My Meridia diet pills experiment

"Meridia diet pills didn't work for me - but here's how I lost 20 pounds in 20 days - without saying no to my favorite foods or exercising hard..."

- by Nicol

Yes, it's true. I lost 20 pounds in 20 days:

- without dieting
- without saying "no" to my favorite foods (like chocolate cake)
- without joining a gym or exercising like crazy

In a minute, I will tell you exactly how I did it. But before that, allow me to tell you a bit about myself and how my life used to be not too long ago (you'll see that we probably have a lot in common).

So, until about 6 months ago, my life was a mess. I was about 45 pounds overweight. And, they may tell you that "fat people are cute" (most of my friends used to tell me the same) - but the reality was that:

- I was treated like a lower life form. I remember at least two people calling me "fat ass" while in the bus. Is that rude or what?

- I was unemployed and I couldn't find a job either - even though I knew I was smarter and more qualified than others. Yes, the "thin and sexy people" would always get the job. What does my weight have to do with how I perform in my work?

- Although I have a cute face and a reasonably nice personality, I couldn't find someone to have relationship with. My friends had set me up with a couple of "blind dates" but those went sour faster than you can say "chocolate cake." My last relationship had ended about 3 years ago - and I knew what the reason was when I saw my ex 1 month later with a super-sexy blond he met at the gym...

- I couldn't fit into my favorite jeans. I had to wear these extra large clothes - that actually made me look even fatter than I was...

- My self-esteem was at an all-time low. When everything in your life goes wrong, it's not hard to imagine why. There where days when I was almost afraid to look myself in the mirror. I didn't really want to have an "honest look" at myself. And, eve if I did, I didn't think that there was a way for me to change my life...

- Because of my depression, I was doing the last thing I should be doing: eating even more. I'm very much what you would call an "emotional eater." Whenever I would feel sad, I would eat a double serving of pasta or some chocolate cake ( I love chocolate cake). I admit I was goinga little over board with it as at some days I would eat 3 "normal servings" of chocolate cake in one sitting...

- Because of my eating habits, I was feeling sluggish and very low on energy all day long. I was getting tired very easily and didn't feel like "living" at all. I'd much rather sit on the couch and watch TV...

I had tried everything you can imagine but nothing worked (I even tried the Meridia diet pills but got no results).

One day, a relative of mine whom I hadn't seen for 6 years, didn't even recognize me when she saw me. She wasn't mean or anything but I could see it in her eyes that she felt pity for me - which was even worse...

I had already tried several (rather expensive) weight loss programs and weight loss drugs and I was never able to lose weight and maintain it. I would lose 10 pounds and 3 weeks later I would gain it all back with interest - plus, I was out my money and time...

But I'm not telling you all this to feel sorry about me. As you'll see, all this changed very soon. Keep reading to find out how I did it and how you can do it too...

One day, I saw an ad for a new weight loss product. I didn't think much of it, as ads for weight loss products are a dime a dozen. Most of those products are just overpriced and ineffective junk (do I sound bitter?). So I just forgot about the whole thing...

But a week later, I met a friend of mine whom I hadn't seen for over 3 months. She used to be overweight too - only this time she wasn't. In fact, she looked great! I asked her how she did it and she said she was usng this new weight loss product. And what do you know, it was the exact same product I had seen being advertised a week ago!

I thought to myself: "I have to get my hands on some of this stuff." And I did. There was a free trial available so I took advantage of it.. It arrived at my doorstep 2 days later.

Now, what I conveniently "forgot" to tell you is that I hate dieting or exercising. I mean, I'm not an Olympic athlete or something. What I have found is that, if I don't like my weight loss program, I won't stick to it...

In my opinion, self-discipline and willpower are grossly overrated in our society. For how long do you think you can be disciplined and "tough it out"? 1 day? 2 days? 2 weeks? That's how most people are and that's OK - that's just human nature. So I won't pretend I'm someone I know I ain't.

I had read some weight loss advice on some weight loss forums I used to hang out at. It's not that I didn't really know what to do: It was just that I hated going to the gym or "eating right."

So, I asked myself: "How can I create a weight loss program that I actually ENJOY?" Sounds like a tall order, right? When most people hear the terms "weight loss" or "diet", they immediately connect that with months of starvation and sweating their butts off at the gym. Well, I knew that there was no chance I would do that - so I came up with a more "manageable" plan...

