Diet pills are not the answer to losing weight. It's just looks attractive because advertisements promise quick results. But what they don't tell is the side effect.

It's not natural. Why would you take medication if you are not sick?

I'm trying Hoodia. I got 120, 250-mg capsules from vitacost.com for a really good price. I take one in the morning, and me, a binger, I have actually forgetten to eat until I have been shaky from lack of food. It works best when taken with breakfast. The bottle says take it three times a day, but I think I can do well with once a day, since these are pretty strong pills. So far this week, I have slowly, but steadily lost weight, like three pounds a week. I haven't noticed any side effects, other than I forget to eat which is great considering I usually think of nothing but eating.

vitacost.com is where I get other vitamins and for the past year, the products have been reliably additive/preservative/dye-free, which causes me to have migraines, so that's great! They also have better prices because it comes from the factory.

I also try to exercise a little, but it's not as much fun in the winter or inside. I do notice that when I go outside, I feel more invigorated with the same amount of exercise, so I think the extra oxygen may help (on low-smog days of course).

Good luck to all.

If the Hoodia doesn't work, I think I'll try nutrisystem, the one based on the glycemic index next, because my sugar levels are a little higher than normal and my doctor is concerned.

When it comes to losing weight, it really helps if me if look for things that inspire me (watching all those guys running around on the basketball or football court sometimes works). Best of ALL, giving myself credit by keeping track of what I ACCOMPLISH works WONDERS!!

For example, we were given pedometers as part of the 10,000-step program at work and my first thought was, "I'll never make 10,000 steps!" Very self discouraging. I had to find a way to encourage/inspire myself.

Just out of curiosity, I used the pedometer one day and was AMAZED at how many steps I walk in one day (to the printer, to the bathroom, to the bus stop or the parking garage, around the block at noon, to VACUUM!, to WASH DISHES!, etc., it all adds up. By wearing the pedometer, I was keeping track of what I accomplish and GIVING MYSELF CREDIT! I put a calendar by my dresser and when I undressed and unclipped the pedometer, I jotted down one number, just ONE (easy), how many steps I took that day.

It has been incredibly ENCOURAGING! It not only has given me better self esteem (warm fuzzies), looking at what I accomplish over time gives me COURAGE to CONTINUE Then, if I have energy to add 5 situps once in a while, and I jot that down, too, I see what I accomplish, how well I can do over time. Surprise, I thought I wasn't doing my workouts, but it turned out I was doing them more often than I thought and seeing that I was doing a workout a week when I could, instead of thinking that I never do enough workouts, REALLY HELPS!! I have gone from having cramps in my legs when I walk to feeling GOOD when I walk and being able to walk for 20 minutes compared to wheezing when I walked to the mail box.

I must admit that winter is not my favorite time to get out and walk, so instead I put on some happy/quick music and march in time or dance around to the music - it counts as steps on the pedometer and is great for preventing diabetes, strokes, etc. If anyone comments/looks at me odd, I just grin and invite them to join me. I say, "Join me, it's fun and I'm working out!" My grandmother (104 years old) even sat and tapped her foot one day while watching, which was exercise for her. When I visit my mother and sister's house, if they're not already watching television and just sitting around moping, I'll put on some music and start "working out." The kids usually join me and pretty soon almost everybody does. If really helps if I look like I'm having fun, and if I include that person's/family's favorite dance music. Hmm, I think I'll go see my sister and see if she's got any new dance steps for me.

You go gals! We can do this!!