Anonymous wrote:PP here. Been on Phenpro since early June. I'm 44. Very successful and happy with it as I've posted before. No problems except for dry mouth that was really bad for first 10 days and got dramatically better. Also, a decrease in sex drive. But I can handle either for a few months. Nothing major (jitters, etc.) And the appetite suppressant helped me lose the 25 pounds I needed to get well into a "normal" range. (I know that doesn't sound like a lot but i'm really short.) I had been trying for years. Some of it was a willpower problem. Some of it was stress. Some of it was hormonal and age-related. Some of it was definitely misinformation about what foods and when as opposed to just "calorie counting." Some of it... I swear that the more fat cells you have, the louder they scream at you. They take over your brain. I would calorie restrict and feel like I was literally starving even though rationally I knew I wasn't. The phenpro was the best decision I ever made and I am so so so so so so so so happy. My outlook on life is better. My work life is better. My marriage is better. I'm less crabby with the kids. As others have said, it's not a "magic" pill. You still have to start making different decisions about what/when/how you eat. But the phenpro will make it feel possible if you are someone who keeps trying and failing. Also, Dr's Anchor's info is spot on and made a world of difference to me. Yeah that first visit was ... a little unconventional. But there is clearly method to his madness. He probably just gets sick of saying the same things every day all day. LOL

Anyway, thought I'd weigh in as I'm nearing the end of my first supply of phenpro. I too have been worried about what will happen when the supply runs out. I look pretty good and went back to exercising a few weeks ago. For the last several years I kept injuring myself every time I went to the gym. Now I'm going and not hurting myself and ALSO actually enjoying it. Funny how losing some of the fat has changed my attitude/drive to work out. But it truly has. But if I'm honest, I still have some additional weight that I would LIKE to lose. Great to be a size 6 instead of a size 12. But hey, my thighs are still out of proportion chubby. And my arms are really flabby. Wish I could point a vacuum at a couple of areas and suck up the fat and flab and loose skin but honestly, I look so much better than where I was just in June. Have no idea if Dr anchors would give me another supply to help me transition or lose a little bit more since I am definitely no longer "overweight."

Anyway, so here's my story if you want to hear it. I've started to try to transition myself away from the extremely strict rules I set on myself to LOSE the weight and trying to figure out how much of a more normal approach that includes foods I enjoy I can do and still MAINTAIN the weight loss. Also, I just spent 2 weeks on vacation.

Yeah. So the vacation. I was with family 24 hours a day. Including a teen daughter who looks at me very closely. I wanted to model good, healthy moderated eating for her. Which meant eating more and including things like some amount of bread and pasta that I had been avoiding. (Hard to do as a vegetarian family!!!) I also enjoyed some margaritas. I ate some breakfast (which I had been completely skipping). A few days into the vacation, I realized there was no real point in taking the phenpro since I was eating. I quit it cold turkey.

I was impressed that even after just 2 months of establishing new habits, the benefits stayed with me! I was eating more than I had while on phenpro but still less in overall amount (and mostly better choices) even without the appetite suppressant help. I feel like... i have RESET my appetite control switch. I could easily stop eating after a "normal" amount. I didn't go hungry. I didn't say no to a number of things because I wanted them. But neither did I go overboard. I felt.... just normal again. Actually better than normal since I was even indulging some cravings. I also started hot yoga b/c it looked fun and why not. And I love it and it feels great and my arms already look way more toned and I feel stronger than I have in a long time. I didn't have a scale on vacation so I had no idea what the actual impact was that I was having on my body. After all this? I get home and I still lost a little over one pound on vacation. Even with what I thought were many "indulgences." Relieved to say the least. I really think phenpro gave me the freedom to do a hard re-start on my habits and my attitude towards food and my own natural ability to consume a "normal" amount of calories. It pulled me back from what seemed like a continuous increase in consumption.

So I've just returned to my normal life and I went back on the phenpro but b/c I had been off it, I decided to start with just 1/2 a dose again, which is how the Dr has you start initially. Well... that seems good enough. So I've been doing that all week. And I don't think I will be going back to full doses for these final few weeks. It's enough to give me a backstop and help me return to a more disciplined non-vacation eating pattern, but not enough to kill my appetite so completely that I could go all day without eating. Because I am hoping to not have to be taking pills everyday. I am hoping I can lose just a little more and then maintain "on my own." And... I just wanted to tell you that I, for one, feel like it's all going to be ok. That is IS possible. And I definitely wouldn't have said that to you 2 weeks. How I was going to maintain the weight loss was my obsessive concern. Obviously, I have no idea if this will last. Obviously, all of us are different and it doesn't mean you will have the same experience as I just had. But I just wanted to reach out and give you virtual hugs and some comfort as you think about life without phenpro. Much love to you all!

