Fat burners.....to use or not to use....

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Aren't most fat burners just caffeine supplements?

No. the ones in question here are Clenbuterol, an asthma drug that happens to have a weight loss side effect that typically ceases after 2 weeks. The other T3 is the thyroid hormone. It's years since I was current on either of those compounds but I recall you have to be very careful with thyroid meds as you can permanently inhibit natural production.

Both of these compounds are prescription only in most (all?) Western countries.

Most specifically markettet fat burners were ephedrine based, generally stacked with caffeine and asprin and as ephedrine became a controlled substance that switched to ephedrine precursers or pseudoephedrine or herbal ephedra etc etc but each became controlled and you don't see them around anymore (legally)

fat burners/meds always seem scary to me.

Well that's just because they aren't something you've explored or spent time with. They're fine. Perfectly safe, very effective. But people are idiots and go and take 10 times the dose and do stupid crap like take them alongside E's and go to a rave and dance for 8 hours until they drop dead - so the powers that be need to enforce restrictions.

Honestly though, for sustained weight control you need a lifestyle change and you don't tend to get that when you use stimulants to fast forward the fat loss. That's my opinion.

I don't think taking that type of "fat burner" is something you should do without consulting your doctor first. I am in no hurry to lose my weight and slow and steady for me is the way to go. I have a very senstive stomach and wouldn't put anything in it that might do damage.

I've used it for comps and it does work, HOWEVER you're' talking about people who are already down to single digit percentages or very low percentages and just getting rid of that last pound or so of fat.
There's no reason for you to take it. Has your thyroid been checked? What's your blood profile? Are you getting enough sleep? There are many reasons why you don't have energy and you need to find out what they are before trying something that may not solve the issue.

A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Thanks for the response. I have had my thyroid checked and it is on the slow side. My doc said that I have borderline hypothyroidism and that I have a stalled out metabolism from getting too busy with 4 kids and forgetting to eat. Which is why she put me on Phentermine. I'm not sure what you mean by my blood profile.... Also, I normally get 8-9 hours of sleep except during finals (doing now) where I end up laying in bed reviewing parts of the body...lol I got 7 hours last night because of this.

I am open to any tips/suggestions on what I can do. I went into the doc yesterday and discussed these meds with her but she didn't say yes or no, or good or bad. She told me that she does not want me to stick to 1200 cals per day anymore, but do two days at 1200, one day at 1500, one day at 1000 (non workout day) and then two at 1200 and finish the week at 1500 before starting over again. That is going to get very confusing and hard to keep track of. I have my goal weight set at 125 right now per what my doc said I should get to (currently at 165.5) but I think I will re-evaluate when I hit 140 as that should put me in a size 4/5.

Blood profile would be your lipids (triglycerides) count and cardic enzymes to name a few. It helps to determine your state of health. Thyroid is responsible for metabolism, so maybe you should see a specialist and see what they recommend.

A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I've used it for comps and it does work, HOWEVER you're' talking about people who are already down to single digit percentages or very low percentages and just getting rid of that last pound or so of fat.
There's no reason for you to take it. Has your thyroid been checked? What's your blood profile? Are you getting enough sleep? There are many reasons why you don't have energy and you need to find out what they are before trying something that may not solve the issue.

A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Thanks for the response. I have had my thyroid checked and it is on the slow side. My doc said that I have borderline hypothyroidism and that I have a stalled out metabolism from getting too busy with 4 kids and forgetting to eat. Which is why she put me on Phentermine. I'm not sure what you mean by my blood profile.... Also, I normally get 8-9 hours of sleep except during finals (doing now) where I end up laying in bed reviewing parts of the body...lol I got 7 hours last night because of this.

I am open to any tips/suggestions on what I can do. I went into the doc yesterday and discussed these meds with her but she didn't say yes or no, or good or bad. She told me that she does not want me to stick to 1200 cals per day anymore, but do two days at 1200, one day at 1500, one day at 1000 (non workout day) and then two at 1200 and finish the week at 1500 before starting over again. That is going to get very confusing and hard to keep track of. I have my goal weight set at 125 right now per what my doc said I should get to (currently at 165.5) but I think I will re-evaluate when I hit 140 as that should put me in a size 4/5.

Blood profile would be your lipids (triglycerides) count and cardic enzymes to name a few. It helps to determine your state of health. Thyroid is responsible for metabolism, so maybe you should see a specialist and see what they recommend.

A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Ah, ok. I had a full blood workup about 6 weeks ago and everything was normal except my thyroid was slow and my cholesterol was a tad high - just over normal range.

If that's the case, then in addition I would like to say 1) see an endocrinologist about the thyroid - sometimes a family dr won't be as apt to jump on an issue til it's big - whereas the endocrinologist may think you are within range to medication before it start effecting moods, body, etc. and 2) Maybe a B Complex vitamin in the morning to help with energy levels especially during testing weeks would help. It supplies you with a little boost, but not caffeine induced or via anything that could effect heart rhythm. Sometimes, especially if our bodies are lacking in one area, other nutrients in our system try to help compensate - this may help with that. Just a suggestion since your other bloodwork came out good

I have started to use Oxyelite Pro, for almost a week now. It's 1(2) pill in the morning before breakfast and if you are comfortable another pill approx 5-6 hours later, on an empty stomach. I have not had any jitteryness like I have in the past on some fat burners like hydroxy cut and it's far less pills than other types that our out there. It's only got about 100 mg of caffeine, which is great for me sense I get uncomfortable on caffeine unless it is before a workout. The pill tends to last a good 3-5 hours, providing energy and sometimes a bit of a euphoric feeling. Negative aspect, i got a slight feeling of anxiety while on it, but it might have been the situation i was dealing with. No nausea and as long as I keep drinking water, no excessive sweating (except when i workout, then i am dripping sweat).

in the one week that i've been taking it, i've lost approx 3 lbs and it would appear to be a little over 1.5 lbs of fat.

I like this thermogenic as i feel it has replaced the energy drinks that i would take before my insanity workouts. less calories and less crap i feel that i am putting in my body. apparently the company usplabs focused on putting natural ingredients in this dietary supplement. Natural as i suppose something of it's design can be.