Before I started taking Alli I could go to the gym four times a week and do cardio for an hour, and do Funk Aerobics or do Water Aerobics. I could stop for a few weeks and restart without trouble. Now that I started taking Alli, I sometimes feel like I can't do anything at the gym. I feel very weak, alsmost as if I might faint at any moment. Do you think there's a connection between my limited energy and Alli? What do you think I should do?

Have you cut back on your calorie intake? And how much? That would be the first thing I'd check.

I cut back on my fat intake some. I do not know if I am getting less calories, or how much less I am getting.

I'll keep track of it. Thanks!

If you cut back on your fat intake, you cut back on your calories. And then alli eliminated some more calories for you. So if you have cut back too much, then you won't have a lot of energy.

You have to be careful, too, because if you cut back too much, you will lose muscle as well as fat. Your body doesn't wait to use muscle tissue until all the fat in your body is gone. Once the deficit is too great, it goes for anything it can get. Remember, your heart is a muscle.

Try eating a low fat carbohydrate before exercising, or try a protein bar.

What's a good protein bar to eat? Do any of them cause trouble with Alli?

I think they are all pretty low in fat. You would have to check the label. But I think they all taste disgusting. Why not try yogurt and fruit (not fruit yogurt, but yogurt over some cut up fruit) before exercising? With maybe a little bit of granola? Granola is pretty high in calories, but a quarter cup or so gives the mix a nice crunch.

I have had granola bars, but I have never bought granola itself. Can I buy it at the grocery store?

Yes, in the cereal section. And the more goodies it has in it, the less healthy it usually is. You can only have a quarter of a cup, and you should choose the ones that don't have honey added. Also avoid raisins, as they are really, really fattening.

Why shouldn't we have honey in it?

I don't get honey in my granola, but I do like honey in other things, so I am curious to know about it.

If you are overweight, you need to cut back on calories. Honey is a form of sugar. Sugar is not a good way to get the calories you need because it doesn't have any added health benefits like vitamins. It has what are referred to as empty calories.