THERE IS NO MIRACLE IN A pill; no quick fixes to a problem.

The ?90s saw diet pills that promised to melt away unwanted fat even without so much physical effort. Today, for an enlightened generation, a new pill in town guarantees to help dieters lose more fat, with one condition: They must follow a program that includes proper diet and exercise.

The journey to weight loss begins with the right mindset, openness to behavior modification, exercise regimen and informed food choices. A supportive buddy can make the journey more pleasant. That?s where Orlistat (Alli) steps in.

?Alli helps boost weight loss. For every two pounds you lose, Alli helps you lose one pound more. So it will be your ally, your partner, your buddy, when you go on a diet,? said Gio Robles, senior brand manager of GSK.

To get off on the right track to a healthy lifestyle, Alli starter pack comes with a weight-loss program, including a one-week meal plan and eating guide that includes how to plan meals, shop for food, measure food intake, cook and prepare meals, enhance flavor, choose smart snacks, and even tips on eating out.

After all, a diet should not be about food deprivation; it should be about portion control while still being able to enjoy a flavorful meal, said nutritionist Virgith Buena. Buena designed the healthy eating menu for Alli, which includes tasty meals of stir fried shrimp, sinampalukang manok, cassava cake, beef chi chow, adobo sandwich, paella chicken drumsticks, and more. Recipes are included in the booklet.

Breakfast, for instance, is comprised of two chicken tocino slices, ? c raw fresh carrot sticks, ? c steamed rice and a slice of apple for a total of 328 kcal. Lunch can be marinated grilled pork, 1? c cooked bamboo shoot salad and ? c steamed rice (323.4 kcal). Snacks are allowed between meals.

?The key is to have more choices, eat more produce of whole grains and colored veggies, and keep yourself hydrated,? said Buena.

Realistic goals

Goals should be realistic, too. Don?t expect to lose 10 pounds in 10 days, for instance. Alli may help dieters lose an additional pound, but it works differently for everyone. Someone is always losing fat either faster, or slower, than you.

Alli, an over-the-counter drug, works by preventing the body from absorbing some fat from each meal. Taken three times a day, it can block 25 percent of the fat from being absorbed into your system. With low-fat, reduced-calorie diet and exercise, dieters may lose up to 50 percent more weight compared to dieting alone.

Exercise, said Alli coach and fitness consultant Jim Saret, need not be very long. He said four minutes should keep one?s metabolism pumped up and, incredibly enough, burns up to nine times more than the regular workout of, say, jogging on the treadmill.

Saret?s controversial exercise program consists of 10 15-second planks, 10 reps squats, eight to 10 modified push-ups and 10 reps/side lunges. That, he said, burns more calories than a 30-minute workout in the gym. He said it?s a program tailored to today?s busy lifestyle that anyone can do at anytime during the day.

?The key is to consistently get that challenge, to keep on surprising your body,? he said.

But whether anyone buys Saret?s super energy-burning program, Robles said regular exercise is a must for a healthier lifestyle. Robles added Alli is designed for maximum use of six months to support those starting on a new lifestyle.

?Wanting to lose weight is not the same as choosing to lose weight. For those who choose to be healthy, Alli will be their perfect support buddy during the difficult first few months,? Robles said.

Alli?s First Team Program, composed of 19 women sharing the goal of losing weight, are already seeing significant results after four weeks into the program. The women have so far lost between 16 to 4 pounds, with the lowest weight loss, a sales and training manager, admitting to not having strictly followed the program because of heavy workload and office stress.

Common side effects, for one out of 10 people, includes flatulence with oily spotting, sudden bowel motions, and fatty or oily stools. People taking regular medications are advised to seek their doctor?s approval first.

Alli, a trademark of GSK group of companies, is now available at major drugstores. For more information visit www.alli.ph.