The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[michele]

hi, im 16 years old, going on 17, and i have tried to lose weight like crazy. i weigh about 200 lbs, but it isnt noticable because im 5'6. im desperate to get down to a decent size for my age, and ive tried literally everything..from pills to non carb diets, and ive been exercising every morning, and eating more fruits and vegetables, but im afraid it wont work again. my mother wants me to go see a psychiatrist, but i dont think its necessary because i think i can do this on my own. i would like to lose the weight as fast as possible because of my junior prom that is coming up. i would also like to know how much weight you think i could lose in one month with this steady diet. someone please helppp!

[Jeanette]

Hi Michele:

I was the same weight at your age! I'm glad you are going to your prom--I didn't go because I was not asked because I was too fat. I let it stop me from going on my own, and I regret it.

Here's what you need to do:

#1 most important thing: SEE YOUR DOCTOR before starting Medifast. You are still a "growing adolescent", so your body needs are much different. If your doc gives you the thumbs up, and your folks give you the thumbs up, then GO FOR IT!

As far as how much weight can you lose in a month--it varies from person to person. Women average 2-4 lbs per week after the first week. The first week is usually a substantial weight loss due to losing water.

After re-reading your post, I noticed you didn't ask about Medifast specifically, but asked if your steady diet of fruits and veggies along with exercise will do the trick. Yes it will! The weight won't come off as fast as it would with Medifast, but it will still come off if you are faithful.

What you have to remember is--you will be changing your whole lifestyle, not just for the duration of your diet.

Best of luck to you--and enjoy the prom!

[Guest]

is Mediafast available in stores like GNC? how long did it take you to notice yourself losing weight?

[Guest]

medifast***

[Landylue]

Hello! I have never seen Medifast at a GNC store, but I was at a mall in Colorado Springs, CO the other day and there was a vendor's cart in the middle of the mall selling Medifast products. I've not ever seen that at malls around Dallas, though. You might check the ones in your area.

I agree with Jeanette, however, that you should see your doctor before starting on Medifast because of your age. But whichever diet your doctor deems best for you, dear, this would be a great forum to tune in to from time to time for encouragement or just to let some steam off.

The best of luck to you, and let us know how your Junior Prom turns out!

Landylue

[pinkgeek]

Michele:

Good for you for wanting to the lose the weight. Better that you deal with it now and develop good eating habits and figure out how to deal with stress without using food now than 20 years down the road. Medifast is a great product. I haven't lost as much as most people do in my first two weeks, but everyone is different. I do notice a big difference in the way my clothes fit, though, and that is just as important. I liked the idea of doing Medifast because there are no decisions to make. You know what you are going to be putting in your mouth and that's that! Also, it has all the vitamins and proteins, fat, and carbs that a body needs that maybe you wouldn't be getting with a do-it-yourself very low calorie or restrictive diet. However you decide to go, listen to Landylue and Jeanette. You def need to see a doctor before starting. Welcome to the group and feel free to post often. Good luck to you!

[elle4nelly]

TO Michele:

First of all, let me tell you that you are beautiful no matter what size you are! Second, don’t lose weight to please others. Do it because you feel the need to be your best and your best consist of a smaller you. Third, STOP trying everything under the sun, all these diet pills and phony diets are not going to do a thing for you but leave you with emotional scars and if you’re not careful physical ones too. Medifast is safe! But I’d rather see you LEARN and PRACTICE good healthy choices for the rest of your life! Choices that would help you now at 16 and later in LIFE. Now, I don’t care if you jumped into medifast today, you’d never shade all your weight by prom. Your goal and reason for the weight loss do not seem realistic and I fear that if you set high and unattainable goal you’d only make yourself miserable later. You can look good at the prom and you will no matter whether you lose weight or not!! You are not an extra terrestrial being because of your weight! You’re only 16. Take it easy! Take time to lose your weight. You should see a doctor first and get on medifast only if he approves it. And by the way, I disagree with your mom! YOU DO NOT NEED a psychiatrist! You need a Dietician or Nutritionist! Good lifelong habits are better learned when young. You are a perfect candidate for learning wonderful healthy habits. So stop beating yourself up over pounds and prom. Be proud of who you are now! You do count! You matter so take good care of yourself no matter what you think you should or should not be! Be good to you and enjoy being 16 because you will not 16 forever!

Nelly

[Kelly U]

Hi Michele,

My son is also over 200lbs at the age of 17. As I agree with the others about seeing your Doctor before starting Medifast, you can start changing old habits now.

