Hi everyone. I'm new to all of this, and I have quite a few questions - any thoughts or experiences are welcome! This post might seem a bit long-winded, and I apologize in advance for that.

I'm hoping to begin Medifast by September 1st, at the very latest. I've already got a good start on the program as I've been avoiding most meat, fast food and junk food for the past month or so. I seem to be slipping up a lot more now that I know I'm going to be getting on the program, though. And when I do slip up, I justify it by telling myself, "Come September I definitely won't be able to have it!"

I guess I'm figuring out on my own, before even getting on the program officially, just how much of this battle is mental. In light of this, I wanted to use the majority of the month of August to both mentally and physically prepare myself for Medifast. Does anyone have any tips? Is it better to just dive right in, or is it good to take this period of time to kind of ease myself into the program?

After seeing all the great results, both on here and in people I know, I'm worried that I might be discouraged if the results don't come as fast as I'd like. I'm assuming the mini-goals help with this.How many different goals should I set? I know that it's a personal choice, but I've never really set goals like this before. Is there a good way to go about it, when you're first starting up?

I've also come to realize just how much I rely on food - limiting myself these past few weeks has been a good exercise, in my opinion. It's made me pretty curious, though! I think I have a pretty good idea, but I'd like to ask these things flat out - how do you guys stay motivated? How do you beat the worst cravings? What do you do to keep yourself busy so that you don't eat out of boredom? How do you deal with the super stressful days, without food as a crutch?

I also intended on using the program under doctor's supervision - at least, to the extent that I'll be seeing my doctor roughly twice a month to weigh in and just to make sure that everything is going alright. I'm also planning on getting some blood-work done, so I can start with a clean slate and no worries. Am I being too cautious?

My parents feel that I should also begin taking a multivitamin when I start Medifast. I've been told this isn't necessary with the program, as the products will probably be giving me better nutrition than I'm getting now anyway. What are your opinions on this? Is a multivitamin a good idea?

I have a million questions, obviously. Again, anything you can offer would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

First off!! WELCOME TO 3FC!!!

I did medifast last summer and it was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I lost 20lbs and gained it right back once eating real food. Just know how hard it really is and its not always good to put your body into ketosis. It can help get the first bit off in fast weight loss but I would have a plan for calorie counting or another plan after that. I think it was too much money for too much pain. It might be better for you but I thought I would put that out there. Its really drastic and my hunger never went away. Not even 2 weeks in!

I hope you stick around and share with us!

Thanks for the welcome!

I realize that Medifast isn't a permanent solution, but rather a tool in my attempt to change my current lifestyle. I do in fact plan on joining WeightWatchers once I've reached my goal and successfully (and slowly) transitioned out of Medifast. I've heard great things about WW, and I think the support will be great for maintenance.

At 250 pounds, and nearly a 40 on the BMI, I am more than ready for a drastic change in my diet. The money really isn't a problem; I probably spend more on eating out and junk food in a month than I will on Medifast! But, I can see where some would feel that it's too expensive. Also, I'm not too worried about the mild state of Ketosis that Medifast induces - as mentioned above, I will be doing the program with the approval of my doctor, and under his close supervision.

I appreciate your input, though. It's good to hear from both sides!

Hey there! I just started MF a couple of weeks ago. I'm doing a modified program because, well, my list is endless. Basically I like feeling like I'm in charge of the program and I can make my own choices. I'm rather tall and I have more than 100 lb to lose. I'm not on a deadline to lose and I'm okay with a slower rate of loss. So, I eat more than what the program delineates, but my choices are limited to lean proteins and extra veggies. I don't increase my carbohydrates and I try to keep calories around 1200.

I took a couple of weeks to prepare before starting. I think it helped, somewhat, but the first three days were still quite tough for me. Both times! (Yes, I went back to eating for a couple of days while a friend visited me and going back on Medifast was just as hard to get back on it as it was the first time - except I knew what to expect.) The most important thing for me was to ramp up the water consumption. I drink close to a gallon a day and I think that really helps. It took a few days to get to that level. I know it sounds like a lot of water, but again, I'm tall and I have well over 100 lb to lose. You probably won't need to drink as much.

The Medifast plan offers plenty of vitamins. It's actually not wise to take more vitamins. If you're going to stick to the plan, and get your Lean and Green meal in, make sure you eat meaningful veggies, like colorful, fibrous dark leafy greens. Iceberg lettuce won't do you any good!

