[freiamaya]

Ms Michelle:

We feel for you, and know you will do the best that you can. And I promise, NO FOOD PORN!!!
Maya

[mpope]

but I still have some questions. I read over all the material and not sure about my coffee addiction....Is it ok to have one cup in the mornings with Splenda and 2 tsp. of half and half? I know I have to get all of my water in..but wasn't sure if coffee was OP.

Also, I was putting my daily meals together. I'm opting for the ziploc baggies. In my two week package, I have two oatmeals ( peach and apple cinnamon ), I have three flavored shakes (vanilla, choccy and strawberry), I have two boxes of the bars (mint and caramel something), I have one box of bananna pudding, and two boxes of soup ( tomato and chicken noodle). I assume the oatmeals are for breakfast but do I have to oatmeal for every single morning? I guess it's the most filling.

Can anyone give me suggestions on what to add to some of these things to make them ahhh, more tasty and doable. : ) Although I haven't tried them and I might love them just as they are, and I see in the books that SF syrups are a good flavoring as well as Splenda.

I just need some MF's suggestions and opinions on how to add to these items to get the most out of them.

Andie, have you gotten your package yet?

[Andiemom]

Originally Posted by mpope

Andie, have you gotten your package yet?

No, but I checked the tracking number and it should be here tomorrow. I have a huge coffee addiction, too. I use liquid coffee mate and I'm thinking that's gonnna be a no no? I am going to try to cut down but it will be really hard for me. I'm a little worried about caffeine withdrawl headaches. The first few days will probably be the hardest.

I like the idea of dividing the daily meals into ziplock baggies. I think I will do that. I ordered the four week program (auto ship).

[freiamaya]

Hi all!
I divided all my food into food days, and made a nice mix of what I received. I generally have a bar/oatmeal, a shake, a pudding, a soup/chili/stew, and a hot drink every day. This mix works really well for me, but I must confess that some days, I swap out food packs based on what I feel like having! Not always, but sometimes!
As for making them tasty and doable, I really really REALLY recommend that you try the products just as they are, and commit to having them as is for the first two weeks. You might find your tastebuds changing, and they aren't as frightful as you might think. Also, while getting into a routine, I've found that easiest is BEST to start with. I played with the lean and green at first, but still haven't done anything to the MF meals except adding pepper, salt and hot sauce. You can always play with the meals once you've established your routine.
Anyways, since my Christmas off-plan time, I am back down to my pre-Christmas weight! YIPPEE!
Ms Ruthee, are you out there? We miss you!
Maya

[camorgana]

Hey, Everyone and Happy 2008!

I had to read soooo much to catch up. Great job on the "Jump to January!"

I'm going to get back home to Houston AND my scale (after 4 weeks in PA for the holidays) on Sunday. I've been OP the entire time. I've been able to weigh twice--but it's been over a week since my last weigh-in and you know that is makin' me totally nuts!

Hi to all of the new folks! I haven't posted in awhile but have for sometime now really enjoyed the support and general insanity of this big bunch of MFers! Our circle is growing!!! Well, you know what I mean SHRINKING and growing.

Some people have been asking about the food. I'm starting my 8th week and my current favorite thing is:
Redi-made Vanilla Shake mixed with either a diet Pepsi or diet Root Beer. Disclaimer: of course, I still really enjoy the freeekin' Peachy Oatmeal which has been known to cause serious incidences of GAA-AACK from others in our company.

I plan to be a MFer for 6 more weeks--should be to my goal by then...
Anyhoo--it has me thinking and planning alot about the transition back to real life and, cringe, making choices about what I eat. I'm reading a couple of books that are giving me some good strategies and focus: Thin for Life and Superfoods Healthstyle. It keeps that what-if-I-gain-it-all-back anxiety at bay and I do recommend both reads.

DO IT!!! IT WORKS!!!
Carol

[CinnamonGirl]

Hi Everyone!

Day three (I think) for me. Yuck! I hate the first five days, bleh. Wish I'd never stopped and taken that maintenance break. No that's not really true. It was good for me as I did learn I can maintain this when I hit goal. I'd just forgotten how HUNGRY I was in the beginning. I'd also forgotten about the bad ketosis breath. Yeeesh!

Anyway, I wanted to chime in on the taste of the food for the MF newbies here. First time around I started eating the food "as is" from MF. Then as I became more confident and excited I tried some doctoring. When I started to get "bored" I tried recipes. Now that I'm back to lose the rest of my weight I'm eating it "as again".

I discovered that a lot of the food that I hated at the beginning I really liked later. If you hate something don't throw it out. Tuck it away and try it again in a few weeks. You'll be amazed how much your taste buds change. I hated the chili when I first got it. Now it's my favorite lunch. In fact I waved my little white chili package at my DH today and gave him the "na, na, na I get to eat chili", thing.

--Beth

PS One more thing - never ever ever forget the dregs of an MF shake in your shaker jar with the lid on over night. If you do for the love o' Pete don't stick your nose in and sniff it!!! LOL!

[Ruthxxx]

Hi there! I'm still around but am having problems adapting to my new cordless laser mouse. Dumb technology! So silly - and I am a grad in Computer Technology!

Just had a shake for breakfast and have a bar in my bag ready for a trip to the hospital this morning for pre-op stuff. Three weeks from today I'll have a new knee!

See y'all later. More company arriving around noon so I need to jet to town and be back here!

