Karen~ How did you eat before Medifast? Did you always eat a limited diet of different foods?

Obviously your MF "variety" is working.

Are you pre-planning your transition so it is sustainable for the long haul? I only ask because I am trying to determine how I will maintain my weight goal.

I am different than Laura or TWINCA or you. I like variety, but I never know what I am going to be in the mood for, so when my 2 hours between meals is up, I then root through my very varied MF stash and pick a meal. If I am in the car I have my portable stash in the glove compartment: cheese bites, Parmesan puffs, cereal, or bars.

We each do what works best. I love the input!!

I was reading an article about a 27 year old guy who died of a heroin overdose.
Heroin was equated to an abusive lover.

Just thinking that sugar is like that for me. Always the false promises, always the heart ache...and yet, I have always returned.

Not this time. I am powerful and know what is good for me.

Just a thought.

hi again all, you all sound like you're doing great! I love reading how everyone handles the meals. I could never plan it out that way! I am like Joyce and think it is lots of fun to dig through my stash and find what looks good to me at the time. I do usually have a hot cocoa first thing, unless the weather is warm, then I like a shake. Aside from that, I just dig through and pick! I have a lot of variety because of picking up people's leftovers on craigslist or at work here and there. But I still have not found any mashed potatoes, ziti, or Optavia! I would love to try those things.

Great news!! I weighed again today and am down another 2 pounds! That makes 5 pounds in 10 days and I could not be more thrilled. I know it will slow down but it is a nice boost in the beginning.

I had my MF hot cocoa already and am about to go digging around for my next meal It is fun but I also see that 75% of my stash is liquids (hot cocoa, shakes, smoothies and a few orange drinks and 1 think one Chai Latte) and I hate drinking cold things in winter. I have maybe 2-3 boxes of bars left, 2 or 3 mac and cheese, some puddings, and a box of pretzels. Also some Wonderslim cereal which I sub for MF. But with me avoiding cold drinks in the winter, I know I am going to run out of the "good stuff" and have to just drink shakes and smoothies. Hopefully the weather will warm up a little by then, and maybe I will have another good find of someone's leftovers.

And a great thought it is!

It was interesting going back and re-reading the thread from the beginning again. Joyce, your strength during the weeks where the scale was not kind is completely inspiring! You came here, posted your frustration, but kept the faith that it works, and you were so greatly rewarded.

I love your positivity and encouragement to us all!

Cheers,
Laura

Hi Joyce ~

Yes, I have always preferred a set number of things to eat before I even started Medifast. Obviously I just ate too much of them and gave into most cravings. I always had a variety for dinner, though.

I haven't really thought of transition yet. I DO KNOW though that I will have a strategy in place in my mind long before I get there. I've got quite a ways to go before I am on that doorstep. Medifast has a really good guide for the transition that I will delve into as I get closer. I'll most likely have 12 weeks of maintenance.

So what are your thoughts on maintenance? You are going to a center, right? If so, I think having that support through maintenance would be awesome.

I'll be thinking about you for your weigh-in day tomorrow. Friday the 13th will be a GREAT day for you!

Karen

Steph ~

Your weight loss is GREAT! So thrilled for you.

Since my re-start on 12/12 my weight loss has kept up at a good pace... I hope that happens for you too. Medifast really kills the cravings which helps to keep us keepin' on for some weigh-ins when the scale doesn't budge much.

Karen

Thanks, Karen! I find I am good and don't crave until someone puts off plan food in my face. Then it is harder but I find if I power through and eat the MF meal or Lean and Green instead, I am okay!

Good news: when I was digging through the stash for my next meal, I found some pancakes! So I whipped those up and had them with a cup of coffee. What a fulfilling meal. I have 4 more packets and maybe, just maybe it would be wise for me to do SOME planning so I don't end up with just liquids. I think I will aim to have one "cold liquid" meal each day. Are there any ways to turn the cold liquid meals into something warm, or solid?? (shakes, smoothies, orange drink).

Dinner tonight: rotisserie chicken breast and mashed cauliflower. Yummy!

Hi Ladies,

Wanted to check in and update you all on my Medifast journey. I was supposed to start last Friday but UPS lost my food and it was delayed several days so I didn't end up getting it until this last Monday evening. I had some important meetings at work this Tuesday and Wednesday so I held off on starting until yesterday when I had a slower and less stressful day.

So yesterday was day one, and the way it works out now is that I will complete 30 days on the program on my 40th birthday, which is kind of cool. I feel super motivated to stick to the program 100% so I have accomplished something good on that milestone day.

I weighed in yesterday and was at 175, which is very high for me, but is also a nice round number to start at. I would like to get to 155 on this plan, and from there lose another 10 through diet and exercise. I find its hard for me to work out intensely while on Medifast due to the low calories, so I am holding off on the gym for now and just focusing on the dieting part. Im hoping to reach that 155 in the first 30 days but am prepared to go longer if need be. Will re-evaluate in a few weeks as I see how things go.

Ive also decided to do the 4-2-1 plan on work days where I am seeing lots of clients as I walk around a lot, sometimes miles a day, and need the extra calories for mental sharpness(I talk to scientists all day). I will do the 5-1 plan on days that I work from home and on the weekends.

Day one menu was as follows:
1. Optavia blueberry almond cereal- Not great, but not bad either
2. RTD Dutch chocolate shake- Good
3. Lean and Green: Grilled chicken and spinach salad
4. Lemon Meringue Bar- yum, but I love lemon anything
5. Ziti Marinara- not bad
6. Optavia spinach and pesto mac and cheese-YUM
snack: Sea salt popcorn-very good!!

