I went to my doctor last month, and discussed my weight with her. She put me on Phentermine, and in that month, I've lost about 8 pounds. At that rate, I'll be where I want to be in about 6-7 months. Currently at 226, heading for the 170-180 range.
I've had more than a few rough nights of sleep, so I'm taking a benadryl each night to help. I've had Ambien in the past, and it did evil things to me, so I'm not touching that. I have also cut out any and all caffiene while I'm on this stuff, as I've read that it would make sleep difficult as well.
My doctor said that with this stuff, it is important to keep up with the heart and blood pressure, so she'll be seeing me every one to two months while I'm on it.
I've also been watching more what I eat. I eat lots of fruits now, and have increased the vegetables as well. I used to eat beef every day, in some form or another. Now there are days that I don't have any meat at all. I've significantly cut back on the sweets, and what sweets I do eat are now more healthy than the ones I used to eat. Yes, I have a "good" sweet snack now and then, but not so often.
One of the problems that I've always had is that I can't leave food on the plate. When I was a kid, we weren't allowed to get up from the table until our plates were empty. I have only recently realized that this is kind of a mental problem for me - if there is too much food on the plate, so be it - I need to clean the plate. But now that I'm conscious of it, I can actually take a take-home from a restaurant when the serving is too big. I have to actually think about it, at this point, but I'm getting there.
Also, I have less of an appetite. I told my wife, in a surprised tone, the other day, that "I'm not hungry!" as we were getting ready for bed. I used to have to have some kind of snack before bed - be it a bowl of ice cream, some cookies, crackers, whatever. The doctor said that this stuff would help to suppress my appetite so that my stomach can shrink down, and it won't take as much food to satisfy that hungry feeling.
As for exercise, someone above said that they were the most unathletic person.... I doubt it. I think sitting in front of three computer screens at a desk all day, then going home and plopping down on the couch in front of another computer probably beats that person out. But my wife and I just bought a house, and I've been doing a lot of work around the house. There have actually been a few times when the laptop didn't come out of the bag for a week at a time. As for TV, we don't watch much of it, so that's not an issue. And once I get done with all the projects around the house (will that list ever end?), we will start walking down the street. Since our street is a dead end road, and we're in the foothills of the mountains, just that will be quite a workout. For now, though, I'm getting home from work and working around the house, often until after 10:00, before realizing that I need to grab a quick bite and go to bed, so there's a lot less sitting around than there was.
Anyway, hopefully by Thanksgiving, I'll have this whole transformation done, and will be able to push away from the stuffing, and fit into some smaller jeans.
Oh please, people starving? Who is starving? I case you missed it this thread is about weight loss. Obesity is epidemic in this country. In any case meat is not essential for a healthful diet and may be harmful even when consumed in moderation.
That and the insurance process I'm going through now has given me some personal stress that I wouldn't wish on anyone unless I truly disliked them (a lot). Maybe I should have clarified up there... I need to tone up more than anything and add more lean muscle as opposed to strictly just dropping weight. Ugh... the thing is, who likes working out?? It's a PITA and I'm just not athletic! I was always picked third to last in gym class in grade school (before the two already "fat" kids in class) and to this day, my favorite activity is sitting one spot on a comfy chair playing with scissors and paper. 
