Welcome to Debate Club! Please be aware that this is a space for respectful debate, and that your ideas will be challenged here. Please remember to critique the argument, not the author.
Diet Pills and all that that implies
Replies
-
While I can definitely see the reasoning behind the negative light often cast on diet pills, I feel that it's not quite right to say they're all sugar pills or all people on them are lazy.
I've been on phentermine for almost a week now, and for me it's about energy. My doctor and I are working closely to find a solution, and the pill is a very temporary measure. Without it (or at least some sort of powerful boost), I have enough energy to make breakfast and take the dogs outside to pee. Maybe two hours, four at most, and I'm fading into a weird state between awake and asleep, barely able to move for lack of energy. This has been an increasing problem for years, and had led to a lot of depression and, of course, weight gain.
For me, I'm using the time on phentermine as a reset. I never experienced that manic high that some people describe, but since day 2 of taking it, I have the energy of someone healthy. I can stay up all day, do chores, play with dogs (I still don't quite have enough energy to walk them alone), and make a plan for how I want to manage this going forward, when there won't be a pill (joining MyFitnessPal is part of that effort).
I fully agree that there is no magic pill that will melt away pounds for you. Diet and (when possible) exercise are the only solution to that. But sometimes perscribed diet pills have a role to play in getting back on your feet so you can take better care of yourself in the future.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
2 -
Didn't get into the Stacker craze or Hydroxycut. I have used pre-workouts that had CLA in them or had protein with thermogenic ingredients (mostly capsasin), but nothing that would be considered a diet pill. I still take protein with thermogenic ingredients, multi-vitamins, fish oil, and sometimes CLA when it's available.1
-
They're either bad for your wallet because they don't work or they're bad for your health because they do work and will be pulled from the shelves at some point. The first kind is about 99% of them.5
-
There are still weight clinics here is DE and PA. One of the mom's at my daycare lost a substantial amount of weight and she took some weight loss prescription. She said it just helped her get her cravings under control and she only took it about 3 months. I think some of the prescription stuff might be useful in very specific situations, but not the over the counter stuff.
I took Garcina a couple of years ago when I hit rock bottom with my fatness. It was cheap and my thought process was that if it helped me lose an extra 4lbs a month it was worth $10. I did lose weight with it. I'm not sure if it was placebo but I had less cravings. HOWEVER, any time I ate foods that were very fatty I would get intestinal issues. I had my 1st full cheat day after taking it for about 3 months and ate lasagna. I literally had to go to the hospital. I had stomach pain so intense they were prepping me for an appendectomy...turns out it was seriously atomic GAS that lasted 2 days caused by the Garcina...I might have lost 35lbs in 3 months, but it wasn't worth 2 days of excrutiating pain and a $800 ER bill.
5 -
While I can definitely see the reasoning behind the negative light often cast on diet pills, I feel that it's not quite right to say they're all sugar pills or all people on them are lazy.
I've been on phentermine for almost a week now, and for me it's about energy. My doctor and I are working closely to find a solution, and the pill is a very temporary measure. Without it (or at least some sort of powerful boost), I have enough energy to make breakfast and take the dogs outside to pee. Maybe two hours, four at most, and I'm fading into a weird state between awake and asleep, barely able to move for lack of energy. This has been an increasing problem for years, and had led to a lot of depression and, of course, weight gain.
For me, I'm using the time on phentermine as a reset. I never experienced that manic high that some people describe, but since day 2 of taking it, I have the energy of someone healthy. I can stay up all day, do chores, play with dogs (I still don't quite have enough energy to walk them alone), and make a plan for how I want to manage this going forward, when there won't be a pill (joining MyFitnessPal is part of that effort).
I fully agree that there is no magic pill that will melt away pounds for you. Diet and (when possible) exercise are the only solution to that. But sometimes perscribed diet pills have a role to play in getting back on your feet so you can take better care of yourself in the future.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
We're still figuring it out, but for now we don't know. So far we've checked my thyroid and blood levels, which came back normal. I'm scheduled for imaging this coming week (my thyroid is visibly swollen and it's constricting slightly, which is why we're seemingly beating a dead horse). Dr. also suggested some non-pill management of depression/stress in the meantime (yoga, hiking, whatever I have the energy to do).0 -
Diet pills are a joke. They are unhealthy and can do more harm than good. There is no replacement for hard work and clean eating.1
-
I got sucked in by an article about a celebrity's weight loss and also the author of the article having good results. The author seemed sincere on only recommending something that they tried and worked. The link to the pills was offering them for $10. Being cautious, I looked for any fine print for recurring charges. Long story short, 2 weeks later they charged me $150 and never sent me anything. What scams and frauds.
