OPTIFAST 70 and adding in meals

Bovinus
Bovinus Posts: 5 Member
edited March 7 in Food and Nutrition
Hey guys. Curious if anyone recently has heard of/tried the Optifast program? I recently joined up through my health insurance, Kaiser Perm. and have found some success already. Some background, I'm 25, M, 6'2, currently at 250lbs. When I started the program, I was at 280lbs. BEFORE I went to my doctor to get some insight on my weight, I was sitting just under 300lbs. I shot up to that weight in about 14 months from 175lbs due to depression, alcoholism, and, obviously, way overeating. I wanted to get a confirmation from my doctor that I didn't have some disorder or disease that was helping me to gain so quickly, and, no surprise, it was all me and my lifestyle.

6 weeks into Optifast and I'm starting to get frustrated. On the one hand, there is no denying that their 5 shake complete food replacement program works. I've lost 30 lbs in a fraction of the time it would've taken me the "old fashioned way." Which is awesome. Confidence is coming back and all that great stuff. However, I can't help feel guilty that I took the "easy" way out. I plan on sticking with the program until my goal, 200lbs, but I feel that I should be practicing better food discipline.

I guess what I'm getting at in this rant, what is your guys' advice? Maybe stick to 2-3 shakes a day and a small, clean meal for dinner? Soldier on until I hit goal? Or just get off the program and start those healthy habits now? Any and all advice/hate/troll/whatever is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Replies

  • MrsMizart
    MrsMizart Posts: 1,264 Member
    My input is - try weaning yourself off the plan via clean small meals. Get into your new way of being.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
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  • Bovinus
    Bovinus Posts: 5 Member
    LiveLaughLoveEat1 wrote: »
    Bovinus wrote: »
    Hey guys. Curious if anyone recently has heard of/tried the Optifast program? I recently joined up through my health insurance, Kaiser Perm. and have found some success already. Some background, I'm 25, M, 6'2, currently at 250lbs. When I started the program, I was at 280lbs. BEFORE I went to my doctor to get some insight on my weight, I was sitting just under 300lbs. I shot up to that weight in about 14 months from 175lbs due to depression, alcoholism, and, obviously, way overeating. I wanted to get a confirmation from my doctor that I didn't have some disorder or disease that was helping me to gain so quickly, and, no surprise, it was all me and my lifestyle.

    6 weeks into Optifast and I'm starting to get frustrated. On the one hand, there is no denying that their 5 shake complete food replacement program works. I've lost 30 lbs in a fraction of the time it would've taken me the "old fashioned way." Which is awesome. Confidence is coming back and all that great stuff. However, I can't help feel guilty that I took the "easy" way out. I plan on sticking with the program until my goal, 200lbs, but I feel that I should be practicing better food discipline.

    I guess what I'm getting at in this rant, what is your guys' advice? Maybe stick to 2-3 shakes a day and a small, clean meal for dinner? Soldier on until I hit goal? Or just get off the program and start those healthy habits now? Any and all advice/hate/troll/whatever is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

    that "program" taught you nothing about healthy eating habits. You need to develop those or do you plan on being on those shakes for the rest of your life?

    Good point. All of the information that this program gives me can be easily looked up online and the shakes really are a quick fix.

    I will say that being off of food completely gave me a sense of control over my life in a time where I was basically at rock bottom. It took away the option of eating burritos/pizza and, probably most importantly, took the beer away. 30lbs later, I'm a different person. I think that quitting the program is PROBABLY the way to go, but I should be careful, right? Cutting out a pure liquid diet and jumping back into the food has health risks, according to the Optifast people. I know that screams "SCAM," which it may well be, but it IS through my health insurance and is monitored by medical staff. Don't want to walk out of there with gallstones or something. Thank you for your response and I apologize for my long-winded reply.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
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  • Zedeff
    Zedeff Posts: 651 Member
    I think that everyone telling you to abandon a winning strategy is nuts.

    Your strategy is working. You are having success. Keep at it and get to your destination, or closer to it, and then make your next change.

