Diet Pills vs Obesity

Everyone on her says that you shouldn't take diet pills but which is worse - taking diet pills or being obese?   If I take the pills at least I lose weight.   If I don't I can't lose weight no matter what I do.   So if I take the pills for 6 months and lose the weight at least by that time I will have new eating habits (good versus bad) and will have lost the 50 lbs I need to lose.  

So which is the lesser of the two evils??

Being obese. You can change your habits, exercise, and lose weight.

With diet pills, you can't bring yourself back to life if it kills you. I'm pretty sure that you're doing something wrong that you can't lose weight. I was one of those people who also thought I just couldn't lose weight, so, unless you have a medical problem, you're going to have to fix your habits.

Also, if you do indeed lose weight and don't have any reprocussions, your weight will come back since you won't have the pills to depend on. Either way, there is no quick fix. :)

Well ok then.   Obesity it is.  Since I have gained 60 lbs in 2 years it will be amazing to see where I am in 5 years from now.    

I'm not sure why you feel you can't lose weight now, without the pills?

If it's an issue of diet, that won't change 6 months from now - in fact, it will be harder to keep off the lost weight because your body, 50lb lighter, will require even less calories.

Keeping off the weight is a lot harder than losing it. Especially if you haven't adjusted your eating habits as you go.

I've never been obese, so I can't imagine how frustrating it is to be so. However, I do understand the feeling that i couldn't do anything about my weight. And I also know that there are a number of people on these forums who have lost several hundred pounds, without the use of pills. One of the mods, sun123 has lost 300 pounds in the past 2 years.

Maybe if you give a little more background (your stats, how much you eat, etc), we could help?

I am a 37 year female.  Single professional.  I started a new job in 2007 and at that point I weighed 130 lbs.  (Never been above this weight my entire life.)   In the 2 years that I have been at this job I have ballooned up to 187.   It is a highly stressful job and when I come home all I want to do is eat and go to sleep.  I don't know anyone who is dieting or exercising.  I have several friends/family members who are over weight - it's just that they aren't interested in doing anything about it.  I have tried several times to diet (since being overweight is new to me) and I stick to it for about 2-3 days and then I give up.  I know if I could see results I would get motivation.   On a typical 'diet day' for me I would have the following:

• oatmeal for breakfast
• snack of fruit or nuts or crackers
• rotisserie chicken, carrots, and salad for lunch
• similar snack again
• maybe cereal for dinner

And drink 2 liters of water a day.  In total I try to keep it around 1500 cals per day.  (obviously i will have a little more than what I listed above - but around 1500 calories)    Then I will have a bad day at work and come home and order a pizza and it's all over with.   This is basically my cycle.   I admit I haven't been very good about exercising but up until about 3 months ago I didn't have a gym in my area.  I do now but just don't have the energy to go most of the time.  Oh - and I have been checked out by my doctor and she found nothing medically wrong.

Well, that's my story.

Sorry but its all about willpower, if you only stick to a diet for 2 or3 days of course you are never going to see results, and you know that.  you have to want to change your life and get healthy. if you cant stick to a diet for more then 3 days a pill isn't really going to help you.

Oh.....willpower.  Why didn't I think of that???  I know that I have no willpower.  Please don't tell me you have to have willpower, or you have to exercise, or you have to eat less......... I think I already know this.  But it is easier said than done.   If diet pills are the only thing that works for me then it is down to either taking diet pills or being obese.  I can't see where one is worse than the other.

How frustrating. I too gained a lot of weight in a short period of time, and was exhausted - never had the energy to exercise, and when I did I felt like that meant I could eat anything I wanted afterwards.

I plugged in your stats, and I think 1500 is exactly how much you should be eating - you just need to be careful that you are measuring properly. Do you have a food scale, so that you can weigh everything?  I would say that cereal isn't the best dinner - but sometimes that's all I feel like, too.

If you are eating 1500, and completely sedentary, you will lose a little more than a half pound a week, so it's going to be important to get some activity into your daily life. Do you have time to go for a walk during the day. Do you take public transporation, and could get off a stop before your regular one?

I know that it's hard to force yourself to go to the gym. I am not a morning person, so I always waited til the evening. Then i get home, and it's late, and I'm hungry, and tired... you get the idea.

Here's what I did - I allowed myself to have a snack (cereal) when I got home, but first I got into my workout gear (otherwise i just wanted to get into my pajamas!) - this forced me to go into my bedroom, where i had hanging up this adorable dress that I used to be able to wear. I'd see it, and remember why I was doing this. It took me about 10 months to lose 30+ lbs, and now the dress fits.

The more I went to the gym, the more I realized how much better I felt (both physcially and mentally) when I worked out. So it got easier and easier to keep going.

Don't give up. It just takes time. And remember why you are doing this.

Also, one day is not the end of the world - even if that one day is pizza. One of the most important things for me to keep in mind was that just because I messed up one day, it did not undo all my hard work.

People get into a f* it mentality - "if I've had one piece of pizza, I might as well just have the pie." But remember that one piece (or two) isn't that bad. You can always undo damage - just don't let the damage overwhelm you.

