2much, if you have access to a doctor, which it sounds like you do, why don't you talk to him about Medifast?
I'm currently doing that program and, despite the negative feedback I tend to get regarding it (usually from those who haven't tried it or understand it), the plan is safe, dead easy and works faster than most DIEts - because it is a medical program, not a DIEt.
It is also NOT a liquid DIEt.
It is a meal-replacement program and it works.
All of the supplements are formulated in such a way to PRESERVE muscle while you lose fat. You may choose from shakes, snack bars, oatmeal, chili, soup, pudding, punch, crackers, cappucino, tea and all sorts.
This is also NOT a fad DIEt!
This program has been around for
23 years with a proven track record or weight loss. It used to be only available through doctor's prescription, but now it is available over the counter i.e. through the internet and by phone.
There has been talk that the program now is different than the one previously prescribed,
but that is most likely because they are changing the program all the time. Johns Hopkins Medical Team conducts their studies, which they have conducted on a regular basis, in order to make the products even better. We all know how rapidly changes occur in the nutrition industry,
so this only seems natural. I'd, personally, have a LOT more worries of doing someone's DIEt where it
hasn't changed in 23 years than to do one which changes based on continuous study, research and testing. I should also note that the replacements are soy-protein based and these are NOT Slim-fast! Similar program? Sure. But wholly different products. My daily consumption of meal replacements gives me 100% or more of
every single vitamin my mother's multiple vitamin gives her. I know this because I compared them side by side.
There are two programs you may choose from: the
Complete Plan, where you use the supplements in place of all 'normal' food (this MUST be supervised by a doctor) and the
5 and 1 Plan, where you consume 5 meal replacements plus a 'lean and green' meal of measured salad greens/veggies and lean protein.
I have had weight problems my entire life (I'm 34 and was put on my first diet at age 9) and, frankly, it ticks me off that there are still idiots out there who insist that the only way anyone can lose weight and keep it off is through portion control and exercise.
Well if it was that damn easy, no one would have anorexia, bulemia, binge/compulsive eating disorder (which I have) and no one would be overweight!
I also have the deepest hate possible for any company that promises a 'miracle weight loss' through the use of drinks, pills, powders, etc.
However, I have researched this plan a LOT and regardless of the nay-sayers, I am telling you that this works if you follow it. I also visit another forum reserved exclusively for people who are on this program and there are a LOT of people who have lost upwards of 80lbs! The owner of the forum lost 132lbs in 28 weeks with NO excess skin, NO health problems AND, most importantly,
she's kept it off for over 3 years! 
I always thought that people who were able to lose that much weight were very rare, but you will find them all over the place on there. Real people - NOT actors or Anna Nicole Smiths who make untrue, ridiculous claims. They are average Joes who opted to try Medifast before they considered surgery or some other invasive procedure. They are people who had lost faith in the diet industry and themselves - people like me.
I am
NOT paid by Medifast in any way. I pay them
MY hard earned cash every month to get their supplements. Why? Because it works.
I pay roughly $280 for a 28 day supply. (I am doing the Complete plan - the 5/1 would be less $$$) At first, this may seem very expensive, but I challenge anyone to figure out how much they spend on regular groceries, PLUS the fast food, PLUS the alcohol, PLUS the 'extras' such as restaurant meals, eating out at lunch and general snacks, and you will find that this is NOT expensive but probably cheaper. It certainly was for me.
On my previous DIEt, where I was buying fresh veggies, fruit, lean proteins (like boneless, skinless chicken breast, turkey, fish), etc. I was spending about $110 every two weeks on food alone.
I must forcefully say that this is
NOT a miracle cure or miracle DIEt
or anything of the sort. This is a program that WILL work if you work with it. I, personally, have lost 33lbs since June 29th and that's with a 2 week break.
There will always be people out there who want to sabotage you - out of jealousy, out of spite, out of ignorance and out of sheer stubborness because they don't believe in this type of program. But I say pffffft!
If it's safe (the supplements can be used by children AND for the rest of your life if you want), healthy and it WORKS, then what's so darn wrong with it?
Of COURSE you can gain the weight back.
BUT!!! You can follow any program you want - Atkins, Weight Watchers, South Beach, Zone, Cabbage Soup, Slim Fast, et. al. ad nauseum, but if you go back to eating the way you once did to get overweight in the first place, the weight will come back regardless of the plan.
I should also note that they do offer products for those with diabetes, the heart conscious, seniors and a kids' plan.
I honestly hope this has been helpful to you.
I would honestly never suggest anything that I didn't believe in and I believe in this with my whole heart.
I just wish I'd heard of it years ago. Better late than never.
I wish you the very best of luck and success with whatever plan you choose to follow.
Alisha
any safe liquid diets?
