Maybe your doctor suggested it. Maybe your favorite outfit doesnt fit you just the way you like, or maybe youve just decided that you want to be the healthiest you that you can be. Whatever the reason, its time to put a weight-loss program into place.

Your weight-loss checklist might look like this:

? Eat healthier (include more veggies and fruit!).

? Get notebook to keep track of calories.

? Check-up with Dr. Rogers to get ready for exercise.

? Exercise! (3 days week to start).

? Calendar to keep track of progress?

? Diet pills?

Hmmmwhat about diet pills? If you have a high body-mass index (height-to-weight ratio) you might want to talk with your doctor about Tenuate.

Whats Tenuate?

Tenuate, or diethylpropion hydrochloride, reduces your appetite. It acts on your body the same way that amphetamine weight-loss pills of yesteryear worked on 50s movie stars. BUT Tenuate doesnt cause the tidal wave of anxiety, jitteriness, and sleeplessness those older drugs caused.

Taking Tenuate is like getting the weight-loss effect of amphetamines without having to take amphetamines!

How Does Tenuate Fit into my Weight Loss Program?

Tenuate is used to jump start a diet and exercise program. You will feel less hungry as you adjust to eating a healthier, lower-calorie diet, which makes a new diet much easier to stick to! You can make your daily Tenuate dose into your progress calendar - you and your doctor will probably decide to try Tenuate for 8 to 12 weeks for the best effect.

It Sounds So Simple - Whats the Catch?

There is no catch - its as simple as it sounds. The key is to make sure that this drug is the right one for you. When you head to your doctor to talk about weight-loss, make sure youve got:

? An exercise plan to discuss with her, to make sure its right for your current fitness level.

? A list of the drugs you take regularly, prescription and non-prescription.

? A list of health issues (such as high blood pressure, seizures, pregnancy or breast feeding).

Tenuate cant be mixed with some antidepressants, antiseizure medications, and medications that can raise your heart rate, so bringing in your list of medications is key, as is your list of health issues.

The Plans In Motion

For the first few days on Tenuate, some people might notice some mild side effects (like constipation or other stomach upset or dizziness), but many people dont have them. While youre starting and taking Tenuate, keep this checklist handy:

? No operating heavy machinery! (Tenuate can affect your coordination especially when youre starting on it).

? No driving until Im used to Tenuate (good time stroll to the local art galleries and cinemas, and let the spouse chauffeur the kids for a change!).

? Check in with side effects: worse? not going away? (If its been a week and theyre not disappearing, call the doctor!).

? Do I feel like I need more of the drug or Im scared of going without it? (This drug can be habit-forming, so you should let the doctor know if youre having these sorts of feelings).

The last checkpoint is probably the most satisfying of all: when Tenuate has jump-started your weight-loss, check in with your doctor about going off the drug. She may tell you to stop taking the pills, or to slowly taper the dose. The end result is a great start a long term weight-loss plan and a healthier you!