Medifast and weird advice. Opinions?

GamecockFan14

I'm overweight. Very overweight- but I LOVE to work out. It's my "antidepressant". It's something that I've found that I need for myself in order to get through my days. It's something that I feel like I do well. I forget how much I love it until I get back into the habit of doing it.

I started medifast a month ago. Sure, I lost weight, but I didn't go to the gym. I was depressed. As I lost the weight, I had that much more "gung-ho" to go to the gym. I was told not to do more than walking for the first few weeks, then "take it from there". That doesn't cut it for me. I like to do cardio every day and weights 3-4 xs a week. I started working out while on Medifast and I got SO dizzy. My blood pressure got so low and I had no energy. I decided to try another coach.

She told me, "You have 100lbs to lose. Lets focus on not going to the gym, but staying on program until you lose more weight where we can bump you up to the 4 and 2 plan (2 means and 4 medifast meals a day). Right now you need to stay in 'fat burning mode' which is what you get with the 5 & 1 plan..."

I don't get it. I feel almost stupid... like, everyone else loses all this weight with the 30 minutes walks a day, and I'm not happy with that. Why can't I be? I feel like something is wrong with this logic that the coach gave me.

Opinions?

juggernaut1974

How much $$ does said "coach" make by keeping you on the plan?

That should answer your question.


He/She's (sort of) right about one thing, and that it's primarily changes to your eating habits that will have the most effect on weight loss vs. going to the gym. But very few people here think you need something like a "medifast plan" (full disclosure - I have no idea what it is or what it involves, but I'm assuming it has something to do with replacing meals with overpriced shakes) in order to make changes to your eating habits.

GamecockFan14

I agree, ceoverturf. You can't out exercise bad eating habits.

No_Finish_Line

what are we supposed to comment on then if not medifast?

i assume its a super low calorie diet?

My opinion is that your options are do the program as the professionals say, or do your exercise and eat a reasonable calorie intake.

Did you not already prove to yourself that you can't exercise the way you want and be on the program? seems like its one or the other.

bcattoes

I know nothing at all about Medifast, but my guess would be that the 5 - 1 plan doesn't provide enough calories for intense workouts. This would explain the advise to only walk for exercise and your getting dizzy when you tried to do more.

You may just need to choose. Do you want to do Medifast and follow their rules, which is likely what the people you know who lost weight did, or do you want to do continue with the intense workouts?

GamecockFan14

Yes, it's a very low calorie diet.

GamecockFan14

I guess my question is ... the coach made it seem like me wanting to continue to work out the way I am was a bad choice and one that wouldn't allow for success simply because I am starting off heavy.

jlapey

I'd be afraid that with the Medifast and NOT working out that I was losing muscle along with the fat. I guess you need to ask yourself: Do you want to look good and be healthy or do you just want to be lighter? Good luck to you with whatever you choose to do.

BarbieAS

I guess my question is ... the coach made it seem like me wanting to continue to work out the way I am was a bad choice and one that wouldn't allow for success simply because I am starting off heavy.

No, wanting to work out the way you are is a bad choice and won't allow for success because the diet you're following doesn't provide enough calories to sustain such workouts. Has nothing to do with your weight (unless you're trying to do things that are way outside of your physical comfort zone or for which you're at a greater risk for injury due to your size and/or fitness level, but that doesn't seem to be the issue at hand).

I agree with those who have said that you might have to choose one or the other. Yes, some people can have success on Medifast and similar diets. But for even the heaviest among us, the body can only sustain so large of a deficit, and can only fuel so much intense energy needs (such as during dedicated exercise) on limited calories. You can continue to follow the program as your "coach" describes, which is perfectly fine if it works for you, but it doesn't sound like it does. Or, you can create an appropriate calorie deficit based on your current size, activity levels, and goals, and continue your workouts appropriately fueled for them through a balanced diet of real food.

Jennbecca33

There is a lot wrong with Medifast and the coaches. I did Medifast twice over the past 7 years and each time had a coach. The first time I did it, I lost 15 lbs before my weight loss stalled (taking in about 800 calories a day). That was before they had many of the food choices they do now and I was drinking mostly shakes. I finally gave up and moved on to some other "diet". I more recently tried it again about 2 years ago. Why I thought it would work, I don't know. It only took me two weeks this time for my weight loss to completely stall out. I was so frustrated. And yes, they don't want you to work out except for walking. This is because it is simply not enough calories to sustain body function and additional activity. They know if you do work out, your weight loss will stall (or pass out!). I personally will never do anything like Medifast again.

