Hi Everyone,
OK I was suppose to start Sat but end up starting Today. So far so good. I think overall the food is cool but the oatmeal is just plain nasty to me. I need a recipe for the oatmeal...lol. I am going to weigh in on Friday, I hope to see at least 2 pounds gone!!!!

Michelle127, Rachel and Sweet P - good luck ladies, from reading the boards everyone is doing great.

I will update you ladies soon!

Try making the oatmeal with just hot water, don't microwave it.

I made waffles with my oatmeal, very good. I tried a lot of recipes and this is the only one I like.

Any MF oatmeal
2 T eggbeaters or 1 egg white
1/2 tsp baking powder
between 1/4 and 1/2 water to make batter the right consistency, go slowly with the water. If you add too much just let it sit.

You can add vanilla syrup, cinnamon, splenda etc but it was good by itself. It still has the odd oatmeal taste but it's really good. It makes 2 small square waffles or maybe one big one.

Good luck!

Jen,
WOW!!!!!!! Great job!!

Hotmom,
I accidentally figured out what way works for me. I tried the muffins, bread, waffles, and pancakes. I didn't like them and anyway I try to keep with the basics. I hear that people lose more quickly if they stay away from the recipes.

I mix my oatmeal (apple & cinnamon or blueberry) with 3/4 cup of water. Stir in cinnamon (extract is best) and 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon of splenda, depending on my mood. Then put the bowl in the fridge and let it soak until you're done getting ready. Nuke for 2 minutes - yum!

You're going to have to play around with the food and figure out what you like. I could not live without PB2, Davinici's sugar free syrups, my magic bullet, and the fancy shaker for 3.99. Good luck.

tracer,
I would definitely go to the center if I could. Let us know what happens.

So I went on the eliptical today. Wooooshh! I managed 20 minutes, but WOW it was torture! I can't believe how out of shape I am. I'm gonna keep it between 20-30 minutes - that's it. I might be tired cuz stupid TOM showed up at tad early. But I guess 3 pounds this week was pretty good!

Ok so here I go on a cruise right? Scared to death that I won't be able to eat anything or I will gain everything I have lost back

So I go to New Orleans-land of great restaurants-eat very carefully, take my bars and shakes and do a modified plan. Get on the cruise ship where I'm sure I will do shakes and bars and two lean and greens every day, forget about it!

I stayed on a low carb plan for about two days but then ate everything I wanted. I drank wine and had a good time. I also worked out every morning and drank lots of water. Bottom line is I came home and thought, Oh well if I gained 10 pounds back I know how to take it off. I weighed this morning and gained 1.5 pounds!!! I was in shock!

So now back to plan, but more important I know that I won't just pack the weight back on when I've reached my goal. I also realize I can't possibly eat like I did on the cruise all of the time, but it is possible to live a normal life with celebrations etc and not lose the battle!

Welcome all of you newbies! I am thrilled that you have decided to try this wonderful program! You will find that this is the best thing around for us chronic dieters! I too have tried them all and this is the one that works.

Wooooo Hooooooo!! Great job! You know, I would have eaten everything too..... You have to live and enjoy life too.

Now back to the grind!

Hi Again everyone!

I just want to say I made it through Day 1 yesterday! It wasn't too bad, however I did find the MF meals extremely small! I didn't feel quite satisfied after them, but I'm hoping once I adjust to eating smaller amounts I'll feel more full. On the other hand, the lean and green was very filling (6 ounces of chicken is more than I would normally eat).

vbevens - I'm going on a cruise in just 3 weeks and I'm worried about what I'll do. But, it was a choice between starting MF or waiting another month and I decided to go ahead and start. I'm hoping to lose 6-8 pounds before the cruise. I already know I won't be able to stay on plan during the cruise - it's my first cruise and I want to be able to drink a glass of wine and indulge just a little bit! I'm inspired that you made it through a cruise with very little damage! And of course there is the challenge of getting back on plan after the cruise.

