Phentermine? New Direction?
Ceeceeann
Posts: 25 Member
Anyone used the new direction meal shakes? Or been prescribed Phentermine? I start both tomorrow?
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Replies
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I started on Phentermine two weeks ago. I have Hashi's Hypothyroid and chronic low iron requiring infusions. I lost 40 lbs from Jan to April just by using MFP. Then I hit the dreaded plateau. My Endo dropped my thyroid meds because I lost 40 lbs. That was a mistake! It was too much too soon and I quickly regained 30 lbs back.
Even logging and eating only healthy foods I couldn't get back on track with losing. So she prescribed the Phen. I started out taking half dose. It works too well for me! When I take it, I have trouble getting in 800 -1200 calories. I'm ok eating that much but then I struggle with getting in enough calories. When I don't take it I can't stay under the 1550 that MFP gives me. I walk 30 to 60 min 5 days a week. I'm active when my iron levels are where they should be. It's hard to do what my doctor is telling me.. she wants me to lose 4 lbs per week. While everyone on MFP says this is wrong. Good luck on your journey!1 -
The only caution I have with Phentermine is that it is an appetite control, meaning when you stop taking it your appetite returns full force.
SOME are able to maintain their weight loss but MOST regain their weight because they didn't really learn how to accurately calculate their Calories in vs calories out.
best!9 -
There's a search function at the top of the message board, read some of the phentermine threads ...they don't seem positive at all
Also meal replacement shakes are not a great long term solution ..but if it works to kick start you to developing better habits Then great ...start to think about what real foods you could eat for the calories in your shake
Unfortunately this sounds like a short term fix that relies on huge control and expense to what needs to be a lifelong adjustment to your think8 -
I've used Phentermine. Lost a lot then gained back with extra. Got to admit it helps curve the appetite but you must change your eating habits4
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I think I would be afraid to use it, just looking at the side affects.
TealHearts I too have Hashimoto's, my thyroid has not started working right after MANY years of meds. I can't imagine going off of by generic Synthroid. I do Weight watchers and lost some wt, then wasn't able to lose, was gaining... even though I followed the plan. After going on synthroid, I was able to lose wt and have kept most of it off.
It's not about my hunger anyway....4 -
I started phentermine October 26th and have lost 21 lbs. I cut out sugar, starches, I try to stay under 10 carbs a day, cut out junk food, eat more protein than anything. And tons and tonssss of water. But it makes you not starving so it's easier to make better food choices. I also went from drinking alcohol almost every night to maybe once every 2 weeks. I feel so much better all around. First week was rough with migraines and sweating, the diet dr said it was from withdrawal from caffeine and carbs. But after 2 weeks I felt normal. and I am in a better mood and have more energy.3
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Phentermine doesn't make you lose weight. It helps with appetite but the weight loss is 100% based on you eating right and working out.
There was a study linked the last time someone asked about using it and it was said that for every 200Lbs people lost only an average of 5lbs more per year while on it. So your GP would need to weigh the pros and cons of you using this and there are many cons. Most people tend to gain back too, so i can't say if you should or shouldn't use it, only your GP can really figure out if your medical issues and weight are worth 5lbs extra per year. I decided not to go down this path and instead use MFP and change my lifestyle so that i can maintain weightloss.
Meal replacement shakes are a waste of money unless you don't have teeth. All they do is reduce your calories by making you eat them instead of food. You could just eat less food and you'd have the same outcome only you'll have more money and feel better,
When i first started losing weight i bought a meal replacement shake and i had NO idea what calorie counting was. Then after a month of the shakes and feeling horrible and weak, i got advice from MFP users. They showed me all the meals you could have for the same amount of calories as a shake and I was pretty impressed. I showed them my diary and they suggested i use a protein shake in the mornings and add a banana. Which was around 350 calories. The change was worth the money i saved. During the day i could eat all kinds of food and still lose weight.6 -
DietVanillaCoke wrote: »Phentermine doesn't make you lose weight. It helps with appetite but the weight loss is 100% based on you eating right and working out.
There was a study linked the last time someone asked about using it and it was said that for every 200Lbs people lost only an average of 5lbs more per year while on it. So your GP would need to weigh the pros and cons of you using this and there are many cons. Most people tend to gain back too, so i can't say if you should or shouldn't use it, only your GP can really figure out if your medical issues and weight are worth 5lbs extra per year. I decided not to go down this path and instead use MFP and change my lifestyle so that i can maintain weightloss.