1) The first thing I did was make sure that I was drinking enough water a day. Now, most people drink almost no water during the day - or a couple of glasses max. On the other hand, super-athletic types may drink a gallon a day (about 5 liters). I wanted to avoid these extremes so I just made sure I drank about 1,5 liters of water a day (about 51 oz). Not too much but not too little either. I found that water kept me fuller and I wasn't having that many cravings. I would drink some first think in the morning and then a glass about 30 mins before a meal. I would also drink a small glass immediately after any meals that contained fat, while I was using my new weight loss product.

2) As I said, I don't like exercising. But I knew I needed to become more active. I knew I wouldn't join a gym. I hate too much effort. Plus, I didn't want the "gym rats" who where in great shape to laugh at me behind my back. So what I did was make a list of all the activities I enjoyed. NOT activities that would make me sweat - just activities that would burn a few more calories than just sitting on the couch.

For me those activities where:

- Going for a 30-minute brisk walk at the park while listening to my favorite music in my portable MP3 player.

- Riding my stationary exercise bike at home at level 3 (it went from 1-10) while watching my favorite TV shows like Desperate Housewives or Seinfeld.

I'm not saying that I would do both of them every day - but I would try to do at least one of them a day. If at some point I was getting tired or bored, I would immediately STOP exercising as I didn't want to develop an aversion for that type of exercise (very important - you have to like your exercise program - not hate it). Consistency is the name of the game. As they say "you are either consistent or non-existent." That said, I found that, while I was on my new weight loss product, I had more energy (without feeling jumpy) and I could "keep going" without feeling tired. That's probably because the food I ate was being digested more slowly and gave me sustained energy rather than energy spikes that would "dive" later.

3) What about diet? Even though I know its healthy, I admit that I don't like "diet food" too much. I knew I had to find a way to continue eating my favorite meals while also losing weight. I know this may sound hard to believe but I didn't really changemy diet all that much. Because I was drinking a glass of water 30 mins before each meal, I wasn't feeling as hungry so I naturally ate less (without feeling hungry). I also made sure that I was taking my new weight loss product religiously.

A very important lesson I learned is that you should strive for PROGRESS - NOT PERFECTION. Perfection doesn't even exist - besides, it's very tough to stick to...

4) Something else that will help you stick to your weight loss program is motivation. And nothing is more motivating than seeing RESULTS. Once every 5-7 days I would weigh myself as well as measure my waist and hips. No need to drive yourself crazy and do this every day. This isn't necessary or even logical. The bodyweight may fluctuate from day to day. But over longer periods of time, you should see consistent success. Keep in mind that the fat we have around our hips and belly is usually the last to go - so don't worry if you don't see results for the first few days. That's normal. Something else that I did was put on my clothes and see how they fit. I saw that they would feel looser and looser on me. And after a while, I was able to wear the smaller sizes that I had somewhere in my closet. Seeing that I was losing weight, losing inches and droping sizes added fire to my motivation!

After 20 days (the 4th time I had weighed myself), I had lost 20 pounds. I had also lost 5 inches around my thighs and 6 inches around my belly! And after 2 months total on this program, I had lost all my 45 extra pounds!

So, how did losing weight actually change my life?

- First of all, my family was giving me compliments all the time about the new way I looked. My friends also gave me compliments although I could see that some of them where feeling very jealous deep down (which is fine by me - I'm not complaining :-))

- My self-confidence skyrocketed. Not only did I look different - I also acted different. I was more outgoing and "chatty" (before losing weight I was really introverted and closed in myself).

- I managed to land a new office job. I admit that I was qualified for the job but the fact that I also looked good during the interview didn't hurt a bit! I had been interviewed several times in the past for similar jobs but never got them. I wonder why?

- Now that I was feeling more confident and had a job, I also started going out more. And I see how guys look at me now. The same guys wouldn't even notice me a couple of months ago. I know this may sound shallow but it's really nice to feel wanted and liked...

I know that this may not sound fair but overweight people are not treated the same in our society. They just don't get the same chances, you know?

