Optavia
 

Are the new optavia products giving you the same results and the original Medifast products? I see the ingredients changed quite a bit. Just wondering if the results were still the same.

Hey Steph! Glad you're feeling better. It may be a case of 'carb flu' that happens when someone goes into a low carb diet; like a hangover. Try not to set too high expectations on the loss. I know I did and while I thought I lost nine pounds my first week, by the weigh in day, my system had balanced itself and settled at 7.4 instead. I was really disappointed because I expected to see a higher number. Be patient and know that huge losses are not constant. You haven't noted how much you're looking to lose and the more you have the more you lose at first.

I was looking at my notes from when I was on the medically supervised VLCD from a few years back and even then I was losing 4lbs a week most weeks and sometimes 2lbs. If I can repeat that success I'll be happy.

If you feel lighter and your clothes are looser, focus on that feeling!!

Cheers,
Laura

Thanks for the encouragement, Laura. I would like to lose 130 pounds which is half my body weight (yikes!) I do tend to get my hopes up for "big" losses but this time around I am going to weigh once a week and if there is ANY loss I will count it a success. But I do hope for a bigger number the first week ;)

Maybe it IS that carb flu. I remember that now. This is Day 6. I just had my second meal (Wonderslim drink, which isn't exactly MF but I have some to use up). The liquids are settling nicely today so I will go with it. I'm going to make a Lean and Green soup for my dinner. What do you think, can I just measure 1.5 cups of on plan vegetables and the appropriate ounces of an approved Lean, then cook them in some broth? I think I will actually make that at lunch time and split it between lunch and dinner because it sounds like a lot of volume. Wish I had some MF chicken noodle soup right now but I don't think I do.

Happy Friday all! Good work everyone on sticking with it and any weight loss large or small. They are all victories. We all have our issues from day to day or even hour to hour but coming here and recommitting is the important thing. Soon we'll have the weight loss, the looser clothes, the healthier bodies and minds. Kudos!

BamTam Thanks for the advice with the MF Cappuccino. I'm trying but its not been my favorite. I've been adding black coffee to it which helps but maybe making as a cold drink will help.

Karen I have always walked especially to help me sleep better so I didn't stop when I started MF. What I have noticed is that once I dropped the first few pounds, my endurance when way up again and I'm able to go faster and raise the elevation on the treadmill. I think it has helped with the weight loss because it hasn't leveled off like I expected. A happy thing. I'll bet some light cardio will help you too.

Stay the course!

Sheila

I have some of the new Optavia products and I like them. They have a bit more of a sophisticated favor and supposedly they are all natural with no artificial sweeteners etc. They seem to work just the same and if you look at the box, they are made in the same factory. The difference is they are a bit more expensive. That's a pain because this is already expensive. But they are quite nice for the most part.

Sheila

Thank you. I was just very successful with Medifast in the past. I tried other brands with less success. So I'm a little leery about spending money on new products if I don't lose the same.

Just checking in at the end of another successful 100% on plan day! I had a mint chocolate bar mid afternoon and some beef stew I made for dinner. It was 5 oz cubed beef, and a cup and a half of on plan vegetables, simmered in a cup of broth and a little of the MF gravy packet to thicken it. I have one more MF meal to enjoy tonight. I am feeling much better than I did this morning! Hope you all are doing great too.

Glad you're better and your meal sounds YUMMY!!!

Happy Saturday all!

Well I weighed in and was down 9.6 lbs. Whoa! I was looking for 4 so this was a pleasant surprise. I had a feeling since my clothes are looser. Total so far is 15.2 lost. Wow.

Had a mental wobble yesterday that is hard to describe. We were at Costco late in the afternoon and while I actually didn't WANT the samples I was too conscious that I couldn't have them. Plus, in the past, we would have ate dinner there, having pizza or Italian sausage. I felt guilty that I had taken this opportunity away with my new way of living. The ridiculous bit is that all this is in my head. My husband has not complained once. In fact, he's lost 10lbs on his own using his Fitbit food diary.

In the past, we enabled each other to make bad choices and I feel like subconsciously I'm trying to get back there. I journalled about it and that helped straighten my mind out.

I'm also rethinking the weekly weigh in. I felt a lack of reinforcement this week. I'm thinking of weighing on Wednesday between the weekly weigh in.

On with a great day!

