Any Optifast users out there?

I'm on week 25 of Optifast 70 (420 calories per day). I have lost over 75 pounds as of now, and I'm doing it through a very extensive program that includes doctor supervision, group therapy classes and behavior modification. I'm finding this to be the most positive and insightful weigh loss experience of my life. I have about 35 pounds to go and will be starting to transition to food in a few weeks. There will be lots of guidance and support as I leave the fast. This program is over a year long.

I don't believe that any weight loss plan is incompatible with MFP. I log my shakes and all exercise daily (146 day streak!). My fitbit is synced. I plan to do MFP every day going forward, when I'm eating a variety of foods. Staying accountable, seeking support and keeping this journey at the forefront of my mind is my main strategy for lifelong success. I'll be continuing on a moderately low carb WOE only because it makes me feel better and I am sensitive to cravings caused by processed carbs.

I'll check in and let everyone know my progress, since I know many people are starting out. I wish everyone the very best with their approaches to health, whatever they may be. This one is saving my life so I couldn't be happier. I'm blogging my experience on optifastadventurer.blogspot.com.

Cheers,
Christy

Amazing achievement! WTG!

Christy! That's amazing! Look at you! You've got to be so proud of yourself! Way to go!!!

I'm using the Optifast 800 plan, and it is medically supervised by a medical doctor whose specialty is Obesity. I was referred to him by my regular GP family doctor, both are Members of the Alexian Brothers Medical Group in Hoffman Estates,IL. This plan is designed to be only available to those undergoing medically supervised weight loss. I take exception to the post about it not addressing the disease. Through the supervision of the Dr. and the clinic it addresses all phases of what goes into a healthy eating lifestyle. It has group sessions that covers exercise, nutrition, lifestyle changes, psychological issues dealing with why people overeat. It truly is a complete program. They have a psychologist, nutritionist/dietician, and a fitness expert who leads weekly classes and addresses transitioning to regular food. Every 4 weeks you have a complete blood panel and meet with the Doctor. While it is extreme it is also effective. As other posters made the comment about no matter how you lose the weight, you still have to learn how to eat so you don't gain everything back. I suppose that if someone buys their products on eBay or elsewhere, they are cheating themselves and it probably won't work for them. It's not a miracle, it's a means to a healthier life if used as intended. Everyone is different and has to find what works for them. I've lost 88lbs since November 1st, I'm currently transitioning to the trim plan, and still losing 2-3 lbs a week. One more thing...if you have a Dr. that tells you the only way to lower your blood pressure is with medication....(if you're obese) find a new Doctor.

Hi - just saw your note and thought I'd tell you my Optifast story. Did it through a hospital group and lost 59 pounds in 4.5 months. Did the shakes for 2 meals and 1200 calories (or whatever the meal plan said we had to weigh everything) for one meal. I kept it off for 5 months, but then it started creeping up on me as I kept eating regular food. I wasn't counting calories and had knee surgery so couldn't exercise. In a year I had gained back about 30 pounds - in 2 years 40 pounds, but I exercise regularly. I'm thinking of having a shake for one meal now, but using MFP along with that and keeping up with my Zumba and walking. With MFP alone I lost 15 lbs in 3 months prior to going on vacation last year, but 10 lbs creeped on again. It's a constant battle that I've been waging since puberty and I'm now 69 years old. I'm OK with my size 18, but know it would be better for my 2 replacement knees to take off that 40 lbs again (I probably should take off about 60, but lets' be at least a little realistic). When I did the Optifast the staff said that 1/3 of the people kept all the weight off, 1/3 gained half or more back and 1/3 gained it all back and more. Some of the people in my group were there for the 2nd or 3rd time. All I'm saying is that it's a great way to kick start your weight loss, but be ready to either use MFP and count calories as well as exercise when your through, or gain alot of it back. Good luck to you!!!

This thread is so long not sure if anybody will read this but figured I'd share.

My father went on Optifast several times. Each time he gained the weight back after going off the program. He felt great while he was on it, and like others have said, he got used to not eating real food after a few days.