Meal replacement shakes are a waste of money unless you don't have teeth. All they do is reduce your calories by making you eat them instead of food. You could just eat less food and you'd have the same outcome only you'll have more money and feel better,
When i first started losing weight i bought a meal replacement shake and i had NO idea what calorie counting was. Then after a month of the shakes and feeling horrible and weak, i got advice from MFP users. They showed me all the meals you could have for the same amount of calories as a shake and I was pretty impressed. I showed them my diary and they suggested i use a protein shake in the mornings and add a banana. Which was around 350 calories. The change was worth the money i saved. During the day i could eat all kinds of food and still lose weight.
actually weight loss is 100% a caloric deficit. you dont even have to exercise to lose weight.exercise is great for your health. but not needed for weight loss. as for eating right same thing. you dont have to eat right just eat less and you will lose,Im not suggesting eat nothing but junk,as "healthier" foods are better, but you can eat anything in moderation and still lose weight. as long as you are in a deficit thats all thats needed for weight loss.1 -
CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »DietVanillaCoke wrote: »Phentermine doesn't make you lose weight. It helps with appetite but the weight loss is 100% based on you eating right and working out.
There was a study linked the last time someone asked about using it and it was said that for every 200Lbs people lost only an average of 5lbs more per year while on it. So your GP would need to weigh the pros and cons of you using this and there are many cons. Most people tend to gain back too, so i can't say if you should or shouldn't use it, only your GP can really figure out if your medical issues and weight are worth 5lbs extra per year. I decided not to go down this path and instead use MFP and change my lifestyle so that i can maintain weightloss.
Meal replacement shakes are a waste of money unless you don't have teeth. All they do is reduce your calories by making you eat them instead of food. You could just eat less food and you'd have the same outcome only you'll have more money and feel better,
When i first started losing weight i bought a meal replacement shake and i had NO idea what calorie counting was. Then after a month of the shakes and feeling horrible and weak, i got advice from MFP users. They showed me all the meals you could have for the same amount of calories as a shake and I was pretty impressed. I showed them my diary and they suggested i use a protein shake in the mornings and add a banana. Which was around 350 calories. The change was worth the money i saved. During the day i could eat all kinds of food and still lose weight.
actually weight loss is 100% a caloric deficit. you dont even have to exercise to lose weight.exercise is great for your health. but not needed for weight loss. as for eating right same thing. you dont have to eat right just eat less and you will lose,Im not suggesting eat nothing but junk,as "healthier" foods are better, but you can eat anything in moderation and still lose weight. as long as you are in a deficit thats all thats needed for weight loss.
I don't think she is saying weightloss isn't a calorie deficit, love. I read her comment as, eat less move more and you won't need useless drugs.
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CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »DietVanillaCoke wrote: »Phentermine doesn't make you lose weight. It helps with appetite but the weight loss is 100% based on you eating right and working out.
There was a study linked the last time someone asked about using it and it was said that for every 200Lbs people lost only an average of 5lbs more per year while on it. So your GP would need to weigh the pros and cons of you using this and there are many cons. Most people tend to gain back too, so i can't say if you should or shouldn't use it, only your GP can really figure out if your medical issues and weight are worth 5lbs extra per year. I decided not to go down this path and instead use MFP and change my lifestyle so that i can maintain weightloss.
Meal replacement shakes are a waste of money unless you don't have teeth. All they do is reduce your calories by making you eat them instead of food. You could just eat less food and you'd have the same outcome only you'll have more money and feel better,
When i first started losing weight i bought a meal replacement shake and i had NO idea what calorie counting was. Then after a month of the shakes and feeling horrible and weak, i got advice from MFP users. They showed me all the meals you could have for the same amount of calories as a shake and I was pretty impressed. I showed them my diary and they suggested i use a protein shake in the mornings and add a banana. Which was around 350 calories. The change was worth the money i saved. During the day i could eat all kinds of food and still lose weight.
actually weight loss is 100% a caloric deficit. you dont even have to exercise to lose weight.exercise is great for your health. but not needed for weight loss. as for eating right same thing. you don't have to eat right just eat less and you will lose,Im not suggesting eat nothing but junk,as "healthier" foods are better, but you can eat anything in moderation and still lose weight. as long as you are in a deficit thats all thats needed for weight loss.
XD Well yes, I never meant "You must work out or weight loss is impossible!!!" Well i didn't mean for it to sound that way. Maybe i should have said "Even while using "Phentermine" You still need to make an effort in creating a calorie deficit for any change to happen.
Also when i say "eat right", I mean eat correctly, as in eat less, i didn't say eat clean, eat "healthy foods" eat paleo etc. A matter of fact i said "During the day i could eat all kinds of food and still lose weight" Pretty sure i ate a LOT of pizza.
