My non-PC weight loss advice

[Anonymous]

There are several OPs asking for weight loss advice. Some of my advice is controversial, but it works for me so maybe it will work for someone else...

If you are medically obese, look into a diet pill. I used phentermine and it WORKED! But only do so under close supervision from your dr. A good dr. will have you come in every month to monitor your progress, and will only give you another round of pills if it still appears to be working and you aren't having bad side effects. Phentermine often only works the first time you use it, and only for a few months, so make it count! The effectiveness will slowly taper off, and there is nothing you can do about that. When you reach that point, stop taking it and find a new way to continue losing weight.

Diets are fine. Most of the well-known diet plans will absolutely work if it's the right plan for you. You will find plenty of success stories with any of them. Whether it's WW, Paleo, Slim fast, Jenny Craig, Nutri System, My Fitness Pal. They have all worked for plenty of people. Find the one you can stick with and go for it. People are successful with diets when they find the one that they can stick with - not the one that's The Best. there are pros and cons to each of them. Don't over think it. If you feel like you could never dedicate yourself to tracking calories, but mindlessly drinking a couple of chalky shakes a day seems doable, then Slim fast is a better plan for you than WW.

Some of the above plans are not all that healthy. I know that. But using these short term is healthier than being overweight.

Ignore people who tell you not to follow a plan because it's not a long term solution. Your weight loss plan can be vastly different from your maintenance plan. As long as you are prepared and have a plan for maintenance, you will be fine.

Exercise is more effective for maintenance than it is for weight loss. It is VERY difficult for an overweight person to be successful when trying to overhaul their diet and exercise at the same time. So focus on diet and maybe some light exercise now, and then focus on exercise when you are ready for maintenance.

As clothes get too big for you, just get rid of them! At the very least, remove them from your closet and put them in storage. it's easy to work your way back into your fat clothes without even realizing it.

Weigh yourself every single day. Yes, your weight will fluctuate, but that's exactly why you should weigh every day. You will pick up on the pattern, and will kind of know a fluctuation from a gain. For instance, you might notice that you have a perceived gain if you eat a late dinner, about to start your period, etc. But if the increase lasts more than a few days, you have likely had an actual gain.

Focus on short term goals rather than long term. This helps me SO MUCH! My short term goal is always the next 5 pound mark. Losing 5 pounds is a pretty big accomplishment, so I celebrate and reward myself with a Me Day. I start out my day with a stop at the local convenience store for my favorite junk food splurge, which is a ridiculously gigantic cinnamon roll with maple frosting. I wash that down with a sugary frozen coffee. Total bliss. I know that people say you shouldn't use food as a reward, but I couldn't care less as I'm inhaling that delicious treat! then I head to my favorite shops and buy myself a new outfit. Fast food burger and fries for lunch. The festivities die down as I opt for a light dinner to start getting back on track so that I can quickly reach my next goal and cinnamon roll!

Oh, and those of you who are about to say that all one needs to do to lose weight is eat healthy and exercise - you are not helpful! That's like telling a smoker that all they need to do to become a non-smoker is to stop smoking!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for this. How did you find a doctor who would prescribe phentermine?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are several OPs asking for weight loss advice. Some of my advice is controversial, but it works for me so maybe it will work for someone else...

If you are medically obese, look into a diet pill. I used phentermine and it WORKED! But only do so under close supervision from your dr. A good dr. will have you come in every month to monitor your progress, and will only give you another round of pills if it still appears to be working and you aren't having bad side effects. Phentermine often only works the first time you use it, and only for a few months, so make it count! The effectiveness will slowly taper off, and there is nothing you can do about that. When you reach that point, stop taking it and find a new way to continue losing weight.

Diets are fine. Most of the well-known diet plans will absolutely work if it's the right plan for you. You will find plenty of success stories with any of them. Whether it's WW, Paleo, Slim fast, Jenny Craig, Nutri System, My Fitness Pal. They have all worked for plenty of people. Find the one you can stick with and go for it. People are successful with diets when they find the one that they can stick with - not the one that's The Best. there are pros and cons to each of them. Don't over think it. If you feel like you could never dedicate yourself to tracking calories, but mindlessly drinking a couple of chalky shakes a day seems doable, then Slim fast is a better plan for you than WW.

Some of the above plans are not all that healthy. I know that. But using these short term is healthier than being overweight.

Ignore people who tell you not to follow a plan because it's not a long term solution. Your weight loss plan can be vastly different from your maintenance plan. As long as you are prepared and have a plan for maintenance, you will be fine.

Exercise is more effective for maintenance than it is for weight loss. It is VERY difficult for an overweight person to be successful when trying to overhaul their diet and exercise at the same time. So focus on diet and maybe some light exercise now, and then focus on exercise when you are ready for maintenance.

As clothes get too big for you, just get rid of them! At the very least, remove them from your closet and put them in storage. it's easy to work your way back into your fat clothes without even realizing it.

Weigh yourself every single day. Yes, your weight will fluctuate, but that's exactly why you should weigh every day. You will pick up on the pattern, and will kind of know a fluctuation from a gain. For instance, you might notice that you have a perceived gain if you eat a late dinner, about to start your period, etc. But if the increase lasts more than a few days, you have likely had an actual gain.

Focus on short term goals rather than long term. This helps me SO MUCH! My short term goal is always the next 5 pound mark. Losing 5 pounds is a pretty big accomplishment, so I celebrate and reward myself with a Me Day. I start out my day with a stop at the local convenience store for my favorite junk food splurge, which is a ridiculously gigantic cinnamon roll with maple frosting. I wash that down with a sugary frozen coffee. Total bliss. I know that people say you shouldn't use food as a reward, but I couldn't care less as I'm inhaling that delicious treat! then I head to my favorite shops and buy myself a new outfit. Fast food burger and fries for lunch. The festivities die down as I opt for a light dinner to start getting back on track so that I can quickly reach my next goal and cinnamon roll!

Oh, and those of you who are about to say that all one needs to do to lose weight is eat healthy and exercise - you are not helpful! That's like telling a smoker that all they need to do to become a non-smoker is to stop smoking!

Really sensible advice, PP. (I may be a little skeptical of the Phentermine part but then I've never been morbidly obese...) The best thing to remember is different things work for different people, and the best program for you is the one that WORKS for you! Even super-strict bodybuilders have "cheat" days, and if it doesn't derail your progress or discipline, what's the problem?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for this. How did you find a doctor who would prescribe phentermine?

Op here. I think your best bet is to look for a doctor who claims to focus on weight issues and/or cosmetics/aesthetics. I'm sure some of the medical weight loss clinics use them, but those programs can be pretty pricey.

Also, you should only be prescribes phentermine if your BMI is at least 29, I think.

[Anonymous]

These are some good tips...especially the one about having a maintenance plan. It is easy for people to lose the weight. The hard part is actually keeping it off.

Be wary of the reward binge session. This could trigger some people into a binge that never ends. If works for you...go for it.