Cheers,
Laura

BanTan ~

This looks mighty good. I used many packets of MF Capuccino and then I decided to go caffeine free so I stopped using them. I used to mix it up in my morning coffee and loved it --- so filling. You're sure creative to mix it up like this!

Karen

Laura, First and foremost, CONGRATULATIONS! 9.6 is huge and must really feel great. You likely shocked yourself.

I think you hit the nail on the head as to why I weigh myself everyday. Once a week is just not enough for me. I don't like not having that visual reinforcement. If I stay at the same weight or even just lose the smallest amount, I feel empowered to keep doing what I'm doing. If I should gain (which luckily has only happen once in a month), it strengthens my resolve to work harder. I know this causes stress for many people but I think you may have found a good compromise between the ends of the spectrum. Twice a week. I'll be interested to hear how it works for you.

I also understand how you feel about the Costco mental state of mind. I was at Sam's Club last weekend and had zero desire to eat any samples. Absolutely no problem but I do find myself in situations where I think, in the past I would have done this or that. My husband and I also enabled each others bad decisions and behaviors regarding food. It's easier now that we are both dieting but I'm seeing him starting to slip ever so slightly. I think my challenge both to encourage him to stay "clean" and not to slide backwards with him even in the least.

Last night, I went to a friend's for dinner with her mother and sister. All 3 of them are naturally small people. Even though I'd spent a lot of time with them in the past, I found myself watching more closely at their relationship to food. We split a 1lb piece of salmon that was lightly cooked in olive oil and then had a wasabi, soy sauce, honey glaze over the top, asian slaw with very minimal dressing and rice. I skipped the rice but ate the rest. They ate slowly while we chatted. Dinner was more about fueling your body and spending the time together talking than it was about the actual food served. They had each had the smallest piece of apple crisp pie for dessert and at most of it but not all. I passed on the pie. Everyone was satisfied and moved on from dinner. I think I need to view food more as fuel for my body than something that gives me emotional satisfaction. More food/fuel for thought!

Steph, Way to go for sticking with it another day! One day at a time.

Hitting the movies this afternoon for the first time in a long time. I'm hoping to have popcorn avoidance strength!

Stay the course!

Sheila

Laura ~

Wow just Wow! What an great loss! :carrot:

I know too well that guilt you feel when you think you are taking eating opportunities away from others. Please try to let that go. It can be mental sabotage. In the months that I have been on Medifast I've been faced with similar situations so I make sure to always have a Medifast ready-to-eat meal in my purse AT ALL TIMES! I've sat down at many pizzza places and enjoyed a restaurant meal with my family happily content to eat my bar. It really comes down to changing our thought process with food. I've discovered nobody really is paying attention to what you are and what you are not eating. I'm convinced we are the only ones thinking about this cause everyone else is eating!!

Carve THIS time out for you! Keep your path straight ahead with your goals and your eating plan as the number one priority. The ones who love and care for us want us to succeed and most will do anything for us to make that happen.

I've found I have gotten stronger and more determined as I've continued. The first month I cleared my calendar of all entertainment that revolved around food. I just felt I wouldn't be strong enough. I've added all that back in over the months and find that other's food does not bother me nor make me crave any longer.

Doing Medifast can be a pretty emotional journey because we are dealing with how we got to where we are and how to get back. I'm glad you journal, it helps to look back on the days when we struggle with our mind set. There will be highs and lows. Enjoy your high Laura. You've lost a ton of weight. Celebrate that!

I'm rooting for you and celebrating what you've achieved!

Karen

Sheila ~

I'm really trying to wrap my head around "food as fuel" too. I find myself observing how others eat, especially the thin-er ones.

I have a sister who has always been thin. She mentally sees food as fuel for her body. I am consciously aware now that she NEVER cleans her plate. She is just satisfied and then moves on. Doesn't dwell on food. She volunteers a lot for all sorts of things. She said that is the single best thing she does because it gives her something to focus on outside of herself and probably food.

I finally stopped worrying about failing. Boy does that use up so much energy and kept me from seeing my own strength.

Karen

Joyce ~

I've been thinking about you. How did your weight in go today?

Karen

Good morning everyone. This morning I had MF pancakes for breakfast and I remembered that peanut butter used to be on plan, then I think off plan, then on? I used 1 Tbsp on the pancakes. I think that is ok and counts as a snack, right? If I made a mistake I will count it as my fat serving.

