Thread: Diet Pills?

You lot know me, I'm a junk food addict and don't much care as for the time being at least I'm lucky enough that my weight is relatively stable even without exersize.

So I'm baffled, a friend of mine confessed this afternoon whilst we were both tucking in to some large chocolate brownies that she takes 'fat burning pills' of a brand I've never even heard of, goes to the gym a couple of times a week and can't understand why she

a- has the runs alot
b- doesnt seem to be losing any weight
c- feels like crap

Seemed strange so I commiserated with her then mooched back to her car with her (she had heavy shopping). You literally couldn't see the back seat footwells for KFC, Burger King and McDonalds wrappers.

I attempted to tactfully point out that she may not be losing weight because of the junk food, to which she claimed it was an occasional treat 8O

Junk food is fatty it will make you put on weight so logically eating it while exersizing will cause you to maintain your weight right? As well as not actually containing much in the way of nutrients.

It was and is my understanding that most 'fat burners' work by not actually burning fat but preventing it being absorbed in to the body after consumption, and an excess of fatty foods will cause point a.

She also when told that I tend to run at least a couple of miles a day (I hate it with a passion but it gets me out of the house and is better for me than a jail term would be!) told me that running isnt good for me and I ought to go spend 30 mins in the gym once a week for the same effect.

Now I know that there are some brands of diet pills which from the experiences of other friends work, if you follow the instructions, if you also have a fairly healthy diet and if you exersize regularly.

You really can't help some people can you?

My OH takes fat burners, but thats cuz she is quite into body building, and like to keep body fat percentage down. However she's also a bit of a food nazi and works out at least 5 times a week...
They are definitly not to be used as a sole means to lose weight. Some work by preventing absorption, others work by increasing metabolism - but you absolutly have to be exercising regularly (i.e. more than once a week!)

You definitly have the right idea! And in terms of weight loss... PROPER weight loss - that is able to be maintained - the old maxim of eat less, do more definitly stands!

See? That just scares me. Fat burning pills...hm. The only ones I've heard of are either actual amphetamines (sold as diet pills) and people wonder why they have trouble, or are the ones that prevent fat from being absorbed - but it has to come out if it goes in. YUK!

Your mate sounds like she's in serious denial, Scubes. I don't think that eating junk food and then trying to say she's on it as a "treat" and taking the pills at the same time is doing her any good at all. Wonder what it's doing to her insides, long-term damage wise?


Junk food is fatty it will make you put on weight so logically eating it while exersizing will cause you to maintain your weight right? As well as not actually containing much in the way of nutrients.


Exactly. There is, in the average McDonald's / Burger whatsit / Unlucky Fried Kitten meal, the normal entire daily calorific intake for a person - and the high percentage of it is fat. Eating that and exercising lots will only serve to burn off the extra calories she's eating.

As for feeling like crap? I'd imagine poor diet , exercising without a healthy diet and taking pills is the combined reason. Stupid girl... :roll:

I eat really healthily, don't drink much any more, but haven't been exercising much (thanks, back , for being so painful!) so haven't lost weight since I put on loads post-stopping smoking ops: I'm fat. But even at my lowest point, I've not considered any stupid diets like Slim Fast, Cambridge Diet or sending off for unknown pills. Yuk.

If she's got the shits, chances are they are fat blockers! They bind onto fat in your food, preventing it from being absorbed and passing it through your gut. Unfortunately if you keep troughing blubbery food, you end up with pale,smelly GREASY stools which slide out of their own accord with little warning!


Your friend is a muppet....and a muppet with skidmarks!

:roll: I really do not get the whole thing about "diets". I know I'm no-one to talk I'm one of those you average girls tut at on the street and call anorexic as I've just always been naturally stick thin, (and just coz we are doesn't make us happy by the way), but to me the term diet or using diet pills etc just expresses to me that someone is after a short term and quick/easy fix . Surely if a person wants to commit to being a healthy target weight they should therefore commit themselves to a lifestyle change to achieve this and maintain it, ie healthy eating, sensible portions and reasonable exercise.

I know the kind of diet I would have to maintain to get up to my target weight and that would involve me sustaining double the average intake of calories every day compared to that of someone "normal" (urghh I hate that word). Thats without even factoring exercise, I tried and found it impossible so finally, 10yrs ago, accepted the fact that i was just born to be a skinny mare.

Diet pills, fad diets.......stuff em all!! If you really want change, commit to a lifestyle in my opinion, if you can't.......live with what you got!

Originally Posted by flygirl

:roll: I really do not get the whole thing about "diets". I know I'm no-one to talk I'm one of those you average girls tut at on the street and call anorexic as I've just always been naturally stick thin, (and just coz we are doesn't make us happy by the way), but to me the term diet or using diet pills etc just expresses to me that someone is after a short term and quick/easy fix . Surely if a person wants to commit to being a healthy target weight they should therefore commit themselves to a lifestyle change to achieve this and maintain it, ie healthy eating, sensible portions and reasonable exercise.

