I have been trying to both lose weight and to take
supplements that might be good for my heart and arteries.
Currently, I am walking 2 miles a day, and my "weight loss
plan" is mainly: to try and eat less at meals. I take
numerous supplements that I believe will better my heart
(CoQ, Lysine, Vit C, Cayenne, Acetyl L Carnitine, Alpha
Lipoic Acid, etc).
I also have been taking about 4 grams of Conjugated Lipoic
Acid CLA daily, now, for about 2 months. I do not do any
weight training or lifting exercises, though, I would like
to slowly add those to my daily routine. Before my largest
meals, I take 2 CLA softgels (that is: 2,000 mgs or 2
grams), and then I eat my meal.
In the past several weeks I have noticed that my weight has
stabilized, while I continue to lose fat around my waist,
and my waistline measurement is VERY slowly shrinking. Also,
I notice a feeling (palpation, feeling it with my hand) a
noticeable increase in bulk in muscle size of my triceps --
the back of my upper arm. I was actually a bit shocked that
there was a noticeable decrease in belly fat on me, and that
my triceps muscle felt slightly larger and fuller.
I did not take CLA believing that it was "a carb blocker" or
wishing to increase muscle size. I took it because I read
that it provided useful amino acids which aided the vascular
system. Now, I am re-reading (online) the various
promotional claims from distributers of CLA: they talk about
it reducing belly fat and it adding some to muscle mass
while taking away from overall body fat. It almost seems
strange to me that...this is exactly what I observe
happening in my body.
I would just as soon NOT add any muscle mass, but I am
pleased that a supplement which appears (otherwise) harmless
is actually helping me to get rid of that monster gut on my
belly. My thinking, at this moment, is that if I continue to
lose weight down to a target range, I will cut my CLA
doseage to 1,000 mg a day and see where I go from there.