I have a birthday party to go to today right at dinnertime. I don't really know what they are serving, but it's not a dinner. It could be anything from a buffet of food, to just cake. I was worried about how to handle it, this is what I came up with. I'll have half of my Lean and Green for lunch, and then if they have things like a veggie tray or anything else on plan I can have some of my Lean and Green there, but if not I will have the other half when I get home. Also I will eat a MF bar right before I go in case there is nothing there I can eat. The bars are so filling and satisfying that I think it will take away the temptation.

Tomorrow is my 1 week weigh in so I am very motivated to make today a great day.

Sheila and Karen, thanks so much for your insights. I will likely return to read both posts many more times.

We drove up to Northern Virginia to meet up with some friends at a favorite restaurant. I had already planned on ordering the grilled salmon salad and I knew the primary order that everyone would be partaking in was poutine and buffalo wings. With that in mind, I sat as far away from my husband as the table would allow. Not only would it get the yummy smells out of my immediate area, our friends would have better access to us both as they filled the seats on either side of the table. As expected the appetizers started and I was resolute in my determination to not waver. Any temptation I entertained disappeared the second I ate the most magnificent salmon and salad! It was so flavorful, filling and satisfying that I didn't feel like I had been excluded at all.

Another observation was that in looking at the plates of my thin friends, they ate what they wanted and did not feel compelled to clean the plate. Under different circumstances I may have done the same but since this was my only real food meal and was so good for me, I gobbled mine up!

Steph, good luck on the weigh in tomorrow. I know you did well because you stuck to the plan!! Really looking forward to you checking in with us!!

Have a great evening all!!

Cheers,
Laura

Laura ~ I could not believe my eyes...I was thinking, fantastic, she has lost 9.6 total!
Wow! Then to read it again, gosh! One week! Total 15.2 is awesome!
Congratulations!

I liked your term: "mental wobble" - and you recovered. You are a wonderful accompaniment to your husband - you are both good for each other in the food realm - be it home, Costco or restaurants!

I am so glad you had a delicious salmon dinner. I think it is so easy when you eat out. I love to choose and savor what I can have. I know you did!

Karen ~ Thank you for thinking of me...I lost another 1.5 pounds this week! I am happy as a lark...only 16.5 pounds to go! I realize the closer I get, the smaller the losses.

Transition is a a comin'! That will be the real learning curve!

Happy Sunday all!

Joyce, thanks for the kudos. I am looking forward to hearing about your experiences with transition/maintenance. As we all know, that is the most difficult part of this journey!

Steph, how did it go!?

Back to cleaning my house. I went through my closet and arranged my clothes by size so I know I have enough to wear until I reach goal because I don't want to really buy any new clothes as I transition. I may go to a second-hand store for jeans because I have plenty of dress pants for work in varying sizes. I was so excited to see my old clothes and it has strengthened my resolve to keep going!

Cheers,
Laura

Joyce ~


Great loss my friend. :carrot: Gosh you are so close. I think the losses definitely slow down as we get closer to goal. When I get there I will lean into your great attitude you ALWAYS have no matter what that scale tells. Staying 100% on plan is quite enough to celebrate.

I've been thinking about transition, too. You'll do great because you are already planning that part in your mind.

Karen

Laura ~

So happy for you that you are being inspired while pulling those old clothes out to the forefront of your closet. It is a good visual to see each day to encourage you to stay the course.

Karen

Good morning all. It went pretty well at the party. They had sandwiches and all kinds of junk food, plus a fruit tray, but no vegetables. Luckily I had a bar before I went. It was 3 hours long and got a little difficult about 2 hours in. I drank 4 glasses of ice water and ate one slice of deli turkey that had fallen off a sandwich onto the serving tray. I made it through, had fun socializing, and came home and had a medifast pudding. I weighed in this morning and am down 5 pounds for week 1. I am pleased with that. I would really love to lose 3 pounds a week here on out, but I know from experience there will be slow weeks too. I am the kind of person who likes to predict out (in weeks and months) what I could weigh by x date. It keeps me excited but I have to be careful not to over-predict! I know there could be some weeks with no or low losses. I am going to try and make a signature with my losses each week in it.

How is everyone doing this fine day?

Steph! :bravo: Five pounds is fantastic!!

Sounds like you did a great job at the party. I just actually finished plotting out my "I could weigh x by this date" on my calendar. I think it's a great idea and gives you a visual to look to when you're feeling off.

Again, WAY TO GO!!

