“You have to know you can win. You have to think you can win. You have to feel you can win.” – Sugar Ray Leonard
The first 3 days on Medifast kind of suck. I like to think of the first three days as Medifast Detox. Your body is suddenly not getting all the junk it’s grown accustomed to. It’s also getting a LOT fewer calories. On Day 3, I felt pretty terrible. I was tired. I had a mild headache. I was HUNGRY. But since I’m writing this in hindsight, I am happy to report that today, I feel really awesome! I’ve got lots of energy and just feel overall better than I have in quite awhile.
I’ve dropped a few pounds and I definitely FEEL lighter, but I don’t expect these to be really reliable numbers. Water affects a lot and I have been drinking a ton of it.
Weight Loss Tip: If you get sick of drinking water, add some fresh lemon juice. It definitely makes it taste better. And although I don’t have anything to back up these claims, many people have told me that lemon juice is good for digestion and weight loss.
At this point, I’m not going to get too hung up on numbers. I expect the numbers to increase a pound or two every now and then.
I’m dashing off this post before I leave for a dinner and housewarming party. This will be a challenge for me, and I’ve pretty much already decided to have a glass of red wine. I’ll report back on how I fared at this event. Social events are always the most challenging.
Day 3: What I Ate
- Dutch Chocolate Shake
- Peanut Butter Crunch Bar
- Carnitas Salad from Chipotle
- Dill Pickle Spears
- Parmesan Cheese Puffs
- Peanut Butter Crunch Bar
- Chocolate Pudding
I’m getting totally hooked on the chocolate pudding!
Day 4: Weigh-In
STARTING WEIGHT (01/04/2010): 221 lbs.
TODAY’S WEIGHT (01/07/2010): 216 lbs.
Have you considered adding more variety of MediFast products to your everyday -meals? The soups are really good! Not as fast as grabbing a bar or a bag of MF pretzels (I do this everyday myself) but it can get boring especially in the beginning days. The soft serve ice cream is delicious as is the chili. The garden vegetable snack crackers are good in the chili and soups. Have about a coach? Have you gotten one yet? I didn’t really want one in the beginning wks when I went on program, but later on had heard so much about one named Cindy Hasselbach that I tried her myself and she is absolutely wonderful! Newsletters she writes herself every wk., little things she adds to food items that change the taste..such as adding a little salsa to the chili…yum..adding lite soy sauce, vinegar & tabasco to chicken & wild rice soup which makes it taste like Chinese hot & sour soup. She is by far the best coach ever! e-mail address for her is: cindyhass@juno.com & her px is 208-267-7238. Should you decide to contact her (you won’t be sorry!) tell her J. Curtis referred you to her. She really cares about her clients and there is no charge for having a coach. A great friendship has developed between us and I am so appreciative for her being there for me during the hard times and the easy times. Good luck! By the way, I have lost from 162 to 121..I am 5’1″, and have been on MF for well over a yr. Have had my weight off a long time..even am into my old saved favorite size 4-6’s from when I was on Fen-Phen…I really should be on maintenance now but I just love MF & it suits my lifestyle to a T!
Hey Janet! Thanks for writing. I’ve tried most of the products and like most of them quite a bit. However, it’s easier for me to keep it really simple. I do better when I have a limited selection of meals that I can repeat. No I don’t have a health coach, but right now I’m happy with doing it on my own and in collaboration with the readers here at the site. Thanks for all your recommendations. Congratulations on your weight loss. That is awesome. And even bigger congratulations on keeping the weight off!
janet did it take you a year to go from 162-121?
Kim, I began the 2nd wk of March, ’09..Oct. 18th was 130..I would hit plateaus where I only lost a lb in a wk..then the next wk would lose 2..& this as with staying on program..at times I lost inches especially around my middle & bust..then would loses another 2 lbs. By Jan. I had finally nit 121. Today, I weigh 119…still am on MF..add a little regular food sometimes.. splurged and had 2 pizza slices last wk..was so scared I would gain 3 or 4 lbs but I didn’t. I have tried & tried to get below 119..want to hit 115..but it is so hard now..not to stay on program but to get these few pounds off. Am not on maintenance yet..I like being on program..love chicken noodle soup & chili.pretzels , brownies & ‘S’More bars. Am starting a water aerobics program next wk as well as some weight training..really have to tone up my arms…have lost so much muscle (always had much strength in them). As a paramedic for 18 years, lifting stretchers w/patients kept my arms and legs in shape.Don’t know when I will go to the transition phase..maybe never. I love my lean & green meal..at times it’s all I can do to get in all 5 of my meals..but that’s why I love the pretzels & bars..no cooking, just open it up and enjoy! How are you doing on program ? I just got your message that you sent on Mar 2. You can write me at 421810@bellsouth.net if you care to ..don’t mind at all. Love talking to other MF members. Take care and keep losing! Summer is on the way!
