My husband went to a doctor that did all of this. He lost 50 pounds and has been able to keep it off. He quit simply because of the cost. They also had him on phentermine, but he wasn't very consistent with taking it. But, he still lost.
We have been on every diet out there. I try a new diet and think, "This is the one that's going to change my life!" Let me tell you, what finally has worked for me is the old fashioned way of eating healthy and exercising. I also drink a lot of water. I found that with counting everything (carbs, calories, or points) just burned me out. I have now adjusted my attitude and I try my best to eat healthy and make sure I exercise 4 times a week. Even my exercise does not require much thought. I walk 1 or 2 miles each day on my treadmill. I spent 6 years of dieting controlling my life. When I'd go off of it, I'd be depressed because I couldn't control my eating. I'd get excited about a new diet I heard about and I'd be happy and doing well. Then I'd fall of the wagon and feel depressed again. It was a continuous cycle.
I also tried phentermine. I did great, but my moods were pretty bad. It made me nervous and I found myself with no patience. I don't need that since I'm a homeschooling mom. And when I went off of it, I eventually gained it back and more. I finally decided that God is stronger than any pill out there. There are still times I'm tempted to go get a pill to make it easier. But, I have found the easier it is to lose, the easier it becomes to gain it back. At least for me that is.
So I'm eating healthy. I do kind of watch my calories. I'm not really strict on it. The doctor my husband got the shots from gave this advice. She said to take your weight and multiply it times 10. That's how many calories you need to maintain your weight. For every 10% you cut back, that's a pound a week you can lose. So if you want to lost 3 pounds a week, you cut back 30%. Of course this is all average and exercise affects it. So I try to get about 1200 calories a day. Again, it doesn't control my life. We eat out a lot and I don't know how many calories are in everything. So when we eat out, I make good choices. I try to allow 300 calories for breakfast, 300 for lunch, 300 for dinner, and the left over is for snacks. But, I know how much Special K cereal and lowfat milk makes about 300 calories. I know that a whole wheat muffin, one egg, and a piece of cheese is about 300 calories. I know I'm rambling. But what I'm trying to say is dieting does not control my life. Dr. Phil said when you go to eat, ask yourself if that's the best thing you can put into your body. I do go off of it and splurge here and there. We have friends from church that eat out every Wed. after church at McDonald's. So I usually get a chicken wrap. If I'm craving junk, I'll get a happy meal because of smaller servings. Also, drinking lots of water fills you up too. Sometimes I get hungry and want to go crazy. I can down a bottle of water and I'm content.
Anyway, I have lost 53 pounds doing this. I'm averaging about 3 pounds a week. Now there are times I've gone off my diet around holidays or vacations so I'll plateau. There was even one time that I plateaued for a month. That was frustrating. So I went completely off my diet and went a little crazy. I gained a few pounds back. When I got back on it, I started losing again.
Anyway, I hope this helps a little. Also pray daily for God to help you make good choices. I pray about it everyday. It's not just about weight for me. It's also about having energy, feeling good, taking care of this body, etc.
L.