Cheers,
Laura

So when you did that, what amount of pounds per week are you guessing? Just curious how others do their estimates :)

Steph, I have two ranges I'm tracking. When I lost almost 130lbs before it was averaging 4lbs a week. I have factored in 4lbs a week, but have tabled them monthly. As well, I have plotted out a 2lb a week loss.

Here is what I have right now in approximately 4 week increments for the calendar year:

Feb 11 - 276/280
Mar 15 - 260/272
Apr 13 - 240/262
May 13 - 224/254
Jun 10 - 208/246
Jul 8 - 192/238
Aug 5 - 176/230
Sep 2 - 160/222
Sep 30 - 144 (if possible)/214
Oct 28 - 206
Nov 25 - 198
Dec 23 - 190

Of course as we've seen with Joyce, the closer your body gets to goal, the rate slows. I will likely adjust once I see what kind of reaction my body has. I figure a 2-4 range is good because on the months that don't have 4/week, that if I hit between those numbers, I'm doing well.

Good Sunday to all!

I have been watching my 3 1/2 year old granddaughter...so haven't been able to check in as often!

Steph ~ :queen: Congratulations! 5 pounds is a wonderful loss! You did so well at the party, too!

I never set a number amount for each week's weight loss...but I accept whatever number that scale doles out...as long as I follow the MF guidelines...no worries.
On the other hand, there has to be a long range goal. To have a realistic dream keeps you moving in the right direction!

Laura ~ I love your ticker! I also really like your monthly ranges - very doable!

Karen ~ Thank you for the encouraging words! Yes, we are all in it for the long haul. As much as we want this goal NOW...we know we have to work for it...as long as it takes...we are committed!

Sheila~ You did so well in the real world! There are always challenges and techniques to overcome them!

hibeautiful and MamaRach ~ :welcome:
Looking forward to getting to know you!

Almost 9 weeks - Check in!
 

Hi Ladies-

It's been a while since I checked in, so....

Medifast Center weigh-in: 246
11/30/2016 - Medifast Day 1: 244
12/03/2016 - Medifast Day 4: 237
12/11/2016 - Medifast Day 12: 233
12/20/2016 - Medifast Day 21 (Week 3): 230
12/27/2016 - Medifast Day 28 (Week 4): 228
12/31/2016 - Medifast Day 32 (Week 4.5): 226
01/03/2017 - Medifast Day 35 (Week 5): 224
01/14/2017 - Medifast Day 46 (Week 6.5): 222
01/16/2017 - Medifast Day 48 (Week 7): 220
01/29/2017 - Medifast Day 61 (week 8.5): 216

I FINALLY hit 30 pounds, so yay me! :carrot:

Unfortunately, 56 pounds (!!) to go...

It's been SO MUCH fun catching up on everyone's posts.

WELCOME to all the new folks, and we look forward to supporting you on this ongoing journey.

Everyone else looks like they are continuing on the downward trend--even in the face of some food adversities--so you ALL deserve a big pat on the back for those achievements.

It's been nearly 2 weeks since I checked in, and I was sick and in bed for a full 10 days with some nasty cold/flu thing that really knocked me out. Mind you, that was after several days of travel (and likely how I picked up the bug). This past week then was SUPER busy trying to catch up after unexpectedly being out of commission for so long.

So below is a run down from the past couple weeks. Those early days of being sick resulted in not hitting every meal b/c I felt SO terrible. On the tail end of it, though, my body was definitely in "feed me" mode to catch up.

You'll also see that I've had a few more days of extra "regular food" with less MF meals. Overall, my calorie and carb intake stayed low (though fat a bit higher), so my view is that these occasional days are preparing me for "transition" back into the real world. Weight still going down, so overall I still feel pretty good where things are for now.

I'm finding it hard not to beat myself up when I don't have 100% perfect days so that is something that I have to work on during this process.

I'm also finding that I'm becoming a little disheartened about my weight loss. This is REALLY weird since I'm hitting my goals, and totally on track. I think it's more of the fact that I haven't seen a massive change in my clothing. Yes, it's looser, but I certainly haven't dropped even a full size yet. I hear all these stories about people losing 15 lbs and dropping 3 dress sizes. Who are these people? Certainly not me!

I guess I will pull out some old clothes and see how they fit. At best, I'll be a tight ONE size down. I know...just give it time. 85 lbs is A LOT, and I'm over a third of the way there. I just need to hang in there.