Having seen it in action first hand I wouldn't recommend it to anybody really. It's not teaching you how to eat for what your body needs. Yeah, you will lose weight (of course, it's a structured meal replacement). If you enforce similar structure in your own cooking, you can get the same results long term and still eat foods you enjoy.

Just checking back in. Still doing very well and feeling great. I'll be slowly transitioning back to food soon, and look forward to this next part of the experience. I'm blessed that my Optifast program offers/requires several phases of the program so that we not only lose the weight and accompanying medical conditions, but also engage in behavior modification and weight maintenance support groups. For most people, it takes a year or more to go through our program, and then there is on-going support for food addiction and emotional eating. I think many of us who were morbidly obese struggle with this and will need ongoing support. I will.

Most of the "repeaters" in my classes did not complete the program fully in previous attempts, but I think it's terrific that they learned the value of group support and behavior modification and came back. Some people can lose weight by learning to cook healthy meals and log on MFP. This is certainly how I'm going to be maintaining my weight loss. I'm sure there will be ups and downs with weight maintenance. But I'm forever grateful that I went through this program at a time when the amount of weight I needed to lose made me feel hopeless and paralyzed. It was a lifesaver for me.

People who only follow the shake and supplement portion of the program will NEVER have successful weight loss. And if that is all people think the program is about, they are sorely mistaken. As I told my doctor today, the shakes are the easy part. The real work starts when you transition.

I am on Optifast and I am fully aware that the endgame is to eat healthier. That is why I have check-ins with my doctor to discuss overall health as well as realistic expectations on the program. There is also a nutritionist who helps with the transition to regular food, so you are eating regular food. You are learning to eat more nutritional foods and having better portion sizes. Sometimes it is better to start from 'zero' and Optifast can be the reboot that people need. The important thing is not to get caught up in the loss from the shakes because that's only temporary if you go back to the same habits that got you there in the first place.

Bless those who don't need any assistance for a weight loss boost due to an immediate health issue (as I do). I've usually read mostly negative things about VLCDs on here and really, I'm not bothered. Nobody else has to walk this journey in my shoes, so it's up to me to do what I feel is best. Hopefully everyone is able to do what it is that works best for them.

I wish everyone the best and I hope that you all acquire the results that you desire.

Nice comments above (@walkingforfun, @pickled_beats and @alyssakd2012, for example).

Not sure why people keep harping on those who put weight back on as if the Optifast program had anything to do with it, it is like with any other program, that losing weight is not what this is all about, it is when you are in Maintenance that the work and effort is needed. Those that focus mainly on weight loss are the ones at risk to relapse.

With Optifast, my doctor and nutritionist have been nothing but crystal clear that the losing part is the 'easy' part. Their efforts are entirely with helping me with Maintenance, just as it should be.

And what 'expensive shakes' are people referring to? This costs me about the same as it would if I were buying my own food and eating out as I used to, so this program is completely free for me when you get down to it - as compared to normal extra costs with other programs, like with Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Herbalife, Dr. Bernstein, etc.

MFP and journaling, regular physical activity, eating well and the critical ongoing counselling with my doctor and support with my nutritionist are what will help me as I move forward maintaining my healthy weight. I'm surprised at how straightforward it has all been for me, thanks to using the Optifast approach... I am so thankful!

I just started and I am on day 6. I feel exercise is a big part of Optifast , and I felt I needed a kick start . It definitely has me thinking about how I use to eat and what I need to do in the future to be successful in my new lifestyle change. I am feeling very positive and would like to talk to like minded people.

Christy, You are a true inspiration and definitely part of my "change" partnership. Thanks for the thumbs up too. :flowerforyou: Sarah

Thanks so much Sarah, you have been a wonderful support to me as well :happy: . When you "meet" people on MFP who are support-focused and open-minded, it is such a great tool. I'm been blessed to have found so many nice people. Of course, it is an open forum, and free-speech enables people to comment and share their differing opinions. I learn a lot, and try not to take it personally if people don't understand or agree with my program. In the end, I have to do what is best for me, and I feel like I'm well on my way to a vibrant, fun-filled life in a body that is much healthier than it was. I wish this feeling for everyone, no matter how they get there.

