TWINCA ~

Enjoyed reading through your product reviews. On your list the ones I've tried I share many of your same likes/dislikes. I especially gravitate to what is easy, too. The first month I bought the soups and never re-ordered those because I could never get the "cooking" part down well enough so they'd taste good to me. The best part of Medifast is the grab-and-go concept that appealed to me from the beginning. So, I only order now the bars, shakes, crunchers, hot drinks, cold drinks. I also order the brownie and oatmeal which are the only "meals" that require "cooking" and I finally figured out how to get the consistency I like.

Your weight loss is AAAAMMMAAAZZZIIINNNGGG!!! Wow - you are doing fabulous. Medifast works when you stick to it 100% ---- and you have! Good for you!

Well, I finished day 3 strong! I feel like once I get to day 4 I am basking in the no cravings feeling again which really help me stick to eating 100% OP every minute. The key for me is water. I drink 1-2 cups of water an hour consistently throughout the day. I do not drink anything else beside a cup of coffee in the AM with my shake mixed in. I was a big coffee drinker before Medifast but really cut it down to 1 cup and never more than 2 on the weekends.

Forcing myself to stay off the scale until my weekly weigh-in. My TSFL coach in the beginning said it is good to get on the scale everyday but that tends to put me on an emotional roller coaster so once a week is best for me.

Bring on day 4 --- I'm so ready for it!

Karen

Yes, I have had the hot chocolate drink. It was good to me and kept me full. I added it to my order for next month. I often add it to my first cup of coffee in the morning which made it kinda taste like mocha...okay, not a Starbucks mocha, but one that I did like. :)

The one I especially like for hot drinks is the cappuccino calorie burn. This one is my favorite hot drink but only drink it in the morning so it doesn't affect my sleep.

Karen

naturamom ~

On my first go-around on Medifast, which began September 2016, I started back exercising the second week on Medifast and really struggled that week with cravings. In the end it wasn't worth the effort because it made the eating plan so much harder for me. You definitely want to let your body adjust first to the lower calories and ease back into exercising. It isn't worth the cravings to start exercising earlier IMHO.


Karen

LOL. I have no problem NOT working out. I HATE working out, though I guess that is part of the problem. Haha. I'll happily take a hiatus as long as I can!!

Joyce ~

You are so right. This gal is inspiring. I really am liking what she is saying about rebounding and how when we have a bad day, when the scale doesn't budge, when we eat off plan, we have to rebound, get back on plan, and not give up. Something she said that really stuck: "They don't leave the game because they missed a shot". I am a perfectionist in so many areas of my life and what she had to say really helped me take a good look at why I couldn't stay on plan. I had one of those A-Ha moments ---- I can't do every moment of every day perfect forever. I am going to have a tough day but in the end it is what I do after the non-perfect day that counts. THAT is what I am going to focus on rather than getting stuck on what I did or didn't do. I think that is a big reason why I couldn't get back on plan after Thanksgiving dinner.

Sorry for rambling here....I just finally got this!

Thank you for recommending her. She is fantastic!

Karen

Ahhhh... this makes total sense. Thank you! I thought maybe they were afraid of overdoing it, but I can see how it would lead to appetite/cravings.

Day 4 - woohoo! We even went out last night and i had no desire to eat the appetizer. Just grilled chicken and steamed broccoli.

I'm guessing the sweet taste in my mouth is a sign of ketosis? Does it eventually go away? Not complaining, just feels/tastes odd.

naturamom~ I just have a rather dry mouth...this is Day 43 for me. I use the Listerine melting strips when I'm out and mouthwash for dry mouth before I leave the house. Not complaining, as I know ketosis is in play... :cheer:

BTW, you are doing great...how wonderful your dinner was a success! It does get easier once ketosis arrives!

I went to my Medifast center this morning...only lost .5 pound this week. :shocksn:

But you know how some days you just don't feel like you lost anything or possibly gained for no reason? That's how I felt this morning before weigh in. Plus had some gastric distress yesterday....so I really am so glad I lost a little even though I remained true to the program!

I accept it and know that some weeks aren't going to be exactly winners!
That is a part of the journey!

