Drugs and weightloss

[miriam]

Does anyone here have experience with losing weight using medication?

I am talking about using phenteramine or didrex or even ritalin to lose weight.

I have been exercising (jogging, weightlifting, etc.) and dieting for years, and the weight simply does not come off.

I am at my wits end. I had four children and lost the weight within a year, but now as I get older, I look like my Grandmothers who never dieted or exercised.

I am five feet one inch and I weight 160 pounds. I am desperate.

[Quirky]

Everything I have read says that weight loss drugs aren't worth it -- too many side effects for too little results.

As you get older your metabolism slows down and it's harder to lose weight - it's just the sad reality.

I would say it's time for some professional help in looking at what you eat and how much you eat - look around for a good registered dietician to help you determine what eating style (NOT diet, but something you can maintain for life) works for you. One way to get healthier and fill up on low-calorie foods is to eat lots and lots and LOTS of vegetables, both raw and cooked.

Also, it would be great to talk to a certified personal trainer as well, to help you retool your exercise regimen. If you've been doing the same thing for years, your body is habituated to it and you won't get results. You need to change around your exercise (and probably up your weights) to challenge your body and shock it into building more muscle.

Granted, it's not the easy way, but it's the more interesting, more challenging, more satisfying, and ultimately more productive way to get to a healthy weight.

ETA: it's also very possible that your body is at its natural weight. Not everyone has a set point of looking like an anorexic model! I would focus on eating a healthy diet and challenging your body with new exercises, and then working on self-love and self-acceptance of your own unique beautiful self no matter what weight you are.

[pamamidwife]

I agree about talking with a personal trainer or nutritionist. Drugs, in my opinion, cause problems like heart failure/stress, high blood pressure, etc. You kind of want to be around to see your kids live.

You sound really distraught. Is there a support group in your area? Have you tried Weight Watchers or something similar?

[miriam]

Thank you for your replies.

I have changed my exercise over the years since jogging hurt my lower back; now I simply walk the dog a little farther. I have also returned to dancing which I used to do; it is discouraging looking in the mirror at myself in leotards though at this size.

As to diet, I eat fresh veggies daily and I have given up eating all red meat, dairy, and wheat.

It is a struggle.

[milk4two]

I have taken diet pills in the past, and it gave me the means to lose enough weight so that I could start exercising and keep losing. I think it's an individual thing, and for most people the possible negative effects outweigh the positive, but I wouldn't dismiss it out of hand if nothing else is working.

[Worldshakerz]

My experience

A couple of years ago I bought some Xenadrine and took if for almost a month. It was horrible. I lost maybe 5 or 7lbs and the whole time I felt like multiplied by 10 and my husband actually threatened to kick me out of the apartment (we weren't married then back in 2000). I was just a complete nut when I was taking that stuff. I stopped taking and felt like complete poop for a week or two and then felt a whole lot better and vowed never to take that stuff again. And Jamie was happy to have the happy me back.