    I would draw an analogy to cross country traveling. You can hitch hike and "cheat" and take the "easy way out" and get to your destination in hours, or you can do it the "old fashioned way" and walk and get there next week. The choice is yours, but I know which decision I'd make!
  • Bovinus
    Bovinus Posts: 5 Member
    LiveLaughLoveEat1 wrote: »
    Bovinus wrote: »
    LiveLaughLoveEat1 wrote: »
    Bovinus wrote: »
    Hey guys. Curious if anyone recently has heard of/tried the Optifast program? I recently joined up through my health insurance, Kaiser Perm. and have found some success already. Some background, I'm 25, M, 6'2, currently at 250lbs. When I started the program, I was at 280lbs. BEFORE I went to my doctor to get some insight on my weight, I was sitting just under 300lbs. I shot up to that weight in about 14 months from 175lbs due to depression, alcoholism, and, obviously, way overeating. I wanted to get a confirmation from my doctor that I didn't have some disorder or disease that was helping me to gain so quickly, and, no surprise, it was all me and my lifestyle.

    6 weeks into Optifast and I'm starting to get frustrated. On the one hand, there is no denying that their 5 shake complete food replacement program works. I've lost 30 lbs in a fraction of the time it would've taken me the "old fashioned way." Which is awesome. Confidence is coming back and all that great stuff. However, I can't help feel guilty that I took the "easy" way out. I plan on sticking with the program until my goal, 200lbs, but I feel that I should be practicing better food discipline.

    I guess what I'm getting at in this rant, what is your guys' advice? Maybe stick to 2-3 shakes a day and a small, clean meal for dinner? Soldier on until I hit goal? Or just get off the program and start those healthy habits now? Any and all advice/hate/troll/whatever is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

    that "program" taught you nothing about healthy eating habits. You need to develop those or do you plan on being on those shakes for the rest of your life?

    Good point. All of the information that this program gives me can be easily looked up online and the shakes really are a quick fix.

    I will say that being off of food completely gave me a sense of control over my life in a time where I was basically at rock bottom. It took away the option of eating burritos/pizza and, probably most importantly, took the beer away. 30lbs later, I'm a different person. I think that quitting the program is PROBABLY the way to go, but I should be careful, right? Cutting out a pure liquid diet and jumping back into the food has health risks, according to the Optifast people. I know that screams "SCAM," which it may well be, but it IS through my health insurance and is monitored by medical staff. Don't want to walk out of there with gallstones or something. Thank you for your response and I apologize for my long-winded reply.

    always be careful. I know you can do this and you don't need the shakes to lose weight. I would suggest weening yourself off the shakes a little at a time and getting back on real food...lol. The Optifast people will tell you anything to get you to stay. Trust me, even tho your insurance covers the Optifast, you would be healthier on a "diet" of real, healthy food. If you want, send me a FR and I'll be your cheerleader!

    thanks! I appreciate the support. My plan was to get down to my goal ASAP and then pick up weight lifting, cardio, whatever, along with eating right. I feel more "ready" to tackle a healthy routine than I was 30lbs ago, but we will see. Of course! I'll add you right now, thanks!
  • Bovinus
    Bovinus Posts: 5 Member
    Zedeff wrote: »
    I think that everyone telling you to abandon a winning strategy is nuts.

    Your strategy is working. You are having success. Keep at it and get to your destination, or closer to it, and then make your next change.

    I would draw an analogy to cross country traveling. You can hitch hike and "cheat" and take the "easy way out" and get to your destination in hours, or you can do it the "old fashioned way" and walk and get there next week. The choice is yours, but I know which decision I'd make!

    Thanks for the response!

    I agree and this is what drew me to Optifast to begin with. However, I can't shake the feeling that I am cheating myself out of the accomplishment of losing weight. Obviously, nobody will know or care the method of weight loss, they only get to see how I look. How I feel is what is important, and I'm not sure where I stand on it. It's great knocking ideas around with you guys, the internet is great.
  • sydneydeb
    sydneydeb Posts: 93 Member
    I've not used Optifast but I have used Isowhey and the shakes do work well, I have one for breakfast and lunch and a small dinner but I don't think it's the "easy" way out, I find them harder to stick to than eating. The shakes have given you a good kick start but I'd say slowly work your way off them, maybe move down to two a day and have a healthy portion controlled dinner, then move down to one and have lunch and dinner etc. That is what I have done. I've lost 10 kg since August.

    Now it's time to teach yourself healthy eating habits as well. Find some healthy recipes and experiment with new foods, add a new recipe each week/month. Discover new foods. As others have said you can't be on the shakes your whole life and one of life's joys is eating. Just learn new habits and be patient. Good luck
  • SherryTeach
    SherryTeach Posts: 2,836 Member
    Show me some evidence that abandoning a liquid diet and consuming solid food is dangerous.
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