We all need to be a little bit humble here because most of us have tried every type of weight loss technique, including calorie counting/portion control/exercise, and have lost and gained weight back (in my case, multiple times). I've tried and failed so many times, but I will never lose hope or stop trying - my life and health are worth it. There is no fool-proof right way to weight loss. Just the one that happens to resonate and work for us, at that particular time in our lives. It's a personal decision, but also a personal journey.

I'm looking forward to learning more about mindful eating (we will be exploring this in our transition classes at my clinic), and I'm personally going to be following a low carb life as I begin to transition to food. This is based on my own reflections on my emotional eating and foods that trigger compulsive behavior. Others may be able to eat everything in moderation, and I respect that, if that's what works for them. I'm just in the beginning of a long process of changing my health and relationship with food, so who knows where it will lead. I'm very happy so far.

Christy
Can you tell me how long you have been on the program for Optifast. I am doing mine with Kaiser and just started last week . So I am on my first week still. Have to say I feel wonderful. Very happy and I feel great physically. I believe exercise is a vital part of weight loss also. In the classes I am in with Kaiser they said exercise is important but I have a tendency to go over board with it and don't want to do anything to mess with my weight loss. Can you give me some guidance here please

Hi Everyone,

I've been reading this forum for awhile and thought it was now time to write. I just completed my 9th week on Optifast (Started 6/24/14) and I've lost a total of 61.2 pounds, going from 330.8 to 269.6. I am on the full fast program and plan on staying on it for at least another 4-5 weeks before transitioning to the modified plan.

Years ago I lost weight when I needed to pretty easily and was very disciplined, but more recently it became more and more difficult (I am now 49) and I just kept gaining, and gaining, and gaining. I had become a type 2 diabetic and was on U500 insulin, byetta, and metformin. I reached a point where I knew I had to do something, primarily for my health and to be around for my kids and eventually grandkids, but also just to feel better about myself and be able to be more active in my life and business/work. My wife is a nurse and she was telling me about a patient who had success on Optifast, and the next day I did some research online (including this forum) and called to sign-up for an info session at a hospital-affiliated program. Within a couple of weeks I completed the exams and started the program. I found it attractive because is was closely monitored by doctors (weekly visits while on full fast), included meetings with a nutritionist and exercise physiologist, involved weekly group meetings (which are great), and includes a year of maintance meetings and support. I choose the full fast because I thought I would have more success initially if my plan didn't involve meal planning or choices. One downside of the program is the cost. Although the doctor visits are covered by my insurance, the cost of the program itself, co-pays, and the shakes aren't cheap.

So 9 weeks into the program and it has worked great for me. It has not been easy (if fact at times it has been very hard) - going to 4th of July parties, a family reuinion, wedding, business trips, and just being around good food in general and not eating. After a week or so you aren't actually hungry, and sometimes I have to remind myself to drink my shakes, but it is still hard smelling and seeing great food and not eating it. But focusing on my success and thinking about where I can be in the relatively near future by staying faithful to my plan has kept me on track. My financial investment is also a motivator. So far I have not cheated once. I'm now totally off all diabetes medication. I feel tremendous and I'm thrilled with the results. I have gone to a regular 2x shirt from big & tall 3x and and 42" waist pants from a tight 48". For the first time in years I can buy clothes in "regular" stores. For exercise I've kept it very basic, pretty much just walking 1.5 - 2.5 miles per day (my dog is pumped) and tracking my activity with my Fitbit One.

To be honest not everyone in my group is losing at the same level, and some are back for a second time, but the majority are doing well. I am looking forward to going to the modified stage (1 meal and 3 shakes) and eventually all "real" food and making the lifestyle changes necessary to helpfully keep the weight off (finding my maintenance level carloric intake, establishing macros, and lots of exercise). I fully understand that no matter how the weight is lost, if you go back to old eating and lifestyle habits the weight will go back on. This is true whether you lost it on Optifast, Weight Watchers, calorie deficit off TDEE, etc., etc.

