A question about weight loss medications.

[benburch]

Hi! Cross posting this from the weight control forum;

My doctor is talking about putting me on weight loss medications;

Both Xenical and Meridia.

Anybody here have experience with the combination?

And yes, this would be closely monitored!

I've been dieting for three years now, and pretty much plateaued, and still have #70 to lose.

And I do NOT want to risk gastric surgery. I know somebody who nearly died of that.

Anyway, I have the blood work Monday and the physical the following week, so I am hoping some of you respond before then.

Thanks!

P.S. To avoid the obvious questions yes, I exercise, but due to ankle and foot damage from a 50 mph head-on collision with a drunk driver in 1984, that must be confined to walking at a moderate pace. Cannot run, and cannot pedal for all that long a span.

[dsc]

1. I don't know about the drug combo

but I wish you luck. I have a ton to lose and just haven't gotten serious about it yet. BTW walking is considered one of the best exercises anyhow for weight loss. On edit to clarify I mean I don't know anything about the drug combo not that I think the drug combo is bad.

[Horse with no Name]

2. The problem with Meridia

is that it can cause LOTS of flatulence and frequent, loose stools (sometimes causing incontinence).
I have no idea about the combination of the two.

[radwriter0555]

3. Can you work out first thing in the morning before you eat breakfast? One

of the main tips by REAL weight loss professionals is that you work out as early as you can, before you've had breakfast.

Then, your breakfast must be small. A grapefruit, a yogurt, 2 scrambled eggs and some juice. Then several carrots to hold you until lunch time. Lots of water.

Then, if you can do some upper body cardio for about 20 minutes in the afternoon to hit another burn, AWESOME.

The idea is that your body will burn the stored fat when you work out first thing before you've eaten. Otherwise, if you eat breakfast first, your body is merely burning off what you just ingested. I tried this, and HOLY CRAP, big difference. Suddenly the stuff was melting off after I'd plateaued.

The after-burner kicker in the PM makes a nice difference too. Just feel the burn, even if it's just some upper body boxing moves and small weight reps.

You don't need no stinkin' pills!

Ah and have a solid lunch, healthy snack, small dinner, LOTS OF WATER.

[Ksec]

4. Give them a try BB

Im sure theyre safe and with all the risks that come with having extra weight onboard, Id give them a go.

I havent taken them myself so I cant vouch for their effectiveness but try them for a few weeks and see if they can help you past your plateau. Good luck.

[BadgerKid]

5. Other options

Any given diet won't work for everyone all the time. Consider other diets. Frankly, if you've got that much to shed, you might look into the protein-sparing modified fast. Caloric intake over the long haul is going to be more important than taking up morning fasted cardio (which is really a specialized method). If you've been at this for 3 years, then going on a break like 1-2 weeks might be helpful. Also, consider looking into weight training to help keep your muscle mass. (Yes, I frequent diet boards.)

[benburch]

9. My real problem with true cardio...

...is my exercise induced asthma.

Doesn't mean I cannot do it, but it is very taxing to me.

Right now what I am doing is 30 minutes at 2.2 m/s on a hill course every day on the treadmill. (I have a real treadmill, a Smooth Fitness 9.3 HRAB)

[pinto]

6. A note about "medical" threads:

The DU rule is short and simple:

"Do not post messages asking for medical advice."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/forums/rules_detailed.html

It's meant to protect all of DU - members, mods, and Admins - from the real risk for harm some of these threads can represent.

That said, we are unlocking this thread after mod reconsideration.

Thanks.

[pinto]

7. kick

[benburch]

8. Thanks!

I really want to know how others fared with this before I do it.