I use the hot chocolate as a shake...much different than the regular chocolate shake packet...much thicker - I like it the best! It does hold me over, too!

I have nearly completed day 5 and feeling strong. The hardest thing for me this weekend will be NOT getting on the scale! Next Monday will be 7 full days done and that is my plan...every 7 days I will see how I am doing weight wise. Yep, just need to focus on staying on plan and not letting the number on the scale trip me up this time around.

I feel it already...just like last time...I'm in fat burning mode and those cravings are no longer an hourly struggle. Water has been key as it was last time. I know it I get dehydrated I get hungry. I finally put that together!! Geez, took me long enough.

Bring on day 6.

Joyce ~

You have such a great attitude about that scale. I know that feeling when you feel "lighter" before you get on the scale and when you don't.

The fact that you stayed on plan is its own success.!!! I bet your body is just trying to catch up with all the weight you've already lost.

Congrats to you for getting up each day and sticking to your plan.

Karen

naturamom ~

Way to go!

I get that same taste in my mouth that you described well. I find that if I drink enough water it doesn't bother me at all.

Eating perfectly 100% on plan really keeps the cravings away so that we aren't hungry and miserable.

Keep fighting the GOOD hard fight because YOU are so WORTH IT.

Karen

Karen ~ I am actually terrified to get on that scale each week (and only at the Medifast Center) - but if I cancel the appointment because I "feel" like I didn't lose than I am not being accountable...and that accountability is paramount to success on the program.

So it is what it is - the scale is a key, a tool, a mode of transportation to get me to my destination (goal weight). Without it I won't know my latitude and longitude in my journey...
and that's my story and I'm sticking to it! I am getting goofy now...it is late! :dizzy:

Cruising along
 

Hello all round 2ers. Wow, you all have been chatty lately, lots of good stuff here. I'm almost at the two week mark, and am down about 7 pounds, so happy with the progress. I don't know why I resist going back to medifast, I know that it works for me. Got an evil shot in my knee today, hoping that will help my mobility. Yikes, that was not fun. Been rediscovering good lean and greens lately, like tilapia, curry chicken and all different kinds of roast veggies. I also made a good improvised soup with what I had on hand..frozen cauliflower and zucchinis cooked in chicken broth then hand blended with a very small amount of lite cheese. Really good and filling. here's to a good week for everyone!

YES TO THIS!!!

Joyce - I like how you view the "getting on the scale" part of this journey. You're so right, if you don't show up to weigh in you'll miss out on the accountability which is so key to this journey were on. It is part of the measurement we have to have, but fortunately not the only one, especially on the weeks when we KNOW we deserve a better number.

Karen

emira ~

Congrats on the 7 pound loss! :carrot:

I hope you get some relief with your knee.

I resisted getting back on Medifast, too. I have no clue why I do since I know it works. For me it has been easy to talk myself into a cheat here and there and then starts the slippery slope of trying to get back on plan 100%. You'd think the cost of it alone would help us stick to the plan! Sheesh!

I like your ideas of changing up your L&G --- such a great season for soup!

Keep doing what you're doing because it is clearly working!

Karen

Greetings all! I will be one month on the 20th. I had one bad day this week, ate too much (including a big hunk of cheese). It was all low carb and I stayed in ketosis and moved 8 the next day. I am fitting into some clothing that was much too tight a few weeks ago. I got my hair cut last week and people at work (who I only see every week or two) kept saying how flattering the haircut it and that it make me look younger. I don't think it is so much the cut, but I have lost weight in my face.
Good luck to everyone over the Holidays. My biggest challenge will be when I am out of town for work the next couple of days, I am trying to be mentally prepared to stay on track. I am almost out of bars, which was a miscalculation, so I need to plan travel with less portable foods. I have oatmeal for the morning, hot drinks and some puffs, so I should be able to make it work. I am going to put in my order a week early and stock up on bars.
I must say, I am pleasantly suprised by TSFL, with the discounts they offer, the cost is lower than I had thought it might be. Plus, I am saving at the grocery store by planning my husband's meals and my Lean and green better.

Well I baked all day...a whole bunch of yummy stuff. I did not take one lick, bite, or taste the ENTIRE day. (my sweet DH kindly offered to be the taster:-)

Ketosis is SO GREAT on Medifast because it makes me want/crave absolutely nothing!!

