Do products like Metabolife work?

[MonkeyK]

I've been slowly gaining weight over the past several years and am now about 30lbs heavier than I should be. With full time work, part time school and a brand new baby, I can't seem to find time to work out.

What do people here think about diet pills? Anyone used them?

 

[Mutilator]

I see a couple dozen "Go on the Atkins diet" responses in your future.

Think about it... if those products do work while you're on them what happens when you stop? The weight usually comes back. The best way to lose weight and keep it off is to change what you eat permanently.

 

[StageLeft]

With full time work, part time school and a brand new baby, I can't seem to find time to work out.

That's because you don't care enough. If I said metabolife did work are you going to go on it for the rest of your life? They are a supplement, and as such should only (at most) supplement an otherwise functional approach to weight control. You need to pound that out before you even THINK about taking a metabolic stimulant.

 

[MonkeyK]

But do they work? I am guessing that neither of you has tried them.

Change what you eat permanently: I eat fairly good already
Breakfast - bowl of cerial, orange juice and multi-vits
Lunch - Ham sandwich, pretzles, diet coke
Dinner - pasta, salad, glass of wine
I don't snack and do drink lots of water in between meals.

Also, at work, I use the stairs instead of elevators.

Don't excercise because you don't care enough. Before starting Grad school, I was able to work out regularly (and did so). You may be right. Of course it could also be possible that just loosing some weight will make me feel better about myself to really take advantage of the short amounts of time that do appear.

 

[DurocShark]

I've tried other thermogenic suppliments. They work, but with increased metabolism comes increased body temps, sweating, shakes, etc.

They really need to be used ALONG WITH a good exercise regimen.

 

[Amused]

Metabolife worked because of Ephedrine. If you want to dope yourself for the rest of your life, go for it.

The better option is to change your diet and exercise habits. Get up an hour earlier 4 days a week and run 3-4 miles before breakfast. Cut out all sugars, sodas and munchies. You'll never have a weight problem again.

 

[Saulbadguy]

Originally posted by: MonkeyK
But do they work? I am guessing that neither of you has tried them.

Change what you eat permanently: I eat fairly good already
Breakfast - bowl of cerial, orange juice and multi-vits
Lunch - Ham sandwich, pretzles, diet coke
Dinner - pasta, salad, glass of wine
I don't snack and do drink lots of water in between meals.

Also, at work, I use the stairs instead of elevators.

Don't excercise because you don't care enough. Before starting Grad school, I was able to work out regularly (and did so). You may be right. Of course it could also be possible that just loosing some weight will make me feel better about myself to really take advantage of the short amounts of time that do appear.

Well..I wouldn't call your diet good. It hardly includes any protein. Some people dont like protein at breakfast, and I understand that. Instead of pretzels, id eat nuts, and try to get protein at every lunch and dinner. You are probably losing muscle as you are gaining fat..which is not good. If you truly do not have enough time to excercise (I doubt this) , products such as metabolife will work, but won't do well since you will be losing some muscle with that fat, and once you get off it..you will gain it all back.

 

[StageLeft]

Unless you are literally productive every day of the week and sleep 6hours already I think you could surely find 30 min to go for a run most days.

I have tried them BTW. Two specifically: The original ECA (ephedrine/caffeine/aspirin) stack, back when I think ripped fuel was probably the only company that actually pre-packaged the combination. The stack worked well when I combined it with low calories and excercise.

More recently I've tried GNC's Total Lean. Interestingly although the ephedrine is not in it and the caffeine amount is 180 vs. the 200 I had in the ECA these things make me feel very bad and screw up my respiratory system such that I feel I am not getting enough air. Needless to say I don't use them now I was again using them just to supplement and already successful diet.

For most these things are a crutch. I personally give you my assurances that if you rely on them as the center point in your weight management you will not keep your weight off. And they are not healthy anyway.

 

[Mickey21]

Ephedrine gave my friend a heart attack and he is 34. I would stay away from anything with Ephedrine in it to any minute degree...

 

[Turkish]

Limit your portions. Don't eat junk food. Stay away from the stuff that American Society is associated with. Stuff like donuts/icecream cakes/frozen junk foods are known to be consumed by American Society mostly, so stay away from them. America is getting fatter every other day. Be an exceptional American

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Mickey21
Ephedrine gave my friend a heart attack and he is 34. I would stay away from anything with Ephedrine in it to any minute degree...

It's not entirely healthy but I'd bet he was either taking too much or had other physical conditions.

 

[peterskm]

I used Metabolife for about 4 months. I lost about 30 lbs. I really didn't modify my diet or exercise. I probably would have lost more if I had. I didn't have any noticable side effects. After I went off of it, I slowly gained the weight back. I think I am gonna try Atkins now.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Xiety
Limit your portions. Don't eat junk food. Stay away from the stuff that American Society is associated with. Stuff like donuts/icecream cakes/frozen junk foods are known to be consumed by American Society mostly, so stay away from them. America is getting fatter every other day. Be an exceptional American

We ate these things for years, and the obesity epidemic didn't get it's legs until the 80s and 90s. Why? Because of our activity levels and our food habits in relation to our activity levels. Our pastimes have become video games, cable TV and the Internet. Very little of what we do now requires any physical activity at all. Not only that, but the only thing to do while participating in sedentary activities is munch.