I'm pretty sure OP didn't see this as eat clean, eat only this and work out until you're dead. It's just a basic broad statement which yes is vague but i didn't think it needed to be extremely specific.
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I used something similar to Phentermine a few years ago. Was called something like Phen325. It helped with the hunger but it wasn't worth the amount I had to pay for it. I ended up trying another pill which gave me runny stools and leaking TMI. I lost 16lb on that one but the side effects took over my life so I joined Weight Watchers for a few months and dropped another 20lb. MFP is so far the best out of them all for me. I have support in many groups and I can keep an eye on what I eat and how much I burn with the apps on here. Welcome to MFP.0
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DietVanillaCoke wrote: »CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »DietVanillaCoke wrote: »Phentermine doesn't make you lose weight. It helps with appetite but the weight loss is 100% based on you eating right and working out.
There was a study linked the last time someone asked about using it and it was said that for every 200Lbs people lost only an average of 5lbs more per year while on it. So your GP would need to weigh the pros and cons of you using this and there are many cons. Most people tend to gain back too, so i can't say if you should or shouldn't use it, only your GP can really figure out if your medical issues and weight are worth 5lbs extra per year. I decided not to go down this path and instead use MFP and change my lifestyle so that i can maintain weightloss.
Meal replacement shakes are a waste of money unless you don't have teeth. All they do is reduce your calories by making you eat them instead of food. You could just eat less food and you'd have the same outcome only you'll have more money and feel better,
When i first started losing weight i bought a meal replacement shake and i had NO idea what calorie counting was. Then after a month of the shakes and feeling horrible and weak, i got advice from MFP users. They showed me all the meals you could have for the same amount of calories as a shake and I was pretty impressed. I showed them my diary and they suggested i use a protein shake in the mornings and add a banana. Which was around 350 calories. The change was worth the money i saved. During the day i could eat all kinds of food and still lose weight.
actually weight loss is 100% a caloric deficit. you dont even have to exercise to lose weight.exercise is great for your health. but not needed for weight loss. as for eating right same thing. you don't have to eat right just eat less and you will lose,Im not suggesting eat nothing but junk,as "healthier" foods are better, but you can eat anything in moderation and still lose weight. as long as you are in a deficit thats all thats needed for weight loss.
XD Well yes, I never meant "You must work out or weight loss is impossible!!!" Well i didn't mean for it to sound that way. Maybe i should have said "Even while using "Phentermine" You still need to make an effort in creating a calorie deficit for any change to happen.
Also when i say "eat right", I mean eat correctly, as in eat less, i didn't say eat clean, eat "healthy foods" eat paleo etc. A matter of fact i said "During the day i could eat all kinds of food and still lose weight" Pretty sure i ate a LOT of pizza.
I'm pretty sure OP didn't see this as eat clean, eat only this and work out until you're dead. It's just a basic broad statement which yes is vague but i didn't think it needed to be extremely specific.
some of the newbies though will take eat right as eat healthy. some will see it as you have to cut out x,y,z. but yes even with meds you still have to be in a deficit but a lot of people dont know that. they think the pill is to help lose weight. I knew many women who thought that not so long ago.they werent members here either.so if they can think that weight loss can come from a pill without doing anything then others probably will too.OP may not have seen it this way,but Im sure some newbies might.just trying to help anyone who may come across the thread who may not know this is all.0 -
I am using it right now, have been on it for a few weeks. Seems to be helping decrease my appetite. I know a lot of people have negative things to say about it long term but just do your research and any concerns you may have talk to your doctor about4
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MelonSoda91 wrote: »I used something similar to Phentermine a few years ago. Was called something like Phen325. It helped with the hunger but it wasn't worth the amount I had to pay for it. I ended up trying another pill which gave me runny stools and leaking TMI. I lost 16lb on that one but the side effects took over my life so I joined Weight Watchers for a few months and dropped another 20lb. MFP is so far the best out of them all for me. I have support in many groups and I can keep an eye on what I eat and how much I burn with the apps on here. Welcome to MFP.
Was the leakage orange? There is a thread with some horrifying stories about that stuff. If it's the one I think it is.0 -
I've lost 15 pounds so far and have been following my diet and exercise routine.1
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nutmegoreo wrote: »MelonSoda91 wrote: »I used something similar to Phentermine a few years ago. Was called something like Phen325. It helped with the hunger but it wasn't worth the amount I had to pay for it. I ended up trying another pill which gave me runny stools and leaking TMI. I lost 16lb on that one but the side effects took over my life so I joined Weight Watchers for a few months and dropped another 20lb. MFP is so far the best out of them all for me. I have support in many groups and I can keep an eye on what I eat and how much I burn with the apps on here. Welcome to MFP.
