Any Optifast users out there?

froggy48103 · February 2014

I just started Optifast 3 weeks ago through a doctor's office Have lost about 15 lbs. I do a lot of exercise so that probably helps me but sometimes I get really really hungry. Like today I want to go eat more...... I can eat 2 cups of vegetables a day and that does help. Just joined myfitnesspal today!

froggy48103 · February 2014

How do you guys get the little chart on the bottom of your posts that log your loss? I just joined. Found it but it starts me from today when I started myfitnesspal, not when I actually started doing Optifast. Oh well......

Thanks, Nancy

Nothungry585 · February 2014

Thanks. I need to get some of that stuff. I am two weeks in today and down 15 lbs. Only 4 lbs this week, but I expected that.

trogalicious · February 2014

Thanks. I need to get some of that stuff. I am two weeks in today and down 15 lbs. Only 4 lbs this week, but I expected that.

... seriously? You're losing too fast already and think you need some miracle vlcd diet to lose faster... ?

No. You need to reconfigure your expectations.

Nothungry585 · February 2014

I went on Optifast with the attitude that I would take it day by day, now week by week. Even now, I am focusing on life after Optifast and the food and lifestyle changes I need to make, cause I know that is what is going to make or break my efforts.

Nothungry585 · February 2014

Actually, from this point, I wouldn't expect to lose more than 3-4 lbs a week.

trogalicious · February 2014

Actually, from this point, I wouldn't expect to lose more than 3-4 lbs a week.

still too fast. I should hope you wouldn't expect to lose that much. Again unrealistic expectations.

judibryan46 · February 2014

Well said! One of my challenges is finding something I can do at home (particularly in the winter) and last weekend I spent a fair amount of time checking out various videos and found several particularly those of Leslie Sansone (like this one at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rnB9rDRrCM) with in-home WALKING designed to get your heart rate up (and IT DOES). It interjects a few other movements and weights if you like as well. I've started doing it and I feel so good afterwards...like I've done something good for my body! I can't make it through the whole thing yet (I'm very out of shape), but each time I do it, I can last a bit longer. And what's really great is it doesn't take a lot of space either!

judibryan46 · February 2014

Much as it would really be great to lose more, the doctors all say the same thing...1-2 lbs a week is a reasonable goal on this type of program. I'm running close to 2 lbs a week....still impatient, but it's still moving forward!!!

cjringer · February 2014

I have been using Optifast since November 12, 2013. I have lost 66 lbs so far and have another 70 to go! If it wasn't for Optifast I would still be on 2 different insulin's giving myself 4 shots a day, plus metformin. Along with 2 types of blood pressure medicine.

NOW I am only on 1 blood pressure med and I am hoping to be taken off that on Monday. Optifast was my alternative to surgery which I did not want to do.

I love the group setting once a week, I have learned so much and have made some good friends. The only thing I am having trouble with is, well this is kind of embarrassing, but lets just say "movement" and not the walking kind...lol I have increased my fiber intake and have started taking a softener. I am hoping and praying that it works.

It is nice to have a message board out there. Nice to meet everyone!

Jill

seamom · February 2014

I am impatient as well. I have to look at the graph of progress and not diminish what i have done so far. The number is going down, that is all that matters. I will NEVER see that high number again!

judibryan46 · February 2014

I dropped 4.6 lbs the first week and actually GAINED a few ounces the second week...NO idea why. But I'm now 4 weeks after that and each week I've been losing 1.5 - 2 lbs. I'm 67 and VERY show metabolism, but I'm trying to work on that. I keep telling myself to keep an "eye on the prize", which is a jump start to a new, healthier, more mobile me. Sometimes it's easy to lose focus, but CHOOSING to make a good decision each time I think about putting something into my mouth is where I try to keep my head. Some days are harder than others, but I've been loyal to the program and thinking PROGRESS every moment.

Good luck, don't let temporary frustrations guide you...they are the exception. One choice at a time!

judibryan46 · February 2014

Awesome, Jill!!!! Both on the weight loss and on the MEDS reduction!!!!