[abovethedin]

Originally Posted by brookelizabeth

I asked this on another thread but will ask here just in case someone is on right now...


Few opinions please...

Thanks!!!

Brooke,

I have been on the auto delivery for my first two months and also the variety pack. I have not had any problems at all with the auto delivery.I think for next month I am going to choose my own products just because there are too many items I don't care for or just won't eat(vegetarian) in the variety pack.

I have a friend who does add coffee to their vanilla shakes and just loves it. As for the crackers and soy crisps...yesterday was the first day I had the ranch soy crisps and I can see myself getting hooked on those. They tasted so good! I like the pudding but don't really have it every day. I love the hot drinks and could have those all day!

I believe Medfast has a return policy for items you don't care for. I am not 100% on this so maybe someone else can clarify.

I hope this helps.

Jen

[abovethedin]

Originally Posted by camorgana

I plan to be a MFer for 6 more weeks--should be to my goal by then...
Anyhoo--it has me thinking and planning alot about the transition back to real life and, cringe, making choices about what I eat. I'm reading a couple of books that are giving me some good strategies and focus: Thin for Life and Superfoods Healthstyle. It keeps that what-if-I-gain-it-all-back anxiety at bay and I do recommend both reads.

DO IT!!! IT WORKS!!!
Carol

Carol,

Your starting weight and goal are very close to mine. Would you mind sharing how long you have been using medifast? I am just trying to figure out what a realistic weighloss goal is each month.

Oh and thanks for the book recommendations. Although I am nowhere near my goal, I have been wondering lately how I will transition when I get there.

Jen

[mpope]

So today is my first official, OP day with MF. I'm really excited. I have everything for today in a ziploc bag (which was kind of depressing in itself ) and I've had my apple cinnamon oatmeal. Not awesome, but good. Definitely doable.

We've got a huge 2008 kickoff breakfast being catered today so I'm just going to stay out of the boardroom this morning and THEN for lunch, we have our litigation section meeting which is also being catered. Jeesh....I did good though. I brought my Boca burgers and veggies and will be having that while everyone else is having greasy junk. So I figure if I can get through TODAY with all this being thrown at me, I'll do just fine.

Wish me luck.

[StillTryin]

HI ALL, AS I mentioned in the last thread I have about 2-3 weeks of MF left from before. I am really trying to work up the motivation to USE it. Man I can not believe how hard it is to get back on track after getting OFF track so bad.

[camorgana]

Happy MF-ing Thursday!

Jen: I started MF on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007 and weighed 189 pounds that day. I've lost an average of 3.5 pounds a week since then. Everybody does lose at different rates, though--even on the same plan. Before I did MF, I had lost the previous 41 pounds using Ultrametabolism by Dr. Mark Hyman--the old book, not the newer shorter version. I also exercise fairly regularly.
You are vegetarian, right? I am and that's the main reason that I am planning and studying up for maintainence. I really don't think low carb (as MF would have you maintain) makes for a healthy balance as a vegetarian. So I plan to focus my transition time to aim for the same total calories that MF is recommending for that phase, but move to whole un-processed foods (not MF mixes) and adjust the ratio of carbs and protein a bit. Basically I'm planning to eat a ton of veggies and add back legumes. Of course, that's for today--I'm just going to keep reading what I can.

Mellissa: You can do it! You can make better choices than those that are being made by your colleagues! You are in control and definitely worth it! Go get your life!

[mpope]

Mellissa: You can do it! You can make better choices than those that are being made by your colleagues! You are in control and definitely worth it! Go get your life! [/QUOTE]


Carol, I LOVE that... "GO GET YOUR LIFE". that is great.

I have had a great OP day so far. I mean, I know it's only 3:30 but I just got through with the caramel bar (OMG, THAT was yummy) and I haven't felt the least bit of hunger all day. I'm really excited about that. I had my LG meal today for lunch and plan on having soup and a leftover Boca burger I didn't eat at lunch for my supper and I've got a pudding for dessert.

[michelle127]

Hi all,
Peach oatmeal....ewwwww!

Yes, you can have coffee - yum! I use powdered coffee mate. It's on the list for fat, which I have trouble getting in.

Boy there's a LOT of hugging going on around here. Don't you know it's cold and flu season? Back off!

Carmor, Daaayum Girl!! Wow!
SweetP - still kicking butt!

For those just starting out...I bought extracts and flavor drops because I'm very picky. I combed the message boards to get advice about how to cook the soups, chili, and oatmeal. I have to agree with Maya, just cuz she's a sweetie. But after you've tasted everything, here are some tips that have worked for me. Throw away your peach oatmeal. Take the other oatmeal and soak it is 3/4 of a cup of cold water with splenda and cinnamon (regular or extract). Then take a shower. After dressing, stir oatmeal and nuke for 2 minutes (or stove cook). Soak and spice the soups and chili overnight if you can. The chicken noodle and chicken and rice need pepper. The chili needs chili powder, pepper, and a Tbs of hot taco sauce. Sometimes I add extract to the shakes, but mostly I'm lazy. I will make cookies, bread, and other stuff when I get bored.

Maya, did I read that you posted recipes?? I didn't see them. I have a few that I've found. Let's share!

I weight in tomorrow. Can't wait to see!

Be good everyone and thanks for the well wishes. I can't even deal with her until Wednesday. Uggghhh.

[michelle127]

Cinnamon,
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!

Good job restarting, by the way.