Good luck to all of you in whatever programs you are doing to lose weight and get healthy. I think it's a personal decision on how you want to do it, and I certainly don't think there is only one way to get it done. It's a battle, but keep the faith and hopefully we'll all get where we want to be (and stay there)!

And thank you to others on this forum, including @christygb, who helped me realize this was worth a shot. I too will try to provide periodic updates.

Best wishes!

Great post and more power to you,mi am prod of you and happy for you too. I am so excite about my Optifast and know it will work. I made up my mine and will succeed too. All the neg talk goes in one ear and out the other , I listen to my team of doctors and I also have read tons of information.i am just so ready to get me back and get off my meds finally. Getting my self esteem back too. I walked only 5-10 mins once a week now I walk 1-2 miles 3-4 times a week. The people who love me are my cheerleaders.
I was writing a book I hope to finish , the life of a fat person. I use to be in good shape most my life but gained gained over the last several years, when my youngest daughter passed from meningitis at 18 I just got so depressed. Now I know she would want me to be healthy and happy. I have Lupus and have been very sick sometime and been on lots and lots of steroids but I hate to tell anyone when they are bullying me telling me I need to lose weight I why did I let this happen.
I write about how mean people can be toward far people and how I have watched the thin girls at work get the promotion and other jobs, the way people look right thru a fat person like they are not there and when they do look they start or make commits. I hate to be told I have a pretty face but.....the way a doctor will talks to my legs while I sit at the table because they are fat, instead of looking at my face. I told one dr please talk to me not my legs. I hate the way plus size clothes look ugly why can't they make them pretty. with lace and all. My back went out and the chiropractor was handsome. And he looked at my legs and said have you ever thought about maybe you should lose weight. yikes I said my legs can't talk, he looked at me like I was crazy. I needed to cross a parking lot full of traffic and a beautiful girl went across as the car waited. It when i tried to cross he almost ran me over. It's so said. The other day a man and women were in Sally's a beauty supply and I was looking at some thing they came in and bullied me to get in front of me, they had a BMW and nice clothes and rings and she was skinny and he was tall. I pi
It my stuff down and walked away they knew what they did , he said to me yes we are better then you your fat. I said t hat was mean he said and she said well we are better then you. Go figure. I was horrified and left . It was so sad so I felt sick for 2 days.
I want to lose weight not for those people out there but for me, a healthy me, confident me, a new me, a pill free me, and a happy healthy grandma me.

Hi KeepTheFaith9 and Debivan13!

Congratulations on all your successes so far on Optifast. That is wonderful to hear and I'm so happy that you both are feeling good during the fast! I agree that the non-scale measurements of health are almost more powerful and life-changing :-) For myself, I notice so much more energy and stamina. I have walked a bit during the program, but I wouldn't call myself a workout warrior or anything. But I can see a significant improvement in my speed and exertion level and I love the change. This has been a surprise to me throughout the weight loss.

I'm finally transitioning to food now that I'm about 10 pounds from my goal. My Optifast program allowed us to continue with the full fast until we got within 10-15 pounds of our goal, so that's what I did. It was difficult facing numerous social situations and not eating. As an obese person it's never easy to stand out in food situations, but those moments passed quickly, and most of the people I socialize with knew that I was on this program and wouldn't be eating, and they got used to it quickly. Over time, when my weight loss was apparent, they were very encouraging. For all that this program and the weight loss has done for me, I can honestly say that those very few awkward moments were worth it.

Now I'm on to the next set of challenges - incorporating food and putting into practice what I've learned. I had a few hiccups, but was most thrilled to be able to get back on track. This is new for me. Luckily I'll also have my maintenance group and weekly support.

I wish you all the best on your programs!

Christy
optifastadventurer.blogspot.com