Medifast and weird advice. Opinions?

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.

Unfortunately when someone has an incentive to sell and keep you invested in a product, they're not necessarily considering your wants, needs, and preferences. I think you have a much healthier idea of what you can achieve weight-loss wise than the Medifast program can provide. From what I know, the Medifast regimen is often recommended to people who get little to no physical activity (and don't want to), and provides fast results that can get people motivated from the start. It sounds like you've already reached the motivation stage, and are seeing how Medifast may not be the right fit.

If you understand the basic tenants of Medifast, you can get started without it if you want. Caloric restriction is doable while eating "real food", but you'll want to ensure you are getting appropriate nutrition with those calories. You need fuel in the form of calories to live, repair, and move. The fact that you want to be more active but can't because of your calorie restriction is sad! Any trainer worth their salt will understand that heavy workouts plus severe caloric restriction are a recipe for exhaustion, injury, and plateau. It is so simple to increase your ability to be active - eat more calories! Even if it is just enough to cover what you will burn during your workout, you'll feel and do better.

I started out over 110 lbs overweight. It is complete nonsense that you cannot work out at a heavier weight - you know this yourself! I've seen a lot of nutritionists encourage people this overweight to "just focus on the food" until they've reached a weight closer to their goal. While starting slow and getting things right is certainly important, you have to remember that weight loss on caloric deficit diets is not only fat. Fat, muscle mass, and bone mass are all included in lost weight. Losing weight with only diet makes you more likely to lose significant amounts of muscle mass. Underneath that 100 extra pounds, you have a lot more muscle than an average-weighted woman. If you continue to work that muscle while losing, you are likely to retain much more lean mass and be stronger and fitter in the end.

Medifast makes things easy, but I think you're seeing that this isn't always enough. My philosophy on weight loss is one you'll hear around here a lot: It has to be livable on a long-term basis. It sounds like you have a willingness to learn and a desire to challenge yourself. Put that energy toward learning about nutrition, exploring new foods and recipes to enjoy, and learning to trust yourself. This last part was the biggest gift I've given myself recently. I found I never really gave myself enough credit for what I'm capable of - a lot of us shortchange ourselves with doubt and self-hatred. You have expressed some doubts about whether this program is right for you, and I think you're right on track. Trust your instincts! If working out feels right to you, and is therapeutic for you, it is more important than Medifast. Change what you need to to allow yourself to enjoy your life.