewed) I am pretty sure is helping boost my metabolism because since I've been drinking it in earnest the pounds have been melting off. Plus it's helped with my hunger.

I'm fairly confident in the Choline-Inositol. I use Swanson brand because they offer a great price. It's also where I got their generic brand of Capsimax (which is now just labeled as Cayenne). A few friends who take a lot of supplements (because they are battling Lyme Disease) turned me on to the site because of the value. Just google it. :)

I've heard methionine also helps with weight loss, but I don't see any reason to stack it with the C-I. I've found the C-I to be so effective that I can't imagine how stacking could improve it. I think the fish oil + C-I combo is really a great combo.

helveticat 11-05-2011 04:34 AM

Vito -- belatedly, thanks for this. With the L-C I've been taking 1000mg a day (the bottle recommends 500!) and not limiting my carbs that much so possibly I'm not really giving it a chance.

But I'm definitely going to grab some C-I and see how that goes :D

VitoVino 11-05-2011 06:19 AM


Originally Posted by helveticat (Post 61550)
Vito -- belatedly, thanks for this. With the L-C I've been taking 1000mg a day (the bottle recommends 500!) and not limiting my carbs that much so possibly I'm not really giving it a chance.

But I'm definitely going to grab some C-I and see how that goes :D


Here's some info for ya. Sorry, can't post the link...


L-Carnitine and Weight Loss

The primary function of carnitine in the body, is to regulate fat oxidation (burning). L-Carnitine is responsible for transporting fat to the fat furnace in our cells called mitochondria. Unless fat makes it to the mitochondria, it cannot be oxidized, no matter how much you exercise or diet.

Many studies have been done to determine the effectiveness of L-Carnitine for fat burning. Evidence, more so than not, has suggested that when used correctly, along with a balanced diet (adequate protein, essential fats, and fiber), it works. L-Carnitine however, is not the "silver bullet"; it is just another piece of the fat burning puzzle.

HOW YOUR BODY MAKES L-CARNITINE:

* The body can make small amounts of L-Carnitine.
* To do so, you need the amino acids: lysine and methionine and vitamins such as niacin, B6, and vitamin C.
* A shortage of any of these nutrients, can lower carnitine levels and reduce fat burning .
* Lysine has been shown to boost carnitine levels. Lysine is the amino acid precursor that builds the carnitine molecule.**
* Strict vegetarians get little or no carnitine.

**Nature's Gold Level I & II - contains 7 essential amino acids* critical to providing cellular regeneration and repair.

SOURCES OF L-CARNITINE IN OUR DIETS:

* L-Carnitine is found predominately in meat and animal products.
* Red meat is the best source.
* Chicken and turkey also contain carnitine.
* Dairy and milk products contain small amounts.
* Most fruits, vegetables, and grains contain almost no carnitine. The exceptions are tempeh and avocados, which contain small amounts.

FACTORS THAT INHIBIT L-CARNITINE PRODUCTION
AND FAT BURNING:

* L-Carnitine works best with a diet low in sugars and starches (carbohydrates).
* Studies show that for carnitine to work effectively, carbohydrate intake should be kept below 50% of total calories consumed daily.
* Elevated insulin levels inhibit optimal carnitine activity (the burning of body fat and energy production).
* Omega 3 fats (flaxseed and fish oils) improve carnitine activity and function in the body.**
* Adequate protein at each meal is essential for carnitine activity and fat burning.

** Benefit from Flax Seed Oil . Not only does it improve carnitine activity in the body, but studies have shown that it can substantially lower the risk of death from coronary heart disease. Flax seed oil contains twice the amount of Omega-3 oils than that of fish oil products. NSP's Flax Seed Oil is 100% organic and unrefined; due to the cold pressing of the seeds.
Reap the benefits of **Super Oil capsules that combines oil from three different sources.
Hemp oil and Hemp Hearts are Nature's super food, unleash their remarkable powers.

L-CARNITINE AND FAT BURNING:

* L-Carnitine assists in the transport of long-chained fatty acids that are burned for energy.
* L-Carnitine enhances the consumption of fat as a source of fuel.
* L-Carnitine has been shown to increase the amount of fat you burn during both anaerobic (strength training) and aerobic (cardiovascular) workouts.
* L-Carnitine plays an important role in mobilizing fatty deposits found in tissues of overweight individuals.
* L-Carnitine helps remove fats waste products (ketones) from the blood stream.
* Effective carnitine activity helps to discourage fatty build up in the liver, heart, and skeletal muscle.
* L-Carnitine has been shown to improve lean muscle strength. Maintaining muscle tissue takes four to five times more calories than maintaining fat tissue, which is important for permanent weight loss.
* L-Carnitine helps to stabilize blood sugar and eliminate cravings for carbohydrates

SUPPLEMENTING L-CARNITINE CORRECTLY:

* First, you need to start taking at least 1000 mg per day of L-Carnitine to promote weight loss. Obese individuals may start with 2000 mg per day.
* Those with metabolic resistance, start to do well on 3000-5000 mg per day.

* Research has shown, that when you start to feel more energy, it is a sign that the level of carnitine, you are using, is starting to burn body fat.
* Increase carnitine by 500 mg per day (one capsule) until you begin to feel this increased energy level in you daily lifestyle.
* Your energy level will be your guide as to how effective carnitine is working in your body.
* The Physician's Desk Reference (PDR) lists no toxic effects from prolonged use of L-Carnitine.
* It is best taken before breakfast and lunch.

The best research on Carnitine can be found in the book :
The Carnitine Miracle, by Robert Crayhon, M.S. ISBN: 0-87131-825-3

Turning up your metabolism with the right nutrients is essential for weight loss. There is significant evidence that increased levels of carnitine in tissue leads to increased fat burning. Obesity is not a drug deficiency. Administering certain synthetic medications or nutrients can stimulate thermogenic activity, but supplying your body with the essential nutrients is all that it needs to activate correct fat metabolism, rather than a caloric restriction or brain chemistry manipulation. Nutrients won't do everything. You need a diet that is lower in carbohydrates, contains adequate proteins, essential fats, plenty of fiber, and a routine physical exercise program.
Make sure it's the L-Carnitine and not the Acetyl. The Acetyle-Carnitine works differently. Many are duped into using it in place of the L-C because it's more bioactive supposedly.

As far as the C-I, don't be afraid to take 5-6 500 mg. tabs per day. It has no side effects. You can start with 2/3 and see how that goes.

rightkindofwrong 03-19-2013 01:22 AM

what about ACE :confused:

Aamia 03-27-2013 06:38 PM

I can't prefer the diet pills in any case. If you wanna do your weight loss then you should drink water 9 to 10 glass daily, avoid from spicy food, eat vegetable that's better for you.

dilon.don 11-07-2019 08:20 PM

Why not just try eating healthy and some light exercise instead of taking diet pills that "work" ? That's what I've started doing and I'm losing weight.


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