Michelle - there are two kinds of disorders: Sleep Eating Disorder and Night Eating Syndrome. I have Night Eating Syndrome so I'm not actually asleep. I am awake, but it's like I don't have control. Almost like I'm in a trance. People with Sleep Eating are actually asleep as if they are sleep walking. Sleep eaters will sometimes consume non-food items like soap! Luckily, I didn't wake up last night. Hopefully, I can break out of the syndrome with MF!

I am very inspired by all of your successes! I'm amazed at everyone's tickers as many of you have lost a LOT of weight!

Goodluck to all the other newcomers!

Dear iamkaren-my advice for the cruise is to drink LOTS of water and work out. That seems to have been the key for me. Since I've been back (three days now) I have lost another 5 pounds. I think going off the plan kind of kick started something.

Where are you cruising?

Just wondering if anyone has tried the new Momentum products from MF. I just ordered some to come with my next order. Supposedly they have the stuff that is in green tea and some caffiene to help boost the weight loss.

I have lost 11 pounds total in 3 weeks so I am not complaining, but I haven't lost anything in over a week. I even gained a couple of pounds then back down. I think it was because I have been sick with a horrible cold. Sunday I went off plan but didn't eat much. I just didn't eat MF foods. I had fever and chills and just nibbled a few items such as pretzles and some FF chips. I know.....carbs!! Also, the cough was so bad I slept with a cough drop in my mouth for a few nights. I did count the calories....15 per drop. I still kept my calories on average the same.

I am just thinking that the Momentum stuff may help. Anyone with some personal input on them?

Tootsie

Congratulations on your continued weight loss! I'm very inspired by everyone's successes here!

I'm going to the Bahamas. It's my first cruise ever and it's only 4 days. Of course, I'll be traveling a day or so on each end to get to/from the port. As I already mentioned, I almost didn't start Medifast until after the cruise. But then I figured if I can lose 5-10 pounds before the cruise, I'll enjoy it more - and maybe I won't go crazy eating everything in sight!

The water and exercise are good suggestions. I'll be with my SIL. She and her son are runners so they will be good influences!

My biggest challenge will be getting back on plan right afterwards. Maybe you guys can help me be accountable.

Jen, I craved salty things like chips and I normally crave sweet. I think MF is sweet so we miss salt and crunch. I bought the MF crackers and put Laughing Cow lite cheese on them every night and that helped a lot. I would also make eggs and salt them. I normally don't use salt much but seemed to want it.

I am not on MF any longer but tonight I had MF oatmeal waffles. I still like them and I use MF to keep my calories low. In the 3 weeks or so that I have been off I have only lose an additional 5. I seem to be having a hard time getting my calories back up to a normal amount for losing, 1,400. I zig zag them from 1,000 to 1,800. Today I stayed under 1,000 just to see. I wonder if MF screwed up my metabolism?? Exercise might help but I am lazy!

It's finally getting warmer in WI. The puppy comes in muddy but its worth it!

Have a good weekend everyone!

Could it be almost your TOM? I have a few hard days just before when I want to eat everything. Maybe add an xtra shake on those days?

When calories are low our body catches on and lowers metabolism so we don't starve. Zig zagging is a way to fool the body. Eat low for 3 days then high for one or two then back down. Change up what you eat, carbs, protein etc. I was watching Biggest Loser and they have a cheat day to fool their metabolism. When you hit a plateau you go down in calories by 100 but if you start at 1,200 you don't have anywhere to go. Most tell you not to go below 1,200 unless you are doing MF. I have read a lot of good about MF. Also, eating every 3 hours is very important and keeps metabolism higher. Exercise as well.

You are going to love Laughing Cow. It tastes so yummy after being on MF.

brooke-you said you are no longer doing MF? Can I ask why?

I think the zig-zagging occured for me without trying because of my cruise and I have seen fantastic results since I have been back. There has been a lot of discussion on the MyMedifast.com about the level of calories and the metabolism stalling.

I have tried the Momentum and it's good. I have to say I had some and then I had a Diet Coke and the total cafein made me a little nauteous. (sp?)