Diet Pills???

laurasimmons

Does anyone take a diet pill to help curb hunger and give you energy? If so what do you take and would you recommend it?

gym_rat

One of my favorite weight loss quotes goes something like "if you didn't need a pill to get fat, why would you need one to get skinny?"

That being said, I tried hydroxycut back when I was 230lbs and it made me jittery and I felt like my heart was going to explode out of my chest. It did curb my appetite but then again, I felt like I was going to have a heart attack so I don't recommend it!

SHBoss1673

IMHO, diet pills = badness

sorry.

AnnieeR

The most useful thing I ever read about diet pills was that if they did work, it would be HUGE headline news world wide and they would be flying off the shelves of every store.... And there would probably be far fewer people like us on sites like this.... :-/

laurasimmons

All that is true and I knew it. I have lost 60 lbs already and haven't used a pill but I have been stuck here in this place and can't seem to get back on track.

thuelskamp

I tried Slimquick and Metabolife Ultra (separately) for a few weeks. Both gave me heart palpitations on half the recommended dosage. I tried the full dose a couple times but it made me insanely jittery and way too hyper, even though they claim to have the same caffeine content as a cup of coffee. Just stay away from them, it's not worth it.

AKosky585

Back when I was in high school and 50 pounds heavier than I am now, I tried several diet pills. They never really worked, and as soon as I stopped taking them, I gained weight I never even lost. I felt jittery and they didn't even curb my appetite much at all. I wouldn't recommend them. If you are stuck in the same place, try changing up your routine a bit.

I did a huge report/study on diet pills for a class in college a few years back and in interviewing people, there were major health consequences for some of the people. Some had to have heart surgery, and others have to take medication the rest of their life because they messed their heart up so badly from palpatations and racing heart. Others have other organ problems now due to long term use or misuse.

shanerylee

I know how you feel. But you know I have tried diet pills, and fad diets in the past and all that leads to is feeling like crap and gaining your weight back and then some. There are so many long term issues from using fad diets, etc. My mom was a user of phen phen back in the 80's and she is really paying the price heart wise today. Do it right and be patient. Check into how to increase your resistant with your cardio workouts, etc. I heard that if you mix it up a bit, you will get off the plateau. Good luck.

Schula03

Sometimes you just need something to get started. Even if it doesn't work, you mind sometimes thinks it does. Do whatever you need to. I like to just take an array of vitamins, Fish oil pills etc.... Do whatever is best for you!

firepixie

Energy and weight loss doesn't come from a pill, it comes from taking care of yourself. The fact that so many diet pills are taken off the market for causing serious health problem for the people who take them is enough to keep me away from them. They just scare me... even the "herbal" ones.

melder76

just a heads-up on diet pills, i have heard some people having 'crazy thoughts' on hydroxycut.
I know it's difficult to surpress the cravings but the more you walk by the donuts or birthday cake at the office, the easier it gets. really.

as for energy- a lot of reports have said increasing B vitamins help.

chgudnitz

They are bad. A lot of them cause long term damage to your heart and kidneys. There are no reasons why anyone would need to take them at all.

heather33

Theres this website check it out www.healthy-holistic-living.com and I was where you are at and i totally understand! but yeh this has alot of the answers i needed and it also has links you can go to that really help...Good luck and keep in touch..
Heather:)

MariSama44

Try drinking more green tea, or trying the capsules of extract (I'm taking them). It boosts metabolism, inhibits insulun production so sugar doesnt get immediately stored as fat AS MUCH, and plus its a great antioxidant and you could always use more of those. I take one before each meal, and two before dinner if its a big dinner. Feel great. Also, B12 could help too, and if you're not already taking a multivitamin please do invest in it. vitamins can make you feel so much better and get your body working efficiently. I could immediately tell a difference in how I feel after I started taking them.

Edit: I've tried hydroxycut max or whatever. and it didnt do anything for me, exept make me retain water. It also made me feel uncomfortable and took away my energy. there is no magic pill, and frankly I would completely stay away from the "diet" asile at your local grocery store/walmart/target. do the research and pick simple, herbs or vitamins instead of chemicals, if you need any kind of boost. Those pills will ruin your body.

jlbay

I'm embarrassed to admit I tried diet pills about 20 lbs ago out of desperation. You can go to these weight loss clinics here and they will give them to you. It was Phentermine that I took. It is an appetite suppressant. I will say that it worked - sort of. I NEVER thought about food. I didn't ever feel hungry and I forgot to eat. It would be dinner time and I would be about to pass out or snarling at my husband and realize that i hadn't eaten all day. I would have to force myself to eat. No joke, no exaggeration.