Hi Gvup

I hear you and feel for you.  But you can do it - by yourself.  Its a matter of reaching the point where you say its about me and not about the stress in my life or how the others in my life live/eat.  I too have a stressful job and for years I ate as a means of dealing with my stress.  Oh not to mention eating for celebrations, family gatherings, etc.  I tried all kinds of weight loss programs.  But I had my ahah moment a few months ago.  I went on a trip with my parents who are both now 70 and very active.  I could barely keep up with them.  Then I came home to find that my blood pressure was up yet again (and it had always been normal even though I was obese for years - at some point it catches up with you).  I knew at that point I could continue on the same path I'd been on or do something about it. 

The first step was addressing how I deal with stress.  I went to a therapist about the stress and feeling so unhappy with my life and fortunately found one that was also a specialist on eating disorders.  Deep inside I knew that I was depressed (I felt many things were out of my control at work as well as my personal life).  All I ever wanted to do was come home and eat then sleep - and I wasn't sleeping well at all.  I went on anti-depressants and continued to see the therapist to resolve my issues around how I deal with stress and overeating.  It was the best investment of money and time I made.  As I learned to change how I react to stress I felt so much better about myself.  She taught me to replace the eating with healthy ways of relieving the stress.  And eventually I was able to get off the anti-depressants and I know feel like I once again have control.  Sometimes its about letting go of things as much as controlling them your way.

The next step was to address my eating habits.  I thought I was eating fairly healthy but being a single mom with a demanding job and constantly doing things with/for the kids I relied on alot of prepared foods or meals out.  So I started reading labels and switching over to cooking our meals more.  Then I found this site and learned so much just from reading the forums and all the tips.  I started using the tools on here.  Everyone around me is still eating what they want.  I've had to use some real will power not to eat those potato chips the kids brought in.  But it gets easier - I'm doing this for me and not for anyone else.  So let them have their potato chips.  If they don't put them away now, I throw them out.  And now they are even starting to get more conscious of what they're eating.

So, don't give up and don't try and go for a quick win.  You have to think of it as a lifestyle change.  It took you two years to gain the weight - you can't expect to lose it over night and even when you lose it you have to have a plan for how you're going to keep it off.  So think of it as a permanent lifestyle change rather than a quick fix.

The tools on here are excellent and the people very helpful.  You can do it.

Good luck.

Original Post by gvup:

Oh.....willpower.  Why didn't I think of that???  I know that I have no willpower.  Please don't tell me you have to have willpower, or you have to exercise, or you have to eat less......... I think I already know this.  But it is easier said than done.   If diet pills are the only thing that works for me then it is down to either taking diet pills or being obese.  I can't see where one is worse than the other.

...I don't understand. If you're so convinced that pills are the answer for you regardless of our advice, why in the world would to ask this question to us, knowing our answer?

You seriously think that these weight pills are going to solve your problems? You have to change your habits. Even people with gastric bypass can gain the weight back if they don't change their habits.

No offense, but you sound kind of lazy. I mean, you don't want to have the will power to eat less, you don't want to excercise...I mean, how do you think people lose weight? It's actually a lot easier to do. GET UP! MOVE! Everyone is busy, but when people really want it, they find the time. Changing your eating habits...it's just figuring out what you want in life. Pills aren't going to change you.

Oh, and about the comment about "Since I have gained 60 lbs in 2 years it will be amazing to see where I am in 5 years from now," how about you take control of it and stop being the victim. YOU gained this weight and only YOU can lose it.

Original Post by jaefuma:

Original Post by gvup:

Oh.....willpower.  Why didn't I think of that???  I know that I have no willpower.  Please don't tell me you have to have willpower, or you have to exercise, or you have to eat less......... I think I already know this.  But it is easier said than done.   If diet pills are the only thing that works for me then it is down to either taking diet pills or being obese.  I can't see where one is worse than the other.

...I don't understand. If you're so convinced that pills are the answer for you regardless of our advice, why in the world would to ask this question to us, knowing our answer?

You seriously think that these weight pills are going to solve your problems? You have to change your habits. Even people with gastric bypass can gain the weight back if they don't change their habits.

No offense, but you sound kind of lazy. I mean, you don't want to have the will power to eat less, you don't want to excercise...I mean, how do you think people lose weight? It's actually a lot easier to do. GET UP! MOVE! Everyone is busy, but when people really want it, they find the time. Changing your eating habits...it's just figuring out what you want in life. Pills aren't going to change you.

Oh, and about the comment about "Since I have gained 60 lbs in 2 years it will be amazing to see where I am in 5 years from now," how about you take control of it and stop being the victim. YOU gained this weight and only YOU can lose it.

 Very true!

Its overwhelming and difficult but when you get to the point where you want it enough, you'll just stick to it even past the minor screw ups.  If you use an easy out like diet pills it won't last and you can screw up your body more.  But then, if you are so insistant upon doing that i'm sure you'll find out for yourself.