I'll be getting on the scale first thing tomorrow morning for my first week weigh in. I'm so ready!

Karen

Hello all! I love hear all these wonderful successes! I, too, am crave-free!! It is amazing.

Karen~ What a nice hubby you have!!! Excellent that he was so indulging! You are going to have an excellent weigh in...I just know it! You are so committed. Nothing is going to stop you!

emira ~ 7 pounds lost is awesome! You go, girl! You inspire me to get creative with my lean and greens. I know I resisted doing Medifast again...just thought it was too restricting, too expensive, too _________ (insert excuse)!
And yet, I prayed that God would lead me to something I could handle. I was desperate. I just went online and ordered without much forethought...and now I am on day 45 and I feel fabulous. The very best Christmas gift ever was given to me - sanity.

HalfPass ~ Is there any possibility that there is an out-of-town Medifast Center where you are traveling? You could pick up some bars there? Otherwise, you have could possibly use Quest Bars, though higher in calories, the carbs and protein are excellent!
Yes, TSFL with the BeSlim rewards can really help with the cost of the Medifast food! And I am sure you look fabulous with you new haircut!

Please everyone have a safe and sane last week before Christmas. Let's stay in touch throughout the week to keep us all on the right track. It is hard to believe that we only have 13 days left til 2017! :rudolph:

TWINCA and cbi3 and naturamom ~ Please let us know how you are doing!

You are missed!!! :cry:

You are so sweet, thank you! I had a pretty good weekend - out and about with kids and no cravings. I thought our lunch at subway would be tough (yummy bread smell) but no problems. I just had a bar. Yay!

Speaking of food, any good vegetarian recipes? Chicken is the only meat I (sometimes) eat. Any fun twists on meatless options? Or egg white dishes?

Love the success stories! Please keep them coming.

Natramom, I only eat chicken and some fish. I like Boca burger and use it in a couple of ways, one of my favorites is over spaghetti squash or eggplant with some low sugar red sauce. Also, one cup box a burger with one cup egg beaters makes a very filling lean, I sometimes do that with spinach as my green and some salsa on top.
Another favorite is tofu and broccoli cooked under broil in the oven and marinated in liquid amino (low sodium sub for soy). The Boca burger is also excellent on taco salad.
I did stop by gnc and buy some Quest cereal bars. They are only 110 calories and a good emergency sub for medifast bars. I also put in my order a week early so I will be ahead.

I got on the scale today for my first re-start/first week weigh in and lost 5.4 lbs. I wondered what a restart after almost a month of grazing off of Medifast would produce...super happy with the number. The good part is that I started Medifast in September 2016 at 234 and now I am down to 208. I do think the bigger success for me right now is that I got back on plan and kept going.

So, I am here to stay. Ketosis during the holidays really helps me avoid the treats that are around this time of year. Medifast for me is so easy and so hard all at the same time.

Thank you for all your encouragement this past week. Bring on week 2!!

Karen

naturamom~

Good for you for having what you needed at Subway to stay on plan. :carrot:
So much of weight loss is directly related to prior planning. You planned this well! :)

Karen

naturamom ~ So glad you checked in! Glad to hear all is well! I see HalfPass chimed in with some vegetarian suggestions...we can always learn to vary our lean and greens - great suggestions, HalfPass!

HalfPass ~ I didn't even know about the Quest Cereal Bars! So glad you could improvise while waiting for your next MF order!

Karen ~ Wow, congrats on the fabulous weight loss! And I didn't realize that you have lost 26 total since September! It is wonderful that you were able to jump back onboard and continue the momentum after a slight detour!!! :dancer:

Medifast - Day 21 Check-in
 

Hi ladies-

Glad to see the scales are going down!

I reluctantly did a weigh-in this morning:

11/21/2016 - 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: 230

So, weight loss is definitely slowing down (as is expected), but I like the downward trend line. Looking like about roughly 5 lbs per week average...for now at least.

I can honestly say that I've been 100% on plan. Not a single sweet cheat. I got some food as gifts from people, and I give it away. Looks so yummy, but I don't need a gift of fat. A thin body is a gift to myself that will keep on giving!