I was hopeful for some quicker results while eating healthier, but am now convinced there are no shortcuts, just a lot of hard work.
Be aware of scams unless it's from a company you trust0 -
I got sucked in by an article about a celebrity's weight loss and also the author of the article having good results. The author seemed sincere on only recommending something that they tried and worked. The link to the pills was offering them for $10. Being cautious, I looked for any fine print for recurring charges. Long story short, 2 weeks later they charged me $150 and never sent me anything. What scams and frauds.
I was hopeful for some quicker results while eating healthier, but am now convinced there are no shortcuts, just a lot of hard work.
Be aware of scams unless it's from a company you trust
@Sandra448 It didnt happen to be Garcinia Cambogia?1 -
The OTC diet pill industry is like the online dating industry is like any industry that monetarily capitalizes on human emotions. Hopes and dreams, wants and desires - powerful motivators. In these instances, to part with money over.1
-
I could be long winded, however I'm likely to have the same conclusion if I were also brief. Forget em'. Do it the old fashion way which has worked for centuries for millions of people. Put the sweat equity in and I promise you you'll be on your way to lasting change. I stress "lasting" because you build up the correct habits along the way to maintain the lighter you. So basically, don't do it.. Cheaters never prosper.0
-
I am very conservative when it comes to my health. As these "fat loss" pills are ephedrine or caffeine based, I am not interested.0
-
I just realized that running gives me the boost and well-being these pills promise.0
-
Plain old cheap and cheerful coffee does it for me. I've only recently started drinking it, I've been a tea drinker all of my life. I'm annoyed i waited so long to make the switch.3
-
A friend asked me about raspberry ketone pills, so I did a bit of research. Here's what I found. The people who made the pills listed an independent peer reviewed study, so I looked it up. That study was performed by a person whose scientific credentials were an MBA. It used a sample size of 6 rats, all of them male, to show a net loss of 4% in weight over the period studied of two weeks.
The holes in their claims, if not self-evident, are as follows: First, an MBA does not have standing to make any claim about the clinical efficacy of a drug. They simply do not have the training. Second, a sample size of 6 is too small to yield a statistically significant result. Third, the period of study is not sufficient. Fourth, how the hell do you extrapolate results from a small group of male rats to a large group of humans? The answer: It wasn't science to begin with. It was marketing.8 -
NorthCascades wrote: »Diet pills are fantastic. If you sell them. They're worthless to take, though.
The herd is always looking for that magic pill that's going to make results happen without the work.
0 -
The OTC "diet pills" which promise to flush fat or remove toxins or whatever are BS.
Only good for moving money from your pocket to the seller's.
The diet pills which are prescription can be useful, but must be used carefully.
These are more likely to be appetite suppressants, and if used to help someone get a handle on healthful eating habits, how much is a normal amount, that sort of thing, they can be a godsend.
AMHIK. Go ahead. No, I'll tell you: BTDT. Phentermine.
Going from constantly hungry to ... well ... not ... was amazing.
I could eat a healthy amount, get used to it, get used to a normal feeling of hunger (I haven't eaten for 6 hours & a little something would be welcome).
And while I was doing that, I was also exercising.
After a couple months, I only took them if I didn't lose weight from the day before, and it wasn't long before I stopped them completely. Still have some left in fact.
What didn't come back was the unremitting hunger. Thank whatever deity you believe in.
Didn't have any other effects from it.
But they're not for long-term use, they're not magic, and some people have bothersome side effects (such as mania, or an "energy boost"), so don't try to sneak them on your own from some discount overseas pharmacy or back-street questionable "doctor" or diet pill mill, or even talk your regular family doc into prescribing them without knowing what they're doing.
.
2 -
I use to take them studying for the caffeine and then have a saltine cracker for lunch.1
-
Chrismadison100 wrote: »I use to take them studying for the caffeine and then have a saltine cracker for lunch.
An ECA stack would work much better, and is one hell of a lot cheaper.3 -
I don't know if I would call people lazy for trying diet pills. I think there is so much information out there that appears to be legit when its not. Then you have a legit Dr. of cardiology that has a show and promotes weight loss pills then it must be true (said tongue in cheek). Hell placebo's have been shown in peer reviewed studies to work for all kinds of things. The mind for some folks can be pretty convincing.
