Medifast vs Ideal Protein Diet

I did Medifast with a coach. I loved the book that is mentioned below. I had struggled to lose weight on so many other programs before I did this one. I have maintained my healthy weight for over a year now. I lost weight with the Medifast food but that was just one part of this program. I learned and implemented healthy habits and took a good hard look at myself. I have a thyroid condition that made me gain weight and I always blamed it on that. When I did the internal work I was able to figure out what part I played in becoming overweight Its not something that just "happened" to me. I learned what my triggers were and learned about my own chices and behaviors. You will learn absolutely nothing from eating meal replacements. If you use them, they will take the burden and stress off of weight loss so that you can do the deeper work and learn about yourself and what changes you need to make. Let me know if you have any questions about the program

I like Ideal protein a bit better than medifast. Eating 5 medifast meals a day feels very artificial. I think Ideal's meals taste a little better. Medifast meals have strong after taste that takes time to get use to. I like ideal for me. Im allergic to alot of foods because I'm allergic to alot of trees, grasses, and molds. When I get off of Ideal protein I break out horribly from wheat and dairy. A vegan diet would probably be best for me. I know people that have lost the weight and kept if off for years on ideal and I know people that have gained it back. When I got off I did gain back but not all of it and only because I ate very badly all the time I also did not go through maintanence. I'm back on plan and my goal is to make it to maintanence. :-)

Medifast Diet Deceptions:
In September , the MLM diet company Medifast (MED), agreed to pay $3.5 million to settle FTC charges of false product claims. These fines are for violating an earlier order to cease and desist from making unsupported weight loss claims. Despite its promotional use of references to doctors and “clients”, most of this company’s revenue is gained from ordinary low calorie packaged food sold by non-medical sales representatives in a multi-level marketing scheme

http://pyramidschemealert.org/2012-round-up-crimes-misdemeanors-and-charges-in-multi-level-marketing/

Filled out the forms and considering Ideal Protein diet. Apparently my metabolism is shot. I can't lose weight no matter what I do, even under 1200 calories a day. I'm not really a veggie eater and would have to eat 4 cups of them a day plus salads. Anyone know where to find Ideal Protein recipes for those yucky veggies? Reading all these posts I'm really on the fence about it. I have to lose 50 lbs and it seems with other's experiences, it wouldn't take long to lose that on IPD, then would have to learn how to eat not to gain it back.

Hi! I am NOT a veggie eater either, but I have found great ways to get it in throughout the day. For example, I just had a salad (lettuce doesn't count) with 1 cup of cucumbers and 1 cup of green peppers. Half way there! Last night for dinner I had a steak with grilled zucchini and peppers. Even though I don't really like veggies, I have learned (even in 3 short weeks) that getting them in is just part of my new way of life. I recommend you check out the forum at 3 Fat Chicks:

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/ideal-protein-diet-236/

There is a lot of great advice, including recipes and general support for those of us on IP. Good luck!

I did Medifast in 2010, through Take Shape for Life, vs. the much more pricey way of going into a brick and mortar Medifast center.
I lost 70 lbs., in 6 months, and felt and looked so much better! I am hypothyroid, also, have osteoarthritis, too, and within 2 weeks of starting, I felt like a new person. I have been a yo-yo dieter for about 40 years, so this was all amazing to me.
I loved my results, and how easy it was so much, that I became a "health coach" with this program. Many people joined me, friends, mostly, and friends of friends.
September, 2013: 60 of the 70 lbs are back on me. I thought I would never gain it back. Truth is, like others have said, if you don't change permanently, your lifestyle, your way of thinking, your habits, you will gain it back. In Dr. A's book (mentioned in an earlier reply, excellent book), you have a formula on how to figure out maintenance calories. You will forever have to maintain eating this smaller amount of calories, it's true. I did not transition back to adding in regular foods, and going off the pre-packaged meals, and I did not exercise. Both, mistakes. I still think the program is sound, you take in ideally 800-1000 calories a day while on the program. I went to a national conference, and I met MANY people who had maintained their weight loss for years! They honestly do have the goal of getting America healthy. Yes, part of their goal is also making money as health coaches. I quit because the truth is, everyone who needs to lose weight needs support, which at first was fun and I was so excited! Then I found it was exhausting (for me) to be on call all the time, with people's various needs while on program. I wasn't in it for the money, but was spending way too much time away from my family.
This time, I am joining this site, for the mutual support, vs. being the sole support for others. I am planning on a lifestyle change, using both my favorite Medifast foods as some meals, and low carb meals for others. I will exercise the entire time, and once in awhile, allow small, (VERY small) bites/servings of treats at events. I felt too deprived before, and I had the "on a diet" or else "eat whatever I want" plan.
I wish everyone the best, no matter what you choose to do!