Im loving the Optavia products and ordered a bunch of them. I do not like artificial sweetners so I appreciate that they don't have them and that they use more "superfoods" in the ingredients.

So far Im feeling pretty good, but today is only day 2 and the hunger hasn't really kicked in yet. Im hoping by Monday that it is smooth sailing!

Hope you are all doing good and thank you again for all the posts, they keep me inspired!!

Carmen

Hi! I am the new kid in town and have been reading these posts for a couple of days and decided to join in even though this is a Medifast 2nd time around and really, I'm not even in the Medifast "pool" all the way yet.

My husband started Medifast on 1/4 based on a challenge from his college roommate who had gone from 268 to 228 on Medifast. They had played football together and have always been about the same size. That finally did it for him...competition! He couldn't let his friend get the best of him. He started MF and has gone from 278 > 262 in 9 days. MEN! Ugh, so unfair but thrilled for him. He is sticking to it 100%.

Now for me: I decided this was a great time to diet as well but didn't want to cough up the $$ figuring I could do a modified version myself. Well, its also been 9 days and I've done alright for myself going from 208 > 200. However, I have eaten some of his medifast food, looked at the nutrition, done the research and think I will dive in with him. What I found was I feel more satisfied eating his food with less calories. I'll be placing my order shortly with the health coach (TSFL) we share with his college roommate.

Wish me luck because I am serious. This weight has gotten away from me completely. 8 years ago, I was at 140 and nearly killed myself to stay there. I am very strong and muscular and was wearing a size 6 at 5'1" and 140. I think 160 is a more maintainable goal for me. Let the party begin!

Sheila

Laura ~Thank you for your warm and sincere compliment. Your kind words mean so much!

Karen ~ I am thinking of sustainability when it comes to maintenance. I am pre-planning a menu of 3 MF Thrive meals and 3 Lean and Greens or something to that effect. I will learn more when I reach transition. I certainly will share in a few months from now. (I am being very positive.)

The "coach" Nick from the Medifast center called today to change my weigh in appointment to tomorrow. I am fine with that since my last weigh was on Jan. 7, a Saturday (normally I go Friday mornings) due to snow. Besides that, I was not feeling "thinner" today and would have blamed it on only 6 days rather than 7 if I don't show a loss - skewed thinking I know! Today is Friday, the 13th after all! So keep me in your thoughts tomorrow!!

Congratulations on another 2 pounds! I am so glad your plan is working for you!

That is right - keep the variety in perspective. Keep the "good stuff" available at all times! Otherwise, resentment could set in...this plan is so wonderful that it allows for our "so-called indulgences" in a very mindful, positive and completely allowable fashion!

Carmen So glad you updated us on your progress! You have a very doable plan that will fit in nicely with your job commitments. I know in the past Medifast recommended waiting 3 weeks until you start/resume exercise. So you are wise in that matter, too. You are going to do so well. You've got a great attitude! After day 3 you will see a marked improvement in your craving. Honestly, there are times when I forget to eat! Really!
Just remember to use the 2-3 hour rule between meals, though. It really takes care of the physical and emotional aspect of eating.

I am glad you like the Optavia products. I really do, too. The incorporation of that "wholesome-ness" works well for me. I am sure they will be coming out with more products as Take Shape for Life changes its name to Optavia probable sometime in July from what I am told. There will still be the Medifast line, have no fear, friends!!

Keep in touch with your progress...what works for you may well work for one of us! Fresh ideas keep us on our toes!

Sheila ~

What a great story! Your husband's competitive nature has spurred you to join the Medifast bandwagon, too. I know you are serious. You will succeed.

May I ask how you became so muscular and strong? For a such petite woman, you are amazing!

I can't wait to see your progress and your husband's!!

You may want to join the New Year, New You Challenge under the support thread "Chicks Up for a Challenge". There is a spreadsheet on the first page. Friendly competition and who knows, you may just win the 1st Place banner. Wouldn't that be cool to show your husband!!! (This contest goes for all of us, you can join at any time - just add your start weight and your goal for the week of March 9!) Karen, TWINCA and I are already participating.

Yes, the party is on...every day, every minute, every moment!

Hi all!

Just got back from seeing my cardiologist for a check up from a health scare I had in the spring. I admitted to him that I did not lose the weight that I had wanted to between the last time I saw him and now but that I had signed up for Medifast and plotted out not only my next 60 days of meals but also my maintenance strategy.

He was pleased and I almost think he was testing me because first he asked my goal. I told him my goal weight, he said, do you have smaller ones? I replied 10lbs a month. He liked that answer. As we talked further he asked about my exercise plans, and I reiterated the documentation that says don't exercise for the first three weeks and only then nothing too intense. When I was on the Dr. B program in Canada they advised nothing that burns more than 300 calories in a half hour. He then went on to concur and explain what was biologically happening while on the plan (especially the first three weeks) and why intense exercise is counter productive. Don't ask me to tell you what he said it was VERY technical but basically being in fat burning mode the body needs to focus on that exclusively.

Reflecting on his questions I wonder if he was trying to determine if I had a reasonable expectation of the plan and wasn't going to endanger myself by working my body to hard by exercising while on the plan. He underscored walking. My plan is to do moderate strength training at Planet Fitness using the Biggest Loser circuit on low weights and moderate stepping - but not until 3 weeks have passed.

I'm so excited to start tomorrow, I can hardly wait!!!!

Cheers,
Laura