qbquilts

Depending on how you body reacts to the supplements, you can have good results losing weight with supplements. However, any supplement like that should only be taken as a crutch while you are losing the weight. At the same time you should be making lifestyle changes so that when you've lost a comfortable amount of weight and stop taking the supplement, you can maintain that weight loss.

By lifestyle changes, I mean changes in WHAT you eat (focus on healthy or healthier versions of food - generally speaking, lots of fruits/veggies, lean meats, whole grains instead of white/more processed junk; baked, not fried, etc), WHY you eat (eat b/c your body needs nutrition & energy, not b/c it's time to eat, others are eating, emotions, at a party, etc.), WHERE you eat (try to eat as a family at a table, not in the car, on the run, in front of the TV, etc.). Try drinking water with your meals instead of soda (even diet is not good for you).

To help with portion control, immediately portion out the food when you get home from the grocery store and/or when finished cooking a meal. That way, when you serve yourself, it's already portioned and you don't have to think about it. If you think you might want more than one portion at a time, take one to start, eat that (w/out wolfing it down) and then take a few minutes to listen to your body and see if you're really still hungry. I seem to remember my health teacher several years ago saying that it can take up to 20 minutes for your brain to recognize/process that you're full when eating, so try giving it time to do so.

Lifestyle changes also mean incorporating physical activity into your daily/weekly routine. While going to the gym is great, you should also look at adding daily activities such as walking a dog (instead of just letting it out back on a leash), taking the stairs instead of an escalator or elevator, parking further away from the store, etc. to your daily routine. When choosing entertainment activities, try to choose activities that are more active than passive (think hiking vs. movies).

Small changes, when taken together, can be huge. However, as you implement small changes, the progress can be slow. Using a supplement can give you the emotional jump that you need keep with the small changes. Even with a supplement your weight loss should still be gradual. Unless you gained all your weight 10 pounds a week, don't expect to be losing weight at 10 pounds a week.

Ultimately, all programs and supplements should be a short term fix while you make long term changes to your life.