So here are my menus since I last posted:

01/14/2017 (Day 46) - SICK - Strawberry shake, cinnamon pretzels (x2), Optavia honey sweet potatoes (NEW), chocolate crunch bar, L&G taco salad (shredded beef). 838 calories, 82 g protein, 76g carbs, 25 g fiber, 26 g fat.

01/15/2017 (Day 47) - SICK - Dutch chocolate shake, cinnamon cereal crunch, Optavia chipotle macaroni and cheese (NEW), chocolate crunch bar. 420 calories, 44 g protein, 56 g carbs, 16 g fiber, 6 g fat.

01/16/2017 (Day 48) - SICK - Chocolate crunch bar (x2), apple cinnamon oatmeal, cinnamon pretzel sticks. 430 calories, 44 g protein, 54 g carbs, 16 g fiber, 10 g fat.

01/17/2017 (Day 49) - SICK - Dutch chocolate shake, cinnamon pretzel sticks, sour cream and give mashed potatoes, peanut butter crunch bar. 420 calories, 44 g protein, 54 g carbs, 16 g fiber, 8 g fat.

01/18/2017 (Day 50) - SICK - Apple cinnamon oatmeal, sour cream and chives mashed potatoes, chicken noodle soup, L&G "deconstructed" hamburger salad (1 pre-cooked hamburger patty, 2 c spinach, 4 Claussen pickle spears, ketchup), peanut butter crunch bar. 700 calories, 62 g protein, 66 g carbs, 18 g fiber, 26 g fat.

01/19/2017 (Day 51) - SICK - Dutch chocolate shake, chicken noodle soup, rosemary & sea salt crackers with 1 wedge of Laughing Cow creamy white cheddar cheese (snack), L&G Flavors of Home Turkey Meatball Marinara, chocolate pudding, 620 calories, 59 g protein, 48 g carbs, 15 g fiber, 23 g fat.

01/20/2017 (Day 52) - SICK (but finally hungry) - French vanilla shake, sour cream and chive mashed potatoes, L&G grilled chicken taco salad, 2 hot dogs & cheese (no bun), chocolate pudding. 893 calories, 83 g protein, 56 g carbs, 14 g fiber, 40 g fat.

01/21/2017 (Day 53) - SICK (but hungry) - Original pancakes (x2) with sugar-free syrup, L&G "deconstructed" hamburger salad (1 pre-cooked hamburger patty, 2 c spinach, 4 Claussen pickle spears, ketchup), 11 green olives (snack), 1 slice cheddar cheese (another snack). 880 calories, 59 g protein, 47 g carbs, 11 g fiber, 53 g fat.

01/22/2017 (Day 54) - SICK (but hungry) - French vanilla shake, apple cinnamon oatmeal, 10 green olives (snack), beef vegetable soup, 2 hot dogs & cheese (no bun), rosemary & sea salt crackers with 2 wedges of Laughing Cow creamy pepper check cheese (snack), toppings off 1 slice of pizza (UGH!--Not a good day). 782 calories, 55 g protein, 63 g carbs, 14 g fiber, 36 g fat.

01/23/2017 (Day 55) - BACK TO WORK - Dutch chocolate shake, apple cinnamon oatmeal, cinnamon pretzel sticks, beef vegetable soup, chocolate crunch bar, L&G taco salad (ground beef). 642 calories, 65 g protein, 75 g carbs, 22 g fiber, 16 g fat.

01/24/2017 (Day 56) - Strawberry shake, cinnamon pretzel sticks, sour cream & chives potatoes, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter crunch bar, Old Spaghetti Factory chicken parmigiana breast (side) and 1/2 small broccoli (side) (celebrated a birthday; both were YUM, but...) 1080 (!!) calories, 105 g protein, 82 g carbs, 24 g fiber, 43 g fat.

01/25/2017 (Day 57) - Strawberry shake, cinnamon crunch cereal, sour cream & choice mashed potatoes, chicken noodle soup, peanut butter crunch bar, L&G taco salad (ground beef). 782 calories, 72 g protein, 65 g carbs, 20 g fiber, 22 g fat.

01/26/2017 (Day 58) - French vanilla shake, apple cinnamon oatmeal, cinnamon pretzel sticks, beef vegetable soup, peanut butter crunch bar, half of Hormel Beef Roast Au Jus entree (YUM!) with cauliflower and broccoli. 950 calories, 112 g protein, 77 g carbs, 20 g fiber, 27 g fat.

