The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[Donna]

Hi, I'm new. I'm 44 and I did medifast about 2 years ago for one month. I lost 28 lbs, but I didn't feel really well on it. My skin dried out, my hair dried out & I had lots of leg cramps. Then I got a lump in my breast that turned out to be an infection, but I kinda freaked and worried it was bec of Medifast. So...altho I was happy about the weight loss, I stopped medifast bec I was worried about all the other stuff going on.


Now I'm concerned about my weight and the possibility of diabetes. I'm insulin resistant and pre-diabetic/early diabetic(the docs keep changing the diagnosis). I'm not on any glucose meds and my sugar is controlled by diet and exercise. But, I'm still too fat. I'm hoping to lose 100 lbs. Last I weighed in I was 220 and would like to get down to about 115.

Long story short - I just ordered 5 weeks of Medifast - diabetic plus.

I am kinda worried bec of my previous symptoms. I am looking forward to sticking to this thru at least the next 5 weeks. I joined thru Terry and makemethinner because you all seem so upbeat and helpful here. I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.

TTYL!

Donna

[Donna]

BTW - how do I officially join this forum so I'm not a guest?

Thanks,

Donna

[dede4wd]

Hi Donna and Welcome!

On the main page of the forum, down at the bottom on the right, click on "register!"

Ask us anything you need to!

Nice to meetcha!

DeDe

[Pashta]

Hiya and welcome! Your hair and skin shouldn't dry out so much with the way the program is designed now, we are to add some fat every day depending on what we eat as our lean and green. There's a brand new guide coming out and it will be official soon!

[Tawanda]

Welcome Donna!

[Mickeyz]

Hi Donna,

Welcome.

I have had some problems in the past with my hair and skin. Just try taking some good multiple vit and add in some biotin and Omega 3. I also take flax seed oil. Also, find yourself a good lotion for your skin.

The program has changed a bit and now you get more fat in your diet than before, so that should help also.

I figure the temporary dry hair & skin condition is a minor inconvenience compared to all the wonderful health benefits of losing weight. The program is good for you AND it works. Of course you already know it works from your previous experience.

There are many fine people here to help you along. I check in almost daily and get so much help, hope and inspiration here.

[Sojourner]

Hi Donna...and welcome!

[Mike]

welcome Donna.

[bikipatra]

Donna, I am so glad you are here. When I started Medifast I was a type II diabetic on oral medication to control my blood sugar. After a short time on this program, my blood tests were normal, I tested as a non-diabetic, and my doctor took me off the meds. Medifasting should really help you get those blood sugars under control. Best of luck and welcome!

[DonicaB]

Welcome Donna! This place is great for support and inspiration! We're glad to have you!!!

Donica

[Donna]

Thanks so much for all the "welcomes!". It's really cool to be officially registered and login and see all your pics and graphics! Everyone here seems so friendly and REAL. I like that. I look forward to getting to know everyone better.

Bikipatra - thanks sooo much for the encouragement about the diabetes. I don't know for sure if I have it. My family doc says no, but my endo nurse says yes. She is going by an A1C of 6.2 from last June. But, it's down to 5.6 now. My random blood levels were normal. She didn't give me a fasting glucose (should I be sharing this in the diabetes folder?) I check my blood sugar everyday and it is around 80 - 100 before meals and usually no more than 135 after meals. It has (a couple times) hit 145 or 150 two hours later, but never higher than that. And, that was after a really high carb meal.

But, my insulin levels are higher than normal and my parents both have diabetes and so did my maternal grandmother - so I'm definitely at risk. I've struggled to lose weight for 15 years. For the past year when I found out it was 6.2 I started taking herbs & cinnamon to control it and I walk every day & watch my carb intake. So far so good. I'm glad that everyone says their blood sugar comes down on Medifast. I hope my insulin levels improve.

I'm excited about the prospect of weight loss, too - but I didn't really enjoy the diet before which made it harder to want to continue when other side affects began. I missed healthy food like fruit and my daily almond snacks. But, I really have to lose weight and I can't seem to do it longer than a month on my own. I have a terrible sweet tooth, also, and I am terrible about skipping meals and then snacking haphazardly all afternoon and into the evening. I need something regimented so I don't have to *think* so much about what I'm eating at my next meal.

