The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[Out*With*The*Old]

Hi, all:

As I said in my newbie post, I am starting the MF plan on Friday for the first time. So, I wondered what you wish you knew on day 1 that you didn't know....you know, tricks you learned along the way, things not found in the guide or anything that would have made starting the plan easier, better or more knowledgeable.

TIA for letting me pick your brains

~Kym

[Serendipity]

Well, this seems silly, but I'll say it anyway.

I wish I had known that the taste buds change over time. I tried the pudding early on and it was AWFUL! I was on MF for almost a year before I tried it again. Well, now it's one of my favorites. I have either Chocolate or banana almost every day.

[Out*With*The*Old]

Tha's good to know! I'm a picky eater anyway and am fearful of the taste so now I'll know to keep trying the things I don't lke ;-).

Kym

[katieb920]

I say this a lot. But it has helped me. BUBBLE GUM. the kind where it stills last 45 minutes later. My favorite. And it makes big bubbles LOL

[aquarianskye]

Just remember that it will get easier. I struggled a lot in the beginning but if you keep going and stay on plan it becomes automatic. I only have to open the fridge during they day to get my water bottles out. Big change from the scrounging for food I used to do.

And I think everyone here will agree with timing. Space your meals out correctly to avoid the hunger monster. I plan my meals first thing in the morning by pulling out the five packets I will use for the day. I'm a SAHM so it's easy to just leave them on the counter in the order I will use them.

Read the info that you get with your order. And just remember, if you have questions there are many people here willing to try to help.

Skye
Started MF 2/8/07 270
RE-committed 8/27/07

<img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wUf4VWQ/weight.png">

[Ginabobina1969]

Welcome Kym!
I agree with all the wise ladies up there^.
sf gum is a lifesaver along with the ever present glass of water.

There were foods that absolutely gagged me in the beginning and now I crave them(chili, for example) also, favorite foods that I LOVED in the beginning and cannot tolerate now...very weird.

Tips I have learned:
-Keep my daily allotment of water in a separate container in the fridge..thats "my" water and when I have it all gone for the day I know I did good. lol

-Rinse all containers/shakers/bowls used to prepare medifast immediately,this stuff dries veryy hard.

-Anything you microwave, use a deep bowl and watch carefully, the soups and oatmeals bubble over pretty easily.

-Never shake up anything hot in your shaker jar!(Imagine Medifast version of "Gallagher" here.

-Limit caffiene until you see how your body responds to it, while on this plan. I used to be able to drink coffee all day and sleep fine. now I will not drink it after 5 pm, even a small cup will keep me awake, allll night.

-Scrambled eggs-in shaker cup 4 oz of cold water(any more and their runny) whisk them and let them sit 5 min before cooking in a pan sprayed with butter flavor pam..just like real eggs to me.(hot sauce or a teeny bit of salsa)

Dutch Chocolate shake-Add 8-10 oz of ice cold water and instead of tasting like a shake, this taste like a 'yoohoo' chocolate drink to me. MMM!

-oatmeal..ONLY 4 oz water and heat in microwave 1 minute..watch carefully, this bubbles over very easily.

-I am very liberal with the salt/pepper/garlic(the minced in a jar kind)

Something I do is cut up a head of lettuce...put in in a large covered plastic tub with cold water in the fridge...when I am feeling really famished at lean and green time..this saves a lot of time.
Also, cooking/grilling boneless chicken/pork/steak ahead of time and just reheating it or haveing it cold on salad...plan/prepare ahead as much as possible.


Play around with the amount of water in things...some people like things more soupy and some thicker. You have to find the way YOU prefer.

You will do great just knuckle through those first three days!

Happy Losing!
Hugs,
Gina

[Signladytf]

I personally need my daily tracker. There are some days that I don't get to write it in right away, but I rely on the organization. If I do not write down my "plan" for the day, I tend to stray or forget supplements. I even write out my recipe for my L&G. I write every detail so that if I stall for any reason I can take a look at it to figure out what may be holding me back from optimum weight loss!

[Out*With*The*Old]

GREAT GREAT GREAT stuff, thanks all!!!


Tammy, is there an online tracker or do you do this offline?

Kym

[Slimmin']

You'll do great! The one thing I learned (the hard way) is to STAY ON PLAN!!!! Don't get off for a well deserved cheat as much as you deserve it, can justify it, and promise to the high heavens you'll get "right back on"...just gut it out. Getting back on is so much more difficult than staying on!

The other thing I learned is to find ways to reward yourself that don't involve food. For example, put away a dollar or two for every pound you lose toward a new dress or something fabulous. Get a massage everytime you lose ten pounds. Treat yourself to a mani/pedi for meeting even the smallest of goals. Celebrating your accomplishments is important.

Go for it! You're worth it!

[Jan]

Hi there,
The most important thing for you to remember .. is eat everything you are "supposed" and no more!! If you just a have a little bit of something "just to get you thru" .. you'll struggle and struggle. That's because your body won't go into the fat burning stage. Once you're there you most likely won't be hungry and the temptations will be far less!! You're gonna do great
jan

[MerryMary]

I like Slimmin's idea about non-food rewards ... the idea of doing something (else) good for yourself keeps the attention on YOUR well being. This may sound selfish to some--and especially to people who are natural pleasers and caregivers (aren't we all?). Still, it is important to take care of ourselves--so we CAN care for others. It should not be an either/or choice!

Focus on YOUR journey and don't pay so much attention to what others are doing that you lose sight of YOUR vision!

[Mike]

Man, get here too late and all the ideas are taken. Gina used most of mine

Anyway, just remember:
- the first 3 days may be the hardest of all, but after that, its smooth.
-Make sure you have some extra potassium as you may experience leg cramps due to the potassium washing out
-you might have a bit of halitosis the first few days, so the gum will help
-lean on your support system... whomever that may be

Never give up, never surrender

[Out*With*The*Old]

Thanks, everyone! I'm going to make sure I visit the market tomorrow for the gum, potassium (I suppose these are pills?), Bullion and extra water (I'm nearly out!).

Thanks for sharing all of your thoughts, I appreciate them all very much!!

I'm wondering if it's OK to not have the L&G to get me started? I thought I read that this is OK but you need 6 meals instead of 5, is that right or do I need an OK from my Doc? (Cause I thought I also read that a full fast was 5 or 6 meals (only the 6th if needed).

Thanks again! I love the support everyone gives here - thanks a million!

Kym

[rodeomom]

I am not an expert in no way, but I have been told that the 6 meal plan is not a very wise choice. I thought about doing the same thing since I have over 150 pounds to lose. After talking with several more experienced folks I chose the 5 and 1. I am glad I did. I found that I was very happy to get to have something to actually chew on (besides the bar) once a day. It was more enjoyable too, and gave me something to look forward to. I am on that plan and lost 15 pounds since I started on Sept 21st. Do some good research and make the best choice for you, but don't try to rush it too fast, you might burn yourself out. JMHO

[katieb920]

I am on the full fast. But I also have my doctor monitoring me. Every once in awhile I will do the 5 and 1. Problem with me is I am around food every day. I am a chef who went into food sales. So I do go out a lot, and meet with chefs. It is easier for some people then others. I am awful about measuring. I have never weighed any thing in my life. Well except for making desserts. I just feel I am not tempted as much when i am on the full fast.

Good luck
Katie