You are not looking for opinions on Medifast, so what I would say to you is that if you love working out, then the low calorie restriction that Medifast offers does not sound like a good fit for you! The low calories is never good for anyone. Not to mention, it's doing nothing for your metabolism to drop your calories that low nor will it ever fuel the workouts that you love. You seem to understand that the logic behind the program is flawed. Calculate your TDEE according to your activity level and eat at a 20% cut off that. You'll see much better progress and the energy you need to exercise the way you like!

bcattoes

I guess my question is ... the coach made it seem like me wanting to continue to work out the way I am was a bad choice and one that wouldn't allow for success simply because I am starting off heavy.

Well, a coach for Medifast is unlikely to say "you don't get to eat enough for that activity with us". So, they spin it.

No_Finish_Line

I guess my question is ... the coach made it seem like me wanting to continue to work out the way I am was a bad choice and one that wouldn't allow for success simply because I am starting off heavy.

Ok.

well, on the surface it seems like the coach is just saying that you can't really exercise intensly and be on the medifast diet.

but she also said something about dropping weight first.

the first part is probably very true, but you've already proven that you can handle the exercise if you eat more reasonably.

Weight loss (as i'm sure you know) is just about the defecit. Do it with just diet, or with exercise and a reasonable calorie defecit... which method you chose is simply a matter of preference. (and goals, obviously if you want to look athletic then you need to workout)

No_Finish_Line

and Go *kitten*!

was lucky enough to have a workout in the Strom Thurman Fitness center lol. Thats basically a world class facility IMO

have you been?

dotcomee

It seems to me that Medifast is a better option for people who actually don't want to exercise. Since you love it, you've got one of the "hard parts" already taken care of. Besides, are you going to be on Medifast forever? Why not take the time now to learn how to eat properly. You have to do that one day regardless, so if you are committed to long term keeping the weight off might as well start now.

Part of the process is learning how much you body needs in order to maintain and to lose weight. Programs like Medifast don't really help you do that.

Velum_cado

Medifast sounds like a bad idea. I know you said that's not the type of response you want, but based on your post, I'm not sure what else I can say.

1Cor1510

If you want an alternative other than Medifast that doesn't cost a dime, and will allow you to exercise the way you want, read this
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
It is MFP gold :flowerforyou:

VeryKatie

Personally I'd say going to the gym is a better idea than doing Medifast. Why don't you try something like Weight Watchers Online instead? It allows you to have more control over your food and exercising and doesn't cost much (about half the cost of a monthly gym membership). Medifast seems more like starvation than anything that can be good for you.

If you like the gym, that's a very excellent and healthy habit. Why would you take that away? Medifast probably isn't the right option for you.

ThatMouse

My mum did Medifast - her exercise was STRICTLY reglated, and extremely minimal. As it's a VLCD to be done under strict supervision, if they're telling you not to push it on the workouts, DON'T PUSH IT. If you can't deal with not working out, talk to them about switching off Medifast and doing something that allows you to work out.

If it's for your health, and you're obligated to do Medifast, then listen to what the doctors (are they doctors? Or coaches? I'm not sure what your set up is but it does sound fishy) are telling you.

If you can switch off Medifast, then do so. Right now, I'm with LekatieAnn - it doesn't sound like it's the right choice for you.

GamecockFan14

It's not that I don't want opinions on Medifast-- I don't mind them. I guess when I told my coach that I was feeling dizzy she would have said something like "Well, I know you really like to work out- so let's alter your plan to increase your calories. Let's do 3 lean/green meals a day and your snacks will be medifast." (or something to that extent... but, no.. instead she told me to stay on the 900 calories a day and screw working out. It made me feel like an idiot for wanting to alter the plan SO i can work out.

GamecockFan14

Thank you everyone for your responses.