I am just starting MF today and was browsing for sites and information from those who are doing it. Are you still doing MF and if so how is it going for you? Can you share some of your experience and helpful hints to someone just starting out? Thanks
I have been on MF since 3/09. Weight was 162..am 5’1″.. Weight 120 now. Have been at this weight (except for 1 wk where I finally hit 119) since aprox Oct or Nov/10. I have not gone to the transition phase or maint. because I am so afraid I will gain! WE are suppose to be teaching ourselves about control, etc. but I am very happy eating MF. Fits in w/my lifestyle very well. I do a little bit of transition, I guess you could say..in a way..I had 1 ear of corn (only 2nd time since I began the plan) tonite along w/my shrimp & spinach salad. I LOVE MF! Have learned sos very many ways to add pizzaz to the soups, chili, even doing the S’More bars a little differently. The first yr or so I didn’t have a coach..did fine w/out one. But I had read so much about Take Shape For Life & how one particular coach was so great in helping you through difficult times as well as giving you many recipes (simple things you add to the products) So, given that, I decided to contact the coach everyone talked about. Her name is CINDY HASSELBACH..phone # is 208-267-7238 e-mail: cindyhass@juno.com. Absolutely wonderful person! Sweet as she can be & so understanding as she lost so much weight herself prior to becoming a coach. You should call her or e-mail her & she will can you back. TSFL has their own site but they are just another part of MF. You can choose MediFast & not use a coach or you can go under TSFL. When you order from MF, you can use coupons each time that are on the internet (will give you the site if you want me to) which gives you $25.00 off a 150.00 order or $50.00 off a $275.00 order. To me it’s like getting some boxes free. You do get discounts like this w/Take Shape For Life, but after you use what coupons you get, then there are no more discounts unless you go under the auto ship which I don’t like because there are certain items I love the best & some I don’t. I like to customize my orders. One thing I did not realize in the beginning was that you REALLY do need to do some weight-training (even if you just use the 5 lbs weights) because I lost so much muscle in my arms that now I am having to build muscle back up. I feel like my arms are so ugly & here comes summer..don’t get me wrong, I don’t have gobs of skin hanging down, but the muscle tone is just not there. One great thing about Cindy as your coach is that she e-mails out a newsletter every wk. w/lots of encouragement, great topics & most of all, lots of recipes that make the food taste so good. 1 example..if you like the chili (which I love!)..once it is cooked, add 1 tbsp. of salsa to the chili..stire & enjoy! Have you tried the brownies yet? or the cinn. pretzels? I call them mini-breadsticks. These are a diff. recipe than they originally used. The others had lots of cinnamon..were yummy..I find these to be a little dry, but eat a bag everyday..& they are so handy to drop in your purse so you will never not have a program food with you..don’t like some of the bars..they are too dry for me..my favorite is S’Mores…you can take the bar, put it in microwave w/chocolate side up..cook maybe 15 -30 secs..watch it as it heats..when the chocolate begins to melt a little, take it out..will be hot! the taste is like a fudge/chocolate syrup ..yum! I love the choc. shakes. Pour yr water in the blender (I don’t use the plastic blender cup they send you) I use a full size blender. Add the powder, I put a little Stevia for extra sweetness..take about 1/2-1 cup of crushed ice. Start blending on low, then add ice, then go to high ..it will thicken some & volumnize-looks like a thick choc.shake. I use flavorings..love the orange shake, too. add a little coconut flavoring & you have what tastes like an orange dreamsicle. There are a lot of simple things to do to enhance & change the taste ..keeps you from getting bored. People write about hating the oatmeal. The blueberry & peach are the best to me..I add a little bit more waer to the recipe..if you cook it too long & it looks like paste add a little more water, stir well & re-heat just a bit.If you like it sweeter, add a little sweetner. I use