[LeighHop]

Hey Everyone -

I was hoping we could start a thread actually talking about our general experiences with weight loss and using Phen as part of that. Seems like all of these are about how to get meds, which I can totally appreciate, but I'd love to hear more about how everyone is doing with their program!

A little background on me... I lost 50 pounds about 5 years ago doing a calorie counting/WW thing. I was able to maintain for about a year and a half but since then I've struggled with 10-15 pounds. And I mean STRUGGLED. It dominates my thinking almost every day. I'm tired of it and decided I needed some medical help to take the edge off my obsession. I've got my Phen on order (hopefully through a reputable source) and am anxious to start.

Tell us all about your experiences...

[macmom]

Good idea.

My doc gave me Phen in May I have lost another 16since my initial loss of 20without it. I have not been taking them every day only Monday - Friday. Also if I get too gittery I skip a day. How did you take yours and how soon after you took it in the morning did you eat? Any suggestions on how to speed up the weight loos. I have soo much to lose I would think it would be happening much faster for me. How is it going for you, You lost alot already. Congrats

[Guest]

To speed up your weightloss do this: (I just learned this from another weightloss board)

HIIT= High Intensity Interval Training

Any workout equipment such as treadmill/bike, etc, or track

Run or pump (depending on what you use) as hard and fast as you can for 60-90 seconds, then stop for a few seconds inbetween (or slow to an almost stopping pace). Take a few short breaths & rave it up again the same way.

Repeat this process for 30-60 minutes (however long you can workout).

Two study groups used for this experiment. The high-intensity group lost 3x the amt that the regular workout group did.....which consisted of running/pumping straight thru for 30-60 minutes.

Also, the HIIT group were continued to burn calories for a much longer period of time, w/increased energy levels thru the day.

I've already walked 25 minutes today the old way. Now I'm about to do a HIIT workout for 30 minutes......I'm going to try this for a week.

Anne

[macmom]

Tell me how it works out for you. I think my first step is to get back into my regular routine. I have to build a habit of intentional exercise. When I was younger I was very active but as time passed on and i moved away from my friends I have become a person who works and comes home and that's it. I gained 100lbs missing home and family and freinds becasue I moved to a different country. So after being here for about 5 years I noticed I had no full length mirrors in my apt and I saw a picture of me one day and almost passed out - I didn't even recognize myself. All that time I thought I still looked the same even though I got a lot bigger. Nope totally a differnt person. So for the last 5 years I have been trying to lose it and caught in a cycle of lose some gain more How dreadful. My docotor was right about one thing I don't get that evening binge on this and when in emotional crisis mode i am able to have something small and move on instead of carb overload and sleep. I am going to do my Turbo jam which is an awesome work out. My goal is to be so comfortable exercising again that I can join a gym.

Hope to here from more of you who need support.

[LeighHop]

Hey Macmom!

Great to see your posts today. I can't imagine all of the challenges you've faced with kiddos, being away from home and all of that. I'm a big binger too and that's how I've always delt with stress, anxiety, bordome, you name it.

Have you ever been on the Phen before? This is my first time, but I've read that if you've been on it before, the weight loss is generally slower the next time around because your body develops a tollerance. I'm on the 37.5, so I've been taking half in the morning and half in the afternoon. I'm definitely an evening eater like you so I need to save some Phen to help me through it. I've been doing half at about 6 when I wake up and then I wait at least an hour before I have a banana and low-cal protein shake. I'm probably not being too healthy about this, but on the weekdays I'm trying to stay around 800 calories. So I've been only having one other meal the rest of the day because snacks just don't do it for me. I'll have my other half of the pill between 12 and 2, depending on how hungry I am.

I have been burning about 400 calories exercising every day, which I know is probably not practical for a mom who can't put herself first very often. I am taking the pills every day and plan on doing so until I reach my goal. Then I'm going to take the odd pill when I really need help avoiding a binge.