Was the leakage orange? There is a thread with some horrifying stories about that stuff. If it's the one I think it is.
I bet it's Ali0 -
I LOVE phentermine! I feel amazing when I'm on it. Like... "how does my brain not function this way all the time?" I have so much energy, no interest in food, and I'm super-motivated and productive... and I lose weight like crazy. I wish I could feel like this all the time! I think to myself "Is this what 'normal' feels like to some people?" The down side? Every time I cycle-off, I begin to re-gain weight immediately. I've done it probably eight different times over 20+ years. Same thing happened to me with HCG, but without all the positive effects of phentermine. I wonder if Qsymia (adding topiramate with phentermine) would offer the same challenge? I'm going to talk with my doctor to see if I can take Qsymia with Wellbutrin.0
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mhancocktv wrote: »I LOVE phentermine! I feel amazing when I'm on it. Like... "how does my brain not function this way all the time?" I have so much energy, no interest in food, and I'm super-motivated and productive... and I lose weight like crazy. I wish I could feel like this all the time! I think to myself "Is this what 'normal' feels like to some people?" The down side? Every time I cycle-off, I begin to re-gain weight immediately. I've done it probably eight different times over 20+ years. Same thing happened to me with HCG, but without all the positive effects of phentermine. I wonder if Qsymia (adding topiramate with phentermine) would offer the same challenge? I'm going to talk with my doctor to see if I can take Qsymia with Wellbutrin.
The part I bolded: the answer is no, that's what speed feels like to most people. Seriously, it is very similar to amphetamine. As for adding it in with Topamax, it is frequently called Dopamax for a reason.8 -
mhancocktv wrote: »I LOVE phentermine! I feel amazing when I'm on it. Like... "how does my brain not function this way all the time?" I have so much energy, no interest in food, and I'm super-motivated and productive... and I lose weight like crazy. I wish I could feel like this all the time! I think to myself "Is this what 'normal' feels like to some people?" The down side? Every time I cycle-off, I begin to re-gain weight immediately. I've done it probably eight different times over 20+ years. Same thing happened to me with HCG, but without all the positive effects of phentermine. I wonder if Qsymia (adding topiramate with phentermine) would offer the same challenge? I'm going to talk with my doctor to see if I can take Qsymia with Wellbutrin.
youve done it 8 times over 20 years?,yet obviously it didnt work or you wouldnt be here correct? you also said you have boundless energy and no interest in food aka moving more and a caloric deficit. not a healthy one most likely but a deficit none the less.2 -
nutmegoreo wrote: »mhancocktv wrote: »I LOVE phentermine! I feel amazing when I'm on it. Like... "how does my brain not function this way all the time?" I have so much energy, no interest in food, and I'm super-motivated and productive... and I lose weight like crazy. I wish I could feel like this all the time! I think to myself "Is this what 'normal' feels like to some people?" The down side? Every time I cycle-off, I begin to re-gain weight immediately. I've done it probably eight different times over 20+ years. Same thing happened to me with HCG, but without all the positive effects of phentermine. I wonder if Qsymia (adding topiramate with phentermine) would offer the same challenge? I'm going to talk with my doctor to see if I can take Qsymia with Wellbutrin.
The part I bolded: the answer is no, that's what speed feels like to most people. Seriously, it is very similar to amphetamine. As for adding it in with Topamax, it is frequently called Dopamax for a reason.
I'll defend Topomax, since the Dopomax side effects can wear off for some people over time.
However, I am on it for it a legit reason, not some off-label weight loss ish.
Carry on.1 -
GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »nutmegoreo wrote: »mhancocktv wrote: »I LOVE phentermine! I feel amazing when I'm on it. Like... "how does my brain not function this way all the time?" I have so much energy, no interest in food, and I'm super-motivated and productive... and I lose weight like crazy. I wish I could feel like this all the time! I think to myself "Is this what 'normal' feels like to some people?" The down side? Every time I cycle-off, I begin to re-gain weight immediately. I've done it probably eight different times over 20+ years. Same thing happened to me with HCG, but without all the positive effects of phentermine. I wonder if Qsymia (adding topiramate with phentermine) would offer the same challenge? I'm going to talk with my doctor to see if I can take Qsymia with Wellbutrin.
The part I bolded: the answer is no, that's what speed feels like to most people. Seriously, it is very similar to amphetamine. As for adding it in with Topamax, it is frequently called Dopamax for a reason.
I'll defend Topomax, since the Dopomax side effects can wear off for some people over time.