01/27/2017 (Day 59) - Dutch chocolate shake, apple cinnamon oatmeal, cinnamon pretzel sticks, macaroni & cheese, snores crunch bar, half of Hormel Beef Roast Au Jus entree, with cauliflower and broccoli. 950 calories, 109 g protein, 77 g carbs, 20 g fiber, 27 g fat.

01/28/2017 (Day 60) - Original pancakes (x2) with sugar-free syrup, L&G 2 eggs with "power greens" and 4 cherry tomatoes, L&G taco salad (with Del Real shredded pork carnitas). 680 calories, 63 g protein, 51 g carbs, 14 g fiber, 34 g fat.

Thoughts on new foods (to me):

Optavia honey sweet potatoes - Pretty good, but I ended up loading them with cinnamon. I like the regular sour cream and chive mashed potatoes better, so probably wouldn't order again.

Optavia chipotle mac and cheese - Okay, but my least favorite if the three types of mac and cheeses. Would not order again.

You may recall my 69 days of meals that generally incorporated about one of the new Optavia products into each bag. Well...that plan got somewhat shot when I got sick (and even this past week) when I wanted to make sure I was eating food I liked a lot. It was hard enough to get me to eat as it was, so it was not the weeks to experiment. I'm going to do an updated inventory today, and divide up what I have left. I should have full line Optavia reviews--except the green renewal shake (just sounded disgusting to me) and the dark chocolate curry bar (I hate curry)--in about a week.

Anyone try the two new entrees introduced this week:
"Medifast® is excited to introduce Chili Lime Chicken and Ginger Lemongrass Chicken to our line of Flavors of Home®!"

In any event, I am hoping to basically keep staying on plan, even if there are a few mild detours. I MUST HIT MY GOAL!!

Miss you all, and look forward to hearing about your continued successes!

WOW! Seriously?!?! I dream of posting this exact same thing some day (end of March if all goes well)!!!

WAY TO GO!! :carrot:

Wow, I have a lot of weekend board catching-up to do!!

Week one and I'm down exactly 10 pounds!

Yes, yes, it's Monday!

I am not sure about everyone else, but I do find it easier to stick to the plan during the week when my schedule is more predicable. In some ways, that it is actually a bonus to have Monday roll around.

I went to the movies on Saturday afternoon with some friends and not planned to eat anything but sure enough, I ended up in the middle seat with the giant, wonderful smelling popcorn going back and forth in front of me. Yes, I admit, I did indulge in about 5 handfuls of popcorn (with butter - definitely a stumble). I drank water and then tried to compensate during the rest of Saturday by reducing my intake the rest of the day to a minimum (just enough to keep my metabolism going). Believe it or not, I still lost some weight between Saturday and Sunday. I didn't trust the number so when I recorded it, I upped it slightly so as not to be disappointed today. That was a wise move because between yesterday and today, it was up just a tad. I'm thinking this was the carbs and fat in the popcorn still hanging around.

Overall, I am still losing weight and jumped right back on the horse realizing we are all human and it will happen from time to time. Its how we respond to our slips that matter. Real life has popcorn!

Joyce ~ I love your attitude because you've done so well and are still losing weight even as you get closer to goal and the weight seems to just hang around. In my past experience, this is the most difficult part of weight loss. You are to be applauded.

Everyone else is doing so well. Everyone of you makes me feel so motivated to keep making those positive choices everyday. Congratulations to everyone on their weight loss AND great choices over the weekend and everyday.

For anyone who is feeling a little defeated, I hope you keep coming back and use this forum for positive feedback. We have all been faced with moments of doubt and made those choices we wish we had not.

Sheila

Happy Monday all!!

Wow, such great news from the weekend! Glad you're feeling better TWINCA and congrats on the continued losses!!

BanTam! 10 pounds GONE! Fantastic!

Sheila, you're a stronger woman than I for going to the movies. Good job on limiting your stumble!

It's funny, I am not always as positive and happy as I show myself to be in my posts. I was feeling blue yesterday for absolutely no reason. I wondered if it was hormonal as I restarted the pill after the off week. I know that soy can mess with the hormones. I absent-mindedly ate my mid-afternoon snack an hour early and the period of time from 3-6 pm was torture because I got hungry. Now, I don't know if it was psychological hunger or physiological. I wonder if my brain reacted emotionally to the having eaten off schedule and my hunger was a manifestation of that panic.