I cut back on calories for the week before starting. I have some whey protein isolate shakes that I made smoothies with and used those as meal replacements for breakfast and for later in the afternoons and into the evening. I had a tough time eating less than 2000 calories. My body doesn't seem to want to give up fat unless I'm eating less than 1700 calories, but I was hungry all the time. So the shakes, which were about 100 calories per serving, helped me get used to drinking some meals. And I was better able to manage the hunger. But those shakes are not the same as the Medifast shakes. Those help me to actually feel satisfied because they're a more balanced product. I still had a nagging hunger with the protein shakes.

I also cut back on the carbs. I wasn't eating so much before because I'm controlling my type 2 diabetes through diet and exercise and I was already eating less than 180 gm of carbs a day. Medifast wants us taking in less than 100 gm a day, so I took the two weeks before starting to back off on my carb consumption even more. That was tough too! I got it down to around 130 gm/day on my own. The occasional cravings got the best of me now and again.

Now with my modified Medifast plan, I have my carbs under 100 gm, my calories under 1200 and I don't struggle with hunger so much. I've lost 5.5 lb (as of last Monday). I have learned that planning ahead is important because when I'm hungry or really stressed, I don't have so much resolve to stick to my program. (Last night I ate a hot dog at the movies!)

Managing stress through food is a very old habit of mine, but instead of remaining a victim of it, I'm choosing to see the stress I experience now as an opportunity to change that behavior pattern and to find new ways to beat stress. (I've got LOADS of opportunities to practice!) I'm not always successful, but I can't look at my actions in terms of black and white, or all or nothing. I screw up, I pay the price (with not losing, or gaining weight again, or feeling extra sluggish and bloated) and I move on. I've become very self-aware. I notice that overeating makes me feel worse. I notice that eating less and not feeling overly full and bloated makes me feel energized and very alert. I notice that I have more energy to burn and that makes me want to burn it. I notice that pumping weights feels really good when the endorphins kick in about 20 minutes into my workout. And I journal all these feelings, I write in my blog so that I have accountability, I post here with others who are like minded and support me. I have real goals and I keep reminders of my goals around me where I can see them all the time, especially in eating areas and in my bedroom. I think about what it's going to feel like when I've succeeded, and I create small success for myself every day. Junkie food is not a part of my reward system any longer. But new shoes and handbags are!

I'm going to stop here. I could go on and on! Good luck!

I LOVE THE MEDIFAST PROGRAM. It really works and i feel that i have learned great things about portion control and eating a more balanced diet (carb queen in remission!). my hair is thicker and my nails are stronger than they have been in a long time. the nutrients are better that I have ever eaten on my own. that being said, i switched to WW this week and actually lost 3 lbs when i was plateaued for 3 weeks on mf. i just couldn't afford it this month. i plan on going back on mf in 2 months or so. good luck to you. oh, my cravings went away at about week 4. that is also when i stopped being hungry. i love the way i feel so much more "in-control" on mf. i have a long way to go but i have nothing but time.

All of what you guys are saying makes a lot of sense, and thanks so much for the info - especially from you, Geo! I truly appreciate you taking the time to give me such a detailed response.

What you said there was very true. I was concerned, because sometimes looking at the program I feel like if I can't start perfectly and continue to be perfect, that it's going to be a waste. It's really a relief to hear someone address the fact that no one on this plan IS perfect.

The more I think about Medifast, the harder it seems - but, when I'm looking at everyone's tickers and all of the success stories all over the web, I can't help but get excited! I'm starting to think that I really am ready to give this a go.

I'm hoping my hunger pangs and cravings go away in less than a month, Romans (I'm hoping my willpower will be as strong as yours was!), but at the same time I know just how much my mind influences my stomach. And I'd be willing to bet my mind is going to be clinging to the food much more than my tummy will be!

Of course, I have one more question for you guys - does anyone have any experience with the coaches? I will definitely be taking advantage of the feature, but I was curious if anyone had any input on TSFL.

Thanks so much, everyone!

TSM,

Like all programs Medifast works better when followed as closely as possible. To the poster that says no one is perfect that is not always the case. There are people that stick strictly to the program for months at a time. Then there are others that do quite well with a few cheat meals thrown in.

My experience with most clients is that they do better when the stick with the 5 and 1 or what ever program is designed for them. The comment on Ketosis is also a bit of mis-information. The state of Ketosis is so light that it is often not measurable with Keto-Stix so is not a concern normally for the majority of people.

There is a great support system if you do it on your own through Mymedifast. You can find it on the web. And you can ask for personal help if you go through the company and get a coach. this increases your chance for success and give you a combination of support that will surely increase your chances for success.