However, I am on it for it a legit reason, not some off-label weight loss ish.
Carry on.
I'm glad the side effects have subsided for you. For some people they don't. I have no issues with legit use, it was the cavalier ongoing use of weight loss pills that was rather shocking.0 -
mhancocktv wrote: »I LOVE phentermine! I feel amazing when I'm on it. Like... "how does my brain not function this way all the time?" I have so much energy, no interest in food, and I'm super-motivated and productive... and I lose weight like crazy. I wish I could feel like this all the time! I think to myself "Is this what 'normal' feels like to some people?" The down side? Every time I cycle-off, I begin to re-gain weight immediately. I've done it probably eight different times over 20+ years. Same thing happened to me with HCG, but without all the positive effects of phentermine. I wonder if Qsymia (adding topiramate with phentermine) would offer the same challenge? I'm going to talk with my doctor to see if I can take Qsymia with Wellbutrin.
If you want the effects of that drug, which you describe above, then more power to you.
If you want to lose weight, then eat at a calorie deficit, stick to it, and you will lose weight. If you want to maintain after weight loss, while losing weight you need to create a long term sustainable eating plan that enables you to learn how to stay within calorie goals to get your desired results.1 -
I started the shakes July 17th of 2015. Due to financial reasons I couldn't afford it and had to stop after 2 months. But I drank them twice daily with a small dinner which would total my calories for the day at about 800. While I was going for those two months I lost 25 lbs.
So fast forward to this year, Last week after an ekg and blood work I started them again. Where I go you have to attend meetings weekly and there I met someone that lost 75 lbs in 6 months. I'm pretty envious and can't wait until I get there. My favorite beverage is the hot chocolate. And sometimes I will get the lemon pudding and add a couple more ounces of water to make it like a drink instead of pudding. Good luck with your journey!1 -
leanjogreen18 wrote: »The only caution I have with Phentermine is that it is an appetite control, meaning when you stop taking it your appetite returns full force.
SOME are able to maintain their weight loss but MOST regain their weight because they didn't really learn how to accurately calculate their Calories in vs calories out.
best!
Fact...most people gain their weight back on because they do not change their habits.
Phentermine will work but unless your behavior changes with food, you'll gain all or more back within a few months.
Good luck.
Frank1 -
Yeah Ive been really focusing on tracking everything and being good with portions so I feel pretty confident in myself that I can stick to it after the pills I think it was that initial jump start I needed.0
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I have been on wellbutrin topamax and vyvanse. I have a dosage that works. Lost 8lbs this month and now I started New Directions because my binge eating is gone and my appetite is surpressed and I wasn't eating right, nor healthy. I needed a start on healthy weight loss, not starvation with occasional m&ms and cereal. Day one of NewDirections was today. It's 7pm and I still have 150 calories left. Not the least bit hungry.0
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WalkingDeadFrank wrote: »
Fact...most people gain their weight back on because they do not change their habits.
Phentermine will work but unless your behavior changes with food, you'll gain all or more back within a few months.
Good luck.
Frank
It gets better...
Since they are rarely getting enough protein or exercising properly, they lose muscle as well as fat on pills like this.
Losing muscle lowers their BMR, which in turn makes it harder to lose more "weight" and even harder to keep the "weight" (fat) off.
When the "weight" returns, they are actually at a higher body fat percentage and usually more unhealthy (metabolically-speaking) than when they started.
It is a vicious cycle.
Same goes for anyone who refuses to exercise to preserve muscle. Use it or lose it.
Walking, jogging and running do not provide enough stimulus to preserve muscle under most circumstances.
All because they want to take a shortcut even when you try to tell them to do otherwise.
There is no quick fix and no magic pill that will do the work for you. Sorry.
Just look at the people who have put weight back on a few years after gastric bypass surgery:
Weight gain after gastric bypass surgery occurs in about half of all patients within 2 years. [1]
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/195543820 -
Anyone used the new direction meal shakes? Or been prescribed Phentermine? I start both tomorrow?
How is the program going for you? Today is day one and I'm nervous!
I went from 330 to 200 and now I'm back up to 264. My doctor want to revise my gastric banding to a gastric bypass, but I've decided to "retrain" on how to eat before going that drastic route. Today is my first day and so far I'm not digging the vanilla shake, but I'm going to stick with it.0 -
Anyone used the new direction meal shakes? Or been prescribed Phentermine? I start both tomorrow?
How have you been doing on New Direction?
I started New Direction today and I'm not a big fan of weight loss shakes. What I like about this program is the shakes are a tool to "reset" your way of eating. My doctor's office has a six month program to assist you in getting back to making your own meals once you are ready!
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