Here is my menu from the past several days:

Thurs. 12/15 (day 16) - Dutch chocolate shake, honey mustard pretzels, brownie soft bake, sour cream & chive mashed potatoes, cookie dough chewy bar, and L&G taco salad (ground turkey) for dinner. 731 calories, 85 g protein, 81 g carbs, 14 g fat.

Fri. 12/16 (day 17) - French vanilla shake, mixed berry crunch cereal (from the bag), chocolate chip soft bake, sour cream & chive mashed potatoes, L&G taco salad (ground turkey), chocolate pudding for dessert. 701 calories, 98 g protein, 87 g carbs, 11 g fat.

Sat. 12/17 (day 18) - original pancakes w/ sugar-free syrup, honey mustard pretzel sticks w/ 1 wedge creamy spicy pepper jack Laughing Cow wedge (dip!), mixed berry crunch cereal (from the bag), L&G taco salad (ground turkey), chocolate pudding for dessert. I accidentally miscounted this day and only got in 4 MF meals. 671 calories, 80 g protein, 72 g carbs, 12 g fat.

Sun. 12/18 (day 19) - 2x original pancakes w/ sugar-free syrup (woke up late), Dutch chocolate shake, chili nacho cheese puffs (still the worst ever, but $3/bag!) dipped in 2 wedges creamy spicy pepper jack Laughing Cow wedges to mask the taste, L&G Flavors of Home Beef Stew, Rosemary Sea Salt crackers (snack), chocolate pudding for dessert. 925 calories, 90 g protein, 102 g carbs (yikes!), 26 g fat. In retrospect, not a great day here--those cheese wedges sent me over. Just going to toss those puffs.

Mon. 12/19 (day 20) - strawberry shake, maple oatmeal, cookie dough chewy bar, chicken noodle soup, s'mores crunch bar, L&G Flavors of Home Turkey Meatball Marinara. 810 calories, 85 g protein, 74 g carbs, 26 g fat.

So last night I got my new Medifast shipment. Lots of interesting new things to try. Interestingly, they did not send two items (1/ea. Parmesan Cheese Puffs; 1/ea. Blueberry Oatmeal), but did send what I'm assuming were two "replacements" (pineapple mango smoothie; Optiva Chia Bliss Smoothie). Not sure it's worth $5 to complain. Thoughts?

That's all for now!

TWINCA ~

Wow! You have lost a bunch of weight...downward you go!! Gosh, think about all the calories you haven't consumed in gifting away those "fat" gifts...so smart of you. :carrot:

100% on plan has clearly kept the fat burning humming along for you. So happy for your success!

Karen

I just wanted to put some motivation out there as we approach the end of 2016 and begin the New Year.

I'll be spending Christmas with one of my nieces who is actually the one who introduced me to Medifast. This girl has been heavy her whole life. In every family picture I have she is overweight from about age 10. She's 38 now. About 4 years ago she embarked on her weight loss journey with Medifast. She had about 150 pounds to lose. She had a few off-plan weeks along the way but ALWAYS GOT BACK ON PLAN!

She's lost all her weight and has kept it off for over 2 years now. She's doing maintenance well and tells me she still gets on the scale each and every week. It is her barometer on how well she is doing. It keeps her accountable to something besides herself. We live in the Pacific Northwest where she is now an avid hiker and jogger. She looks wonderful and feels so much better. I've taken many second-glances at her over the last 2 years and can't believe it is the same person. She looks wonderful and has this fun crazy energy that is inspiring to be around.

I asked her the other day if there was one bit of advice she would give me so that I can reach my weight loss goals, too. She said this: When you fail to stay on plan, albeit one meal or an entire month of eating, circle a day on the calendar when you WILL choose to re-start Medifast and be 100% on plan. Her calendar during her weight loss has 10 different dates circled that represent her re-commitment to be on plan 100%.

I bought a calendar yesterday and circled 12/12/2016. That date was my re-committment to be 100% on plan. I've hung the calendar on my wall as a visual reminder that indeed there will be lots of u-turns, bumpy roads, and loss of direction along this weight loss journey mixed in with tons of weight loss, more energy, better attitude....BUT I am resolved to not quit until I have finished the weight loss phase of this diet and then begin maintenance. I am, and we all, are so worth it!

