New here

johnita36 · 10-24-2009, 09:01 PM

Hi I'm new here, I have taken phentermine in the past and it worked really good I lost quite a bit of weight went off the pill stopped exercising and gained it all back. This time I started using it again in May and I've made sure to make a complete lifestyle change so when I go off the pill this time I won't gain the weight back. I've lost 73 pounds so far and I'm planning to start going off the pill very soon because I'm only 22 pounds away from goal. How long have most of you found phentermine to be affective?

**pigpen065** · 10-25-2009, 12:14 AM

Hi! I posted a welcome in your journal post....but welcome! lol!

You have done an amazing job! I have been on since April and only lost 41 lbs so far, so you are doing great!

You are doing the right thing by making lifestyle changes...that is the only way that we will be able to get off the merry-go-round diets and finally be able to stay where we want to be.

I have been on the phentermine since April, but my dr has me on it for 42 days and off it for 30 days. I find that towards the end of the 42 days, I feel that it is not working as effectively and my loss usually is slowing down by then. I usually do not lose much during my 30 day hiatus, but I also don't gain any back, so I am okay with that. I have made some strong changes this time to my exercise routine, so I am hoping that this hiatus that I am on now will at least let me lose a lb or two.

You will have to be sure to give us all some of your best tips for such great loss. What great motivation for us to see how well you have done!

**susanpesek** · 10-25-2009, 01:39 AM

Hi, Johnita. Glad you are here and that you shared such a great success story with us!

Though I did not do this, my doctor said that many take phentermine for 2 mths, off for one, a bit like Patty's doing)then onto Bontril for 2 months.

It can be especially helpful for one who needs to lose more than 100 pounds. We have several members who have lost well over 100. A standing ovation for those hard workers!

You are wise to go off now and do so slowly. There is, as you know, only ONE way to succeed,and that is by getting aquainted with healthy food we will maintain our consumption of~

johnita36 · 10-25-2009, 04:07 PM

Thank you both for the warm welcome. Patty I find too that the phentermine over time does become much less effective, that's why I do think I should go off of it for a bit and then maybe back on it. I have made sure and stepped up my exercise also and making sure I get to the gym 4 - 5 days a week and then I try to do walking 7 days a week if it's not good weather outside I try to jump on the treadmill and use it for walking. I do think the key for me is going to be to make sure I keep up the exercise and also the portion control as it's been huge for me. I can't do well when I put foods off limits so this time I haven't done that I've allowed myself whatever food I might want as long as it's in moderation and it's really seemed to work. The only thing I do limit is eating out and that's because I find it makes me retain water something awful and I can't stand having to loose the same few pounds over and over so I find I'd rather just do without eating out.

I admit I'm kind of nervous about going off the phentermine, but I keep telling myself I have learned how to have a healthy lifestyle and I know I can do this, so I guess I just have to keep reminding myself of this.

Johnita

**pigpen065** · 10-25-2009, 07:33 PM

I think that you have done awesome! I am like you...I don't diet well...am much better about just counting calories and trying to make healthier choices...salad over hamburger kind of stuff...and I think it is something that I can stick with once I reach my goal.

I am also avoiding eating out...I think it is because most places over season their food that might make you retain the water....and most places I have no clue how they prepare their food and I don't like eating something that I don't know what it is.

You are doing great on your exercise...it has just recently become important to me to exercise...I used to avoid it, but I finally figured out how much better I feel when I exercise. I just started the Slim in 6 program, but have also used the Gazelle, and Wii EA Active and Ab Circle Pro....I kind of like to bounce around on what I do because I have a tendancy to get bored.

If it would make you feel better, when you go off the phen, make sure you keep a food journal to log all your food and drinks and their approximate calorie counts. Sometimes that really helps me stay accountable for what I am eating.

I think that you will do just fine off the phen....it is all about determination and it sounds to me like you have plenty!

johnita36 · 10-26-2009, 02:00 AM

Thanks Patty. I have thought about getting the ab circle pro is it good? I've saw it on tv and wondered how good it would do. I too use the wii active and I really find it's pretty decent and I use the wii fit which isn't hardly as good I don't think. And I have the DDR hottest part 2 for the wii and jump on it sometimes and find it really gets the heart rate up and what I like most about it is you can do it an hour without really realizing you've been exercising. After reading all the stuff here and the post you had made (I think) about zig zagging I'm really wanting to jump around on exercise and get out of doing the same thing every day and see if that helps the weight come off a tiny bit faster because it's really slowed down the less weight I'm having to loose it's just slowed so much.

Johnita

**pigpen065** · 10-26-2009, 12:52 PM

Zig Zagging is a wonderful way to keep the weight loss going...you can use that approach with both exercise and diet (changing your calorie intake daily).

I have not heard of the DDR or the Jump on It...do they require the fit board because I don't have one of those, but I have been thinking about getting it to try the Fit exercises.

I like my Ab Circle Pro...it is pretty good, but not for overall use. It really is just pretty much for the abs, so I use it when I don't feel that I have exercised that area very well that day. Let me tell you that 3-5 minutes on that thing will definately let you know you are on it! Whew! lol! I am glad I got it, though, and would do it again if I had to.

Let me know about those Wii games....I love finding new things to do! lol! I am doing the Slim in 6 program now, but I actually gained back 2 lbs...am hoping that it is muscle gain and it will start falling off here real soon or I may have to rethink this program!

johnita36 · 10-26-2009, 09:01 PM

Hey Patty for the DDR no you don't need the wii fit board it's (Dance Dance Revolution) and it actually comes with it's own dance mat and it's such a great work out. I love it, I used it for about 45 minutes last night and could really feel it this morning. I've started today with the zig zagging on my food and not eating all my "normal" things that I typically have every day and hoping that can jump start my weight loss again. I'm trying to think of ways I can zig zag on the work out, I work out at the gym 4 - 5 days a week and don't really want to change that but I'm thinking of some other things I can add into my home exercise besides just wii fit and wii active and hopefully that can help with the zig zagging on the exercise.

I think I will look into getting the ab circle pro. It sounds like something I could really benefit from.

Johnita