The news reports are saying a case of the "Alli-Oooops" is more likely to happen than not. The package insert reportedly advises people to bring an extra pair of trousers to work and to wear dark clothing. Yiiiiiiii! The drug appears to be a method of policing fat intake for those who have a hard time staying within healthy fat-intake limits. The company's own product research indicates that Alli leaches essential vitamins from the body, therefore you should be taking supplements if you take this drug. I seriously considered taking it until I heard about the body's vitamin loss---not worth it for me. Of course, ask your doc before you venture down the "Alli-way." There might be a simpler, less messy way to go about limiting fat intake and adding exercise to your daily routine. You're worth it! EXPLORE *ALL* POSSIBILITIES! :-)

thanks Linda. No, I don't have any before and after pictures because I'm not 'after' yet, I'm only half way to my target weight. Then there is the every day job of maintaining it. Also, I don't know how to post pictures :~) Mush:"...It takes awhile and lots of patience to discover what causes you problems and what you can eat to stay feeling good..." I vow, truer words were never spoken. My Dr said it took him 40 years to find out what works for him, and he drinks two big glasses of instant breakfast every morning! ( first ingredient? sugar.) I'd be 310 if I tried that. Every body is different. What works for me is to eliminate any kind of sweetener, some protein each time I eat along with some healthy oil because it keeps you satisfied for such a long time in addition to the other health benefits. Everything I eat I want it to be nutrient dense. So that means the most vivid colors I can eat in fruits and veggies, add healthy nuts, avocados, olives. Funny how your tastes really do change, and what used to look good just looks like super glue for the veins now...and doesn't even look like it would taste good. The smell of food was my biggest obstacle. Fried foods, sweet foods, they smelled wonderful. That doesn't bother me too much any more, as long as I'm not past due to eat. Everyone just has to find their own way. Normal people can moderate amounts of not-so-good stuff. I can't. I guess that is an all or nothing kind of personality. My Dr is addicted to exercise so can eat more freely. That just isn't going to happen for me in this life. I hate it, always have, always will. Nasty stuff, exercise. Blaugh!! j

"I'm used to eating ... whole grain bread or my discs...magic pops which are made with wheat...and pasta, and eggs, and cheese and crackers and peanut butter." along with the other foods you are listing is un-healthy eating! ... " Most of the foods you are eating sound bad! I understand you were looking for someone who has tried it and succeeded. I can only report that, although I am cheating, I have stopped buying products or eating meals that contain those foods. Easing my way there, lol. So my intake is way down. It's hard to contemplate but in reality is not all that hard to do. I guess gluten is one of the hardest to give up. Maybe dairy. I also incorporate anti-inflammatory foods in my diet. Once you start thinking this way, you will see all those processed and so-called "healthy" foods as unappealing junk food. The less the better. Of course your favorites are harder to let go of. But there are still yummy foods to eat and you don't have to go hungry as on a low calorie diet. 2000 calories of mother nature is not the same as 2000 calories of man-made junk. Your taste and the cravings do change. It's simple. Fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy lean meats, almond/coconut/flax seed milk, Soy-free Earth Balance for butter (you won't miss it!). Nuts, seeds, berries. Grass-fed beef is supposedly as healthy as fish. I don't drink milk but use one or more of the alternates on cereal and it tastes fine that way. Ick used for things like yoghurt or ice cream, but those are unhealthy processed foods anyway. The coconut ice cream I tried was edible but nothing to look forward to, imo. I have tried brown rice pasta (Joy) and it is a good substitute, better than the old wheat pasta we were supposed to be switching to. I don't know if it is on their plans and is certainly not a great choice if losing weight is your goal. I need to come up with some healthy desserts and snacks, bread alternatives. At least try Dr. Fuhrman's way of looking at things, focusing on high-nutrient foods. His patients also reap the big health benefits but are not specifically told to eliminate certain foods. He tells people to follow "the salad is the main meal". Load it with vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts. You might want to start slowly since your system is sensitive. I wonder if pro and pre-biotics would help straighten things out there. It sounds like you could have a gut imbalance. There are also enzymes for gas that a lot of people say works. I don't think you need to question whether or not it works, although of course it won't "cure" everyone. These aren't your typical infomercials. They are MD's for the most part. JJ is a Ph.D. They all have patient practices. This is now scientifically backed research. I don't think they are lying and the patients are made up stories. They aren't some of those doctors who try to sell their own magical supplements you can't live without either, although they might offer books, diet plans and some food products. This post was edited by snookums2 on Mon, Sep 23, 13 at 17:55

Just remember that meats have NO fiber. Fiber is in veggies and fruits. Seek out whole grains like wheat, oats, barley and brown rice. Make this a 'whole-life' way of eating, not a diet that you get off after a few weeks. It does work.