If you are overweight now, ask yourself:

- What are you missing on right now by having all that extra weight?
- How much better will you feel when you lose all your extra weight?
- How much more confidence will you have?
- How more liked and accepted will you be?

If you want to lose all your extra weight without suffering in the process, then I can't recommend highly enough that you use the same weight loss program I just outlined. You may want to modify it here and there to suit you better but remember to KEEP THINGS SIMPLE AND FUN.

Above all, take advantage of all the shortcuts you can and let "modern technology" do the heavy lifting. By using the weight loss product I used:

- You will have more energy

- You will not feel as hungry or have as many cravings

- You will boost your metabolism and burn more calories even while you sleep

I have used many weight loss products and programs in the past and I was very dissapointed. If you haven't lost weight until now, it's NOT your fault! Most popular programs don't work for average people.

It's nice to find one that works for a change. The company that makes this product is so confident that they offer you a free trial.

Hope this helps a little...

To a new slim you,

Nicol

Secrets to lose weight with Meridia

Obesity in the developed countries has become a real health issue in recent times. Since 1980s, obesity rates have doubled and now 1 in 3 adults in the United States are classed as obese. United States is closely followed by United Kingdom where 1 in 5 adults has BMI of 30+. This sudden rise in obesity levels both in adults and children is less attributed to individual's biology or behaviour and more to a decreased level of physical activity and increased calorie intake. Being overweight or obese puts people at serious risk for developing many obesity related diseases such as a heart attack, stroke, Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, to name just a few.

Loosing excess weight significantly reduces the health risks associated with obesity and dramatically improves the general lifestyle and wellbeing of a person. Meridia weight loss was created specifically to assist weight loss in obese and overweight individuals and results in faster weight loss in conjunction with a low-calorie diet and exercise.

What a person eats and how much energy they use up has a direct effect on their weight. If the energy is not used up through activity, it simply turns into fat. In normal circumstances, to remain at a certain weight, one would need to eat just enough calories that are burned through the daily activity. However, if a person is trying to loose weight, they would need to lower their daily calorie intake. According to the Practical Guide: Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults, an overweight person would need to reduce their normal diet by 500-1000 calories a day, to help achieve weight loss of around 1 to 2 pounds per week. If a person is heavily overweight, it is best to keep to a diet that consists of 1200-1600 calories/day for men and 1000-1200 for women. In any case, one would need to consult a doctor or a diet expert to create just the right weight loss plan in conjunction with Meridia.

Another vital factor that aids weight loss is exercise. People who exercise regularly tend to have a happier outlook on life and be more energetic. Exercise can help with Meridia weight loss, and more importantly with keeping the weight off.

Meridia side effects

Following the recall of Fen-Phen and Redux in 1999 (two diet drugs that cause heart valve diseases) Meridia was released. Meridia is a diet drug similar to the ones that were recalled. Like the recalled drugs, it releases serotonin into the brain to trick the patient’s body into feeling full and choosing to eat less. These drugs do not so much remove weight from the body as they do encourage and facilitate a lifestyle involving lower caloric intake.

Meridia is different from the older drugs, however, because its interaction with the brain is more localized. While Fen-Phen released serotonin into the bloodstream where it flooded and damaged the heart, Meridia acts only on localized areas of the brain where the serotonin chemical is needed. People taking Meridia or considering Meridia should be aware that Meridia is part of a healthy lifestyle choice, not merely an easy road to diet street.

More serious side effects could be suffered by patients who are taking drugs called monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOI’s. MOAI’s are taken to treat depression, Parkinson’s disease, and other such disorders. Serious, sometimes fatal, reactions can occur if Meridia and monoamine oxidase inhibitors are taken at the same time. It is also important not to take Meridian along with other serotonin-regulating drugs. This can cause a rare but serious condition called “serotonin syndrome”, which requires immediate medical attention.

Meridia does seem, after all, to be safer than Fen-Phen and Redux, but please be careful and remember that drugs like this are powerful medications, not aesthetic vanities. If you feel that you have suffered adverse effects from Meridia or that it has been administered improperly, please contact a lawyer right away.

Can Meridia help you lose weight?

Meridia, also called Reductil, is not used as a cosmetic drug. It is prescribed for people who are significantly overweight or obese who have a body mass index of thirty or higher. Physicians will not prescribe Meridia to people who only want to loose a few pounds.