a small whip to mix my soups,-both before & after it is done. Use it to mix up the chili prior to cooking it. Cindy gave us a great recipe for the pancakes..one where you don’t cook it in a pan, but in a mug/coffeecmug in the micro.The chips stay on the bottom, spray the mug w/non-stick spray, be sure & use the MF blender cup ..put the 1/4 tsp. water in MF blender cup, add pancake mix..shake jar about 7-8 times (I find it takes this many to mix it up). I scrape the bottom as the chips will stick..pour into mug, using a rubber spatula so you can get all the chips ! micro. about 1 min or so..pancake will rise to the top of the mug..take it out, let it sit a min.,turn it upside down on a pretty plate, drizzle a VERY SMALL amt of sugar free syrup (just enough to add a little stickiness like w/ reg. pancakes) on the pancake & you will love this..can have it anytime counting it as one of the 5 meals. It really hits the sweet spot..w/no messy pan or griddle to have to clean up. Cindy would probably tell you not to do the syrup since you are just starting program, but the pancake is still delicious. Feel free to write me at my e-mail address, 421810@bellsouth.net if you would like me to give you some more recipes. I know you will wind up loving MF..it is diff. in the beginning but you will find the foods that you like best..oh yea, if you like the pretzels, take the mustard ones, & dip them in real mustard, like it is a dip. Cindy gave us that recipe. Good luck to you! You have made the right decision to try MediFast. I recommend it to so many people I run into at the grocery. Tell Cindy if you call her that I referred you to her. Write me & we’ll chat. Take care…good luck!!!you should lose very quickly..& that is so exciting! Janet Curtis
Just wondering how you are doing? I just started back (this is my third time to attempt starting Medifast after successfully using it 11 years ago). I am on day 3 and I have been so hungry and felt so horrible this afternoon. I keep reading that you just have to struggle through the first 3 days and I am bound and determined to be successful this time!
Wendy,
I had a slight headache by the end of DAY ONE, and basically felt like CRAP (please excuse the French)! However, after that initial ill feeling, I started feeling GREAT, and 4 months later, I feel better than I have in MANY years!!! I have ENERGY that I don’t even REMEMBER having. I quit taking Nexium because I no longer have ANY symptoms of reflux. I don’t SNORE anymore. My knees and back don’t hurt anymore! So far, I have lost 66 pounds. I started at 251 with a goal of 180. Now that I’m 185, I realize that another 5 pounds is NOT going to bring my stomach where I want it to be. I believe that another 15 pounds (down to 170) might.
Already, I have lost THIRTEEN INCHES around my stomach. When I started, I was wearing a TIGHT 40 inch waist jeans. NOW, I am wearing 34’s. I even, just last weekend, but a pair os THIRTY-TWO denim cargo shorts, that I can wear NOW!
My point to all of this rambling is: HANG IN THERE. It WILL get better and easier, and you WILL feel better, and you WILL drop the inches and pounds.
Good luck!!!
Norman, just wanted to say hi & see how things are going for you these days. Have you reached your goal yet? Congratulations on coming from a 40″ waist to a 34. And you are so right! Often “hanging in there” seems like such a fete…but it DOES pay off in the end….and even if you slip and fall once or twice, agonizing over it makes it worse. I feel that it is best get right back up, pick one of your favs from MF/TSFL, enjoy it, & welcome yourself right back on program. We all have been down that road at one time or another. One size does not fit all. So just pick back up where you left off. , get over it, & you will reach that vision of yourself you really want. Good luck, Norman.
Janet,
As of this morning, September 8, I have lost 74.4 pounds. I am at exactly 177 pounds, now only SEVEN pounds from my SECOND goal. The closer I get, the slower it goes, but it IS still going! I was right in that hitting 180 wouldn’t get my “middle” where I wanted it to be. I think 170 MIGHT. We’ll see.
I bought (just) a couple pair of size 32 waist jeans last week. They fit GREAT! I have lost FIFTEEN INCHES around my stomach…so far!
I appreciate the kind words. This has LITERALLY changed my life!
