The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[slowlylosing]

Hi all,

I am have been on Medifast now for two fulls weeks and I have lost 7 lbs. It really does not seem like a lot for what I am eating (I follow this program to a tee) and the excercise I am doing (45 mins on the treadmill and iceskating)...

I drink 8 glasses of water a day as well... Is there something I am missing?
Here is my schedule:
4 anti-parasite pills with glass of water
9AM- shake (with a scoop or scoop and a half of fiber)
11AM- shake
1PM- medifast meal
3PM- medifast meal
4:30 PM- cleansing tea
6PM- lean and green
8PM- pudding or hot cocoa or chai

during the drive into work and during work; I drink two 32 ounce cups of water. I am doing the colonix (dr. natura) cleanse at the same time...
I exercise in the AM- before eating.. 3x a week.... I go ice skating on the weekend for about an hour at least once.....

can anyone help?

[MusicalMomma]

Hi Slowly. I'm not the expert, but will throw in a couple of observations. If this is your second week, unless you were already on a regular exercise program, you shouldn't be exercising yet. If you WERE already on a regular exercise program, you should have cut the exercise by half for the first three weeks the gradually build up to no more than 45 mins of exercise per day. This program is LOW calorie, and if you burn too many calories with exercise, you enter starvation mode, causing the pounds to be stubborn and hold on for dear life.

Also, The extra fiber may be adding extra calories and carbs I'm not sure what brand or type of fiber you are adding to your shake, so I can't be sure.

Also, if you have less weight to lose, you will lose more slowly. If you only have 35 pounds to lose 3.5 pounds per week (your average loss) is 10%, whereas someone (like me) with 100+ pounds to lose, could expect to see as much as 10lbs loss the first week.

I hope that helps a little Welcome to the group!!!!

[falisamarie]

slowlylosing

It seems that you are following the program and your meals are all spaced ok. The only thing that could be hindering you is the exercise, believe it or not. It is recommended that you do not begin exercise until the third or four weeks so that the body has time to adjust to the program and the decrease in cal. Your body may be in starvation mode and holding onto some of the fat, if you feel you must exercise I would suggest adding and additional shake or something and see if that helps

Lisa

[Unca_Tim]

Hi SL and welcome to the forum,

The point about exercising is very true. Did you get a quickstart book with your 1st order?

Also, let me cut a couple things out of your post that I have never seen any other successful losers use.

4 anti-parasite pills
4:30 PM- cleansing tea

Can't seem to find these items in any Medifast literature either.

[slowlylosing]

Thanks for all your great replies... I was exercising before...every day....so I cut it down to 3 days a week... maybe I should do it less?


The Colonix cleansing program was approved by Medifast (i called and asked after I ordered my 4 weeks of food).. It is all natural and there are only 3 more carbs a day.... So I drink extra water...

I am 5'2 and 145 pounds. I want to lose 35-40 lbs....

thanks alot all... To the experts online- was I misadvised about the fiber cleansing plan?

[DogMa]

I can't speak to that, but many people also just lose more slowly than others. And apparently shorties like us (I'm also 5-foot-2) are typically slow losers. I lost 5 pounds my first week and 2 the second, so I was right where you are - and I had more to lose, too.

My goal's also higher than yours. Is yours within the medically accepted weight range for our height? It seems a bit low to me (my lean body mass is 106 pounds - that's not counting any fat).

[Unca_Tim]

Hi SL,
Who did you talk to at Medifast?

Not so much that you were misadvised. I was just noting that I've never seen anyone use this combination of products with Medifast, so I was thinking it "could" have an affect on your results.

[Patti]

Hi,

I checked the weight charts and your goal weight is in the range for a woman who is 4' 10" (small frame 102-111 lbs.) I don't know your age, but for me at age 53, a weight of between 125 and 130 is just about right for my medium frame.

I also lost 7 lbs. the first two weeks then slowed down and eventually stalled. I started walking then stopped because I thought the exercise may have caused the stall in weight loss, but still the scale would not budge. I finally looked at everything that was going into my mouth and it dawned on me to look at the supplement facts of the Benefiber I was adding to my shakes twice a day. I was adding an additional 80 calories and 16g of carbohydrates everday for two weeks with the Benefiber. I stopped and finally dropped another pound. I don't know if the Benefiber was the problem or if I just hit a plateau early on in the game.

I am a slow loser also, comparatively speaking. It took me 5 weeks to lose 11 lbs., which is an average of 2.2 lbs. a week and within the 2-5 lb. weekly weight loss range set by Medifast.

Anyway, that's my two cents worth. Hang in there!

[Serendipity]

I think that 7 lbs in 2 weeks is great for someone who is starting where you are. The big numbers are usually seen when a person has lots to lose....>100 lbs.

Just stick to it and you will see results, but don't be discouraged when you see others, with huge amounts to lose, losing faster than you. It's comparing apples to oranges.

Good luck and welcome to the forum!

[lauradr]

slowlylosing, I am with Serendipity the more you have to lose the slower it is just stay with it it will come off

[Jan]

Hi there,
I too feel the exercise just might be your problem. But, as others have pointed out you are losing a goodly amount. The average loss is between 2 and 5 pounds per week. You're right there with a loss of 7 pounds in two weeks. Some of us only lose a pound or two per week but here's the most important part. We ARE losing!!! The scale is going in the right direction. I know we all want the weight to come off really quickly but --- I'll bet most of us gained it the same way we are losing it -- a pound at a time.
Keep up the good work -- the scale is moving in the right direction. Whooo Hoooo !!!
jan

[slowlylosing]

You all are so wonderful thanks for all the encouragement and advice.

105lbs-110lbs is actually what I have been most of my life and have been very comfortable and want to get back there before I let myself go... :-(

one question because I am really confused...

if we continue to eat the same amount of calories now as we will in the future (when we are allowed to exercise) why wouldn't my body go intot starvation mode then? why does it matter when I start? I am not questioning the program....just trying to understand... Thanks to all that respond....

[cydj21]

I believe that it takes your body 3-4 weeks to adjust to using fat stores for energy instead of the calories your body is taking in. During that time it is suggested you hold off or limit exercise so your body has time to adjust to it's new method of nourishment and energy.

I am sure Unca, Jan and/or Nancy, or one of the other more experienced members will jump in here and explain it better but that is my understanding. There are also a lot of posts about exercise so if you do a search you should be able to find a lot of really good information from old posts.

Hope that helps!

[Jan]

You've got it right Cydj
The main thing we worry about with exercise is forcing your body into starvation mode. It's a self preservation thing. If that happens you won't part with any pounds. Plus your body needs to adjust to burning its fat stores before you start exercise so that your muscle mass will be protected. Our bodies are designed to store fat and protect it. Again a self preservation thing. After about three weeks your body had adjusted to the lower caloric intake and is used to being fed every 3 hours or so. Now is the time to start gentle exercise. Did you know that walking is perfect?? It is a weight bearing exercise and the more studies that are done the better is has been found to be. Plus, the newest study which I just read said it's the amount of time we spend walking as opposed to the intensity that is the most helpful. We need to walk at least 20 - 30 minutes. Hope this helps
jan

[slowlylosing]

It is very helpful! Thanks to both of you!