GamecockFan14

Are you a Gamecocks fan?? And I have never been to that gym, but I drove past it today actually. Everytime I think about going I feel like I'm going to walk into a room filled with buff Army men. Which is fine, but... a bit awkward for me. lol

tryett

I doubt they would alter the plan so you could exercise. I have a friend who did that program and the goal is to take the weight off fast. Since it is vlcd you cannot exercise. My friend lost a bunch but could not maintain her level of activity. She also didn't learn to eat properly and gained it all back. Went for the hcg diet, same thing. Her latest is yacon syrup.

AtmaKing

Here is the thing. What are your goals? Not what the coach or trainer wants, but what do you want? If you want to work out and eat a little more, guess what that is what you are going to need to do. Otherwise you will not take it serious enough to stick with it enought to get out what you need. I'm not saying don’t do medifast (I don’t know a ton about it, but I do know they get results with weight loss) I'm just trying to get you to look at what you want to accomplish. You must do what it is to 1) Meet your goals and 2) Make you feel accomplished. If you are unable to do these 2 things with the plan you are currently on, it will be unsustainable.

Escloflowne

They are trying to sell you a product, I went from obese and only sat on the couch to 1-1.5 hours a day in the gym.


They don't want you to workout because the Medifast doesn't supply the proper fuel to work out...

juggernaut1974

I guess when I told my coach that I was feeling dizzy she would have said something like "Well, I know you really like to work out- so let's alter your plan to increase your calories. Let's do 3 lean/green meals a day and your snacks will be medifast." (or something to that extent... but, no.. instead she told me to stay on the 900 calories a day and screw working out.

Again - go back to my first post.

Your "coach" probably has a financial incentive to keep you on as many of the special "medifast" meals for as long as he/she can.

The problem with these types of things is the coaches are almost always more motivated by the depths of your pockets than they are your actual health.

No_Finish_Line

Are you a Gamecocks fan?? And I have never been to that gym, but I drove past it today actually. Everytime I think about going I feel like I'm going to walk into a room filled with buff Army men. Which is fine, but... a bit awkward for me. lol

not really a fan, but they run something called the 'Medicaid integrity institute' on the campus and i went to that.

They would let you use the gym for 5 bucks a day, which was worth it on the short term.

they have machines i've never seen before, including some sort of medicine ball/rebounding ab apparatus lol.

It was pretty much empty except for some college girls at 7 in the morning.

definetly check it out... by far the best facility i've ever been in

AllOutof_Bubblegum

Of course the coach would push the Medifast, and tell you cut the gym. *eye roll* You have the right idea, she doesn't. Cut the gimmicky, expensive fad diets and eat your own food at a moderate deficit, and bust @ss in the gym. That will give you much better results and have you feeling better than crummy boxed preservative-filled diet food.

parkscs

Do you have some sort of operation coming up soon for which you have to lose a substantial amount of weight? Is there some other health issue that is being exacerbated by your weight that's prompting you to try and lose weight very quickly? If not, I'm a bit curious as to why you're putting yourself on a VLCD by doing Medifast.

But trying to exercise on Medifast sounds like a bad idea to me. If nothing else, your exercise performance is going to be pretty poor, and once you've lost more weight you very well could do some damage to your body/body composition. If you like working out, it should actually be easier to lose weight at a reasonable rate because you're going to have more of a food allowance than people who don't workout. Not only that, but you'd learn how to eat "normal" foods in a controlled manner, rather than relying on a rigid system like Medifast that you probably aren't going to stay on forever. It's akin to learning how to cook for yourself vs. having your parents constantly do everything for you. If you eventually plan to move out on your own, you're better off learning how to do things yourself rather than having people spoon feed you tiny prepackaged meals.

AllOutof_Bubblegum

I guess my question is ... the coach made it seem like me wanting to continue to work out the way I am was a bad choice and one that wouldn't allow for success simply because I am starting off heavy.

They are trained to make it seem that way. Because they want your money. How is this not glaringly obvious? :huh:

jmadams111

2 comments in general:

1 - my cardiologist told me to work out to gain muscle, to bur fat quicker.
2 - everything I have read suggests less that 1200 calories a day is not a good idea.

Punkin7411

Good for you on the great exercise you're doing. So why not save your money and ditch Medifast and spend your money on real food. Use MFP to log food and exercise and track that way, consuming clean, nutritious food? It's a lot more fun and rewarding and I'll bet your body will perform better because you'll be giving it the fuel it needs. Good luck!!!