However, I felt high-as-a-kite. I was told they are "well tolerated," but I am pretty sensitive to medications in general. My heart raced, I couldn't concentrate and I felt HIGH. I was on the lowest dosage. In the back of my mind, I felt it was not a good idea. I felt bad about taking them, because I worried about what it might/could do to my body. I lost about 3 lbs over a three week period. I was exercising, but I wasn't tracking my food very well, relying on the pills. It didn't make sense to me that I didn't lose more, as I really had no appetite, but perhaps my body went into starvation mode or I was retaining water or ??? Whatever the reason, I never ate, but I didn't really lose a bunch of weight. I only tried it for 3 weeks. I wouldn't take it again, nor would I recommend it. I've had the same or better results with MFP.

LittleSpy

pick simple, herbs or vitamins instead of chemicals, if you need any kind of boost. Those pills will ruin your body.

First let me say I think diet pills are a bad thing.

Secondly, a little pet peeve of mine (sorry) is that so many people seem to be under the impression that just because something is "natural" means it's automatically safe (I'm not implying that you do Mari! I'm just using part of your post as an example of something that could be misinterpreted by someone else -- forgive me!).
So, like Mari says -- do your research, good thorough research, before deciding to use any herbal supplement. Herbs are, afterall, also made of chemicals.

LittleSpy

double post

CasperO

I like to do this way cool little diet pill they sell at Kroger. Comes in a little clear box. Tictac, or something like that.

So I take one of those, and then I ride my bicycle on this fun 14 mile loop thru town. I do that and watch my food intake with MFP and it works like crazy.

Try it! Tictac,,, in the little clear box. :laugh:

08sweek

A lot of the people I see saying things against diet pills have had siginificant weight losses by lifestyle changes alone, for some people even working out and eating right for months can have little to no affect on your body ( I know, I've lost 7 lbs since last June... exercising and eating right the whole time). The best thing to do is talk to your doctor. There are several things out there that can help and are FDA approved. Caffeine helps some people in small doses, for me, it helps keep me away from the Coca Cola, I always think I need, while some people have a hard time with caffeine in any dose.
My best advice is to seek advice from someone with the knowledge (not necessarily just MFP). If you have a doctor who has been very supportive of your decision to lose weight (or perhaps advised it in the first place) they will be able to give you some options.

Carleybby

When I was younger, I was put on Xenical by the doctor.

It cut 1/3 of the fat out of your meal..
It works in the first couple months, but your body gets used to it.

You could talk to your doctor.

LittleSpy

A lot of the people I see saying things against diet pills have had siginificant weight losses by lifestyle changes alone, for some people even working out and eating right for months can have little to no affect on your body ( I know, I've lost 7 lbs since last June... exercising and eating right the whole time).

I may be wrong, but it seems you're suggesting that because many of us are having success with proper diet and exercise, we can't possibly understand the need for a diet pill & that's the reason we're naysaying?

I feel a need to explain that 6 months ago I would've told you absolutely that "I've tried everything and still can't lose weight." I had even tried (what I thought was) proper diet & exercise about 5 years ago (I lost weight & then gained it all back plus 20 pounds). I was kidding myself. I'm going to go out on a limb and say very few people actually have a medical condition that will keep a person severely overweight when they're eating a proper healthy diet and exercising. These conditions do exist, absolutely, but their instances are relatively rare.

Of course, it probably wouldn't hurt to visit your MD if you honestly feel you're doing what you need to do to lose weight. But first, try being honest with yourself and **educating** yourself on a healthy diet of real and quality food. Educate yourself on how to lose weight in a healthy way (your MD can be part of this process if you'd like, but remember MD's aren't necessarily educated on proper nutrition & weight loss strategies). Be honest with yourself about logging and tracking every single bite of food that goes in your mouth. Be honest with yourself about the intensity of your exercise program & the amount of calories you burn. See a registered dietician if you feel you must. Diet pills are 100% unnecessary to achieve healthy weight loss.

I know, I can say all that because I've lost 54 pounds in 5 months, right?
My point is that I would've said (and did say!) I don't understand why I can't lose weight before I started educating myself.

chicynth

I bought some and I have to say that combined with MFP...still not any significant weight loss. I was planning to stop taking them, before this thread appeared.

I can say, however, that I missed taking them one day and weighed the next morning and was down by 4lbs ???? So, I don't know if they actually cause a person to retain water or what...but I'd lost more (seemingly) over night than I had in two weeks.

