I'm a stay at home mum to one boy and several dogs. In the past, I've owned horses, lived on a boa...
I'm a stay at home mum to one boy and several dogs. In the past, I've owned horses, lived on a boat, ridden a motorcycle, worked in various Royal Palaces and enjoyed life! I'd love to hear from anyone who wants to come by and say hello. :-)
Member since:20.01.2006
Reviews:4
There is no doubt that users of Xenical have experienced mixed results. It is my opinion that those who don't experience success with it, are not following the guidelines properly. There are no shortcuts - and if you're experiencing side effects (other than in your first few days) then you're doing it wrong. Personally, I lost 21 lb in my first four weeks and have now lost two and a half stones - and I'm still working on it!
Xenical is available from Boots the Chemist, but at an exorbitant price. I have heard that it can average out at £1 per capsule, which is pretty hair-raising.
When you approach your GP for a prescription, he/she is likely to request some evidence of your dedication to the cause and, irritatingly, ask you to demonstrate some weight loss before they are prepared to prescribe.
The usual prescription from your GP consists of one box of 120mg capsules, 84 in a box, 21 to a sheet, set out in strips of 3 x 7. The sheets are perforated, so it is easy for you to take off a day's supply, without having to cart a biggish box around with you. They are very easy to take, as the capsule form slides down without a fight.
The box has a
clear plastic wrap-around, which gives details of the Xenical (MAP) helpline. This helpline is open 7 days a week and is available to you for support in moments of weakness, to answer questions and give advice. The people on the other end of the phone are sympathetic and approachable - and don't give the impression that they're pushed for time, so will you please just get on with it and go away. *chuckle* I found it was great to know you had that resource to call on, if necessary. The wraparound also gives details of the website, www.xenicalmap.co.uk .
I would recommend anybody to try this product, as you never know whether it is going to be the one for you, the one that makes all the difference. I was basically at my wit's end as to know what to do regarding my weight. Because one never gets the opportunity to really talk to one's GP in the ten minute time slot that's usually available per appointment, I wrote her a letter setting out my situation. Many good things have come from this - and Xenical is one of them.
I started off taking three tablets a day, one before each meal. I now take just one, before my evening meal, as I have been able to establish virtually fat free breakfasts/lunches.
It is important to understand how Xenical works, otherwise some of the advice that comes with it doesn't make a great deal of sense. It basically works by inhibiting the body's ability to absorb fat from food. 70% of the fat contained in a meal will be absorbed, as the body needs fat in order to maintain good health. However, 30% of the fat contained in a meal will be rejected. As mentioned in other reviews, this rejection takes the form of fatty stools - and if you have taken in a high-fat product, then yes, you can expect some fairly shocking results as the body ejects a stream of bright orange coloured oil. Breaking wind during this time is very definitely not recommended - and if your muscle control isn't great, you will very definitely need to make use of some panty liners as the oil can tend to "creep" and seep out in fairly disgusting fashion. White trousers are not recommended! However - and this is the whole point of the thing - other than the first two or three days, you need not experience these side effects, as the control is entirely in your hands. I've found that the mere threat of the side effects is enough to keep me on the straight and narrow.
It really is a simple matter of not eating high fat products.
With today's trend towards food packaging giving in depth detail as to the contents of products, it is a simple - if time-consuming - matter to reject anything containing more than 5g of fat in any 100g, or in other words, 5% fat. I quickly found that I got used to the fat contents of foods and instead of my shopping taking two hours because I was reading all the labels, I only needed to occasionally check the labelling.
Xenical recommend you take in between 40-50g of fat a day, which gives you a ration of 10-15g per meal, or if you prefer, you can eat a no-fat breakfast, a no-fat lunch and then blow the lot on a low-fat Pizza in the evening. It really is up to you.
I found that making home-made foods helped, as ridiculously high levels of fat are hiding in everyday food - like bread. I now make my own which contains only 1g of fat per loaf.
Xenical also make three very important recommendations, firstly that you make sure to drink your two litres of water per day in order to maintain your body's hydration. It is often the case that folks finding it hard to lose weight are, in fact, dehydrated and the body is hanging on to whatever it can in order to try and offset the lack of fluids. It is also the case that folk suffering with fluid retention will find that the body releases stored water when it is receiving enough fresh water each day. So, taking in your two litres can actually "flush out" that stored water that's keeping you heavy.
Secondly, they recommend that you increase your activity levels. This doesn't mean that you need to don the lycra and get out there running! If all you normally do is walk between the sitting room and the kitchen, they recommend that you start small and do things like instead of gathering together things that need to go upstairs, you take each thing individually and so gain more exercise by more trips up the stairs! I started by just walking to the end of my garden and back once a day. Now, I can walk the dog for more than an hour. A year ago, this would have been impossible. Anything more than you are doing now, is an improvement.
Thirdly, they recommend that if you must snack between meals (and we all do!), then make it fat-free snacking. Fruit (both fresh & dried), salads, rice cakes, oat cakes - there are all sorts of choices. The reason for this, is that the Xenical only works for a specific space of time after you have taken it. Hence, some two hours later when you're considering some chocolate, its no good weaving it into your fat ration for the day, as the Xenical won't be active by then.
Where the support structure is concerned, I would recommend that folks get involved with the Xenical Forums (details given in the Welcome Pack that comes after your first prescription). The Forums are full of people just like yourself and pooling experience is worth its weight in gold. You will also have a phone call from time to time from the MAP (Xenical) nurses, who will be able to talk you through any difficulties you might be experiencing and offer some practical suggestions. As you go through your first few months, you will receive some little freebies from MAP - such as a tape measure (which really made me laugh - I mean, subtle or what? *chuckle*), a progress diary (which also contains tips and hints), a book which gives nutritional values for everyday foods and, most usefully, a step counter (pedometer). So as you can see, its really much more than just a "diet pill".
Approached sensibly, I cannot see how anyone could fail to gain results - and quite startling results in many cases - through making use of this product.
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Great review...can I have your bread recipe :)
I have been on the tablkets for a week and I think I can see a difference in the mirror but the scales don't seem toshow anything. I am drinking water and being really really low fat..coz of the side effects but I guess a week isn't long enough to assess...I will keep watching!
x
Rach01484 29.07.2008 12:12
Ive been on these 4 7 week but only lost 2 n a half pound :-( xx
Advantages: It is usually a successful way of losing weight Disadvantages: It requires a lot of self control unless you want to suffer the consequences!
junkboxjules 10.02.2003 (03.01.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Xenical
Advantages: Steady, safe weight loss. No side effects if used properly. Disadvantages: Loose stools and wind (but only if you don't follow the advice given).
EliseNT 03.12.2006 (03.12.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Xenical
Advantages: Losing weight is easy and you don't have to give up your favourite foods, great support offered, lots of local meetings during the day and eveing Disadvantages: Weekly fee can make it an expensive way to lose weight
junkboxjules 18.12.2003 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Weight Watchers
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Apr 30th, 2007
(May 3rd, 2007)
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