It feels so great to be 100% on plan---AGAIN!!

Karen

Medifast Day 21

GIANT Chocolate in the break room -- NO!

Pizza, garlic bread and brownies for dinner -- NO!

DID I GIVE IN??? NO!!! Small victories...

Menu for the day:
5 AM - Dutch Chocolate Shake - Always a winner for me.

7 AM - NEW - Apple & Cinnamon Oatmeal - I liked it a lot. For me, better than the maple (also good).

9 AM - NEW - Cinnamon Cereal Crunch - I also liked this a lot. For me, better than the Mixed Berry Cereal Crunch (also good). I eat straight out of the bag so nice and portable.

12 PM - NEW - Macaroni and Cheese. I put this in a mug with water to let it hydrate first thing this morning, then stuck it into my fridge. I realized I added 3/4 instead of 1/2 cup water (oops) so it was more like soup. Either way, it was still good. Pretty much like Kraft with the powdered cheese, which I happen to like. The key is the early morning rehydration though.

3:30 PM - New version of my taco salad. This time I bought pre-packaged "Del Real Foods - Seasoned Shredded Beef." It comes in a 16 oz package, and you just throw it in the microwave for like 4 minutes Super easy, no carbs, and YUMMY! I split it into 4 containers for 4 taco salads for 4 nights. Put that on top of 2 cups of baby spinach, 1 T guacamole, 2 T light sour cream, and 2 T salsa. Wow! Really good! Yes, I like my taco salads...what can I say?!?

5:30 PM - NEW - Chocolate Crunch Bar - Thankfully I bought a whole box of these even though I hadn't tried them before. I LOVE these. PB Crunch was my favorite...until these. YUM!

828 calories, 79 g protein, 81 g carbs, 26 g fat.

KAREN - Thanks for the inspiring story! Good to know we shouldn't let bumps in the road throw us off course.

3 weeks down, MANY to go. Livin' day by day!

Wow - she is such an inspiration. Thanks for sharing! I love hearing long-term success stories. It gives me confidence that the plan and transition work. I really like the calendar concept, too...

Stealing a quote I found on one of these old boards from 2008:

"I can't lost 100 pounds, but I can lose 10 pounds 10 times!"

I have 80 lbs to lose, but 10 lbs 8 times seems much less daunting.

TWINCA ~ I would call Client Services...you won't have to send back the two wrong items, but they will send you the right items at no charge to you and no shipping fees!

What inspiration tonight! I needed to hear it, too. I am extremely tired and that binge monster was lurking in the recesses of my mind...it didn't help that my oldest son just came home from work giving me the "play by play" of his office party and all the homemade cookies. That just sent my brain in overdrive.
I just knew if I came on here I could and would reset my wantpower button - and Medifast if now front and center of my mind's eye.
Thanks, girls!!!:yes:

Joyce ~

You are awesome and so smart to find a tool, albeit this board last night, to fight off that lurking "binge monster" and not give in to the craving. I find it can be more difficult when we are tired, too.

You WILL win this weight loss battle, Joyce. Stay in attack mode and remember how great you feel staying 100% on plan. I'm rooting for you!

Karen

Twinca ~

I love this. And I can lose 10 lbs x 5 times. Sounds doable when you break it down like that. :-)

Karen

Just another thought to tuck into the recess of your brain: a wonderful reminder from the thread The Beck Solution posted by Maryann:

"Good thing the scale is only a number. Yesterday was filled with 100 good decisions. I am holding onto that. BBE's (Bill Blue Eyes) excerpt about a program for life means that I ride out the highs as well as the lows."

Karen~ Thank you! I survived last night and awoke this morning fresh and renewed with nary a thought of "crazings!"

Here's another lovely quote:

We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled.
The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over
and let the beautiful stuff out. - Ray Bradbury


May we enjoy the holidays, filling ourselves up with all good things...and sharing ourselves with friends, family and the strangers we meet along the way! (especially those in Walmart :) )

Joyce ~

That quote is so beautiful along with your words.

I'm so enjoying going into the holidays feeling in control and on plan...taking one day at a time.

Karen