The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[Joe]

Okay guys, here’s the rundown on me. I am a guy that has struggled with my weight my entire adult life. I’ve never been extremely overweight, just struggle with the same 20-30 pounds (I’m a short guy so it shows up quite a bit on my 5’5” small frame). I am constantly trying new things to get and keep the weight off, but I can’t seem to stick with anything for long.

A couple years ago I went on and Medifast and was finally successful. I did the full fast only consuming 5 Medifast meals a day, as I didn’t want to have to make ANY food choices. After the first 3 or 4 miserable days, I was relatively comfortable on the plan and the weight melted off. I started the day before Halloween and by Christmas I had reached my goal.

I kept the weight off for about a year, but eventually the old bad eating habits slowing began creeping in (I tend to be real stress eater) and I gradually gained all the weight back again. At the beginning of last year I was determined to get the weight off again. One by one I tried all of the popular programs: Slim Fast, Nutrisystem, Weight Watchers, etc. but I couldn’t stay on anything, and I ended the year right where I had started, about 30 pounds overweight and hating it. Also, I turned 40 this year and although I’m in good health I’m feeling the health effects of the extra weight in a different way than even 2 or 3 years ago (lack of energy, aches and pains, etc.). I need to get this weight off and keep it off once and for all.

When I did Medifast last time I came to this forum daily. I never posted, but I felt like I knew the others who did, and reading their posts helped me immensely. I know that if I’m going to succeed this time through at losing the weight AND keeping it off, I need to be accountable.

So here I am. I have Medifast product left over from my last go around to last me a few weeks and then I’ll need to reorder. I know that some of the protocol has changed in terms of how to do the program, so any advice and support anyone can offer would be great.

[MerryMary]

Good Luck to you Joe! I look forward to following your progess.
You can do this!

Mary

[TonyR]

welcome back and anything you need, just ask!!

[Nancy]

Hey Joe ~

Welcome to you! I like your attitude - it seems like you've turned a corner, too because you recognize that if we intend to keep the weight off, we must remain diligent with the new lifestyle or those pounds return.

I also noted that you've identified that you are a stress eater. Many of us are - that means we eat not because our body needs fuel or because of true hunger but because of deadlines, wanting to avoid something or someone, emotional discomfort, boredom, habit (like going to a movie and downing a family size dumpster of popcorn drenched in butter-flavored oil) etc.

Something that helps me is every time I 'feel' like eating, I ask myself, "Is it TIME to eat? How long has it been since you last ate? Am I eating because I am truly hungry? Why do you want to eat?"

If I cannot come up with an answer such as "It's been two and a half hours since I last ate...My stomach is growling and I feel hollow...I want to eat because it is my usual meal time" then I work on distracting myself -
make a phone call to someone, drink a bottle of water, do the laundry, read a couple chapters in my book, drink more water, add a few pieces to a puzzle I'm working on, play some CDs, do sit-ups, go for a walk, etc.

Learn some new coping strategies and then when those stressful times come (And they WILL come - nearly every dang day!), you'll be able to handle them in non-foody ways.

Way to go, Joe - your gonna look great the summer of your 40th year when you are wearing shorts and a tank top with no belly floppage!

[Joe]

Mary and Tony, thank you both for the welcome and encouragment.

Wow, Mary, closing in on 40lbs lost, that's fantastic!

And Tony, 150lbs!? That is phenomenal! My hat's off to you, bro. Simply awesome!

I am inspired by you both and reminded of just how great Medifast is!

[Joe]

Thanks for the welcome, Nancy. As usual, you're advice is spot on.

I may be getting older, but I am getting wiser too. I know now that my issues with food and weight will not necessarily vanish with the pounds. It will be something that I will forever need to keep in check if I want to maintain a healthy lean body once I reach my goal.

I intend to take each and every piece of advice and employ every strategy to learn how to deal with my stress in healthy ways instead of turning to food.

I know that Medifast and this wonderful forum with be invaluable in helping me to succeed.

[Nancy]

You're right-on, Joe when you said

I know now that my issues with food and weight will not necessarily vanish with the pounds

Good for you you've come to the conclusion much at a much younger age than I did - I was in my mid-fifties!

Sure wish I could do some kind of a subliminal mind meld thing into others to get the point across to them - this weight loss stuff takes effort it is not easy. I am glad I got conked and decided that I didn't want to lose weight for a month but wanted to be healthier and happier for the rest of my life. Anyone can diet for a week or a month - enjoying life to the max is where it's at for me.

[Unca_Tim]

Hi Joe and welcome,


Here's a copy of the QuickStart guide that lays out the general guidelines to get you started.

Quickstart Guide

[Joe]

Thanks, Unca, for the welcome and the link to the Quick Start Guide. I woke up this morning with optimism and hope for the first time in a while. As I said, I spent most of last year trying one diet after another with no success. I have been feeling pretty hopeless.

Then a light bulb went off the other day that said, "hey, why don't you go back and do the ONLY thing that has ever worked for you, Medifast." I KNOW Medifast works because it has worked for me before. This time, however, I won't be so cocky after I've lost the weight and think that I've licked the problem for good.

I'm in this for the long-haul this time around. Life is just too short to not feel healthy and good about the way I look.

I read through the Quick Start guide and began the program today. I've geared up pretty strongly as I remember the first few days can be a little rough. I also remember how great I felt after I got through the initial hard part. So far so good. No hunger to speak of and only a mild headache.

And away I go.....!

[Nancy]

Joe ~

Good for you - you will score a touch down in the area of weight mgt and we're glad that you decided to go for it TODAY!

It IS easy to feel cocky when you look great and feel better and it is common for people to experience that same false sense of security. Weight management takes concerted effort - every day - just like the weight loss phase takes planning and effort, life-long weight control takes time and work, too. You are learning the things now that will help you in the future.

[Mike]

Hi Joe.
I understand your struggle, and am there with you. THis is the best thing to ever happen to me even if I do struggle with it.
Good luck to you.

[bikipatra]

Joe, I am so glad you are back!

[bdg]

Welcome back Joe and congrats on your decision. As you know, this forum is phenomenal and has lots of support and people to support you. Another great thing is you are in great company.

There are several of us guys here to keep each other accountable. Tony, Mike and I all started about the same time last year and I don't know about the other two necessarily, but I know I look to those two to see how they are doing each week.

It is quite a challenge as a man to not only admit we need to lose the weight, but to be accountable to others. If you maintain your accountability, and I know you will, then you will be extremely successful.

If you have any questions, I know anyone, including Tony, Mike and I will be more than happy to help out. Again, good luck and welcome back.

[Mike]

And can I just say... look at the phenomenal progress that Brian has made. 170 lbs. Thats amazing. Great job Brian.

[bdg]

Thanks for tooting my horn. But to be correct (and not trying to be cocky, but I worked hard for these), it is actually 178.

And your loss, Mike, is nothing to balk at either.... especially with your profession! I don't know if I could do that one!