[maryea]

I was told not to exercise or to exercise very lightly with Medifast. I think I understand the logic as we are eating very few calories, but is there a point when still losing weight that we can exercise? Or are we suppose to wait until maintenance? I feel like I'm hearing/reading different things..as some places it says exercise and on the daily trackers it even has you list exercise/activity and other place it says not to exercise.

[JayEll]

Hi, maryea,

My reading of the official Medifast materials tells me that they recommend that people without a history of exercise do not start an exercise program immediately upon beginning Medifast. If someone has already been doing exercise, the Medifast recommendation is that they cut back and do a lighter workout for the first couple of weeks.

Once someone is past the first couple of weeks, then mild to moderate exercise is fine--in fact, it's a good idea. But you do not have to join a gym, become a marathon runner, etc., to lose weight. I think they say taking a walk every day is a good idea. Of course, it's up to you if you want to go beyond that.

Medifast was originally devised for people who were so obese that they could not do heavy exercise.

When in doubt, read the official Medifast materials. You can get them on medifast1.com or from your Take Shape for Life coach if you have one.

Jay