Medifast: More than Bars and Shakes

One of the biggest issues that many parents have is being overweight. (I’m holding my hand up high, here.)

Not because we eat horribly all the time, but with the stresses of having food for the family, the stresses of everything at work, and the stresses of getting it all done, somehow makes it hard to have three, healthy balanced meals and snacks throughout the day. And let’s be honest, goldfish crackers and chicken nuggets are hard not put into your mouth when the kids have left them on their plate or it’s hours until dinner time.

But when you approach your 20-year high school reunion or get that invite for a big wedding or just hear your kiddo say “mama you got a fat belly,” you somehow get this overwhelming feeling of guilt as you start to think how you wish’d you look and that those 20 lbs. (or more) can’t ever come off so why try…

Always looking to find a solution, I’ve discovered Medifast...actually rediscovered it.

I often pass the sign along the road, but  thought the program was nothing but bars and shakes so for this foodie, it wasn’t even a consideration. But after my grandfather had passed, I just let my healthy eating go to the wayside. I had fallen off the horse and I needed a big jump start towards my goal to finally lose weight.

What is Medifast Really? 

Walking into the appointment, I was very interested to figure out really”what is Medifast?” Is it bars and shakes, would I never taste real food again, or was it something totally different? Getting to the bottom of things, I met with the counselor to find out that Medifast is a low-glycemic plan that’s personalized to your health and lifestyle. While my lifestyle until this point has included a few too many pizzas and pastas, she goes into discussing my eating habits and finding a way to help me get a plan in place to start making real changes.

After taking my blood pressure and receiving a real breakdown of my resting metabolic rate, my body mass index, etc. I had a full workup to learn where my body is today and how we are going to get it to a healthier state.

Here Comes the Toolkit

That’s right, they arm you with not only a plan of action, but also several tools to measure, weigh and portion out your food responsibly. For me, it’s not that I don’t know what to eat or that I eat the wrong stuff (we’ll at least most the time), it’s that I eat too much of some and not enough of others.

So instead the plan includes a scale, measuring cups, a handheld blender/mixer, microwavable cup and shaker. While I needed all of these items, I learned that you can modify your plan (and price) to only receive what you need. (However, I don’t advise you try that because I’m kinda in love with the blender/mixer and I would have normally said “I have one…” but this way is pretty great.)

Food Time

The most popular of the personalized programs is the 5-in-1. Giving you five small, 100-calorie meals throughout the deal and an open meal called the “Lean and Green,” you set an individual plan how to make better decisions regarding food, what you’re going to eat (or not eat) at your business lunch, weigh in to check your progress and of course, pick the Medifast meals and snacks you’ll be using to support your weight loss plan.

With 85 different items to choose from, I can vouch that you don’t HAVE to even choose a bar or shake as part of your plan. However, both of these items (which are available in different flavors) make it very convenient for someone is on the run (like everyone.) Then for the times you want a sit-down something you can choose mashed potatoes, soups, chili, rigatoni, etc.  For snacks choose popcorn, chips and even chocolate chip bake (think chocolate chip cookies and cake made a baby.) All of the items are shelf stable so they don’t require refrigeration and can be easily stored in your purse, car or desk drawer. But watch out especially for the popcorn – my kids asked for a bite and then when I went back to get a bite, they had eaten it all.

Next week we’ll talk more about the Medifast meals.

Does it Work? 

Every program is different and everyone will have different results. For the first few days I’ll admit it wasn’t easy adjusting to eating every two hours and making my snack or meal at the desired time. But you have to remember you’re learning something new and changing a habit (a bad one at that) you’ve created for many years (like my 30+) and change doesn’t come easy. But after a few days and a few alarms set (I had to remind myself to eat), you get a rhythm that works for you.

Normally the first week Medifast patients will have 4-5 lb. weight loss and then steady loss at 1-2 lbs. going forward.However, atypical of Medifast patients, I lost almost 7 lbs. Pretty excited with the results so far…but like many times before I have to keep going!

Want to get your weight loss goals going? Schedule your FREE consultation and find out if Medifast is right for you.

Wish me luck as I try to hit that weight before the kids were born!