I read a lot of message boards, so if i hear any good tips for making the Phen work better, I will certainly pass them along.

[LeighHop]

Macmom -

I just read a post of yours on another board. You said you take your Phen with OJ? I've read on two separate boards that something about the acid in citrus can make the Phen less effective. You might want to stop the OJ and see if it makes a difference. I've been cutting down on caffeine, as this is also supposed to make it less effective.

[PedsNurse]

Hi guys! I have heard that caffeine helps and caffeine hurts! I am so confused!

I feel like a week ago the phen suddenly stopped working for me. I'm starving all the time. And I have been doing a fair job working out (hiking, rowing, swimming, walking) and trying to eat right (no more than 1000 calories a day even though I feel like I could eat 3000!)

I could use some support here too! I gained a few pounds on vacation and go again in two weeks (when I wanted to be at 140 - so I want to lose 8 pounds by then and I don't see it happening!!)

Anyway - HI! Congrats to you all on all the incredible weight loss!!!! I'd love to hear more about how you all are kicking butt - maybe it will make me put down the pretzels!

Oh and MacMom - I can related. I was 100 pounds over a healthy wt. when I had my son... my pictures don't look anything like my picture of me in my head. I totally know how weird that feeling is - it's surreal. But I still say that picture in your head is the REAL one - the heavy one is temporary. I'm sure of it! =)

Good night all!

[Guest]

Hey PedsMom -

I'm sorry you've been struggling. And the thing about the caffeine, like just about everything in life you can probably find someone on each side of everything, right? But I am a complete Diet Coke addict so I figure it is good for me to back off anyway. I've been using them as "treats" a couple of times a day where I used to go for a snack and that's been working for me.

Today I'm hungry! And I know exactly why. We had a breakfast buffet this morning. I totalled my calories on fit day and it came to just around 1,200. I think that just allowing myself to eat like that just makes me think too much about food. I'm sure what I'm feeling now is more head hunger than actual physical hunger. It's hard not to let myself get into that "it isn't fair" mode when I realize I had my fun this morning and that means not having anything the rest of the day. But that's one of the big lessons I need to learn. It may not be fair, but it's the way things are.

Hang in there! What kind of phen are you on? If it's the 37.5, have you tried the breaking it in half trick?

[LeighHop]

Ooops... forgot to log in. That post above was from me.

[hotmoma]

I know what everyone says about caffeine as well but like LeighHop, I am a complete Diet Coke Junkie! Some would say it is my "coffee". I don't drink as much as I use to but I still continue to drink it with no side effects. Remeber everyone is different. I also think it helps me with my hunger pangs occasionally. Even though I do drink Diet Coke, I still make sure to consume atleast 80 ozs. of water a day. Keep up the good work everyone!

[PedsNurse]

Hi all!

Thanks for the encouragement!

I was 145 this morning, so that's looking better. Of course, it was 4 am and I got home from work at 1 am, so it could have just been dehydration...? And extreme sleep deprivation. Watch, I'll weigh myself tonight and be 150 again. I know I shouldn't weigh myself so much, but I think I'm obsessed.

I'm glad to see other people doing so well!! I lurk on another board and there are a few women there who are long term phen users (like 10+ years!!!) And they are very healthy and happy. It's interesting to think about. I've never heard of such a thing myself.

Hope you are all well and happy today!!

[Esquire]

Hi Everyone!!!

PedsNurse sorry to hear that you were down. I know you are glad to see that change on the scale though.

Hi LeihHop. I used to drink Diet Coke years ago. I can't stand the taste now. I am a water junkie, even was before phen. At least you can have a no calorie treat & it works for you.

I was getting a little discouraged myself. I don't know if you guys remember but before I began Phen on July 2nd, last Monday, I did the Master Cleanse & lost 15.5 pounds. Once I began eating again (4 days before I started phen) I gained 5 pounds back. I ate ONLY healthy things & mostly veggies. But, what should I expect when I hadn't been eating? Many gain ALL their weight back & more. I refuse to do that.