I know the kind of diet I would have to maintain to get up to my target weight and that would involve me sustaining double the average intake of calories every day compared to that of someone "normal" (urghh I hate that word). Thats without even factoring exercise, I tried and found it impossible so finally, 10yrs ago, accepted the fact that i was just born to be a skinny mare.

Diet pills, fad diets.......stuff em all!! If you really want change, commit to a lifestyle in my opinion, if you can't.......live with what you got!

But it does make the rest of us happy to call you a skinny biatch :wink:

Nope I'm glad its not just me, I love my junk food and eat far too much of it but at the same time I exersize so at the moment am toning up when I stop exersizing my weight bounces right back up to the weight I was pre exersize and the weight I'd been since I was 16 and slimmed down from obese and blubbery (the Japanese tried to harpoon me, Greenpeace stepped in and it got a tad messy )

My mate is insane is my honest opinion, shes not 'over' weight, at a guess shes about average build etc and looks fabulous - unlike me in my scruffy holey jeans and ancient baggy t-shirt. At guess when she stops taking the tablets she'll balloon though coz all of a sudden the fat shes losing thanks to having the runs will be sticking....

My main worry though is the tablets shes on aren't ones shes had prescribed and I don't think I've ever seen them advertised or on the shelves in the chemist so god knows what it is shes actually taking. :?

I know what people say about diets etc. I've always struggled with my weight cos quite frankly I love food! I'm usually a size 14 which to me fits my frame and my height. Unfortunately I got pregnant and used it as an excuse to eat what the hell I liked, and carried on afterwards because I was breastfeeding. I put on 3 stone with my first pregnancy, lost 2 stone of it before getting pregnant again, eating lots, put on 4 stone. But, I had problems with my hips and sciatica in my 2nd pregnancy which 9 months later is still affecting me being able to do any strenuous exercise. At the moment I'd say I was 2 1/2 stone overweight.
Whilst I would never consider taking diet pills, 3 weeks ago I started the lighter life diet. I did it to kick start me into getting healthy and eating regular meals without snacking lots inbetween. So far I have lost a stone, only another 2 1/2 to go and then I will stick to a healthy lifestyle and hopefully be able to do some more exercise.

Originally Posted by Mrs_M

I know what people say about diets etc. I've always struggled with my weight cos quite frankly I love food! I'm usually a size 14 which to me fits my frame and my height. Unfortunately I got pregnant and used it as an excuse to eat what the hell I liked, and carried on afterwards because I was breastfeeding. I put on 3 stone with my first pregnancy, lost 2 stone of it before getting pregnant again, eating lots, put on 4 stone. But, I had problems with my hips and sciatica in my 2nd pregnancy which 9 months later is still affecting me being able to do any strenuous exercise. At the moment I'd say I was 2 1/2 stone overweight.
Whilst I would never consider taking diet pills, 3 weeks ago I started the lighter life diet. I did it to kick start me into getting healthy and eating regular meals without snacking lots inbetween. So far I have lost a stone, only another 2 1/2 to go and then I will stick to a healthy lifestyle and hopefully be able to do some more exercise.

I've friends who've done LL - hard work but worth it if you can stick to it! And it is GP monitored usually isnt it?

I'd just like to share with the group that I just read that whilst stuffing a white chocolate and strawberry muffin into my gob.....oh the irony!! :twisted:

scuba, the full programme is GP monitored but they now do a lighter life lite if you've got a bmi of under 30, which I was, just! You can eat 1 "normal" meal a day which is alot easier than doing the full one.
Its hard work but going to be worth it in the end, and has broken my habit of stuffing everything in my mouth whenever the kids have something to eat.
Hubby's not impressed - he's got to pay for all the new clothes I'm going to have to buy!!

Originally Posted by scuba_angel

But it does make the rest of us happy to call you a skinny biatch :wink:

I can't argue with that..........but I am the best of both :twisted: :lol:

and I completely agree with you, if the pills she's taking aren't given with medical monitoring who knows what she could be pumping into her body. The amount of warnings you get about internet medication etc now, you never know what your likely to get with some dodgy companies :?
And now.......... I must attend to a bacon bap with my name written all over it

Hey all

Newbie here so joining in on random thread to make frends hope ya'l dont mind!
Im a PT and diet pills are aload of pants! the maj you have to take with a piny of water thats your appetite supressant right there!
The only way to lose weight is a healthy diet and REGULAR exercise not just a quick walk on a sunday lol

Fat burners are ok as long as ur using them correctly tho!

As for myself i still eat wat i want but i have to work damm hard on tht treadmill! you cant have one without doin the other!

OK channingahujia, now you're spamming...

those 'fat burning pills' basically gets rid of every single millimeter of fat you eat, hense why she is getting the runs. I reckon your mate isn't actually sticking to a diet and is still eating what she likes. Thing with those pills is that you need to be on a very low fat diet, cutting out dairies, defo gluten and most prob wheat. If she isn't doing any of that 1) those pills will just give her the sh*ts 2) she won't lose weight.

What happened to good old fashioned healthy food and moving more? If you have a penchant for fast food and sitting on the sofa then you kind of have to accept the fact that you will never look like Elle McPherson.