I do exercise daily and try to stay within my calorie count. I know muscle weighs more than fat but I'm thinking I should see more of a weight loss by now. At any rate, I feel your frustration...I guess we just have to keep on keeping on and the weight will eventually melt off. PS: I also take B-12.

robinsonmsn

I did the diet pills in 2002. I lost 56 pounds great. But the downfall is coming of the pills. (mood swings/anger/frustration). When your on the pills you in this "fairyland experience" and don't really deal with why you put on the weight. I gained about 40 pounds back . So I'm at square one again. Learning how to journal, plan out my meals, exercise regularly etc etc. the best thing I've done is start meditating in the morning and letting go of all the drama from the day before and gotten a few smaller fit friends I go to the gym with. I needed to learn to be around people who had the energy and healthy lifestyle I'm working towards.

kristen4142

I agree with a lot of these posts, diet pills aren't natural, you didn't need them to gain weight and you don't need them to lose weight either. I would look at what you are eating. Even though you can stay under your caloric intake maybe some of the foods you are eating aren't the best energy producers or the most fullfilling? Lots of fruits and vegetables and protien like chicken and fish help meals stay low in calories and makes you feel full. I know my biggest problem is eating to fast and then thinking i'm still hungry because i just inhaled my meal. You feel fuller faster when you sloooowww down! Drink lots of water too while your eating your meal. Hope this helps!

melissaovadare

There are things like drinking green tea, taking fish oil caps, and cinnamon supplements, ect......They can ENHANCE performance and metabolism slightly, but I would never rely on them only.

All the above I have taken on the rec of my physician, and even then I would never suggest anything before you consult a health professional first.......

I agree that pills are a quick fix, and do not help change your lifestyle....once people stop taking the pills, there is no learned behavior, and alot of people gain!

I have abandoned the idea of quick fixes, and I am trying not to say "I'm on a diet" I say "I am changing my lfe" !!!!!!!

Good Luck on your journey, and I hope some of the comments help your decision :laugh:

innerhottie

and just to add...

These "herbal" diet pills are not even regulated by the FDA. If you do a google search you will find that there have been studies that have shown everything from talc to ground up drywall in certain brands.

I took Tri-Chromalean back in the 90's and I could drop 10 lbs. in a week.
I also now have tachycardia, panic attacks and GAD.
I am convinced this is from 10 years of "natural" diet pills.

Oh and I am 100 lbs. heavier than I was at my thinnest.

Nikiki

I know what you mean, it SUCKS to work so hard with little to know results. you did say you could use something to boost energy and Vitamins B & D deficiencies definitely make you tired.
I didnt take vitamins for the longest time because they upset my stomach. I friend told me to try to find "raw" and naturally sourced (from plants) vitamins because they're easier for your body to digest. I just started taking this multivitamin: http://www.thevitamincode.com/Formulas/MultivitaminFormulas/Women/tabid/1312/Default.aspx

I definitely see a difference, its not monumental but I do feel like I have more energy and it doesn't upset my stomach at all (before it was all I could do to keep from throwing the vitamins back up... those were Women's One a Day's I think).
Also you can try drinking green tea, its a diuretic so helps you not retain water & will give you energy & lots of antioxidants, and drinking something will help suppress your appetite & make you feel fuller, faster when you eat. I drink tea with my morning snack (usually an orange or pistachios) and there's a difference for sure.

above all, stay strong & positive!! you are doing great things for your body, you'll get passed this plateau!!

Nikiki

also I just went back to check the site for those vitamins and they have a "perfect weight" formula. Its not so much a diet pill as a diet support, if you read the description they're using B's & chromium & Ashwagandha (an indian herb that works as a diuretic & stimulates the thyroid among other things... google it for more info!) to boost the metabolism and the rest is just there to make sure you're getting the proper nutrition to support the diet & exercise you're doing.

Vallandingham

No such thing. If there was, I would be taking them.

That's not stopping the Diet industry from making more than $1 billion each year on diet products. Diet pills promise quick weight loss, but experts say that's just a big fat lie.

spikess

I've not tried any diet pills, but i did try one week diet plan. and it worked for me, i took two bottles and lost a stone. it's an all natural cleanser, you can't take it and eat whatever you want, if you do that you'll have wasted your money. you need to exercise and eat healthily. it just gives you a kick start by getting rid of the crap in your body.

unfortunately once i lost the weight i started eating giant portions/junk again. so you really have to be good at portion control.

HealthyChanges2010

All that is true and I knew it. I have lost 60 lbs already and haven't used a pill but I have been stuck here in this place and can't seem to get back on track.

Excercise definitely helps curb my hunger, well eating all my cals I actually don't get 'hungry', but if I get cravings I do something physical and that seems to be the key for me! To distract myself with something healthy instead of caving to my craving.