Qnexa: Should this Weight Loss Drug Be Approved?

Are you ready for a new diet pill?? Today, a Food and Drug Administration Advisory Committee will meet to discuss the safety and effectiveness of Qnexa, a weight loss supplement that was denied approval last year.? According to an FDA announcement, the weight loss drug is supposed to be used in partnership with a diet and exercise program to promote weight loss in overweight patients.

What is Qnexa?

Qnexa is a diet pill that is actually a combination of two other weight loss drugs: topirimate and phentermine.? You may recognize the term phentermine.? The drug was a component of? "fen-phen", a weight loss pill that was previously linked to an increased risk of heart problems.? Like many diet pills and weight loss supplements, it was removed from the market.

Is Qnexa Safe?

But now that phentermine is included in a new weight loss pill, is it any more safe and effective?? When Qnexa was presented to FDA in July 2010 the report demonstrated that the combination of drugs in Qnexa produced greater weight loss results than either of the drugs used separately.? However, the report suggested a possible risk of birth defects (teratogenicity) and an increased risk of other disorders including psychiatric or cardiac issues.

Should You Take Qnexa?

If the weight loss supplement eventually gets approved, would you take it? Do you feel that weight loss drugs are necessary for successful weight loss in some people?? If you take a diet pill, have you changed your diet and exercise habits as well?

Share your thoughts in a comment below.? And if you find yourself interested in the FDA discussions about Qnexa, check out their webcast that will be broadcast today.

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Update: FDA Recommends Approval of Diet Pill Qnexa

Qnexa should be available for the treatment of obesity in adults, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.? Yesterday, the Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee met to review literature about the weight loss drug, manufactured by VIVUS, Inc.? The committee voted 20-2 to approve the recommendation to grant market approval of the drug.

Qnexa is a controlled-release diet pill that overweight patients take once a day.? According to a press release, the weight loss pill helps patients to feel full and helps to decrease appetite. ?In studies, patients on Qnexa experienced significant weight loss and improvement in cardiovascular risk factors.? Those patients also also practiced a modified diet and lifestyle program.

So should you start asking your doctor about Qnexa?? Read more about the weight loss pill.

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Weight Watchers Points Plus Reviews

Weight Watchers revamped their popular PointsPlus program in 2012.? In response to consumer feedback, the company added new features that make the diet more flexible. The new elements will make it easier for many dieters to stay on track when life gets hectic and cooking a healthy meal is impossible.

Have you tried the Points Plus program?? We'd like to hear from you.? If you started the plan as part of a New Year's weight loss resolution, you've had some time to try the recipes, go to meetings and maybe even check out the new PointsPlus apps for iPhone, iPad or Android smartphones.? So what do you think?

• Have you lost weight?
• Would you recommend Weight Watchers PointsPlus to others?
• What do like or dislike about the program?

Follow the link to write your own review and hear what others have to say about the Points Plus Plan.

If you are shopping for a weight loss program, you'll want to find out what you can expect on the Weight Watchers program, then read reader reviews to find out if it is the right diet for you.

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Good-bye January Diets!

It's January. Does that mean you're once again in pursuit of that "magic" diet that is finally going to get you to goal weight? Take a minute to think about it: Haven't fad diets failed you in previous years? Why waste another year pegging your hopes on the "one" diet that will work; instead, start looking for simple ways to lose weight without dieting.

After all, when it comes to long-term success, you're far more likely to stick with small, doable changes that will lead to steady weight loss. Changes like these are easier to adapt to as a way of life. They may require a little more patience, but they still work: Losing one to two pounds a week is a much more realistic and healthy goal than the quick-loss fad diets promise.

Many years ago, a coworker told me the best way to deal with something that seemed overwhelming or complex was to apply the "K.I.S.S. Principle" -- Keep It Simple, Smartie. Diets can be frustrating, confusing and difficult to apply to everyday life, making them anything but simple. So, if you're tired of trying diets, consider "keeping it simple" by making these permanent lifestyle changes:

• Practice portion control. By practicing sensible portion control on a daily basis, you can continue to have all of your favorite foods in moderation while losing weight.
• Eat more fruits and veggies and whole grains. These foods are nutritious and naturally low in calories.
• Cut back on high-fat, high-cal foods that offer few or no nutrients. Start by dividing your usual portions by half, or even a third, and then work your way down. (Going "cold turkey" often backfires by prompting a binge.)
• Snack smarter by finding lower-calorie alternatives to your favorite snack foods. This may take a little trial and error, but it's worth it.
• Read food labels on a regular basis. They contain all the information you need to manage your portions, control your calories and improve your nutrition.
• Find a way to become more active, even if it's a simple walk at your lunch break. Just 10 to 15 minutes a day can make a difference and is better than no activity. Working your way up a little at a time can help you create the habit of getting at least 30 minutes of exercise in a day within a matter of months.
• Eat more fiber. Fiber helps you feel fuller longer and keeps blood sugar level, which may help prevent overeating.
• Drink more water. Used as a replacement for sweetened drinks and juices, it's an easy way to cut calories and staying hydrated may help ease hunger pangs.
• Start a food diary. Keeping one is the only real way to get an accurate view of your eating habits.
• Get enough sleep. Research has shown that lack of sleep may be connected to weight gain; at the very least, fatigue can lead to overeating.