As to gaining weight when you finish the "diet" phase of the program. There is a planned transition period that depends on how much weight you lost. If you do that as a phase two and adopt what you learn during the process you will increase you long term success.

I lost 97 lbs in 9 months. I have been off the program for over 4 months after transition and have not gained a single pound back. During my time on program I picked up an exercise habit because I could finally do it without killing myself. As with any diet it is a mindset. Set your mind that this is the last time you are going to mess with weight loss and your metabolism and go for it. I have yet to see it not work for someone.

Good luck in September!

I understand, and I certainly agree.

The closer I can follow the program, the better. Of course, going into the program, my goal is to complete it as perfectly as I possibly can - and I intend on working hard to achieve that goal. Regardless, it's nice to hear from people who have messed up - and have kept on going.

Most people are given the 5 and 1 plan, obviously. What other options are there? Who is a candidate for those other options?

Both Mymedifast and the coaches seem to be very helpful resources. One of the reasons I looked so heavily into Optifast first was their implied amount of support. It's good to know that Medifast has the same level of support available.

Thanks!

TSM,

There are some options. For instance some diabetics may need to do a 4 and 2. This is 4 Medifast meal with 2 lean and green meals. This plan is often used for more elderly patients and some times for people that more heavily exercise.

Basically the 5 and 1 will create the light state of Ketosis and get the fastest weight loss for many. However for those wishing to add more calories and take it slower you can adjust the plan. A person wanting to do just 3 Medifast meals and keeping their calories down to say 1500 would still loose weight and the diet would be less extreme.

The main attraction is that you don't have to plan the meals and can take them anywhere. The meals are easily interchangeable and often even used to make recipes with them to change things up. Like any other diet it still requires the behavior changes to keep the weight off. And I suggest that you don't miss transition if you go on the full plan. It gives your body time to adjust back to eating more calories and a different balance.

Ah, I see. The 5 and 1 would definitely be fine for me, as I don't have any complications of that nature.

I've noticed that there are many recipes out there - for just about anything one can imagine. I like the idea that I can still change things up without risking the diet. Considering that most of my time is spent either at work or on campus, the ability to take the products anywhere is essential. Especially in the beginning.

I know that the behavior changes will be the biggest hurdle for me. The fact that I turn to food when I'm upset or stressed - that I use food to "treat" myself or to "celebrate" - is ridiculous. I guess the reason so many people turn to programs like Medifast is that they're sick of using food that way. I don't want food to be the core of my existence, and sometimes it definitely feels that way. I look forward to taking a permanent vacation from all of the negative choices I've been making.

After all of the research I done, I realize how important that transition period is. Trust me! It seems to me that a good amount of people who did the program and gained weight back either skipped or shortened their transition period. I definitely don't see a point in doing the program, only to eliminate a vital part of the process.

Medifast is the best diet program I have ever been on! I am doing this for the second time. The first time I thought I could go back to my old habits, which I did and the weight came right back.

I know now that I am a food addict and for me, I will have to cut out all the junk completely, just like an alcoholic cuts out the drinking to stay on the wagon. I will never be able to have just one cookie or one candy bar. One will lead to 10...so there will be no more crap for me ever if I am to keep the weight off. I have come to accept this and want this yo yo lifestyle to end. I have done every diet in the book and I am always healthiest on Medifast. My blood work is that of a 20 year olds my doctor says. I am doing the full fast and love it. I have 6-7 Medifast products a day. I really could be happy doing this for the rest of my life. But I will ease back into healthy foods once at my goal. And not allow myself to have any junk or I will lose control. My dad was an alcoholic so there is addiction in my family. All the programs will work for any of you but some are better. And what you all have to do is know this is a life long commitment to a new slimmer and trimmer you. My body will be far from perfect when I reach goal, there are flaws that my clothing will cover up but at least I will be in the right weight range. I am 53 years old, have never felt better and am done with regaining weight. I have done that my whole life and it just gets so old after awhile. Good grief. You all have to decide whether you can implement some treats into your program once you reach your goal or whether you need to go cold turkey and avoid all together, like me. It saddens me to know that 5 M&M's can and would turn into an entire 16 ounce bag in less than an hour but I can admit that at least and that is a powerful thing to do, to acknowledge and accept the problem. If anyone had reservations about this program, please dont. It is so healthy and you can tweak it here and there to meet your own needs. Remember I have tweaked it and have 6 to 7 products per day. Medifast doesnt tell you to do this but I have found it works fine for me. Good luck to all of you and rememeber, Medifast is safe and healthy and it ROCKS!