CLA/Tonalin weight loss supplement?

glitterhips started this discussion · 10/3/2011

I just started taking this supplement and wanted to see if anyone has used it before or what people think about it. It does say it's safe as long as you aren't overweight when you start taking it. I am not trying to really lose weight but I do want to tone up, this jiggly belly has got to go! I'm going to take pictures tomorrow and try to take them weekly to compare. I am planning on trying to work out 4-5 times a week alternating between pole and cardio and eating primarily fruits, veggies, oatmeal, brown rice, chicken, turkey, eggs/egg whites and tuna. I have been eating a lot of yucky foods the past few weeks because I was so strict before my competition so I feel like I need to eat super clean for a little bit to "reset" myself. So I am hoping the CLA helps, it is supposed to help reduce body fat with regular exercise and a healthy diet. Has anyone else used this supplement before?

15 replies

Jenn · 10/4/2011
Hey Glitter, I have used CLA off and on in the past. I never noticed any result one way or the other, but I wasn't very diligent about taking it either. I didn'y have any side affects. I beleive all CLA is a derivative of safflower oil which helps the body convert energy into muscle rather than fat.
PaulettePoles · 10/4/2011
I have used it tin the pst too- ironic you just put up a thread. I just got it out last night and decied to restart diligently.
chemgoddess1 · 10/4/2011
With CLA you need to make sure that you are taking enough. The studies that showed fat loss were based on 3.4 grams of CLA a day. Most pills are 1000 mg (1g) of product but only a percentage of actual CLA. Typically 4-5 pills is what is needed to get the right amount.
JBStarryEyedGirl · 10/5/2011
I work for a health food and supplement store, and I have to throw my 2 cents in and say I think there are better things you can try for weight loss. I haven't seen or read any studies that really support using CLA for noticeable weight loss. It is supposed to help convert fat into lean muscle. I would recommend taking probiotics, anti-oxidants, a well rounded twice daily multivitmain and some ginseng/tea herbal blends. These are things all people need, and when your body is functioning better, it will naturally work better at losing weight more efficiently.
glitterhips · 10/5/2011
Thanks for the responses girls! JBS, like I said in my post I'm not really looking to lose weight really I just want to tone up/be less jiggly , but those supplements are good too. Thanks for everyones input let me know how it goes Paulette :)
glitterhips · 10/5/2011
Oh and chem I checked my bottle and it says 2 pills is 2000mg and take 2 pills once or twice daily does that mean it has enough CLA?
ORGANIC ANGEL · 10/5/2011
Hey glitter! I have some pointers of what I do to be healthy and I think it helps A Lot. I cut out some things from my diet. I don't eat hydrogentated oils, preservatives, food dyes or artificial flavors or sweeteners. There are organic cakes and cookies you can make that are only 120 calories a serving w/ only 10 cal from fat. I would have four servings sometimes b/c it was the equivalent of one regular piece of cake! I also eat atleast 5 meals a day and two snacks. I am not kidding! (yes, I am preggers, but I ate like this before too. The only thing that has changed for me is that I needed to add lots of creamy cravings to my plate!) You will speed up your metabolism by doing this and no they don't have to be the size of your fist. All of my meals are a full plate. Usually 2-3 veggies, one serving of meat and a filler like whole wheat pasta w/ red sauce(creamy right now though:)) The veggies help A Lot with the tone in your skin and helping keep healthy. Anyway, you look great! I love your confidence and that "belly" as you call it! It all is really nice curving. I know a homeopathic doc that swears by the HCG diet and says you will loose 30 lbs. I'd be cautious of any "miracle pill". Just do what you are doing and your weight will tone up guarenteed. I don't want you to damage your organs or anything. They sometimes take the stuff off of the market b/c there are real drugs in them that damage your liver. I just read a story where a 25 yr old is on liver transplant list! Good luck!
LovesIt · 10/5/2011
I've been taking CLA for a few months after reading literally hundreds of rave reviews on stripperweb.com . I think a woman who walks around (mostly) naked for a living is going to know what she's talking about! I do eat fairly well and have always exercised, but even more so now that I pole. I'm in really good shape despite being heavier than my "normal" weight and have some incredible muscle definition. I can't say how much of that I can contribute to the CLA but it can't hurt!