0 -
I tell you what has helped me. 2 years ago I was 160 pounds. As of today + 138.8. I started using Garcinia Cambogia but made by Purely Inspired. I tried other brands but this one I found really help curb my appetite but did not give me the Jitters the shakes or anything like that. I did stay on it religiously 2 in the morning before breakfast wait 30 minutes then eat. 2 in the afternoon before lunch then eat but I don't sleep well at night anyways before I started taking this so never at night. Now I've stayed on this for a good 6 or 8 months taking them like I said religiously everyday. After. Of time I found that I didn't need that plate to eat off of. I ate out of a saucer. I didn't even notice it till the day I did. Now I have stopped taking Purely Inspired Garcinia Cambogia for a little while right now but what I have found that it did help me shrink my stomach comma teach me to stop eating when I'm full and not having those extra bites and help me get the pounds off. Like I said I only found Purely Inspired work-3
-
Phentermine did curb my appetite but it made me so jittery and made me feel like I was going to jump out my skin. What I am using and what I do like is the Garcinia Cambogia but only the one made by Purely Inspired. I tried the other ones but I found this one has really worked for me. It's worked so well for me because my stomach has shrunk and I don't need it so much anymore and I'm not putting on weight. Unless I go into their fried chicken phase again. Haha-2
-
Highly doubt GC helped anything.5
-
I took phen for 6 months & dropped 35lbs by doing nothing. The side effects were awful & I wouldn't take it again. So now I'm busting my butt off to lose the last 20lbs, but didn't gain anything that I lost back.
Took Alli a few years ago. That works because I was afraid to eat. If I ate, I'd have gas & embarrassingly greasy stools. Lol.
Dropped like 20-30lbs with Alli but of course gained it all back after having baby #1. Lost baby weight by taking hydroxycut & went from 167 to 109 before getting pregnant with baby #2. Lost a lot of the baby weight after #2 with phen (184 to 149lbs). I think all 3 helped give me confidence to keep going then hard work paid off. But I won't be taking anymore supplements anymore, too old for that.0 -
There is nothing OTC that works...the same as Starbucks.0
-
I feel like I've tried every OTC diet pill ever. Nothing works. Even if they did work, what would happen when you stopped taking them? Would you seriously take a diet pill the rest of your life? i feel like it would be easier to do mfp and learn to eat in moderation than to pay for something for the rest of your life.1
-
There are a number of pills that one could take that will make you lose weight, none of which are legal (D*P, Cl*n, T3). EC is stack is about the only readily available thing that works.0
-
I take ephedrine and caffeine when cutting as it helps with energy and appetite control. I challenge anyone to tell me I'm taking the easy way out, I track everything I eat and I still have to be in a deficit lol it's a tool, like anything else. I don't have a problem with performance enhancing drugs either tbh. If you can drink and smoke I think if you'd like to add extra hormones to your body you should have autonomy over that.3
-
I take ephedrine and caffeine when cutting as it helps with energy and appetite control. I challenge anyone to tell me I'm taking the easy way out, I track everything I eat and I still have to be in a deficit lol it's a tool, like anything else. I don't have a problem with performance enhancing drugs either tbh. If you can drink and smoke I think if you'd like to add extra hormones to your body you should have autonomy over that.
Preaching to the choir here mate. I'm all for SARMS, Clen, Dbol, DMAA, Ephedera, etc. I'd posit the argument that those who don't enhance are looking for excuses to make for why they suck at any given thing.3 -
Gallowmere1984 wrote: »I take ephedrine and caffeine when cutting as it helps with energy and appetite control. I challenge anyone to tell me I'm taking the easy way out, I track everything I eat and I still have to be in a deficit lol it's a tool, like anything else. I don't have a problem with performance enhancing drugs either tbh. If you can drink and smoke I think if you'd like to add extra hormones to your body you should have autonomy over that.
Preaching to the choir here mate. I'm all for SARMS, Clen, Dbol, DMAA, Ephedera, etc. I'd posit the argument that those who don't enhance are looking for excuses to make for why they suck at any given thing.
Agreed. They hold onto that natty card as the ultimate excuse for a *kitten* physique as if enhancing just means you get to sit on your *kitten* and make gains LOL peasants
1 -
Gallowmere1984 wrote: »I take ephedrine and caffeine when cutting as it helps with energy and appetite control. I challenge anyone to tell me I'm taking the easy way out, I track everything I eat and I still have to be in a deficit lol it's a tool, like anything else. I don't have a problem with performance enhancing drugs either tbh. If you can drink and smoke I think if you'd like to add extra hormones to your body you should have autonomy over that.
Preaching to the choir here mate. I'm all for SARMS, Clen, Dbol, DMAA, Ephedera, etc. I'd posit the argument that those who don't enhance are looking for excuses to make for why they suck at any given thing.
Agreed. They hold onto that natty card as the ultimate excuse for a *kitten* physique as if enhancing just means you get to sit on your *kitten* and make gains LOL peasants
Who's they? :huh:0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.6K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 176K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.6K Fitness and Exercise
- 431 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.8K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions