Hello! My name is Kathleen and I live in Pennsylvania. I am 33 years old and am the owner and author at the blog, Just the Two of Us and Deals!
I grew up in a single parent household and with this, my mom tried to make up for my absent father by cooking a lot for me. In my house and in my family, saying “I Love You” was only “said” via a cooked meal. While I was a normal weight all the way up until 11 years old, it was then that the weight slowly started to get packed on. All through middle school and high school, I was teased for not only being overweight but for not having the best brand clothing because my mom couldn’t afford it. I never told anyone about being bullied, I merely turned to my friend of food which didn’t judge me, was always there for me and comforted me when I needed it. I continued to gain weight.
I had tried MANY diets in the past
I tried Atkins and while initially it was great to eat meat, cheese, eggs etc, I got tired of eating the same things over and over plus after the initial few weeks of losses, I didn’t lose at all.
I tried Weight Watchers
The idea sounds simple enough: You can have basically anything you want but you just need to count for it and keep track of your daily points. Weight Watchers didn’t work for me because I am not one to plan out my day as far as food. I am the type that when I am hungry, I just tend to grab whatever I feel like in that moment. Plus, I would consistently go over my daily point allowances thus never losing much weight.
I Tried Nutrisystem
I was fortunate enough to be able to be a Nutrisystem Blogger through their blogger program. I was provided their meals for 7 months in exchange for weekly updates about the plan and how I was doing. I was doing great in the beginning with some nice loses but then my losses came to a complete stop. I was only able to lose around 30lbs in 7 months. I was also ALWAYS hungry on this plan. Yes, you get to eat multiple times per day but I was never really satisfied after meals.
After losing 30lbs with Nutrisystem, I was still a bit over 300lbs
I knew that I needed to do something but was seriously discouraged because I had tried so many famous diets and yet, nothing seemed to work for me. I knew that I NEEDED to get rid of the extra weight not only for myself but to be around for my daughter. I was unable to find a lot of clothing that would fit me, I wasn’t able to fit on amusement park rides or even play with my daughter at the park without being tired.
I was at the point of considering gastric bypass surgery…
But the thought of a surgery really scared me. One night, I was searching around the internet looking at various diets and found a few YouTube videos of ordinary people sharing their thoughts about Medifast. I had never heard of Medifast before but the more I researched it and the more I saw people talking about their experiences, I knew I needed to try it. I ordered my first shipment that night.
I chose Medifast for several reasons
The main reason was because I liked that it allowed you to eat 5 of their meals and one of your own per day. Another reason was that many people lost a lot of weight in a pretty short amount of time. I am not one who wanted to be on a diet for years to hit my goal. While Medifast is a low calorie and low carb diet, it still allowed you to have their on plan brownies, chocolate shakes, pretzels etc which was fantastic for me personally. Atkins didn’t allow for such foods.
I have lost 50 pounds so far
When I started Medifast, I weighed 322lbs and had a BMI of 52. I was wearing size 24 or 26 jeans as well. I started the program at the end of June 2013 and to date, have lost 50lbs and have a BMI of 43.9. I am now in size 20 jeans. I am not at my goal of 155lbs as of yet but I know I will get there.
Medifast Before and After Photos
Before Medifast 36 lbs Lighter
The first few days on Medifast were a little difficult
Your body is basically going through a detox and learning to eat differently. After getting past the first few days of hunger and some headaches, you finally reach ketosis state and optimum burning fat mode. Once hitting this stage, I was never hungry and had no cravings for off plan foods. It was a feeling that was a little odd to me but I quickly got used to it.
The first week on Medifast I lost 14lbs!
With a loss that large, it encouraged me to keep going. It gave me hope once again that this was going to work and that I could do this! My second week I lost 6lbs and each week after that, I lost weight.
Medifast is the only diet program that has been so simple to follow and stick to
The few times that I have cheated and had off plan foods, I regretted it almost instantly. I went from feeling so much energy to feeling horrible and putting on weight. Once being knocked out of the ketosis state, you have to basically start the program over. You need to be 100% on plan for 3-5 days again to get back into ketosis. I have learned over the past few months that no cheat is worth it. I admit that it’s been difficult at times having to say no to off plan foods but I know that in time, once my journey is complete that those foods will still be around for me to enjoy in moderation.
Honestly, with Medifast, I hardly ever feel like I am on a diet
There are so many different types of foods on Medifast that it’s been great getting to try everything that they offer. Like any diet plan, yes there have been foods that I didn’t care for but I just tend to stick to the same foods that I do like. Honestly, with Medifast, I hardly ever feel like I am on a diet. I get to eat frequently and many of the foods don’t taste like you’re on a diet.
Favorite Medifast Foods
Some of my favorite Medifast foods include Peanut Butter Crunch Bars, Smores Crunch Bars, Brownies, Cinnamon Pretzels and Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal.
Peanut Butter Crunch Bar
Brownie
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Foods I Didn’t Care Much
Some of the foods that I didn’t care too much for would be their Chocolate Pudding, Chicken Noodle Soup and Sloppy Joe. It’s all a matter of personal taste and Medifast has a ton of different options to choose from.