I also, to a lesser extent, blame the "low fat" craze that swept the nation in the 80s and remains a favorite today. America got fatter than ever on low fat foods. Proof that the fat content in food has little to nothing to do with how fat you get. In fact, a low fat diet leaves you hungrier than you would have been otherwise, and more likely to munch.

 

[Electric Amish]

Originally posted by: Amused
Metabolife worked because of Ephedrine. If you want to dope yourself for the rest of your life, go for it.

Not any more.

 

[Yax]

Originally posted by: peterskm
I used Metabolife for about 4 months. I lost about 30 lbs. I really didn't modify my diet or exercise. I probably would have lost more if I had. I didn't have any noticable side effects. After I went off of it, I slowly gained the weight back. I think I am gonna try Atkins now.

Yes, metabolife will work for 20 to 30 lbs, but no more. After a month, you'll start to gain it back even if you are still on metabolife. For some reason, your body adjusts to it so the pill doesn't work well unless you increase your dosage.

You can try to get a bottle, use it for a month, and excersize. Give up the metabolife but increase the excersize. Otherwise, you'll end up heavier than when you first started.


Edit: for someone who's 80-160lbs overweight, 20 lbs is really nothing.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: Xiety
Limit your portions. Don't eat junk food. Stay away from the stuff that American Society is associated with. Stuff like donuts/icecream cakes/frozen junk foods are known to be consumed by American Society mostly, so stay away from them. America is getting fatter every other day. Be an exceptional American

We ate these things for years, and the obesity epidemic didn't get it's legs until the 80s and 90s. Why? Because of our activity levels and our food habits in relation to our activity levels. Our pastimes have become video games, cable TV and the Internet. Very little of what we do now requires any physical activity at all. Not only that, but the only thing to do while participating in sedentary activities is munch.

I also, to a lesser extent, blame the "low fat" craze that swept the nation in the 80s and remains a favorite today. America got fatter than ever on low fat foods. Proof that the fat content in food has little to nothing to do with how fat you get. In fact, a low fat diet leaves you hungrier than you would have been otherwise, and more likely to munch.

Portion sizes have also increased. I mean hell check out the xtreme bigmac now - 2 1/4 patties? I had one just for fun. Freaking disgusting if a person actually ate that regularly.

Or go to a restaurant like o'charleys. Damn salad is huge even, so it's quite impossible to get anything small. Even a fatass can eat themselves into oblivion now for under $10.

Do you remember awhile back they had "tubs" of fries you could order at Mcdonalds. I can't remember how big it was but it was truly obscene. I think it was along with a movie promotion or something.

I can say I don't remember large sizing was an option when I was a kid - as if a 550 calorie bigmac, 300 calorie large coke, and 500 calorise of fries aren't enough!

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: Xiety
Limit your portions. Don't eat junk food. Stay away from the stuff that American Society is associated with. Stuff like donuts/icecream cakes/frozen junk foods are known to be consumed by American Society mostly, so stay away from them. America is getting fatter every other day. Be an exceptional American

We ate these things for years, and the obesity epidemic didn't get it's legs until the 80s and 90s. Why? Because of our activity levels and our food habits in relation to our activity levels. Our pastimes have become video games, cable TV and the Internet. Very little of what we do now requires any physical activity at all. Not only that, but the only thing to do while participating in sedentary activities is munch.

I also, to a lesser extent, blame the "low fat" craze that swept the nation in the 80s and remains a favorite today. America got fatter than ever on low fat foods. Proof that the fat content in food has little to nothing to do with how fat you get. In fact, a low fat diet leaves you hungrier than you would have been otherwise, and more likely to munch.

Portion sizes have also increased. I mean hell check out the xtreme bigmac now - 2 1/4 patties? I had one just for fun. Freaking disgusting if a person actually ate that regularly.

Or go to a restaurant like o'charleys. Damn salad is huge even, so it's quite impossible to get anything small. Even a fatass can eat themselves into oblivion now for under $10.

Do you remember awhile back they had "tubs" of fries you could order at Mcdonalds. I can't remember how big it was but it was truly obscene. I think it was along with a movie promotion or something.

I can say I don't remember large sizing was an option when I was a kid - as if a 550 calorie bigmac, 300 calorie large coke, and 500 calorise of fries aren't enough!

with all these 99 cent value menu items, it is NOT impossible to get smaller portions. And no one is forcing you to finish everything on your plate.

This portion size excuse is pathetic, and wrong. (no offense, Skoorb) You've always been able to get big portions at any restaurant. It's been a selling feature for decades.

The key is knowing when to stop, and keeping active.