If you do decide to choose a diet, be on the lookout for red flags such as promising quick results, excluding exercise or requiring overly-restrictive eating plans. These types of diets are very hard to stick to and may even be harmful to your health. Understanding The Facts About Fad Diets will help you avoid them.

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Weight Loss Tips to Get You Past Your Diet Plateau

Almost everyone who goes on a diet will hit a weight loss plateau.? If you made a New Year's resolution to drop a few pounds, chances are good that you've hit one by now.? Diet plateaus can be frustrating, but there are some weight loss tips that can help you get past them.

A weight loss plateau occurs when your weight stays the same even though you've been sticking to your weight loss plan. ?It usually occurs several weeks into your diet.? The plateau is your body's way of leveling the scales.? Your metabolism adjusts to accommodate the new lower caloric intake.? This adjustment slows your weight loss progress and may even bring it to a screeching halt.

So how do you get past the diet plateau?? These weight loss tips will keep your diet on track.

Weight Loss Tips

• Start a new workout routine. If you haven't already added exercise to your weight loss program, now is a good time to start.? If you are already an exerciser, change your workout.? If you've been walking, try new aerobic activities such as stair climbing or biking.? And begin to build muscle by adding strength-training activities to your routine.? Lean muscle mass will help to boost your metabolism.

• Use new motivational techniques. It's hard to stay motivated when you're not getting weight loss results.? Many people give up on their diet when they hit a weight loss plateau.? Don't give up!? Use simple motivational techniques to get yourself past this hump so that you reach your original goal.

• Set short-terms goals. When your long-term goals seem out of reach, setting short-term goals will help to keep you on the path to success. Set mini-goals to get yourself through a single day or one week.? Give yourself credit for remaining consistent through these tough times.? In the end, consistency is key!

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5-Factor Diet

Who is the 5-Factor diet for?

If you are looking for a diet plan that provides easy-to-understand healthy eating guidelines and examples of reasonably beginner-friendly exercises, then this diet will work probably work for you.

If you have found diets too be too stringent in the past and have been left feeling deprived, the cheat day will make this diet easier for you.

If you are too busy to prepare meals ahead of time to take to work or school and/or you are not able to eat every 3 to 4 hours, following this diet (specifically, the meal plans) may not be for you.

If you want to learn more about making better food choices, but don't want to follow the plan to a "T," you will still benefit from learning more about the recommended diet changes set forth in this book.

If you have a problem with emotional eating, this diet probably will not work well for you, as Pasternak fails to address the topic.

If you don't want to cook, you will have to devote time to planning all of your meals yourself rather than using the recipes Pasternak provides. Additionally, some of the foods on the "must-haves" list may not be readily available -- or appetizing! -- to you (such as game meats, such as ostrich or bison). Some of the recipes are quite expensive (such as smoked salmon).

If you eat out a lot, you may find the diet challenging at first, as Pasternak provides only a few examples of dishes to order in restaurants. In time, however, as you adjust to the new eating habits, you'll be able to make appropriate choices and make special requests when you need to.

Where can I find this diet?

The online version of the plan is available at www.fivefactordiet.com. The 5-Factor Diet book is available at bookstores and mass market retailers nationwide.

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Choose Wisely: Your Valentine Could Boost or Bust Your Diet

Have you made plans for a romantic Valentine's Day dinner?? Or have you opted for a casual get-together with a gal pal?? For women especially, your choice of a Valentine's Day dinner date might affect your diet.

What Women Eat When They Dine with Women

Ladies who have opted for a casual night out with girlfriends may want to beware.? Women tend to eat as much as their dining partner if the dining partner is a woman.? In fact, according to a new report, if the woman is a new friend they even match the companion's eating pattern bite for bite.? So, if you're on a diet, you may want to find a friend who eats light.

When Women Eat When They Dine with Men

But what if your Valentine's date is a man? ?Studies have suggested that women eat less in the presence of a man.? A study conducted in Ontario, Canada observed that women tend to choose lower calorie foods in front of a male dining partner.? Men, on the other hand, were unaffected by the gender of their eating companion.

How to Dine Out Without Busting Your Diet

Regardless of who you choose to be your Valentine's Day dinner date, there are a few ways to stay on your diet when dining out.? Try these calorie-saving tips.

• View the menu online before going out to eat. Choose your meal in advance.? Look for foods that are roasted, steamed, or broiled.? Try to avoid foods that are fried, battered, or sauteed in butter.

• Ask your server for help. Most restaurants are happy to accommodate special requests.? If you are not sure how a food is prepared, ask your waiter.? Or inquire about his/her recommendation for lighter fare.? You may also request that dressings and sauces be put on the side.

• Choose your entree from the appetizer menu. Portions at restaurants are often too large.? Rather than splitting a high calorie meal into two smaller meals, choose an appetizer as your main entree and supplement with a small green salad.

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