I have more energy on Medifast than I ever have in my entire life
My favorite thing about Medifast, aside from the foods that I really like, would be the ease of the plan. There is no counting calories or carbs at all. Medifast has done the work for you. When it’s time for my next meal, I just like to grab it and eat. I don’t want to have to do extra work. All Medifast foods are not only low calorie and low carb but have the protein, fiber and vitamins that your body needs. I have more energy on Medifast than I ever have in my entire life.
I won’t get too hungry and eat off plan
Almost all Medifast meals, with a few exceptions, are easily portable. I keep a few meals in my purse and in my car so on extra busy days, I have easy access to them and won’t get too hungry and eat off plan. Medifast is great for busy people or people on the go.
While I have only lost 50lbs thus far, my family and friends have been extremely supportive of me. I know that I can call them on a bad day and talk things out before I go eat something I shouldn’t.
My Medifast coach is great
Medifast also has the chance for you to sign up for a free health coach. I believe having a health coach on Medifast is key. They can help you on bad days, help you with lean and green meal ideas, answer questions about the program and more. My coach is great and has always been there for me when I needed help and encouragement.
Did my hair fall out?
Aside from my initial concern that this program wouldn’t work for me like every other diet I have tried, I did have some concerns about potential side effects that I read about. Potential side effects including hair loss, constipation, excess gas and more. It didn’t stop me from trying because I was desperate. I have had no hair loss but have the occasional excess gas and constipation but those side effects are worth it to me in the long run.
I didn’t exercise at all for the first month
For the first few weeks, the program will tell you not to exercise unless you are used to doing quite a bit already. I was not one of those people so I didn’t exercise at all for the first month. Even at this point for me in the program, I don’t do much exercise. I do go for walks to get outside or sometimes go swimming but nothing super strenuous. I still lose weight without doing much exercise which is fantastic. Beware though – Because Medifast IS a low calorie, low carb diet, too much exercise can cause your body to go into starvation mode and you won’t lose or will lose little.
Losing 50lbs has given me a lot more confidence in myself
Slowly but surely, Medifast is teaching me that several small meals per day is better for you than 3 large meals. It’s been teaching me portion control which I really needed and it’s been teaching me that losing weight doesn’t have to be difficult or take years to do. While I do have more weight to lose, losing 50lbs has changed things for me.
I am able to buy some clothing at stores that I couldn’t shop at before. It has given me a lot more confidence in myself when I am out and interacting with people.
It’s given me the energy that I never had and has brought me closer to my daughter. We now go for walks to the park and play together without me being tired. I know that things will only improve from here on out as I continue to lose more weight.
Medifast gives me instant gratification for my efforts
While I have been on Medifast, it’s only been a pleasurable experience. The food isn’t gourmet by any means but once you find the meals that you really like, it’s like not even being on a diet anymore. Having weight losses each and every week has been fantastic for me personally. I like having basically instant gratification for my efforts and Medifast gives me that.
Medifast? Just try it
My advice to anyone who wants or needs to lose weight, would be just try it. Even if you have tried other diet programs in the past that didn’t work for you, let Medifast be the last. If you follow the program exactly, you will lose weight and lose quickly. By following the plan 100% you will need to:
- Eat 5 Medifast meals per day – Meals like oatmeal, pretzels, brownies, BBQ bites, oatmeal raisin crunch bars and more.
- Eat 1 lean and green meal of your own daily – Your lean can be chicken, fish, etc and your green will be on plan vegetables. There are many websites that you can google to find new lean and green recipes so you don’t get bored. Take advantage of these!
- Eat a meal every 2-3 hours – You need to follow this so you don’t get overly hungry throughout the day.
- You may have 3 servings of condiments daily as well – Spices and other condiments can jazz up a meal and make it taste better or can help in a recipe.
- Drink water – This is a must. Medifast recommends 64 ounces minimum daily but more is always better.
- Healthy Fat – Make sure you are getting in a healthy fat daily as well. This could be salad dressing etc.
- Exercise – This is pretty much optional. I personally don’t feel like it’s needed but with all the energy you will have from Medifast, you will WANT to move your body.
- Health Coach – Yes, you can do this program on your own but why not get a health coach. They are free and could very well be the difference between being successful on Medifast and not.
- Weigh and Measure – Weigh your lean protein on a scale. You can purchase a small scale at just about any store. It’s important to not only weigh because of making sure you’re not overeating but also to be sure that you’re getting enough. 6 ounces of chicken is a lot more than you think! Measure your on plan vegetables as well. Eye balling servings can add up at the end of the week.
Once you get the hang of the program, it becomes second nature.
Getting my life back
Medifast has allowed me to lose 50lbs since the end of June 2013 and has started to give me my life back. I am still on Medifast and am losing weight each week still. I can’t wait for the day I reach my goal. I will finally be the person on the outside that I have always been on the inside.
I would highly recommend Medifast to anyone. It works!
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