I was shopping for me (my foods for the 5&1 program) and when my kids asked if they could have some I would say no. But I realized I should be making life changing habits for my whole family and not just for myself. So I went into the cupboards and threw out all the wrong choice foods and went shopping for my whole family. My son eats 3 meals a day healthy foods, NO PASTA, BREADS OR POTATOES and he has started walking 2 miles a day with me. Nathan has lost 8lbs in 2 weeks! I believe at your age your metabolism can kick in easier than say for instance mine (oldie 39) SO NOW IS THE TIME TO FIND THE NEW THINNER YOU AND GET HEALTHY! HAVE A GREAT TIME AT YOUR PROM!

Kelly
1/17/04
290/249/155

[michele]

thanks guys..i know i shouldnt want to impress anyone..but in high school..you sometimes get brainwashed into thinking you have to be like everyone else, but im not really like that. the reason is..i really want to go to prom, and i might..but ive liked my best friend since i was 6 years old, and everyone thinks he likes me, but hes just so confusing. he lied to me about having another prom date, and then behind my back i found out he was asking other grls..n it really hurt..y'know?..i dont wanna lose weight for him..really..i dnt..but i just want to make him regret what he does. i dont even know if he does everything because of my weight..but i really wanna change..ive done so well on my diet..and today i got so depressed and ate like..everything..so i dnt have willpower anymore either..i cant take this anymore..and i asked my mom about medifast..and she told me i dont need it because ive been doing so well....well...i guess i was..n ive been to a doctor, and he basically told me that i should eat more nutritious food..and he gave me a note saying i could join any gym i want, and my mom asked if id like to talk to a dietician..but i dont feel comfortable.....im afraid id start crying..i dont even look how much i weigh, and its crazy, i dont know what to do anymore...does anyone know a diet a can do at home that has worked for them?..

[elle4nelly]

Dear Michelle:

I am really sorry to hear that you are down over the “mean and cruel” behavior of your so-called friend. But I want you to know that if ANYONE CARES ABOUT YOU, THEY WILL CARE FOR WHO YOU ARE AND NOT WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE! That friend of yours is no good friend at all!!! Do you hate yourself so much that you believe you do not deserve a good life filled with good people? If you do, please get off that crazy mindset! YOU ARE SOMEBODY whether you weigh 120lbs or 350 lbs!!! YOU ARE SOMEBODY and you DESERVE a GOOD life filled with good people. By good people I mean people who accept you for who you are no matter how you are! And if anyone doesn’t accept you then you need to drop him or her! You deserve respect for who you are! If they go away it won’t be your loss BUT THEIRS because frankly who needs phony people around? Do you? You are a beautiful and smart teen girl! That’s the bottom line! And by the way, they make nice dresses in all sizes because women ARE AND LOOK BEAUTIFUL AT ANY SIZES. The problem here Michelle is you! You don’t like yourself enough! And that’s not right!!! TREAT your self-right! Treat yourself good. Be Nice to Michelle and don’t allow anyone mean to be around Michelle! Surround yourself with only nice people! Take your mom and doctor’s advices. These are good advices. You should see a dietician and exercise. By doing so you would learn how to lose weight safely and how to remain slim forever! Wouldn’t you want that? I know I would! Stop and take a deep breath! Stop rushing!! Michelle? You were not born at 200lbs!! It took 16 years to get there.
So if you lose 5-8lbs a month, by September you could lose up to 40lbs! Woaw! That’s a lot of lbs!! And you would go back to school nice and healthy next grade! Now wouldn’t that be great? And it would be a better goal than rushing and making yourself crazy trying to reach a goal of what? Next month?? ! Imagine all your friends and classmates who won’t be seeing you this summer and how pleasantly surprised they ‘d be to see you all nice and healthy next grade!! You could even enlist others to join you! Ask your mom, sister, and friends to join you on a health quick. You could start a health group or health club. Chances are you are not the only Girl in your entire school that wants to get healthy! Why don’t you ask around in your classes and even other girls or friend to join you on a summer health quick? No one is ever healthy enough!! Even if they were skinny they could join you and workout with you! You don’t lose anything by asking for help or by asking people around you to join you on a health quick. Even if only 1 person joins you, It would still be fun! Make it a habit also to read health magazines. Good ones are packed with good advices and with stories of people who have lost weight. “Shape” and “Body, Mind and Spirit” and “ Muscle fitness for hers”. Those are good ones. Read the book “ Dieting for dummies”. This is a good book for a young person like you. I would refer my young niece to this book. It explains to you how dieting works, how to eat properly, how to exercise properly. It does not sell you a specific Quack diet at all. It simply and intelligently shows you in simple terms how to be healthy so that you can lose weight safely and be slim for the rest of your life.
Michelle? Don’t waist your youth being depressed! As far as your little diet slip. Well GET UP AND DUST YOURSELF OFF CHILD!!! It’s just a slip and nothing else!!! YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE BECAUSE YOU HAVE TRIED!!! And that’s what matters! You are trying!! And you deserve applause for that alone! You will succeed! Now go to the mirror and take a good look at yourself! FROM NOW ON YOU WILL BE NICE TO YOURSELF BECAUSE YOU ARE MICHELLE AND HECK YOU DESERVE TO BE TREATED NICELY BY YOURSELF AND BY OTHER!! NOTHING ELSE WILL DO!NOTHING ELSE SHOULD EVER DO!!