NorthernCalGal · February 2014

I am now 4 1/2 weeks in and have lost 18 lbs so I am happy

I have 7 products a day -- am no longer hungry nor do I have any cravings. This is getting easier for me -- hope the rest of you experience the same. Stick with it -- it works. My friend visited this last week and he lost 160 lbs since July -- he is eating regular food now but being very strict and weighing and measuring everything -- so proud of him!

sircoya1 · February 2014

I am on

AlongCame_Molly · February 2014

What if I told you that you could lose weight with food? The same food you can buy at the grocery store or market RIGHT now. Food that won't make you have to ingest it in shake form.

"Oh, well, it's basically for people that have a lot of weight to lose" you say?

Check out the ticker.

Not a single shake. Not one. Unless you count post-workout protein shakes or milkshakes every now and then.

If you learn HOW to eat, you don't have to go through some god awful progression of expensive shakes... JUST to get back to the same thing that got you here in the first place... food.

izzy811 · February 2014

I started Optifast in March 2012 and lost about 80lbs out of my goal of 230lbs. I stopped due to family stuff and for 2 years, i kept it off. I gained about 25lb out of 80lbs back (stress eating due to death of family member). i decided to continue on with the program as soon as i noticed the clothes were not fitting. Thankfully, I caught myself in time. I want to lose about 150 t0 170 pounds.

Since we all have to eat again some day, my plan is to use Optifast to get 1/2 to 2/3 of the weight off and try to lose the rest on a healthy food eating and lifestyle changes. My concern is not losing the weight, it's keeping it off. I feel that my success on keeping it off depends on habits I build in my eating and lifestyle. Optifast is a lifesaver but I think I need to use it as part of an overall comprehensive plan.

I will say that this "break from food" has allowed me to see food, and my relationship with food, in a whole new light.

trogalicious · February 2014

I started Optifast in March 2012 and lost about 80lbs out of my goal of 230lbs. I stopped due to family stuff and for 2 years, i kept it off. I gained about 25lb out of 80lbs back (stress eating due to death of family member). i decided to continue on with the program as soon as i noticed the clothes were not fitting. Thankfully, I caught myself in time. I want to lose about 150 t0 170 pounds.

Since we all have to eat again some day, my plan is to use Optifast to get 1/2 to 2/3 of the weight off and try to lose the rest on a healthy food eating and lifestyle changes. My concern is not losing the weight, it's keeping it off. I feel that my success on keeping it off depends on habits I build in my eating and lifestyle. Optifast is a lifesaver but I think I need to use it as part of an overall comprehensive plan.

I will say that this "break from food" has allowed me to see food, and my relationship with food, in a whole new light.

good news! you don't have to buy into shakes that make you hate life to lose 150 lbs!

izzy811 · February 2014

I understand your point. I was just reading some of the old post from this thread and I understand your position on it. I'm not saying "Optifast is the ONLY way" to lose weight, but (in my opinion), it's the best option to help me on this first step of what needs to be a long term lifestyle plan.

Trust me when I say that I am fully aware of that this program is not a quick fix or a personal solution.

Also, Congrats on your weight loss success

binger720 · February 2014

Hi everyone, Just started optifast today on optifast 800 so far I'm hungry..lol.

trogalicious · February 2014

Hi everyone, Just started optifast today on optifast 800 so far I'm hungry..lol.

...because it's a starvation diet.

lighterlemur · February 2014

Hi I have been doing Optifast for 4.5 weeks but I am in Australia on the program is different with vegetables as part of the program from the start.

So far I have lost 8.1 kilos (? pounds)

I know many are critical (I used to be one myself) but this is the only eating plan that has actually worked for me. I am insulin resistant and I want to avoid taking medication or developing diabetes.

Within a week my blood glucose had dropped into the normal range and I have less pain in my knee. My waist (the area that really worries me) has reduced by 6 cms. I have gone back to the gym and am increasing my walking. People are remarking on how well I look. I feel really energetic.

The hardest bit is juggling it with my family (two small children)

I have been reading the recent research on VLCD and it is very interesting.

I am not concerned about weight gain at the other end. I have been eating well and maintaining for years. I just cant get the weight to shift. No combination of food or exercise resulted in a weight loss more than about 4 kilos. It was very frustrating! My family all look gorgeous on our food except me

(

rickgetfit · February 2014

I agree it's not for everyone and everyone needs to find what works best for them. There's no one size fits all in weight loss. For me simply limiting calories wasn't working. I found that I failed when I tried to limit servings of high fat, sugar or starchy foods. These had to go away for awhile and I needed help.

