When in August 1998 I turned 39, I reached the bottom. For last couple of years I was heavily overweight and the weight was still growing (thyroid problems), my life turned into typical couch potato's life. I didn't feel like doing anything, didn't want to go out. Just go to work, return in the afternoon and simply do nothing in front of the TV set. I made a promise to myself that next (40th) birthday will be a happy one and that by the same time next year I would be looking better and be healthier. And that turning 40 will not cause a stress and a feeling that my life is actually over.

When the first news about recent achievements in the field of diet pills arrived I did not take them too seriously. After heart problems some people have had with Isolipan and my lack of results with any other drugs available in the entire world I did not believe in any new wonders. Boy, I was wrong!

My desperation reached the top in the early May 1999. The summer was coming. It was time to take off most of the clothes that so kindly used to hide my lumpy body through the fall-winter season. I thought "What the hell, why not call my doctor and check what was really going on". The answer was "We are trying the newly approved drug on a few volunteers. Unfortunately, it's expensive and we don't have much experience with it". I was desperate and the new chance was worth any money. My decision was quick "Count me in!" And that's how my great experience with Meridia began. My starting weight was 244 lb. (110.8 kg) with the height of 5'8" (1.75 m).

Every time when I have huge expectations, when I dream and imagine too much and too early, I get no results. But a few times in my life, in totally different situations, when I chose completely easygoing approach, kind of "I'm not going to try very hard. Whatever happens, it'll be fine with me", I was achieving unbelievable results.

I was given a number of instructions, informed about possible side effects, blessed and asked to show up in a month. I decided not to change much in my life, just wait and see what happens. I did very quickly. For the first 10 days I didn't dare to step on the bathroom scale, but when I did, I could not believe it. I lost 7.5 lb. (3.4 kg).

And more or less, this kept happening for the entire 3 months - average weekly loss of 3 lb. (1.35 kg) without feeling hungry or thinking about food, with no visible side effects. Every time when stepping off the scale I felt younger, healthier and happier. My mood was improving with every pound lost.

I did not force myself to introduce any tough diet regime. I skipped fat wherever possible (no bread spreads, no cream in soups or with cooked vegetables, no sweets or pastries). I kept eating bread in moderate amounts (mainly whole grain and black). During the summer time I occasionally treated myself with a can of coke or ice cream on the stick, just to relieve the tension.

In the middle of August suddenly the average weekly loss slowed down to around a pound, I don't really know why. I experienced 2 or 3 periods of 10-15 days with no loss at all. But even so, by November 15th I lost additional 18.1 lb. (8.2 kg). At this point we decided to stop the treatment in mid-December to see what would happen. For the final month the dosage of Meridia was increased from 10 to 15 mg per day. But it did not help, just messed up the delicate balance in my body: stomach, good night sleep, proper moist in my mouth... Just a little mistake at the end.

Well, the story is over for some time. I would like to return to the treatment to loose the remaining 10 - 15 pounds in spring. We'll see. Now, the real problem has begun. How to maintain my reduced weight!

But that's completely different story. So, see you...
...maybe in the late spring of 2000.

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