So I'm a big Kevin Smith fan 9no pun intended) and was surprised when I read this article he wrote about being diagnosed with "morbid obesity" :

full article here (http://www.viewaskew.com/press/arena/f1.html)

He said a lot of things that sounded familiar, i.e. putting off exercising for "another day" that never comes, rationalizing with yourself, etc. He then went on to talk about taking the pill Xenical for weight loss. I considered looking into this until I read part 2 of the article where he describes the side effects.

page 1 of article (http://www.viewaskew.com/press/arena/arena9.jpg) page 2 of article (http://www.viewaskew.com/press/arena/arena10.jpg)

I'm interested to hear other people's thoughts on his article and what they think about Xenical and it's less than appealing side effects.
=============
Hah isn't Xenical one of the diet pills that affects your bowel movements? In other words, its one of the ones that gives you the hershey squirts?
=============
Well, I've never heard of this guy so it was interesting seeing this.

I think that the article was great. It was informative but presented in a way that you didn't feel like you were taking in information. He writes as if he were speaking to a friend... although I wouldn't want any friend of mine talking about his fatty stools! :m :m :m :m

It was very funny and I think he endeared a lot of people to his condition through this humour.. you could tell that his jokes had an underlying sadness to them and it really made you want this guy to have some success in his weight loss.

About the pills... God, I would never take anything like that. I've taken all manner of things that affect you *down there* in an attempt to lose weight (yet since I'm actually underweight and don't need these pills I guess it would come under the term "laxative abuse", but don't worry, I've stopped that shit now.. hehe), but I would never take this. It sounds very unhealthy. I believe the ONLY way you should lose weight (unless you are about to die and need surgery) is through healthy eating, aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Because taking this kind of stuff cannot be natural or do you any good. I heard that you have to pay to see a doctor in America - do you think it's possible that they prescribe things simply so they get paid? Does it work like that? Heh, if I had to pay to see the doctor, I'd better be bloody ill or it's a waste of money!

Jordie
xxx
=============
Thanks for your responses. Kevin SMith is an indie film director who has a substantial cult following in the US & UK. He directed the films, Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, and most recently Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back. I dig his writing, which is usually personal, but I thought he went all out for those articles. And the side effects definitely would have me exercizing instead of popping this pill. Eww.:g
=============
Wow, thanks for linking that. I love Kevin Smith, and that was a great article. I feel for him, because my Dr. prescribed that stuff for me. After reading the warnings I refused to take it. My stomach is fussy enough, I just knew if I started taking that stuff I'd never be able to leave the house. There was something about the nurse telling me I shouldn't wear light-colored pants for the first month that gave it away. Everything he said was right on with what I was told about it.

That was some time ago, and recently she prescribed Meridia, which is an appetite supressant. Maybe Kevin should try that instead. I refused once again to take anything...I want to lose my weight on my own, by making chages in my lifestyle, so I will be able to keep it off once it is gone. When you've become "obese" [as opposed to just needing to lose 10 or 20 lbs] most of the battle of weight loss is reprogramming yourself, and that can really take some time.
=============
Originally posted by CRISPY
Thanks for your responses. Kevin SMith is an indie film director who has a substantial cult following in the US & UK. He directed the films, Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, and most recently Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back. I dig his writing, which is usually personal, but I thought he went all out for those articles. And the side effects definitely would have me exercizing instead of popping this pill. Eww.:g

Wow, I didn't know he directed Chasing Amy and Dogma.. those were films I really enjoyed. I'll have to keep an eye out for him in the future.. as an aside, my friend's boyfriend goes to a club in Aberdeen that 'Jay' goes to.. apparently he thinks he's God's gift. :r
=============
Kevin Smith plays Silent Bob in his films, just so you have a perspective on his appearance through the years. His weight is a constant gag in the movies, made all the more promenant now that I've read this article.
=============
He's Silent Bob? :D

I love Silent Bob!!!!!!

He is so sweet!!!!!
=============