You may have heard recently that the latest “miracle” diet drug is now available over the counter.  It is called “Alli” (pronounced AL-eye) and I’ve got to say, you are a complete moron if you take this.

No, this isn’t a debate. If you take this in an effort to lose weight, you have more money than brains. Don’t mean to offend any of you that have already gone and bought this, but facts are facts. You are a moron.

Here is an article posted on my personal training business website that I wrote over a year ago, before Alli was available. Time hasn’t changed my opinion.

~Dave

The Next “Miracle” Diet Pill
2/20/2006

Get ready folks, there is another new “miracle” weight loss pill coming soon. A few weeks ago, an FDA panel voted 11-3 to recommend approval of an over-the-counter (OTC) version of the drug Orlistat, currently available by prescription only as Xenical.

Excuse me for being a little blunt, but what the hell is wrong with those 11 supposedly intelligent people who voted for this? Are you kidding me?

Okay, let me step back from the ledge here and first explain what Orlistat/Xenical actually is. Unlike most diet pills, it does not work by suppressing appetite. Instead, it functions by blocking an enzyme in the intestinal tract, Lipase, whose job it is to convert dietary fat into a form that can be absorbed by the body. If Lipase cannot do its job, some dietary fat will not be absorbed by the body, but will pass through the digestive system and be excreted. If the fat is not absorbed, then it is like the calories were never eaten.

If only that were the case. Let me warn you, the following is not pleasant, but you simply cannot discuss this drug without bringing up some extremely unpleasant side effects, and trust me, there is no way to candy coat this.

Unfortunately, there will be ample evidence that those fat calories were eaten. According to the product’s web site, among the potential side effects of taking Xenical are: oily spotting, flatus with discharge, fecal urgency, fatty/oily stools, oily evacuation, increased defecations, and the always popular fecal incontinence.

Hey, where do I sign up?

In studies cited by the manufacturer (Roche Laboratories) on its web site, in year 1 of use Read the rest of this entry

Most people have heard that when it comes to setting goals, you’re supposed to set SMART goals. SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Reasonable, and Time-based.

I’m in agreement with the first 3 of those.

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You know what? Life is way too short.

I was reading a post this morning on one of the personal trainer message boards that I frequent. Ken (the poster) was talking about how one of his best friends just died from prostate cancer. He was 42.

I’m 41.

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So, it is now June. Are you realizing that you might have wanted to start working on that beach body a little earlier? Well, there is an old proverb that says “The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is today.” (That means it’s not too late to start.)

If you are interested in losing fat as quickly as possible, using simple workouts that can easily be done first thing in the morning or at night in the comfort of your own home, without endless hours of cardio, fancy equipment, or even a gym membership, then read on.

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