Pacemakers and Diet Pills?

My doctor recommended that I lose some weight to help my heart out so I have joined the gym and have already lost ten pounds.

The problem is that I have hit a plateau and can't seem to lose anymore. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a weight loss pill that they have tried that has worked?

I don't want something that I will have to take forever, just something that will jump start the weight loss again. I'm also worried about certain pills that make you're heart race, which I clearly need to avoid.

Has anyone talked to their doctor about weight loss pills on the market like Hydroxycut? Is weight lose pills a good option for me or should I stick with just exercise and a healthy diet?

8 Comments

PM and diet pills

by thomast - 2008-10-09 05:10:01

I don't think anyone with a heart condition should be using diet pills. Weight is simply a result of calories in versus calories out. If you take in more than you expend, you will gain weight. if you take in less than you expend, you will lose weight. Most everything else is just a con game.

Vitamins?

by PattiAnn237 - 2008-10-09 06:10:27

I agree that its not a good idea for people with heart conditions to take diet pills. Especially because they are not regulated and could be dangerous. However, I do know that sometimes you hit a plateau because your body suddenly starts holding on to all the fat that it already has. That can happen for several reasons. Do you take vitamins? Sometimes your body is lacking in a vitiman or mineral that it needs. Drink enough water? Do you maybe work out too hard? There are lots of reasons why the body holds on to weight. Dr Oz's book, You On a Diet, explains it really well. Good luck and take care!

just say no

by Tracey_E - 2008-10-09 08:10:58

Most diet pills have stimulants to keep you from getting hungry. Not good for heart patients! And most weight lost with them comes right back when you stop taking it so you're better off in the long run just eating right and exercising.

Plateau's happen. Just keep doing what you're doing and I'm sure you'll start losing again! How much have you lost? It may be that you need to cut back calories again. If you've lost a significant amount, your body won't need as many calories to get through the day as it did when you weighed more.

If you're considering alli, go look up the side effects. Scary.

My suggestion...

by turboz24 - 2008-10-09 09:10:29

If you don't already do these things, here is my suggestions...

1. Do you eat 5-6 times a day? 5-6 small meals (in my case big meals) helps you keep up your metabolism. If you arn't lifting weights a lot, maybe 200-300 calories every 2-3 hrs. I have to do this to keep myself from dropping weight, so..

2. Change up your routine some. If you use a treadmill (run or walk), swap to a cycle or an eliptical. If you lift weights, swap around the routine, change out one movement for another that works the same muscle group.

3. are you sleeping enough? You really need to sleep 7+ hrs a day.

4. Is strength training enough of your workout routine? Building muscle helps you burn that fat. I'm around 200 lbs and 10% or so body fat. I go through 4400 calories a day (I cut on weekends when I don't lift weights). I origionally wanted to hold around 6-8% body fat, but my ID sticks up bad now.....

5. Do you have the right mix of carbs/protein/fat? I eat around a 40/40/20 mix by calories, not by weight. That's why diets really don't work, each person is going to need their own mix. Some people gain weight really fast on carbs, some people eat them up and loose weight. You have to find what works for me. I gobble up proteins, if I slack off on my protein I loose muscle fast, so I have to keep my protein intake pretty high.

I feel that any diet pill, even if it works is a short term fix that isn't worth it. I know several people who just take pills and don't workout, but you can't do that for a long term plan. You simply have to find the mix of nutrition that you need, the right amount of exercise and absolutely stick to it.

I should add..

by turboz24 - 2008-10-09 10:10:52

You can also do burst training for cardio. If you can't sustain a high speed on the treadmill, walk at a quick pace, then run as fast as you can for a couple of minutes, then slow back down to a walk, and repeat when you cool down enough.

When I ran on the treadmill, I'd do 4.5 mph, then burst to 10 mph for 2 minutes, slow back down to 4-4.5 mph, then go again. It really helps keep your activity high, without making you sick........

I recommend Weight Watchers

by BatteryOperated - 2008-10-09 11:10:23

It's the only thing that works for me. I join on-line and count points using their point counter. Exercising just increases my appetite so I end up eating more. Exercising is good for you but it's not enough. My sister lost a bunch of weight by joining myfooddiary.com. You could check that out too.

Appetite...

by turboz24 - 2008-10-10 12:10:38

Warning... no one take this the wrong way, but....


I have a hard time understanding why people can't control their appetite, because I've always been able to control what/when I eat. It's easy for me to override my hunger and I'm probably hungry most of the time and I eat plenty.

I can understand the psycological issues with eating (some people eat to feel better, etc), but just hunger, nope.

ref: appetite

by Y2Hood - 2018-03-28 11:46:25

Boredom eating is a major issue. Especially if you have a dull desk job with lulls in work.

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My pacemaker has ultimately saved mine and my unborn child’s life for which I am thankful.