Anyway, since starting with Phen & exercising last Monday I've lost 5 pounds. But hey, it's the 5 I gained back! I know it's less than I was last Monday, but I expected more, especially with the losses I hear some reporting. I have been eating 5-6 times a day. Low carbs & last week I worked out TWICE a day for 6 days. What can I say? I pray that this week will be better. When I look in the mirror I look FAT! I can't wait to see my body transform. I feel like working out the way I did & eating the way I did I would have lost 5 pounds anyway. When I used to work out & eat like that I saw losses around 5-7 pounds a week for at least 6 weeks. UGH!!!


So sorry to complain so much guys. I feel like I MUST pick up the pace. Oh & yesterday I only took 1/2 of my phen & I did feel hungry after dinner & had a Pria- 110 cal bar an hour later.

Sorry for going on a rant!

[PedsNurse]

Esquire -

I was thinking when you talked about your Cleanse program that I hoped you wouldn't gain back...

I DO think there is something to the whole "water weight" thing. When you don't eat and just drink, i think the fluid shift internally causes weight loss that is absolutely temporary - no matter what you do. Not ALL of your amazing wt. loss, but maybe those 5 pounds. And now you've lost them again????

Come on, girl! You should feel PROUD! =) That's a huge number in a short time - really.

My babe is fussy but I wanted to tell you that I think you rock!!!!!!! And I bet you look a million times better than you think you do - I bet we all do. Aren't we always our own worst critics?

Cheers to you - strong and amazing person!!!!

[Esquire]

Thanks SO much PedsNurse for taking the time to write that, especially with a fussy baby.

I know that I would gain some back since they say you usually gain 1/2 back within the next 2 weeks. I am just trying to stay on track. The Dr. has me on the extra low carb diet for 2 weeks (this is the 2nd) and I can gradually introduce carbs beginning next Monday. I am making great choices, so I thought I would be further along. I guess I can't complain though. At least I am losing.

Another thing, I am using low carb, low sugar, high protein shakes to supplement & get my 6 meals in. Are any of you taking protein shakes & if so which ones? I'm looking for the best meal replacement I can find.

[macmom]

Hi Ladies,
It's good to see so many entries.

This weekend was a mess girls simply a mess. My friend had to be taken out for her birthday and like a crazy woman I took her out and drank. I know I know you shouldn't drink while taking Phen but I didn't take it Saturday and then becasue of the waking up at 4pm on Sunday. so today is my first day beack on and to tell the truth I think it was a good thing. I am not one bit hungry and I am energetic the WORKS! I was a bit worried that I gained weight but turns out I lost 2 pounds. Must have been the dancing- you think?

I hate to say this considering some of you love that diet coke but,,,,, if you are going to have pop it should be the regular. The sweeteners are REALLY bad for you and I don't mean maybe. Mixing them with the nitrates in any common processed food like lunch meat or what have you pizza topings is like ordering up a brain tumor it really is not a good idea. So have the real thing from now on.

Also I too did the master cleanser once upon a time and let me tell you that I lost great on it maybe 20lbs in 11 days and felt terrific but all came back and more. I think it totally messed me up looking back (Hind sight is twenty).

Anyway not that I am any expert but I really do not have any hunger when I take my Phen (full 37.5) in the morning. I have no hunger at all any time during a 24 hour period but again I do skip days. Maybe this keeps it fresh in my system..... why not try skiping a few days and then starting it again to see if it kicks up. My doc. told me that usually people become immuned to it after 3 months and thought maybe I was not having that effect because I do not take it eveyday. So she gave me the extra three month supply but I really need to milk these three months for all it's worth. I saw some people on line who have lost like 110 lbs using this product in like 6 - 8 months- boy would I like to talk to one of them.

Hope everyone has a great day and hope to see your progress tomorrow or the next day. Right now I am Praying really hard on 10 more pounds being gone. We shall see.