Anonymous wrote:I'd also love to hear from the PP who is at goal and still going to Anchors.

I started in April and I'm down 19 pounds. Slow going, but it's been a hectic summer and I'm really happy with my progress. I've cleaned up my eating a lot, started exercising and walking a lot, and am feeling a lot better.

I still need to lose 12 pounds to be at a normal BMI and then probably another 10 to be back to my pre-two children normal. So down 19 pounds in 5 months and 22 left to go. But was wondering if he'll still proscribe at my next appointment.

The meds have really helped me a lot.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you really think that a pill that causes you to lose weight could be safe? I can't believe that anyone would risk their health taking this drug. Why not just do Meth?

Such conflation. The medication doesn't make you lose weight. It decreases your appetite and cravings that allow you to reduce food intake. It's all still within your control, you can stop at any time without negative side effects (except feeling hunger and cravings) and you definitely get no 'high' from it. It's not much different than taking medication for depression. Both medications address brain issues, can only be obtained while under the care of a doctor and are legal. If you can't see the difference between that and meth, no one can help you.

Thanks doc. Do you also lack the willpower to lose weight by eating healthy and exercising?

You must be one of those people who think those suffering from depression simply need to 'choose to be happy' and people with anxiety should 'just relax' - get more exercise and eat better. Those who have compulsions should just stop thinking about their object of compulsion. Do I have that right? Difficulty regulating appetite and eating no different than depression and anxiety. For many people, 'willpower' isn't sufficient. Their brains are different and medication helps.

How does the decision someone makes about their personal health impact you? Why do you care?

BTW you should get mediation to help you with your compulsion to post on threads where you have nothing to offer.

You are wrong. Anxiety and depression aren't even close to being the same as weight loss. This isn't rocket science. This is how you do it: 1. Don't eat junk food, 2. Don't eat a ton of food, 3. Exercise regularly.

You don't have to kill yourself in the gym and if you burn enough calories, you can probably even pig out a couple times a week. This plan will work for you. Have you ever seen a fat soldier?

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

You are wrong. Anxiety and depression aren't even close to being the same as weight loss. This isn't rocket science. This is how you do it: 1. Don't eat junk food, 2. Don't eat a ton of food, 3. Exercise regularly.

You don't have to kill yourself in the gym and if you burn enough calories, you can probably even pig out a couple times a week. This plan will work for you. Have you ever seen a fat soldier?

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you really think that a pill that causes you to lose weight could be safe? I can't believe that anyone would risk their health taking this drug. Why not just do Meth?

Such conflation. The medication doesn't make you lose weight. It decreases your appetite and cravings that allow you to reduce food intake. It's all still within your control, you can stop at any time without negative side effects (except feeling hunger and cravings) and you definitely get no 'high' from it. It's not much different than taking medication for depression. Both medications address brain issues, can only be obtained while under the care of a doctor and are legal. If you can't see the difference between that and meth, no one can help you.

Thanks doc. Do you also lack the willpower to lose weight by eating healthy and exercising?

You must be one of those people who think those suffering from depression simply need to 'choose to be happy' and people with anxiety should 'just relax' - get more exercise and eat better. Those who have compulsions should just stop thinking about their object of compulsion. Do I have that right? Difficulty regulating appetite and eating no different than depression and anxiety. For many people, 'willpower' isn't sufficient. Their brains are different and medication helps.

How does the decision someone makes about their personal health impact you? Why do you care?

BTW you should get mediation to help you with your compulsion to post on threads where you have nothing to offer.

Anonymous wrote:I have lost about 45 pounds since March. Weight loss slowed down but the meds still keep cravings at bay. For my part, I like Dr Anchors, his schpeil and his quirkiness. I agree that the 10 rules really are the most important part. The meds get you over the hump and gave me initial success that I have built upon. Every time I go back to see him I learn something else - he has a packet of new articles that are science and research-based that I appreciate.

For me working with him is now more about accountability and knowledge than medication. I'm at my goal weight and don't want to lose more. I want to keep it up and reinforce the lifestyle changes.

Anonymous wrote:I have lost about 45 pounds since March. Weight loss slowed down but the meds still keep cravings at bay. For my part, I like Dr Anchors, his schpeil and his quirkiness. I agree that the 10 rules really are the most important part. The meds get you over the hump and gave me initial success that I have built upon. Every time I go back to see him I learn something else - he has a packet of new articles that are science and research-based that I appreciate.

For me working with him is now more about accountability and knowledge than medication. I'm at my goal weight and don't want to lose more. I want to keep it up and reinforce the lifestyle changes.