I know how it feels though, i had those sort of mini starts many many times.  Basically the same scenario even, i had been at around 130 for a long time, then ballooned up to 185 in about 2 years.  I kept saying i was going to really do it...and three days later i would be stuffing myself with pasta and chili burgers and whatever was convenient.  Finally enough was enough and i'm not sure what clicked but something sure did.  Now its four months later, i'm down almost 35 pounds, and finally a healthy weight again.  I couldn't find time for exercise most days, so i did it all through willpower.  Two things that helped the most though were this site and reading http://www.myjanee.com/livelight/live.htm.&nb sp; I don't know how much either can help you, but i hope you succeed.  Look at yourself and decide if you really do want to lose weight.  If the answer is yes, then it has to happen eventually and better starting now with 60 pounds to lose then later with more.  If you really still want to try pills first then thats years of your life losing and then gaining again and trying to fix up your body that you're wasting.  I hope you find the motivation you need though.  Speaking as someone who could never stick to anything, you CAN do it!

darcy - I really like Janee's Live Light's site - the explanation on how often to weigh helped me a lot.

It wouldn't be "this or that". 

You would be obese AND taking diet pills so your obesity caused set of health issues would pair up with the diet pill caused set of health issues.

Bad double whammy.

Just watch your portions, stay active, and alter your food choices and calorie intake so that you stay full but at a deficit. Works like a charm for mproving your health and saving you money.

If you gain weight suddenly and you have a new and stressful situation in your life, then isn't it logical to assume that the stressful situation is the cause of your problem? There seems to be some copelling evidence that stress, lack of sleep and eating a lot of carbohydrates will cause people to accumulate fat and that attempting to starve themselves only makes things worse in the long run.

I don't think it's helpful to tell people who are struggling with weight problems that it's due to their lack of willpower, their laziness or some other personality flaw.  Personally, I found I was able to lose weight only after dealing with a sleep disorder coupled with a foolish attempt to live on a low fat, high carb diet.  I would suggest that stress reduction therapy, whether it's meditation, counselling or more activity in fresh air, would be much more helpful than diet pills, near starvation eating regimes, or tortuous gym routines.

That's not what she said though. >.< The post clearly said she just wanted diet pills, nothing else. Not how to deal with stress, not that she wasn't sleeping, and when people gave her responses, she pretty much spit on them and said "I can't do it, i don't want to do it. I already know this stuff."

I was personally responding to the fact that she poo-pooed the statement about will power and how it's just "easier said than done." That's not a lack of willpower? I'm sure lots of things go into being overweight/losing weight. Believe me, I'm there and I've seen it. Sleep, stress, food, movement, all of that goes into it. But I just can't respond to a post about "I'm just going to take pills to lost weight," as well as the less than nice responses that sounded a little sarcastic, like she's a kid with a temper tantrum. :/

EDIT: Over the counter pills and perscribed doctor pills are two totally different things. Over the counter pills are just dangerous and the risks out weigh the benifits (to me anyway).

I think a lot of the problem occurs when there's not much else going on in life but pizza, or if there are issues afoot. I'm not saying that's YOUR situation, but that sure as hell was mine. Honestly, I think there were probably a good five, six years where my life was one big disappointing, stressful-yet-oh-so-dull exercise in work, hassels, queues, etc to where happiness really WAS a large pepperoni pizza in front of the TV. And cake, and McDonalds, and fried chicken and basically everything else edible. It's impossible to lose weight or even maintain weight under those conditions, because really the food is secondary to a different issue, but then I'm an admitted, clear cut food addict and severe binger. You may not be.

I'm not sure what to suggest. I personally do NOT think it is necessarily wrong for some people to seek help through medications. Why should it be? I'm a food addict. Why is it wrong for me to ask a doctor for help in curbing that while I get a handle on my mental issues? Would people criticize a smoker for asking a doctor to prescribe something to ease them off nicotine addiction? All I know is that if a behavior is becoming uncontrollable, it's something you struggle with, you keep trying to change but you can't, it's making you unhappy, it's causing you stress, and it might be adversely affecting your health, then you have a right to see a doctor and ask for help-pharmaceutical or otherwise- and no one has a right to say otherwise. Obviously not everyone needs that nor would even be a candidate for it, but some are and should be free to seek it and should not feel bad for doing so.

The point is you can not take diet pills forever, and if you are unable to change your eating habits and find some willpower. there is no point in taking the pills, the weight will just pile back on as soon as you stop taking them. Sorry but there is no quick fix, either develop healthy eating habits or don't. I was not trying to be rude to you, but if you say you can't handle a diet for longer then 3 days, you just are not ready to make the changes needed to lose the weight. I think most here have been in that position, wanting to lose the weight but just are not ready to do whats needed. Then at some point they say enough is enough...

did your dr do any blood work to test your thyroid? its not uncommon for women near 40 to develop hypothyroidism. it totally monkey-wrenched me and i was eating right and exercising on a regular basis. didnt matter...i packed on 40 lbs in a couple of years even doing everything right. just a thought...

Yep - thyroid checked about a year ago.  Came back fine.