In today’s society, obesity is on the rise. There are millions of people who struggle with weight related health issues everyday.

High blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease and high cholesterol have increased drastically over the past decade.

For some people who are overweight, leaving their home everyday is a struggle. Often, a person who is overweight or suffers from obesity also suffers from depression. They feel that they are being constantly stared at and that can lead to seclusion.

People who suffer from this debilitating disease often have tried every diet and exercise plan that is available only to see marginal results that end as soon as the diet or exercise plan is stopped. They gain back the weight with a little more added and this can send them into an even deeper depression. For some who suffer from being greatly overweight, their depression can lead to thoughts of suicide.

For those people who have tried all the diets, done all the exercise routines, and have made all of the necessary lifestyle changes with no results, there is a medication that is available by prescription only. Although Meridia is classified as an anti-depressant, it also increases the levels of serotonin, or epinephrine, and dopamine and suppresses the appetite and promotes weight loss.

Studies have shown that this drug can have side effects, some serious, therefore, it is available through prescription only and only after a physical has been passed to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

Although this diet pill has proven to be an effective combatant against obesity, it may take up to six weeks for you to see any results. It is crucial that you follow your doctor’s instructions.

Special care must be taken when using these pills, as it is not only an addictive drug, your body can form a tolerance to it. It is important that you do not increase the dosage that your doctor has set as it can cause serious complications.

There is hope for people who suffer from obesity. Although this particular weight loss supplement can cause serious side effects, discussing your options will aid your doctor in deciding if it is right for you.

Although Reductil is a drug that can assist in weight loss, it is important to remember that it will be necessary to make lifestyle changes that include diet and exercise. You cannot sustain weight loss without making these changes.

Joining a fitness center will assist you in so many different ways. There are personal trainers and nutritionists that will set up diet and exercise routines that are catered to your needs.

It is difficult to make these changes, but in the end, when you see the results start to happen after taking Meridia for a while, you will have the incentive to continue with your new routines.

Meridia diet pill

Meridia is a prescription drug available to help obese consumers lose weight. Approved in 1997 by the FDA, Meridia is highly advertised as a way to help overweight men and women eat less and it is designed to be used along with a low-calorie diet. One thing that sets Meridia apart from most other over-the-counter weight loss supplements, however, is that Meridia is not an appetite suppressant.

How Meridia Works

Meridia is manufactured by Abbot Laboratories, and its active ingredient is sibutramine. Rather than simply suppressing your appetite, this substance signals the brain that you are full. Rather than offering appetite suppression before eating the way most supplements and medications do, it offers appetite control when you actually do eat. With Meridia, you can generally eat less food, yet still feel satisfied-- helping you to lose weight. It is the first of its kind in a new line of diet drugs that called are serotonin noradrenaline reputake inhibitors (SNRI's), which work on the brain rather than the metabolism, like most weight loss drugs. Meridia is really the first major diet drug to have promise since Fen-Phen, which was banned because it was responsible for claiming many lives. Unfortuantely, as with Fen Phen, Meridia holds some risks that shouldn't be overlooked (see below for details).

Meridia is intended for people with a BMI of 30 or higher and must be obtained through a doctor's prescription. Commercials for Meridia show people eating only a small portion of the food on their plates. Without the help of Meridia, cutting calories usually brings on the feelings of deprivation that lead to binge eating. Meridia is not a get-thin-quick scheme, nor is it a miracle weight loss drug. Over time it will help you to gradually lose weight. In fact, first time Meridia users can expect to lose only four pounds in the first month. While four pounds is not a startling amount of weight to lose, it is a healthy amount within the time frame. Meridia can help your lose weight, but it requires patience.

Doctors and health experts recommend losing 1-2 pounds per week for safe and lasting weight loss. Losing weight quickly results in water and muscle loss rather than fat loss. Also, quick weight loss is more difficult to maintain and more often than not, dieters regain the weight easily. Lose it fast, gain it back fast.

Side Effects of Meridia

Weight loss drugs, including Meridia, have a host of possible side effects. While the list is daunting, you may experience some, all, or none of the side effects noted for the product.

