To prevent weight-related health problems, it is not only necessary to lose weight, but you need to keep it off as well. While diets and diet pills may help initially, it is important to find a plan you can stay on over a long period of time. One of the prescription weight-loss pills, Alli, can be taken long term by some, but it may not be the most effective way to manage your weight.
Long-Term Weight Loss
Carrying extra pounds increases your risk of weight-related health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, some forms of cancer, sleep apnea, breathing problems, arthritis and chronic back pain. Following a short-term diet, taking diet pills and other methods may help you to lose weight initially, but as soon as the plan is abandoned the weight often comes right back. Long-term weight loss requires a lifetime of healthy choices including limiting calorie intake, getting regular exercise and accepting that weight management is a lifelong process, says the Office of the Surgeon General. While controlling calorie intake and exercising are key, there are prescription weight loss pills such as Alli that may jump-start your weight-loss efforts.
Alli
Some weight-loss pills work by suppressing your appetite; others, such as Alli, block absorption of some of the fat you eat. Instead of being digested, the fat is eliminated, so your body does not absorb the calories. However, to lose weight, you cannot just take an Alli pill. You must control your calorie intake and, to avoid side effects, you should limit fat consumption to no more than 15 grams of fat at each meal, reports the Alli.com website. If you tend to eat a high-fat or high-calorie diet, you may need to follow a lower-calorie and lower-fat diet for a few days before starting to take Alli. In addition, taking Alli must be combined with regular exercise to burn calories off.
Effectiveness
Taking Alli does not lead to large amounts of weight loss but it can enhance weight loss if you are eating healthy and getting regular exercise. In general, each year that you take Alli, you can expect to lose about five to seven pounds more than you would with diet and exercise alone, notes MayoClinic.com. Taking Alli may decrease the absorption of certain fat-soluble vitamins, and it can cause side effects such as gas; oily anal discharge; diarrhea; more frequent bowel movements or hard-to-control bowel movements, all of which may limit how long you can stay on Alli. Alli can also interact with other medications you may be taking, so it should only be used under a doctor's care.
Considerations
Weight-loss pills such as Alli are intended for use in those who are obese and have a body mass index greater than 30 or have a high risk of weight-related health problems. Once a healthier weight is reached, you may be advised to stop taking Alli. According to the Cleveland Clinic, Alli is not a magic weight-loss pill, and its effectiveness over a long period of time is not known. But what is known is that those who have lost weight taking Alli have also changed their lifestyle. It is also important to identify and deal with any underlying issues that trigger your overeating. Unless those changes are made, you are likely to regain any lost weight as soon as you stop taking Alli. Taking Alli may be helpful initially to get you started while you are making the necessary changes. Then good habits will be in place for when you need to stop taking Alli.
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