However if fitting into a size 8 body con is more important to you then you know you're either going to have to hit a gym, or make broccoli your food of choice!

Diet pills, week long cabbage soup-a-thons, and disgusting maple syrup/cayenne pepper concoctions are a short term fix. At best!

It's not rocket science.

*Now I'm off to make a broccoli salad*

I hate dieting with a passion but unfortunately I have a metabolism that doesn't seem to do anything so put on weight really easily. I am generally a size 12 - 14 but I find that the only way I seem to lose weight is to wait until hubby is on tour! last year I dropped a stone and a half in about 8 weeks when he was away, basically because he isn't here to lead me astray! I was having fruit for breakfast, soup for lunch and soup or salad or weightwatchers meals for dinner, I gave up chocolate, biscuits and crisps and didn't eat anything inbetween meals just drank loads of water or diet coke. Occasionally I allowed myself a square of chocolate if I was craving but that was it and the other thing I did, which I absolutely swear by, is doing the 30 day shred nightly, it only takes 20 minutes a day and it really works!!!

I've lost 12lbs since the start of this pregnancy and that is by eating low sat foods, cutting out dairy and swapping for soya, snacking on fruits, not adding salts to food, cutting out redmeat and pork. Any you know what, I am nearing 1 stone lighter than I was pre-pregnancy, even though I am now the size of a house!

Yes, I've had the odd 'naughty food' but as long as I stick to what I am doing and keep as active as I can during the day, the weight will continue to come off after my bubs is born (i'm hoping).

A slower weight loss is more effective than a quick fix IMO x

Originally Posted by Schuh

What happened to good old fashioned healthy food and moving more? If you have a penchant for fast food and sitting on the sofa then you kind of have to accept the fact that you will never look like Elle McPherson.

However if fitting into a size 8 body con is more important to you then you know you're either going to have to hit a gym, or make broccoli your food of choice!

Diet pills, week long cabbage soup-a-thons, and disgusting maple syrup/cayenne pepper concoctions are a short term fix. At best!

It's not rocket science.

*Now I'm off to make a broccoli salad*

Damn it Schuh, you've killed my dreams of being a 5'2" supermodel!!! I freely admit my lifestyle isn't condusive to being stick thin but as sandramc says I wouldn't suit being that small, according to my Wii fit my ideal weight is 8st 7lbs, well I've been that weight (fluke btw) and it did not look right and didn't last long. Idealy for me I'd like to be around 9 - 9 1/2 stone as it'd make me a nice comfy 12, maybe even a 10 if I was lucky but I'd be able to carry it well and sustain it!

I've been tempted by pills before, these acai berry things etc and they did the square route of F*** all! So that was a nice waste of god knows how much money. No one in my family is stick thin, my sister only got there when she found out her OH was trying to live a double life and they ended up in marriage counselling after less than a year of marriage (afaik) - not that she'd admit it, plus she'd stopped binge drinking every weekend for about 5 months, funnily enough they're back on the regular drinking and she's piling it all back on again ahahahahahahahahaha (sorry evil sister thing).

Go and spam somewhere else 'Wyman'

Ok, I am an expert on Diet pills ... cos I am always on a diet and to be honest have about 7 stone to lose.

I did try some that were recommended by a mate from a shop in London called Thinz. These are herbal, but they have an ingredient in them which acts the same way as amphetamines do. It raises your energy levels, so in theory you are more active, and also acts as an appetite supressant. Yes they worked, and worked well, I lost 3 stone, in 3 months, just by eating smaller meals and doing more... however, and here is the snag. Amphetamines raise the heart rate, and therefore blood pressure, and can therefore cause nasty periods of very high blood pressure, which make you feel sick, feint, and you may even pass out. Secondly and most importantly, it has now been confirmed that this can have the side effect of causing strokes. To this end, GPS have even taken off the prescription weight loss pills based on low dose amphetamines.

Then there's Orlestat... the will power in a capsule. Available over the counter, or from your GP. Yes as someone has said, they work by stopping your intestine from creating the enzime needed to break down fats and absorb them, and as someone else pointed out, what goes in, has to come out. Providing you stick to a VERY low fat diet you'll be fine, but to eat them and fatty foods is a disaster waiting to happen.

There are a million and one reasons why people are overweight, and I'm sorry but to tell someone to eat less and do more isn't going to do any good. We all know what we should do. Some people are emotional eaters, some eat when bored, some don't have the 'full' mechanism working properly to tell them when to stop. Some people put on weight with medical conditions or because of child birth etc. I usually find it's your naturally thin fitties with no kids who can go to the gym when they want, and have the money to do so, who seem to think it's a failing in people if they can't lose weight.

The one thing I've found, is going to a club helps, slimming world, or weight watchers etc. I think going in weekly chunks, and allowing yourself a treat after weigh in, helps to make it less of a chore. I've lost 2.5 stone so far, and I'm working on the rest, but I don't let it run my life. I've tried both the dodgy and the GPS amphetamines (before they were banned) and the orlistat, but to be honest, orlistat only works if you cheat, and if you don't cheat you won't get anything from them, if you do... you will wish you hadn't lol xx