- Dry mouth
- Insomnia
- Constipation
- Headache
- Sweating
- Higher blood pressure
- Higher heart rate
- Difficulty concentrating
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Fainting
- Chest Pain
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Heart valve disease

Taking any medication that stimulates the brain is risky and potentially fatal. It's important to contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe side effects from taking Meridia. While symptoms like dry mouth can be managed, heart problems should not be dismissed as a casual side effect. It is also important to work closely with your doctor so he can regularly monitor your blood work and identify any abnormalities caused by Meridia before they become life-threatening. Any side effects should also be reported to the manufacturer and the FDA.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tricori.com -- Health Soluti

Meridia prescription guide

What Is Meridia Used For?

Meridia should be used by people who are overweight and have an inital body mass index of at least 30. It is recommended that Meridia also be used by people with BMI of at least 27 if they are at risk for high cholesterol, diabetes, or high blood pressure. Talk to your doctor to find out your BMI and whether or not it's alright for you to use a Meridia prescription.

How Do I Use It?

Meridia should be taken orally and in the exact way directed by your doctor. This usually involves one dose daily.

It may take 4-6 weeks for results to show. Please do not raise your dose, take Meridia more frequently, or use your prescription for a longer time than prescribed by your doctor; Meridia can be addictive. If you have taken Meridia for a long time, please do not stop taking it suddenly without talking to your doctor first. As with many prescription drugs, Meridia may gradually decrease in effectiveness because your body builds tolerance to it. Talk to your doctor if you gain weight after you start taking your prescription. You make take it either before or after a meal.

Are There Any Meridia Side Effects?

The common side effects of Meridia include dry mouth, sleepiness, difficulty sleeping, and constipation. If any of the effects persist beyond the first week (approximately) or become worse, please tell your doctor as soon as possible. Read more on this warning here.

Please do not give your medication to others. Your Meridia prescription should be taken in combination with a diet plan of reduced calories. In order to monitor the possible side effects, your pulse and blood pressure can be measured and used in laboratory testing.

Is Meridia Safe?

Let your doctor know about your complete medical history. This includes any information regarding allergies (most importantly drug allergies), disease of the liver or kidneys, heart disease, history of stroke or seizures, high blood pressure, eating disorders (ex., anorexia nervosa), glaucoma, or gallstones.

Limit or avoid your intake of alcohol because it could make certain side effects worse. Women who are of the childbearing age should talk to their doctor about using any birth control pills with Meridia. Unless directed otherwise, do not use this drug while you are pregnant. Also, because there is a risk for infants, do not breastfeed while taking Meridia. Patients who are elderly may experienced heightened levels of side effects. Please use with cautious.

How Does Meridia Interact With Other Drugs?

Make sure you tell your doctor about all prescription and nonprescription medications you use; other weight loss medications in particular (such as diethylpropion), and drugs that may raise your blood pressure. Examples of these include decongestants such as pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine.

Tell your doctor if you use any cough suppressants like dextromethorphan; antidepressants such as nefazodone; fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, venlafaxine, and fluvoxamine. Other examples include lithium, MAO inhibitors such as selegiline, moclobemide, furazolidone, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and other medications such as lithium.

You should also let your doctor know if you use any drugs to treat migraines (ex: dihydroergotamine and sumatriptan), certain pain relievers that are narcotics (ex. pentazocine, fentanyl, meperidine), erythromycin, ketoconazole. Also tell your doctor about any high blood pressure medicines you use, and any other drugs that may cause drowsiness. These include certain types of antihistamines (ex., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure, and sedative medications.

You can find antihistamines and decongestants for cough and cold in many nonprescription drugs. Talk to your pharmacist about this. Also, MAO Inhibitors and Meridia should not be taken together. If you stop the use of your Meridia prescription or an MAO Inhibitor, make sure to wait 2 weeks before you start using the other drug.

What If I Miss My Dose?

In the case that you miss one of your doses, please take it as soon as possible. However, if it is near the scheduled time for your next dose, just skip the dose missed and start back with your prescribed dosing schedule. Do not take twice the normal dose to make up for a missed dose.

How Should I Store Meridia?

Store your prescription at room temperature. This includes temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C). Keep it away from humidity/moisture and light. Make sure to keep all of your medications out of reach of children.