Orlistat - please explain

I have also just started Orlistat - second day. I was put on it as I find it very difficult to lose weight and have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

I think the main thing is to try and cut out as much fat as possible in your diet. A good tool to try is a calorie calculator and try and make a menu plan for each week. I have read on here that you are allowed up to 15g of fat per meal.

I know it is all common sense anyway but the majority of us just need direction. If you calculate your ideal weight and height on Google, it will tell you the amount of calories to stick to, in order to lose weight. The calorie calculater will tell you how many calories and grams of fat are in each food. So if you need 1200 calories a day to lose weight, you can make a diary of what to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner, then leave some extra calories for a treat each day so you do not deprive yourself.

I have recently joined the Gym and my instructor informed me the best workout is circuit weight training and half an hour cardio - 15 minutes walking on a treadmill and 15 minutes on the cross trainer. Apparently doing weights builds your motabolism and muscle which allows you to lose weight quicker and effective. I do arms 15 reps six times and legs six times - arms, legs, arms, legs, arms, legs etc. Maybe you could try this at your gym rather than cardio (assuming that is what you do).

I think the doctor should be mindful that what you see on the scales, does not mean weight loss. The first thing my instructor told me is "do not rely on the scales, do not get obsessed". The reason why he said this, is because when you work out, you build muscle and if you do this, you may even see your weight going up. You even said it yourself - you found your clothes to be more lose. So maybe, just maybe, you have built up some muscle and HAVE lost weight.

The best thing you can do is grab a tape measure and measure your waist, arms and legs and carry on doing what you are doing. Your doctor should know the above, expecially if you are going to the gym.

So I suggest you telling your doctor that you are working out, ask them to get their bloody tape measure out and measure you. Tell them you now want a three month trial and to visit them once a month and let them measure you. Because the scales might still be high but your inches might be going down.

Keep going, do not get disheartend. Make a food diary and stick to it each week. You can do this.

Would love to know how you are getting on?  Do you have any side effects?   I have been prescribed Orlistat now for two months, my problem is remembering to take it, or to be more honest, not taking it because I have no idea where the next loo is going to be!!   

Do you find that your mind is full of different ideas and ways we used in the past, keep popping up.  No you are not allowed fat, well maybe a little.  No you have to curb what you are eating, no you can eat as much as you like of x,y,z.  My head spins most of the time with all this. 

Keep in touch and let me know how things are going.