I've been on a supervised Optifast program for 15 weeks and am down 50 lbs. The structure, nutrition and group accountability have freed me from my cravings and kept me motivated to keep going. I battled some sugar 'withdrawl' for the first week, but after that have felt good. Early on I did some experimenting with timing and tried the high protein version and after about 4 weeks found what really worked for me.

I've just transitioned to 1 meal a day and in another 16 weeks plan to be off the Optifast, but will continue with the medical supervision and group setting. By then I WILL be down 100 lbs and 2/3 to my final goal.

All the best!

binger720 · February 2014

I have read on here about a lot of people being part of a group program. I am doing mine through my general practitioners office and they haven't offered that to me...I am definetly going to ask sounds like it really helps many of you. I am on day two and feeling ok...think I'm getting a cold so I am sure that will make it harder. I am so glad this forum is available it has been great reading all the success stories and the issues others are going through. I am open to any positive help or advice. I am on optifast 800 and they have me doing 3 shakes a soup and a bar a day. I have 100 lbs to lose and really hope this helps me get a jump on my weight loss. It feels so defeating already knowing I need to lose so much.

ChicagoPapaBob · February 2014

I am approaching 60 years old and have been working with the Center for Health and Nutrition in Westmont/Oak Brook, IL using the Optifast program since October 28, 2013. To date, 17 plus weeks into the program (plus an additional 7 pound weight loss from September 15 through October 28, 2013 on my own), (1) I have lost a total of 96 pounds, (2) I have cured myself of sleep apnea (and no longer use a CPAP machine), (3) my Lipitor and pulse regulation medication (for a very treatable A-Fib irregular heartbeat issue) have been cut in half, (4) I am no longer classified as pre-diabetic, obese or even overweight based on my new BMI, and my laboratory/bloodwork results are completely within normal limits across the board, (5) my blood pressure is now typically 105-110 over 62-70, (6) I no longer lose my breath or sweat profusively when playing with my four grandchildren, walking the dog or working around the house, (7) exercise is fun and painfree again, (8) I sleep well and wake up early each morning with energy, gratitude and optimism, and (9) I am getting close to my goal of achieving my age 30 weight by age 60 on April 3rd (8 pounds to go). In sum, my medical/nutrtional team and Optifast have provided me with the reset opportunity of a lifetime. And most importantly, I feel fantastic, and am really enjoying restocking my wardrobe. My wife of 40 years as of December 7th and I are going to celebrate this next phase of our lives, and our 60th birthdays, with a two week trip to Ireland in May.

binger720 · February 2014

That is absolutely amazing!!! Congrats!!

ChicagoPapaBob · February 2014

Believe me - I decided to make the post today because (1) I just discovered the Board, and am inspired by much of what I read, and to let people know that (2) if I can do this, happily and enjoyably, anyone taking the time to read this post can do it as well. I have struggled with weight much of my adult life, and have tried numerous other well known programs that are very successful for some, but just not for me.

_Resolve_ · February 2014

Curious if anyone on this diet plans on doing it for the rest of their lives, and if not, what is the plan after?

lighterlemur · February 2014

Hi dpearson2012 I am speaking from an Australian perspective so not sure how it works in the US.

I am not sure if you have actually looked at the plan at all?

It has a number of phases.

1. 3 meal replacements plus heaps of water plus 2-4 cups of non starch vegetables and oil. Plus exercise.
2. Gradually replace each meal replacement with meals largely consisting of protein, low starch vegetables, fruit and some dairy.
3. Find new equilibrium in terms of what your new sized body needs in terms of calories and what carbs it can tolerate without gaining weight.

Most people are doing it under the guidance of a doctor plus dietician plus psychologist. It is designed for people who are obese.

The plan is not to stay on Optifast products for life.

.

wings707 · March 2014

I am starting optifast today. I did it way back when Oprah did. I lost 40 pounds and kept it off for a long time. I am doing this again. It works well. I am new to this board so I have no clue if you can email me or not. If you can feel free to do so.

Any Optifast users out there?

Replies

Categories