Hey Wendy. Good to hear from you and that you are getting back on program. I have a suggestion for you. You may already be eating the soups & chili but I can say without a doubt that some of them are very filling! The chicken noodle is really my favorite. You add 1 cup of ater and when the noodles expand as they cook you get a lot of soup..nad to me, it is very filling. Have you ordered any of the snack crackers? You are allowed 1 pj aday. I don’t really care for the multi grain but the garden veg. are perfect to crunch up and put in your soup. I do this with the chili also. They are not very costly so I keep them on hand. And sometimes when I feel like I just have to eat something that isn’t so “on program” I open a bag of these, break each on in to 2 pieces, get my Diet Coke open and here I go. I don’t think they are as tasteful as when I use them in my soups but they seem to fill me up right before dinner. At times, although I do always have S’More bars on hand as well as the cinnamon pretzels, if I have a bar for 2 or 3 of the 5 meals I just don’t feel like I have had a “good” meal. That is just my personal feelings, of course, and there were times in the beginning weeks when I would actually have a choc. shake w/my chicken noodle soup for lunch–of course this is not recommended in the book but if it saved me from cheating a little later on, I had rather have at least doubled up on the meals. And I would, and sometimes still do this, count this as 2 meals of the daily 5. I also began drinking of Crystal light peach tea w/my meals & in between as well. I have a bad habit of drinking too many Diet Cokes. I add some Stevia to the pitcher of tea & keep a glass already poured in the frig..this fills me up more than a Diet Coke. You are still getting in a lot of water..so this works for me. You might try it ..there are a lot of flavors in C/Light. pink.lemonade is another good one. And remember in your book it says we can have popsicles–just follow the guidelines. This helped me too. Listen, I know exactly what you are going through but DO NOT feel like you are a failure nor are you the first person who has started & re-started program. You know in your mind that this is the program that will work for you..if it takes 2 times or 3 times..at least you have not thrown up your hands and just walked away! It does work and will work for you. No change in our eating routine is easy. And we’ve all heard the saying “just take it one day at a time”.. Well, my saying is “just take it one MF meal at a time”. And after each meal, pat yourself on the back and be proud that you stuck to it one more meal. Remember, you are taking this not one step at a time but one MEAL at a time. You can do it!. We know any diet is like peaks and valleys. You are up one min. and something just doesn’t go well and there we are..heading right down into the valley. Look at yourself in the mirror You can and will be successful. Don’t focus on 15 days or 30 days. Get through an hour, get through all of the 5 & 1 meals for the day and when bedtime comes? feel good about what you have accomplished and look forward to waking up the next day and working hard to make it work again. I, too, felt hunger my first few days. I did not go on any blogs nor did I have a coach. I really felt alone as I didn’t have any of the good recipes that I eventually acquired–both from going on the blog & then later from my coach, Cindy. I even learned how to take the oatmeal, mix sweetner, diff. flavorings (loved using the almond) mixing it all up, baking it and wound up with 5 or 6 long things like looked and tasted like biscottii fingers you buy at the store in those little expensive bags! I used the peach and blueberry..delicious. They really do taste like oatmeal cookies if you drop them by a spoon. Recipes helped me get through the day. We all retain fluid so don’t think when your weight goes up a little that you are a failure. There is not much we can do about it. Ride it out for a day or two & you will see that the weight will come off. Be sure and watch your carb count –rem. MF says 75-85 grams of carbs. Eating the MF way the carbs are figured out for us & listed right there on the box. If you use salad dressing, be sure & always check the label for the fat and carb count. I find Ken’s Thousand Island is within our range altho the calories are a little high to suit me, the fat/carb count is good & altho we are allowed 2 tbs.that is actually too much for me. I generally use just a little more than 1 tbs..& instead of trying to put it all over my salad (love the romaine!) I just dip my greens in a little of the dressing which I put on the side. This, too, is in our program book. Good luck to you. I will keep you in mind and hope that you do well. Write and let us all know how it is working for you. One more thing, my first wk wasn’t 10 lbs like I had my hopes up for. Only 4..but I was happy with that because anytime you have a loss remember: it is better than a gain! Good luck and hang in there.- success is just around the corner.
Have been reading your blogs. They are so great and very inspiring. I have been on program for 4 days now. Today is the first day I feel really good. Yesterdy I was ready to quit!!!
I’m on this because my Dr. has been recommending it for about 2yrs now and I have been fighting him every step of the way!! I have been on every diet out there. BUT now my colesteral and sugars are way too high, along with my weight.
So, now I begin ANOTHER diet!!! He swears by it and does it himself. He’s a great guy and I trust him. Will have my first week visit on Thurs. He will be shocked tht I have actually stuck to it for a week!! Me too!!
Thanks for your encouraging words.
Barbara
Hey Barbara. It is so good to read that your are sticking to program. That should make you feel so proud! And I, as well as all the others on MF, know that feeling of having tried one diet after the other–and then finally decided to give MF a try and we all share the same excitement of having stuck to it in addition to being so successful! Those scales do not lie…and once you get moving on that weight-loss road not only do you FEEL so good but you have shown yourself that this time, it really is going to work and that you are determined to stick with it to reach your personal goals. It isn’t a piece of cake, so to speak..a lot of effort, whereforethou and determination all go into making your journey the success you have been searching for for so long. Remember, one size does not fit all. And if you stumble and fall a little, get right back up, pick up where you were and you are on your way to that goal! Keep us updated on your success as well as any difficult times you might be encountering and those of us who write on this blog and have been down that same road will be glad to offer you encouragement and support. You have my e-mail address here so don’t be afraid to write me if I can help. My coach (Cindy Hasselbach who is with the Take Shape For Life div. of MF)
has given her clients many great recipes..some very simple..that really can make a difference from “just a bowl of chile” to a bowl that is quite delicious. Just by simply be adding a tbs. of salsa to the chile. Add a pk. of MF garden veg. or multi grain crackers (counts as 1 snack of which we are allowed daily) and you have an extra tasty meal. Good luck! If you would care to share how much you have lost so far or if your dress size has come down, let us know that, too. We all care! And besides the medical/health benefits of staying on program, being able to fit into clothing we might have saved from a time when we were smaller or finally seeing our dress or pant size begin to decrease is certainly a morale booster!
Janet,
Could you share your recipies with me? I find the food somewhat bland and have lot of trouble makin the chili without it going foaming. Thanks.
Dear Barbara, I have been on the program now for 8 mo. and have lost 60lbs. my sugar has dropped to 5.5 went from 10mg glipizide to 2 1/2 mg and off Lantus 40 u nits to 0. so good not t o have the shots anymore. My health was not good but getting much better. Hopefully I can stick with it . I also might say i am 79 years old and have had a weight problem since givingbirth to my children and have been on every diet there is. this is the first one that has helped so far. I even went on opti=fast and had nothing but liquids but the day I went off it I start ed gaining it back. I pra y I can keep this off. still have a long way to go but I DO feel better not being a diabetic. Just keep it up and you will do okay. its not easy,but you can do it.
hi I feel so good about finding this site this is a ll real new to me I’m waiting for my first order I have been battleing weight for at least five years now I don’t have a very good stay to power I know I needed something that I didn’t have to think a lot about I have a real good feeling about this. wish me luck
not sure what I am doing wrong awaiting moderation?
Hey Trish. Just wanted to see how you are doing on program and if there might be something Norman or I or any other ones on MF/TSFL could do to help if you need a little extra support? Hope things are working well with you and that this time you are thinking very positive about getting the results that you have waited for for such a long time. No, I am not a coach..wish that I was..and I do have one, Cindy Hasselbach (the best one if the whole world!) but I began NF in March 2009..162 down to 120. I still “do” MF because I guess I’m hooked for life. Really thought, I am so afraid to go back totally on everyday foods.. I know there is transition & maintenance but MF fits so well into my lifestyle..I hate breakfast..& oatmeal or a S’Mores bar are perfect for me. The new pizza bites are so filling & tasty…cinnamon pretzels are great for when I go to the grocery..generally that’s about my afternoon meal so I just get a large diet Coke from the deli area, open my bag of pretzels & off I go & of course, Publix just HAS to have the drink machine right next to the bakery but I tell myself “this is a test..this is a test”..I know you like wearing size 4’s & 6’s..so eat and enjoy! Write back if you have time & let us know how you are doing.
Nice to see the weight coming off steadily. Lemon juice in water certainly takes the monotony of water away. I asked you on a previous post what product you are using however I think it is Medifast?
I am on Medifast meals and am on my second day. i am excited awill work.
I just ordered my Medifast meals and am very excited to get started although, I am a little nervous starting right before the holidays and don’t want to be way too tempted and cheat. On the other hand, I don’t want an additional 5 lbs to have to loose so as soon as I get it I am starting and am very excited.
Hi All,
I have been on Medifast since 9/23/11 and have lost 35 pds. 30 to go, I am not losing as fast as I’d like to but I am happy, I keep finding clothes in my closet that I can wear now and a lot that are to big! I’m hoping to lose the rest by summer, I do cheat a little with sugar free popcicles and some wafer things that I get at Wemans that are only 16 calories, I put peanut butter on them.