If you are not reaching your weight loss goals as quickly as you would like even if following Weight Watchers, you may be thinking about trying diet pills. Many pills are on the market and they all work differently. Some can have some serious side effects and others are just not effective. If you are not reaching the goals you set through Weight Watchers, talk to your group leader, who can review your plan. Since some diet pills can be dangerous, speak with a health care provider before taking them.
Weight Watchers Plan
Weight Watchers works by assigning point values to all foods. In addition, each member is assigned a daily number of points to eat based on age, gender, current weight and level of physical activity. The goal is to eat a wide variety of foods while controlling calorie intake, with the goal of losing about 1 to 2 lbs. per week. The Weight Watchers plan is about developing healthy eating and exercise habits that will last a lifetime so that weight is not only lost but kept off as well. Weight Watchers does not advocate the use of diet pills because they have not been proven to be effective and their side effects are not fully known, says Karen Miller-Kovach of Weight Watchers. A safer and more effective approach is to establish a plan that combines watching calorie intake with regular exercise that can be followed for life.
Diet Pill Effectiveness
Some diet pills work by blocking the absorption of some of the fat you eat while others suppress your appetite. However, weight loss medications are designed for short term in those who are obese or at a high risk of weight-related health problems, reports MayoClinic.com. Diet pills are only effective if they are combined with healthy eating habits and regular exercise. A weight loss drug may help to jump-start your weight loss while on Weight Watchers, but eventually you need to wean yourself off of the pills.
If healthy behavioral changes are not made while taking the diet pill, any weight that was lost will most likely be regained when you stop taking the medication. If your physician thinks you are a candidate for a weight loss drug, one can be prescribed that is safe. Your physician can follow your progress with the goal of eventually just using the Weight Watchers plan to reach your goal weight.
Weight Loss Plateau
You may also consider taking weight loss pills if you hit a weight loss plateau. You may reach a point where despite your best efforts the scale does not move. Plateaus are a common part of all weight loss programs, however, they can usually be pushed through by taking an honest look at the number of calories you are consuming and how much exercise you are doing. As you lose weight, your metabolism slows because a smaller body does not burn as much energy and needs less calories, notes Weight Watchers. A plateau may be a sign that you need to adjust the number of points you are eating or it may be time to change or ramp up your exercise program.
Solution
Fad diets, pills and quick fixes rarely lead to long-term weight management. Those who are successful at losing weight and keeping it off on average burn about 400 calories per day through exercise and consume around 1,400 calories a day, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. They also watched less television, limited intake of fast foods and sweets, and ate a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Since everyone's response to exercise and diet are different, you may find that you need even more exercise to reach your goals and 1,400 calories a day is not the right amount for everyone. Your physician can recommend how many calories you should eat each day. Your Weight Watchers leader can translate that into a daily points allowance and help you determine how many points you need to burn each day through exercise.
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