The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[Lizabette]

JO, You are our Inspiration of the Year!

[holberry]

Thanks Jo!
you rock
bh

[ChynnaDoll]

Hi Jo! Just wanted to come over and say hello and thank you for the kind words with regards to my daughter Errin and myself. I am besides myself today because she is finally home. Ya see i'm allll over the boards today...lol! I truly hope she will continue to improve and get to a 100% recovery with her vision.

Everytime i see your avatar i just can't believe you're a "gammie"...that's what my grandkids call me:+)

Love,
Chynna

[Serendipity]

Thanks, Chynna.

We got the Z3 out today and took a drive. What a nice way to spend a sunny day! I found myself reflecting about the day we bought that car. It was 2 years ago and I had to struggle to get myself into it. I didn't feel right riding or driving it. I was so big and uncomfortable! I hadn't decided to change my life, I was just getting through each day, miserable most of the time. Today, I fit that car. It feels right, now......what a difference time can make.

We stopped at one of our summer restaurants and had dinner. I ordered a grilled chicken salad - hold the fries (yep, they put fries on them here in PA), low cal dressing on the side. Yummy!

Now, I'm off to watch the Amazing race. Hope y'all had a good MF day.

[Serendipity]

Well, it's a sad day in forum land when one can't have a discussion with an opinion without being blasted and having it taken personally. Oh well. Such is life. It doesn't change facts or opinions for that matter.

I guess it would be easier to stop all contradictions and conficts of opinion and just make this board 100% encouragement, but I don't think that would make the forum serve it's purpose. Yes, the forum is for encouragement, but I believe it's also meant to be informational. If we ignore all conflict, alot of bad information could be left unquestioned.

In my opinion, anyone can state an opinion. I may disagree and I may question you, but it's not personal from this corner. I just want correct information out there......sometimes the interpretation of what is "correct" needs to be hashed out. I just don't see the harm in that. Are our spines so weak that we can't withstand any controversy?

Like so many others, I come to this board for support and to support and yep, to have a little fun. Some days are more funner than others.

Following is my opinion, watch out:

I believe that the fastest easiest way to lose weight on this program is to follow the quick start guide without pushing the envelope. That belief comes from my own experience and from watching others succeed and fail on the Medifast diet. I have seen many people come and go. I have just observed that those who don't fight it do much better in the long run than those who push it to the limit. Just my observation and not a proven fact......but there's lots of data to support my theory.

When I decided to start Medifast, I decided to find someone who had succeeded and do what they did. (Thanks for being you, Nancy) It worked for me. That's why I feel so strongly about this program. It literally saved my life! I just want that for all of my Medibuds......sincerely.

Waiver: Above is just my own personal opinion.....did I say that already?

love and hugs to all,

[Tawanda]

Jo, if I agree with you does that mean I'm part of a cult?

I do agree with you and I like the forum for the encouragement but also to find out the truth and if that takes some uncomfortable times of hashing out opinions then so be it.

[bikipatra]

I borrowed this from AA which some also accuse of being a cult. Yes, perhaps there is some brain washing involved. If I was staying at a weight that could have killed me and was almost guaranteed to cause me an early death, my brain needed a little washing.

[Serendipity]

Thanks T, You are taking your chances by posting here of becoming a cult member......but if passion about the Medifast program is cultish, I'm first in line to become a member!

And thanks to all of you who have sent PM's. Believe me. Each and every one has been appreciated.

I love this program and I love the forum we have here......even with the bumps.

It's a beautiful day here.....hard to be down on such a day as this.

[Serendipity]

I borrowed this from AA which some also accuse of being a cult. Yes, perhaps there is some brain washing involved. If I was staying at a weight that could have killed me and was almost quaranteed to cause me an early death, my brain needed a little washing.

Oh BEBES! I couldn't agree more! Thank God for my washed brain!

[DogMa]

Geez, I had to go read up to see what I've missed. No wonder I mostly stick to a few select journals these days.

[MerryMary]

...but if passion about the Medifast program is cultish, I'm first in line to become a member!

I believe we are ALL passionate about the MF program, Jo. The passion is not what is cultish. It has nothing to do with brainwashing either. Cultish behavior can be that of exclusivity (my way is best). And while your opinion (though based upon your personal experience and observation) is valued, the Medifast people continue to develop and improve the program. That is why they are issuing a NEW Quick Start Guide.

Does that mean the old one has no value? Of course not. You are evidence of that. What it does mean is that there is an improved program that may help relieve the bad side effects of the program, i.e., hair loss, dry skin and scalp, frequent stalls. Following the NEW Quick Start Guide is not "pushing the envelope." It IS the program-REVISED!

While I value your opinion, experience and the encouragement you provide to so many people it does not seem prudent to ignore the New and improved Quick Start Guide. You have reached your goal and have done it well using the old guide. Congratulations! But there is a new way--and an equally, and possibly more satisfying, way to accomplish the same goals.

It seems that you (and others) were insulted at my use of the word "cult." I assure you it was never my intention to do that. But I sensed an exclusivity that was becoming divisive in a forum developed for our common interests.

Peace ,

[Serendipity]

Mary, I embrace the new Quick Start Guide. Being one who experience some hair loss, I am glad to see that this problem has been addressed. My problem is with the interpretation of the new guide by some who choose to not see the word lean and continually express their opinion that things are "allowed" even though they don't fall into the catagory of lean. I just can't sit back and let that happen.

[MerryMary]

Mary, I embrace the new Quick Start Guide. Being one who experience some hair loss, I am glad to see that this problem has been addressed. My problem is with the interpretation of the new guide by some who choose to not see the word lean and continually express their opinion that things are "allowed" even though they don't fall into the catagory of lean. I just can't sit back and let that happen.

Point taken. Perhaps I give people more credit for having common sense than you do. Still, 80% "lean" ground meat is still 20% fat and that is "allowed."

[Serendipity]

Sigh, Mary, I'm not talking about 80% lean ground beef. I'm talking about Regular ground beef which is 70 or 75%(according to some butchers in some stores) lean.

I don't know about you but I've had just about enough of this. Let's just move on.

[Mike]

Jo,
I appreciate what you said in your post this morning. I think some people lose sight of the fact that we all have opinions (humble or not) and we all should accept that when we voice opinions, they shouldn't be seen or taken as personal attacks.
From my time being on this forum, I have never, ever had the feeling that you ever put anything out there to berate or put anyone down for their opinions... you just put your opinions out there based on your experience (both on the program and seeing others struggle). I appreciate that, and I see it as just being a person.
My own humble opinion.... you are valued... keep it up.