Medi Fast Program

catlover

My sister showed up this week end excited because she will be beginning something called MediFast in a couple of weeks. 800 to 1000 calories seems dangerously low, and unhealthy, and not lasting. Not to mention she has to quit drinking while she's on it. I don't see her doing it more than 2 weeks, and that's being generous. I want to be supportive to her, but I don't like this at all, especially since she thinks I'm a perfect candidate to try it with her...which I have NO intention of doing.

Anyway, what do people know about this, if anything????

catlover

My sister showed up this week end excited because she will be beginning something called MediFast in a couple of weeks. 800 to 1000 calories seems dangerously low, and unhealthy, and not lasting. Not to mention she has to quit drinking while she's on it. I don't see her doing it more than 2 weeks, and that's being generous. I want to be supportive to her, but I don't like this at all, especially since she thinks I'm a perfect candidate to try it with her...which I have NO intention of doing.

Anyway, what do people know about this, if anything????

rheston

I've watched my son fall for all of these stupid gimmicks and it scares me to see it happening. We didn't put the weight on magically so there's no way it's going to come off magically.

Although all programs state that to lose weight it's a lifestyle change they don't all explain how to do that in a healthy manner. Lifestyle changes start with the individual taking control of themselves and paying close attention to their eating habits AND how their minds start to play mental games with the body by implying insatiable cravings.

I hope you don't follow suit and I do hope you're able to change your sisters mind before she's paid any money out for something that's so potentially dangerous to her health.

Don't even get me started on the "colon cleansing" sales crap :explode:

songbyrdsweet

If she is morbidly obese (meaning her obesity is a direct threat to her health and impedes upon her daily functions) then a doctor may prescribe a liquid and/or severely calorie-restricted diet *under his or her watch*. If MediFast is doctor prescribed, then your sister is at low/moderate risk. However, if this is just something she's doing on her own without anyone to monitor her blood chemistry, electrolytes, etc, she is putting her life in danger. Do NOT attempt something like this without a doctor.

Nich0le

Yet another quick fix that won't last. Your sister is an adult and she can do what she wants but you stick to what you are doing and it may take you longer but your results are more likely to last than hers, not to mention she will probably gain all the weight back plus about 10% more.

catlover

From what she told me, and I read on the site, she has a weight loss "coach," who coincidently is the one selling the product. She orders all these items, of which she is supposed to use 5 a day, they are shakes, bars, soups, drinks, etc, and then add one "lean and a green" which consists of a few ounces of lean protien and a cup of green vegetables. She cannot drink caffeine or alcohol, and she cannot do ANY exercise for the first two weeks. That's what she remembers from the talk last week. I think it sounds TOO restrictive, and misleading-- "MEDI" giving the impression it's a medically endorsed, and also dangerous.

On the flip side, because she has a thyroid condition and a couple of other issues, she is under the care of a medical doctor and she sees her regularly. They will be aware of what she is doing and can monitor her to some degree. One one side, I don't see her sticking to it, on the other, she should lose about 60 pounds. She definitely is a "microwave dieter" the faster she can drop it, the better she thinks it is. She needs to read one of the posts here about the person who said YES to the doctor who said he could perscribe something to make her feel better and it was EXERCISE. My sister is one of the majority who faithfully pays her gym membership so she can drive by it and tell people that's where she goes. I sound so synical today because it frustrates me.

lotusfromthemud

You might (gently) remind your sister that this is how Oprah lost her weight the first time. (Oprah seems to have a mysterious power). Remember when she wore the "skinny jeans" and wheeled out the wagon of fat? And then gained it all back? That was on a liquid fast-type diet.

Anyone can lose weight on starvation rations. Losing weight is actually easy compared to keeping the weight off.

I gave up judging others for lent, but let's just say that I hope she reconsiders, or at least doesn't pressure you to join her.
:flowerforyou:

icandoit

Whatever she does, I hope she is SO VERY CAREFUL. We only get one life

songbyrdsweet

It's good that she has an endocrinologist, but she still shouldn't be buying products from some company that has no medical foundation. I bet that 'coach' isn't a certified nutritionist or dietitian.

flachix

My sister showed up this week end excited because she will be beginning something called MediFast in a couple of weeks. 800 to 1000 calories seems dangerously low, and unhealthy, and not lasting. Not to mention she has to quit drinking while she's on it. I don't see her doing it more than 2 weeks, and that's being generous. I want to be supportive to her, but I don't like this at all, especially since she thinks I'm a perfect candidate to try it with her...which I have NO intention of doing.

Anyway, what do people know about this, if anything????

ask your sister if she can talk to one person, (a real person and not one selling the stuff.) that has used this method and kept the weight off for at least 6 months. with every other diet or lifestyle change in the world whether we agree with them or not, there are people who have been successful and will recommend the diet. until she talks to that person, and asks intelligent questions and gets insightful answers she should refrain. I meant all she is going to hear from the salesman is how great the product is, and all she is going to hear from us...well, me... is how dangerous it is. none of that is going to do her any good. instead of testamonials how about a person who has been through that system.

aslavich

You have to wonder about all of these quick fix diets too...

A friend of mine did "Light for Life" shakes about 6 years ago. She was running about 225-250. She did this diet for about a year and got down to about 140-145. We all at work told her she was way too thin. She started losing hair, then when it came back, it was thinner and STRAIGHT! She used to have naturally beautiful curly hair. Weird side effect of such an extreme diet.

Anyway, she has since gained back ALL of the weight. She tried to start the shakes again and it DOES NOT have the same effect. She learned in the classes that came with the shakes (for a fee) how to eat, counting calories & such but now she is having a terrible time losing any weight at all.

I think all of these diets are screwing up our bodies. With so many quick changes our metabolisms are spinning out of control. I love food so working out is the only thing I do regularly.

Just make sure you tell your sister to really look into it and I agree to tell her to talk to someone that's been on it for weird side effects...
Angela :ohwell:

MontanaGirl

The only way something like this should be attempted is under medical supervision - like weekly or even daily from what I have seen and heard. She may be under a doctor's care for her thyroid, but her doc only knows what she tells her. I guess she can do what she wants, but encourage her to take the above advice from everyone and do more research. She really doesn't want to screw up her metabolism that way!! Cudos to you for not falling for it and for your success so far!!!

moidyn

I tried it...lasted 3 days. You pee like crazy, the food tastes terrible and you are left with a metalic taste in your mouth.
Gross!!!

kkylstad

I did Medi Fast after my first son was born and in 5 weeks lost 10 pounds. Gained it all back and regretted spening that much time of my like eating and drinking powdered food for so long.