I also noticed today I am having cravings I have not had before. I was craving a fried egg. Strangely specific, it was the ones fried in grease that you get at a restaurant. It quickly passed, but it was unexpected as I'm not one prone to cravings.

Today is a new day and I'm back to being my hopeful, positive self, but that waver was unsettling.

Have a great day!!

Laura

Laura – Congrats on the BIG loss!! You did really well resisting the temptation at Costco. Sometimes I make a game out of it and find something I CAN eat, knowing that eventually I’ll be off MF and have to learn to make those decisions. Regarding the “weigh day”, I went through something similar in the first go ‘round with MF…I had Monday as my original day, then I switched to Saturday to give myself more calorie budget for the weekend. This time around, I have and am keeping Monday as my weigh day to keep me more “honest” on the weekend.

Steph – It sounds like the party was hard, but you made it! That’s a WIN! I averaged about 3 pounds a week in 2012. I lost about 10-12 pounds a month after the first month.

MorningGlory – I would imagine that chasing around a 3 ½ year old is giving you plenty of exercise! 

TwinCA – Yay on the 30 pounds! That’s not a little and the next 56 will be gone too, just give it time. Dropping 3 dress sizes with 15 pounds is a lot, but it also depends on the cut of the dress…if you go from a form fitting dress, to a wrap-around dress…well, there is a LOT of different sizing going on there! I think as we go through this process we all run the gamut of emotions from being excited and in the “honeymoon phase” with Medifast to beginning to resent it but only because we really resent the control we have to have over ourselves. You will hit your goal, look how strong you are, even when sick!!

Sheila – The sodium in the popcorn probably caused some fluid retention. Good for you for getting right back on track! For me, getting BACK on track is the hardest thing to do. We all need to find ways to make the program work for us, and you are doing it. As I mentioned to Laura, I have to keep Monday as my weigh day to keep me from over indulging on the weekends.

Here’s off to a good Monday, everyone!

Good morning!

Day #3 for me. My food arrived Friday, so I started up first thing Saturday morning.

So glad I started earlier then expected.

I'm not feeling that great, but I'm determined to stay on plan. Looking to weigh in on Friday's.

Back in 2013 I did Medifast at a center. This time around, I'm doing it on my own (no coach, just strictly MF foods and my L&G - and support forums like the one here).

I really hate these first 3 days. I hope I remember how yucky it is when I think of going off plan and needing to start over again. UGH. I hope tomorrow is much better!

I'm at home chasing after my 1.5 year old! Man, he gets into so much :) My older kids are at school today, so it'll be quiter here today.

Here's to a successful on-plan day everyone!

MamaRach - Those first days can be rough! you can do it!!


To everyone - is it my imagination or are there more calories in the products now, compared to five years ago?? I averaged about 765-800 a day back then and now I can't keep it as low...I'm choosing most of the same products.

Hi All ~

Monday started out great for me. Got on the scale to see my weekly weight loss and I'm down another 5 pounds. I am super jazzed with that number. I have consistently been losing 4-5 pounds each week. I am feeling SMALL! I increased exercising a bit this past week but still only doing 30 minutes of cardio with added weights now. It has given me back the energy that I had been missing earlier in the month. I feel good!!

55 pounds lost so far with 29 to go. I WILL do this! I am committed to not eating off plan and no pity parties for myself!

Karen

Karen! Fantastic news! The fact that you've consistently lost 4-5/week reinforces my hope that I can do 4/week on this program. I am over the moon delighted for you! Keep up the good work!

To celebrate your success, I offer dancing veggies:

:carrot: :dancer: :broc: :dancer: :carrot: :broc: :dancer: :carrot: :dancer: :broc: :dancer: :carrot: :dancer: :broc:

Cheers,
Laura

Karen - Awesome losses!!! Congrats!!!!

Karen~ You go, girl!!! I am amazed at your consistent high losses! Don't forget to post them on the New You, New Year challenge! You deserve to be 1st place winner!
:cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2:

BamTam~ I applaud you, too! :congrat: 10 pounds is awesome!!!

:cheer3: :cheer3: :cheer3: :cheer3:

Not sure about the calorie count on the old Medifast products. I seem to remember being in the 850 range for the 5 meals plus Lean and Green.

MamaRach ~ Hang in there, you know how this works....in the next couple of days you are going to feel marvelous! I don't know how you do it with 4 children...I was wiped out after 4 days with my 3 1/2 year old granddaughter!
:hyper: :hyper: