Started Medifast today looking for anyone else on programs

I'm on Day 6 of my medifast diet, and have lost more than the 5 lbs per week they promised. I was 302 two weeks ago, ate healthier and did a bit more walking than usual, then started my Medifast plan last Thursday. Today I weighed myself - 292 lbs. So, 10 lbs in two weeks, and I'm willing to bet most of it was the medifast week. They say the hardest part is the first three days, and they weren't kidding. That whole ketosis thing really made me feel weird, kind of like hung over. Other than that, it hasn't been bad. I find that 500 calories a day plus a lean-green meal isn't as bad as it sounds. I like fish anyway, so I've no problem eating a lot of that. Oh, and a LOT of water. I've been drinking over a gallon day, easily (sometimes with that no cal Mio water flavoring) exclusively. The water really helps keep me going, and it does make the hunger pangs lessen.

It's tough breaking the old habit of grabbing something whenever I walk by the kitchen counter. And my work is the worst - they ALWAYS have tons of goodies laid out and I used to get something every time I went by, sometimes many times a day. At first I thought I'd have a really hard time not being able to snack as much as I used to, but after the first day I felt that I'd be damned if I'd blow all that hardship I'd already been through they day before (not being able to eat whatever whenever I wanted to) by chowing down on a cookie. That time investment has kept me going, at least thus far.

Now when I see those doughnuts I just chug a water and check my watch for the next medifast treat. heh..

As for the food - avoid the pizza cheese bites. They are the most disgusting thing I've ever eaten. Everything else I've had so far is not bad to surprisingly good. Their chicken soup is surprisingly filling, and I love the protein bars, doubt I will ever get tired of them. Not tried the eggs or pancakes yet, but soon.

I don't think I can do this for a long while, but I CAN make it one more day. If I tell myself that, I'm sure I can make it! And the ketosis inducing hangover feeling is gone too. They said it would take about 3 days for it to happen, and they were right. Just don't cheat and eat anything carb heavy or sweet, and it will end soon. If you do cheat, even a bite, it will make it that much tougher to go away.

Good luck!

Ray - San Diego

How long? Results? Doing well?

Starting Day 4 of medifast 10 pounds down so far. Started at 328lbs. I know the big first week drop is not sustainable but I'm fine with 2-3 pounds a week after this.

Doing it by the book and drinking lots of water. My wife is on the paleo diet so our dinners line up but I have to weigh my food. Medifast meals I have had so far: Oatmeal various flavors, Pancakes chocolate chip, tomato soup, brocoli cream soup, and chili. All good but I had to spice up the Chili for my liking. All the bars have been good. I have had the mocha, dark chocolate, and orange shakes. All good too.

One tip from a newbie is I add 1 TBSP of Chia seeds to my oatmeal or shake in the morning. Helps keep me full and its low glycemic. I may not need it later on but it feels good now for only 60 cals.

I also have a Meal Reminder app on my Android phone that reminds me to eat 5 times a day.

Good luck everyone!

Hi!
This is my second week on the program!
Weekends are pretty hard for me but I love this program it really keeps me full and I feel so great!
Week one I lost 5 lbs I just ordered the mac and cheese and cant wait till it gets here
I just read that we are not suppose to have the bars all day...only one per day..oppps I didnt know that I was just eating the bars since they are my favorite especially the peanut butter crunch bar...so this week is going to be a variety of things...
Good luck everyone!

You can have as many of the CRUNCH (yellow wrapper) bars as you'd like towards your 5 during the day. It's the green wrapper maintenance bars that are limited to once per day because of their higher carb count.

I have been on Medifast for 15 weeks and have lost 105 pounds so far. I love the food and plan to do it long term so I can get to my goal. I love the foods and think it's fairly easy to do.

Hey everyone! Im also on Medifast, started week and a half ago, I've lost 5 pounds. Do you guys sometimes feel that the calorie range is very low, almost unhealthy? 800-1000 calories per day is sickening to me, especially bc I exercise! I prob only lost 5 pounds bc I was trying to add more calories to my diet, I just didnt feel it was normal to have below 1000 calories! What do you guys think?

I started the program 4 weeks ago and I am down 16 pounds already. I am really enjoying this program and proud of myself for sticking with it. I've learned SO much already about this new health plan NOT diet (LOL). I've been reading Dr. A's book and working in the study guide that goes along with the book. Amazing....that's about all I can say! My goal is to lose 100 pounds on this program and so far I think I will be okay. I would like to connect with other newbies to the program in hopes that we can support and motivate each other to maintain our direction of a better life...a healthy life. I don't know about you but I can't stand looking at myself in the mirror and seeing what I have become - I want to lose this weight not only for myself but for my children also. I want to be able to do more things with them without getting tired or not being able to do them at all. I'm only 35 years old and I want to have many more years with my family. Good luck to each and every one of you - let's do this!

I started medifast on 2 January and have lost 20 pounds so far. I'm quite pleased, though a little concerned about how to maintain later. So I have just bought a Bodymedia Core and will begin some light exercise and get into the use of logging and keeping track.

I don't think it matters too much how we lose the weight. Any diet that reduces calories will do that. My goal is to understand why I eat too much, and keep track and alter my habits. I know that I cannot go back to as I was before, just eating whatever is in front of me.

It works if you stick to it. I just finished week 1 (after being off of it for 3 months - big mistake!) and lost 13.4 pounds in 7 days. The first time I was on Medifast was middle of last year and I lost 45 pounds in 2 1/2 months. I then proceeded to go off plan for the past 3 months because I got overconfident and gained it all back plus 2 pounds. The key for me no matter the plan is I must weigh myself weekly at least or I lose site of everything. Once I stop weighing myself or get out of the habit which isn't hard as I hate scales, it all comes back..Good luck to you!

BTW - a large loss like that is common the fist week, I lost over 14 the first time I was on this during the first week but it then the next week it dropped to like 6, then 4-5 each week after but it averages out to roughly 5 pounds a week - at least for me it did, Not bad really!

Hello all. Today was my first day on the TSFL Medifast plan. I must admit I was excited and anxious at the same time. I did my research and my doctor strongly recommended the program, but I was very worried about the taste of the food. Extremely pleased to say I was pleasantly surprised. So far the 5 meals I ate today were more than palatable. They were actually ok, some even pretty good. Loving the pretzels and the bars so far. Anyway, I'm glad to find this forum. I definitely need some kindred spirits to travel along this journey with me. I have 79 pounds to lose.

Good luck everyone and let's motivate each other. :happy:

I am starting week 3 today on MF and I've lost 10 pounds so far!

Congrats to all you MFing losers! I did the program many years ago and had great success!

Have a great MFing journey!!!

Um... I'm not sure you're aware of how that's coming across...
(MF can = motherf....., so MFing losers = ________)

I think I'm going to go ahead and do it for at least one and maybe up to three months. I know I can do it by counting calories, but I'm intrigued by the no-brainer aspect and am a bit "hungry" for a bit of a jump start.

...

Can anyone tell me, though, what is "too much" exercise? I keep hearing about that. Come spring/summer, I plan on hoping on the bike and tend to ride quite long and a bit hard. Will this be a problem? Will I be able to supplement the diet to make up for the thousands burned on long rides without blowing it completely?

Oh no....I'm aware. It was one of my favorite things when I was on MF....is the constant on the nose MFin jokes I put in everything. I'm a MFin' Rock Star!

Ah, well, when you put it that way, it's so much better!

As for exercise...the program recommends no more than 45 minutes of vigorous exercise. If you exercise consistently more than that, you can go to a 5&2 plan which is the 5 meals and 2 lean and green. When I was on program and went over exercise...I just added an extra MF meal to my plan. On the day before and the day off a long ride....I'd do the 5&2 plan...that would be my recommendation. You won't be able to carb load before a big ride, but you can at least have some more calories in the tank.

Thanks. I found an inexpensive but highly rated book on "low carb lifestyle" for athletes. I know MF is more than just low carb, but I think the book's basic info should help me. I'll keep your advice in mind. Worst case scenario: I go back to counting calories during riding season and then back to MF.