Okay, so as I am sure everyone has seen me say at least 5 times on this board, ( sorry about that) this Friday is my final day on Medifast. I cannot, for financial reasons, do their planned transitioning period, although I do have some spare packets. I have been researching out the wazoo for good/healthy foods but I am scared that as soon as I go back to eating normal foods bought from a grocery store, I will gain everything back, since my body is currently used to 900-1,000 calories a day and 80 carbs. I am just worried that I will balloon back up. I was hoping maybe someone here had some suggestions of ways for me to transition very quickly back to eating normally again without gaining weight and even having the potential to continue losing weight, as I still have some spare pounds I'd like to shed. Any insight is appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Have you heard of LA Weight Loss? The company was run by morons and it is pretty much gone in the US, but the DIET was sensible and very structured and was relatively low carb. There is a forum for LAWL on here and you could get more info. Basically, you eat a certain amount of carbs, certain amount of fats, veggies, fruits, etc. It might be a way to transition from almost no freedom in your eating choices to eventually having complete freedom (well, I guess COMPLETE freedom is not a good idea, but you get my drift.)

When I was on it (I am about your height), I got
-3 carbs
-2 1/2 proteins
-2 fats
-3 dairy
-3 fruit
-4 veggies
-3 condiments

Hey there Freak. Sorry, I saw your post yesterday, but, I was heading to work right then.

What helped me was that I got a Nutritional Food Scale for about $40 at Target when I was on MF for my L&Gs. After I went off MF I would use it to see what my typical food looked like in portion. It gives you a read out on all the nutrients, just like a food label does. I know it's a bit of money when you're broke, but it is a life time investment.

Also, I wasn't the worst eater before I went on the plan so it wasn't difficult and the big one is I went from just sitting on my a$$ driving a haul truck for 12 hours a shift to blasting in which I would walk 15-20,000 steps a day(or about 3-5 mile) on my day shifts.

Operator- That's perfectly fine, no apologies necessary. And I have really been meaning to invest in a kitchen scale! Maybe I will pick one up on Friday while I am out and about, depending on some prices at nearby stores.

Jean- Hmm, that sounds interesting, how exactly would I decided what 2 1/2 protein is? What is the serving sizes for that, do you have any idea?

freakiel, I am a calorie counter--began in May '08..I will be glad to help you figure out low-cal options..I am a PM away and will be glad to share my ideas if it they would help...

TBG - Thanks so much! I really appreciate the offer of help. I used to be a calorie counter, and lost 25lbs. last year. I am hoping to really combine some low cal and low carb foods in order to work my way back up to eating a normal-ish diet. I will definitely PM you if I have any questions!

Re: LAWL. I found the list below online. Hope this helps. LAWL is a good diet, I lost 30 pounds and was never hungry. Unfortunately, the company was run by very greedy people who scammed a lot of people (by forcing them to buy "nutrition" bars that weren't nutritious and sign up for year long memberships right before closing the store with no notice.

Let me know if you have any questions-


PROTEINS
2 1/2 Servings Daily
The following foods must be measured to equal 4 ounces:
steak * beef * lean pork * liver * ground beef * lamb * veal * ground
turkey * crab * salmon * fresh tuna * swordfish *
1 % cottage cheese * canned tuna, low sodium *
OR
The following foods must be measured to equal 6 ounces:
chicken breast * turkey breast * codfish * flounder * shrimp * bluefish
* sole * scallops * whitefish * red snapper *
haddock * lobster * grouper * yellowtail * orange roughy * striped bass
* halibut *

Two eggs or egg substitutes may be eaten in place of one protein
1 ounce of low fat hard cheese may be eaten in place of one protein
2 Tbsp reduced fat peanut butter can be substituted for one protein

FRUITS
3 Servings Daily
apple * lemon * orange * tangerine * peach * plum * kiwi * banana, (one
small) *
grapes * strawberry * cherries 12 medium * cantaloupe * watermelon *
cranberries * raspberries 1 cup *
blueberries ~ cup * grapefruit ~ medium * papaya 3~ cup * pineapple 3~
cup * prunes 3 medium * apricot 3 medium *

VEGETABLES
4 Servings Daily
celery 2 stalks * cucumbers ~ large * green peppers ~ large * radishes
12 medium * tomato 1 small *
One cup of the following equals 1 serving: asparagus * bean sprouts *
broccoli * cabbage * egg plant * mushrooms *
lettuce * green onions * string beans * wax beans * mustard greens *
spinach * kale * zucchini * squash * cauliflower *

STARCHES
3 Servings Daily
1 slice diet bread * 1 rice cake * ~ medium baked potato * ~ cup brown
or white rice * 1 sheet lowfat graham cracker
You may substitute ~ cup of the following cereals daily for one starch:
Total * Special K * Bran Flakes * (not with raisins) Grape Nuts *
Shredded Wheat * Puffed Rice * Oat Flakes * or 1 packet instant oatmeal or
cream of wheat. 1/2 cup frozen yogurt

FATS
2 Servings Daily
one tablespoon diet margarine * one tablespoon diet mayonnaise *
You must use LOW fat, not fat free
2 Tbsp low fat dressing, 1 oz. nuts

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thighs Be Gone

I am a PM away

What does that mean?

Jacque- She is implying that I can send her a Private Message if I have any questions.

Jean- O.O wow, thanks so much. That helps loads!

Gosh I feel stupid....Still learning the lingo around here