This is week one for me (day 5). It has been hard. I am weak, and a little shaky. I'm hungry occasionally, but not as much as I would expect when you take into consideration I was probably eating 3000-4000 calories in the weeks leading up to starting this (a lot of emotional eating). I think the mental part is probably the hardest - I have used food for stress management and although it was unhealthy, it worked! Now, I am having to learn other ways (I have a child with a severe disability, and life can be stressful).
Anyway, how do you do it?
Some things that have helped me when I am struggling-
-Water. I have never drank much water, but it really helps me feel more full and helps me feel better (plus, it's required)
-I heated up a chicken bouillion cube with 1 cup water and ate it like soup when I was so hungry I couldn't stand it.
-I bought a blender for my shakes and mixed lots of ice with them - makes them a lot bigger.
-Once, when I just couldn't stand it, I ate more protein than was allowed (I am not recommending this, but it's what I did - I figured it wouldn't disrupt ketosis, although it might slow weight loss).
-I close my eyes and imagine what I will be able to wear after a month, two, three, etc.
Like I said, it has been rough but I have lost 7 pounds in five days. It has been worth it for me.
It's definitely a change... I've been on the plan about a week and a half. It made me realize how much time I spent eating! The first week I was extremely weak and nauseous, and I was constantly getting dizzy. I felt better on day 9 (I think). Now I'm not always hungry, but I do get the urge to eat, so I have to do things to keep me busy. Before I would use food as a comfort and to amuse myself if I was bored.
I have added miracle noodles to my diet (they can be ordered online) with my L&G meal- I cook the noodles with tuna and it tastes good (alone they have no flavor and are kind of rubbery). The miracle noodles come in 7 oz containers, which is 7 carbs, so I eat that along with some tuna (2 90 calorie packets=2 carbs) and that keeps me fuller. I am still keeping under 85 so that's good.
Hi, good for both of you for finding ways to remain 'faithful' to the program. This is my second 'go 'round'. Three years ago, they recommended a cup of bouillon for the 'dizzies', which was effective, as Jean has mentioned. After a week or two, hunger usually disappears, and one has to actually remind themselves to eat! And, one's energy level increases, as well. Like mentioned, water is your best friend for keeping hunger at bay. And, as I feel my clothes getting looser, it gives me the drive to go on! I have been on the program since March 10th and have lost 23.3 #, pretty good for an old lady of 65! Best wishes to both of you for much success!
Water is also necessary to protect your kidneys. Please drink plenty of it, please.
Myself, I go on the diet in twenty lb. increments. In fact, I'm getting ready to place another order soon. It kinda started when I lost my dog after I got started last year. I went absolutely nuts and could barely get to work and outta bed. Everything got set aside.
I have worries about losing so much so fast and want time to get my body to readjust. I don't want to lose the weight only to wind up loose and saggy.
My big recommendation to everyone is to prepare for life after MF/WS/NLS by researching and planning how you intend to eat for the rest of your life. It's how I've been able to maintain between "fasts". You don't wanna be back here in a couple of years talking about how you were successful at losing but then gained it all back plus some. This plan is one of the easier ones for doing that big time on.
I agree that a 'post fast' plan has to be in order, or it's right back here, again! No thanks! My plan, this time, is to switch to Weight Watchers for the last 10#. I took this into account before starting the Medifast?Wonderslim program, this time around. I know, for me, the point system is more workable and certainly more realistic, than, continuing to add supplements to my daily diet, for the rest of my life.
Operator- When you are going off of Medifast and going to the in-between phases how exactly do you do that in order to prevent gaining weight back? For financial reasons I have to stop Medifast as of Friday. I have some extra packets and will be using those but I want to be able to transition back to eating 1500ish calories a day and a normal intake of carbs without gaining back. I have been doing exactly what you have suggested - researching like crazy. But I was wondering if you had any specific techniques to going off of it in a way that isn't going to confuse my body.
I've been on Medifast now for 15 weeks. I feel great and have plenty of energy. Plus, I'm losing an average of 4 pounds a week.
The cost of not losing this weight is what drives me to my finish line. The program is only temporary. I'll get to my goal weight, transition out and monitor.
I love the convenience of the products and I will probably keep using them even when I get to goal.
Wow, four # each week is a fantastic weight loss. This old body of mine slams on the brakes and only allows me 2# a week at most. But, at 65, I am still very pleased that I am losing! Congratulations to all!
How do you stay on this diet?