I have 2 concerns about Medifast. One is re: gallbladder probs, since I fall in the "fat, forty, female, fertile" category that is stereotypical. I've never had gallbladder probs, but I've read it can happen when you lose weight fast. Is there a way to help prevent them?

My other concern is I've read soy can increase estrogen levels. I don't want to end up w/high estrogen and moodiness that goes with that. Has anyone here had that prob?

I noticed yesterday that ya'll have started journals. You are all so inspiring. I guess I'll look into starting one, too. I need to stay accountable to stay on track.

Thanks, again, for all the welcomes!

Donna

[Pashta]

They included added fat for gallbladder health, among other things. This is what is stated in the new Quickstart guide.

Oh and 1 oz of unsalted, dry roasted nuts is allowed as a snack now. I have had 1 oz of almonds on occasion.

I don't know if it's the soy in the products or the fact that fat has stored estrogen in it that gets released but I have read lots of women get more fertile and worse PMS symptoms. Sometimes heavier periods as well. I'm leaning toward the estrogen in the fat and not the soy.

Hey, I am happily dealing with the added moodiness because I'm losing fat!

[bikipatra]

The fasting blood sugar of 80 is good but 100 is considered pre-diabetic. Also remember that illness, such as a cold, can push up blood sugars dramatically. I tested once at 220 but it was an ear infection that was the culprit. I am so glad that you are taking action to improve your health. Even when I am not losing as much as I want or stalled, I remember that every single day I am Medifasting I am keeping the dangers of diabetes and high cholesterol at bay. Diabetes and cardiac/circulatory disorders ravaged my father's side of the family. One of the reasons I decided I needed to MF is because I was only 5-6 years away from the age my father was when he had his first heart attack and he wasn't even extremely overweight. I want a long healthy life.

[Donna]

Well, that's cool that you can have nuts now!

I did some research on soy & estrogen yesterday, and think now that's why I got so worried last time about my symptoms and stopped Medifast. I know it works for weight loss, but I am not convinced that the soy won't cause probs for me.

I have terrible PMS already and take progesterone cream to help counteract that. I also have terribly heavy pds which have caused me to become majorly anemic. I take iron supplements and an herbal supplement to help counteract that, but I'm still anemic, bec I can't stomach the iron at the level I need to be on. I'd hate to see my cycles get heavier & that issue become worse. My doc wanted me on birth control to help control the flow, but I didn't like the possible side affect of of stroke that coincides with that, so try to stay on natural things to see if they help.

If the PMS gets worse on Medifast, I'll try upping my progesterone cream to see if it helps.


I'm also very low in Vit D and take prescription med for that and saw that excessive estrogen can cause that to go low. Anyway - don't know if Medifast will make that worse, too - will just have to watch my labs & see.


I feel like I have to do something drastic about my weight bec I have a BMI of 42 or 44 and am very - sigh - obese. I'm only 5-1 and small/med boned and weigh about 220. I have to do what I can to prevent coming down with full-blown diabetes and all the terrible things that can result from that. So, I feel like I have to try Medifast, again, as nothing else is working. It's kinda like which health prob do I want to deal with the most. I just hate how horrible PMS feels and how it can affect my loved ones and may be asking for a lot of hand-holding if Medifast makes it worse.

I'm anxiously waiting for my first supplements to arrive. I ordered the Diabetic Plus, altho I think I can go with the regular 55 since my glucose is well under control. I guess trying to be safe at the get-go for now.

I've already got a routine of walking 1.8 miles per day which takes me about 40 minutes. I saw that if you've been exercising when you start Medifast that it's best to cut it in half. Should I cut it to 20 min a day or just cut it to 3 or 4 days per week, but keep it at 40 min? Any suggestions?

I'm sorry if I'm posting my questions in the wrong place. I'm still not used to your forum.

Oh yeah - I just ordered a new scale from Amazon - Taketa or something - I forget. But, I can't wait to get it! Mine fluctuates by 3 lbs. Not good!


Thanks,
Donna

[Pashta]

The maximum amount of exercise should be 45 minutes a day, no matter how long you have been on the program according to the nutritionists and the trainers over at Medifast.

I'd say cut the length to be safe because 40 minutes is pretty close. Once you're on a few weeks then maybe increase it back to 40. I'm not a trainer, just my opinion.