chemgoddess1 · 10/6/2011
Usually the bottle will say something like this: Supplement Facts Serving Size 1 SOFTGEL Servings Per Container 90 http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/images/en/global/block.gif Amount Per Serving % Daily Value http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/images/en/global/block.gif Calories 10 N/A* http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/images/en/global/block.gif Calories From Fat 10 N/A* http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/images/en/global/block.gif Total Fat 1 Gm 2% http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/images/en/global/block.gif Polyunsaturated Fat 1 Gm N/A* http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/images/en/global/block.gif TONALIN PROPRIETARY BLEND (FROM SAFFLOWER SEEDS) PROVIDING: CONJUGATED LINOLEIC ACID 740 MG - 820 MG 1000 Mg N/A* http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/images/en/global/block.gif http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/images/en/global/block.gif * Daily value not established Even though there is 1000 mg in each tablet, only 740-820 mg is actually CLA. On yours I assume that they are 1000 mg tablets. On the high side of the CLA content you would have to take at least 4 tablets a day (3.3g), on the low you would take 5 a day (3.7 g).
BACE16 · 10/6/2011
Boyfriend's friend got us started on fish oil since he lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks. Something about making you burn existing fat instead of taking in new fat...sounded, well fishy. I was fine the first 5 days, but this morning I had fish flavored burps for 2 hours while stuck in traffic, I'm giving up. Wasn't really on it long enough to see results for weight, but my joints felt better. Another supplement to look into maybe if you don't mind fish flavor.
chemgoddess1 · 10/7/2011
BACE, what brand of fish oil were you taking? This really matters when it comes to burps for the most part. Me on the other hand can take the best one out there and still end up with burps. Sesamin and coconut oil are also other oils that can help you lose weight.
Stevesgirl · 5/6/2012
Just wondering what you ended up thinking about the CLA? Do you think it helped?
minicoopergrl · 5/7/2012
I tried taking it and really didnt see a difference. I was also getting sick from it. Not all the time but the occasional vomit.
polefairy · 5/7/2012
I've been taking CLA but not diligently. I may finish off my packs properly soon. The reason I stopped is because I find the tablets get everything in your gut moving about and gurgling. I have IBS anyway so found it a bit painful to take during a bad flare up. I don't think it's harmful at all and for a healthy belly it is probably quite good because it keeps things moving. My tummy was definitely less bloated when taking it. However, I couldn't hack the constant movement in my stomach so quit taking them til the IBS flare up faded.
pegasusaerialfitness · 5/8/2012
Chem is right...You have to take A LOT, and it takes awhile to work. CLA is found in thngs like red meat and cheese...but they way we feed out cattle these days has geatly limited the amount they contain. It wont be a huge difference, and you wont think it is working until you stop taking it. What it actually does is affect the receptor sites. It tells your body NOT to put the fat back into the cells..IT DOES NOT convert fat to muscle. Try a little Chromium and Vandium too. It will help stabilize the blood sugar which assists in fat loss. NOTE: if you are not eating less calories than you...you will not lose weight....period. Also, If you are genetically prone to having more fat on your tummy then you will have to decide how skinny do you really want to get? Cortisol is a huge "belly" fat promoter..so If you are stressed you will have a harder time losing weight and tummy fat... (There is an organ in the midesction called the Ometum (spelling might not be correct) It can collect a lot of fat and it is very bad for your heart. It is on the inside so it isnt the squishy squeezy part of fat we can grab. This is what people should worry about. Not a little chub on their tummy.) Make sure your are geting enough sleep too. Never do any type of thermogenic..It will back fire on you. Whoever said green tea and eating right is on track too. Green tea has been proven to help the body lose more body fat in studies. Take the long, slow, healthy, way to go. A good quality fish oil will help too. Sleep, Water, good food (food that is not in a bag), try gluten free (it helps some people..not all though), probiotics, Olive Oil...did I mention reduce stress?