New Direction Weight Loss Plan HELP

gogojenniko

I've been on my weightloss journey for sometime. From November 2011 to July 2012 I used Nutrisystem and lost around 40 lbs without much exercise (I injured my foot) and then lost another ten on my own with diet and exercise before I left to study abroad. While I was abroad, I gained a little weight, but I started strength training at my gym there and lost a lot of inches. Then life threw a few curve balls at me and when I came back in June I got really depressed and have gained back 20 lbs since then, putting me back over 210lbs.

That being said, before I left to study abroad, my doctor personally called my house because she'd met a provider of the New Direction Weight Loss Program in town, and really emphasized the emotional support and counseling they offered. That was a big sell for me and my mom, but I was leaving and doing fine on my own so I didn't bother with it. Being in the state I've been in all summer with the depression and what not, I decided to give it a try.

So last week I went to see them and it all seemed great. The only thing that set off any warning bells was the 800 calorie a day limit in their very low calorie diet. Since it's medically supervised though, I thought it would be okay. I got all my blood work done and such as well. Then I went in today, alone, without my parents (and I being only 23 with very little skills in the way of doing things on my own, though I think I learned my lesson today) and got all the information on the side effects of the diet (it's basically anorexia without the puking) and when I went to see the "doctor" it was just some desperate house wife looking lady (all the women in this office are in dresses and heels, and I'm sorry, I shouldn't be judging, but there's something wrong with that in a doctor's office to me) and she had a freaking wikipedia page up about hypoglycemia and had to keep looking stuff up on her phone to describe medicines and stuff they want to supplement me with. Adipex, Metformin (I do *not* have diabetes), seizure medicine as an alternative to adipex, and progesterone pills.

Really? Like, really?

So if someone who has done this "weight loss plan" could please tell me if this is actually worth it, or tell me to run for the hills, that would be great. I would love a second, third or fourth opinion, because I feel mislead and lied to about the whole thing. I will be seeing my normal doctor tomorrow as well.

foleyshirley

In my opinion, you should run. You already know you can do this, so please don't take a short cut like this.

gogojenniko

That's what I'm thinking.
I injured my foot a few weeks ago (short story, wrong shoes) and so on top of the depression I already had hurting my foot was just "one more thing" that could go wrong (still hurting, unfortunately so I don't know when I can get back to running). I wanted to join this for the emotional-issue-dealing-withness of it, but now I'm just angry and suddenly motivated to do what I did last time. I have another therapist for the other part. *sigh* I feel really dumb...

bajoyba

In my opinion, you should run. You already know you can do this, so please don't take a short cut like this.

THIS.
That does not sound legit to me. It sounds potentially dangerous.

Give the MFP program a try for a few months. It's free, and it works! I eat whatever I want as long as it fits into my calorie goal for the day, and I exercise 4-5 times a week. Nothing crazy. You can definitely do it without pills, weird diet food, and extremely low calories.
Add me if you want support!

walkinthedogs

I haven't done it, but I would say run. And you need to trust yourself and you gut instinct, which it sounds like is telling you this is not correct nor a healthy way to lose weight. Here's a good guideline www.iifym.com. Learn your TDEE. Good luck and give yourself more credit, you know you need to run.

lcfairbairn74

Run away. Even with a bad foot! Run as far away as you can! :noway:

Your gut instinct says this is dodgy and it certainly sounds that way to me too. You know you can lose weight the safe, healthy way. Recommit yourself to using MFP and stay away from unsafe, unhealthy programs!

Best of luck! :flowerforyou:

mrsjones2point0

Always always always trust your gut instinct!!!!!

mrsnathanandrew

Run away. Even with a bad foot! Run as far away as you can! :noway:

Your gut instinct says this is dodgy and it certainly sounds that way to me too. You know you can lose weight the safe, healthy way. Recommit yourself to using MFP and stay away from unsafe, unhealthy programs!

Best of luck! :flowerforyou:

what she said! 100% run away!!

gogojenniko

Thanks for the advice everyone! I made the decision to run away from it. Tomorrow I will talk to my normal physician so maybe she won't recommend it. I'm not sure she knew all of what the program was about (or at least I hope she didn't because she's great with everything else I've seen her about). Maybe I will get new shoes too so I can actually run, haha!

NonnyMary

Yeah if your gut feeling is hollering GET OUTTA here, I'd listen to that.

Alatariel75

Good for you for deciding to run. This sounds like a crock.