Now child? Go and reach for the stars!! No more moping around! Enjoy being beautiful, smart and young! Life is full of opportunity and everyday is a chance to start over and walk toward your dream. So don’t waist your days wallowing! What are you waiting for? Get going!

Nelly

[Guest]

today im going to the supermarket with my mom and i think im going to get some meal bars and shakes..

[Guest]

hi, im 16 years old, going on 17, and i have tried to lose weight like crazy. i weigh about 333 lbs, but it isnt noticable because im 5'6. im desperate to get down to a decent size for my age, and ive tried literally everything..from pills to non carb diets, and ive been exercising every morning, and eating more fruits and vegetables, but im afraid it wont work again. my well can u tell me sum thing about my self?i can do this on my own. i would like to lose the weight as fast as possible because of my junior prom that is coming up. i would also like to know how much weight you think i could lose in one month with this steady diet. someone please helppp!

IM sSoo fat plzz help me i cry my self to sleep every nite help mee

[Jan]

Hmmm,

I'll been thinking about this for awhile and am going to take a little different approach. The people on the forum are all very loving, kind, encouraging, helpful, and thoughtful.
But, I'm going to ask you a few questions only you can answer. Do you consider yourself an emotional eater?? Is food a source of comfort for you?? How do you really feel about yourself? I am also wondering why your mother, who must know you much better and have a much greater interest in your well being would suggest a psychiatrist. Was it just a flippant remark or a well thought out suggestion? Sometimes we do need help to figure ourselves out and I think if that is the case a professional must help you. Many of us, though well meaning may steer you the wrong way. There are also behavioral eating specialists who deal exclusively with issues of under or over eating. Both things are quite a problem. You are very young and I know (I'm an old High school teacher among other things) that weight is quite the problem on this level. I've always told my daughter, hey you know you're either too fat, too skinny, too tall, too short, too dumb or too smart. You just can't win all the time. Just be happy with who you are. If you are really struggling in that area get some help. There are lots of trained professionals out there wiling to help. Have an honest talk with your doctor.
jan

[mikeneeds]

hi, im 16 years old, going on 17, and i have tried to lose weight like crazy. i weigh about 200 lbs, but it isnt noticable because im 5'6. im desperate to get down to a decent size for my age, and ive tried literally everything..from pills to non carb diets, and ive been exercising every morning, and eating more fruits and vegetables, but im afraid it wont work again. my mother wants me to go see a psychiatrist, but i dont think its necessary because i think i can do this on my own. i would like to lose the weight as fast as possible because of my junior prom that is coming up. i would also like to know how much weight you think i could lose in one month with this steady diet. someone please helppp!

hey im 16 to and i need to loose weight i really need some one i can talk to so i hope u respond to me

[Nancy]

Hi there, mikeneeds ~

Being overweight is struggle, no matter how old one is. We are seeing more younger people developing type 2 diabetes, joint pain and disease related to being overweight than ever before.

I sure wish I had all the answers to help more young people establish good eating habits that would carry over into their older years! It would prevent disease and early death.

It is never easy to be on a diet. Never.

There are always others who want to go out for pizza, go to a movie and eat a wagonload of popcorn and drink a mega cup of sugary soda, etc.

It seems like America’s greatest pastime is centered around eating something.

Most people are not active enough to burn off the excess calories we consume.

Mike, to lose weight it takes a commitment to get healthy. We cannot do it to please our parental units, to attract a girlfriend or to avoid teasing. It must be a personal decision to get healthier and then to stay there. For long-term success, we must look at this as a life-long goal and then do everything we possibly can to stay healthy.

It must be a quest for us – and we must want to be healthy more than we want pizza or tacos or sub sandwiches.

Eating 6 small meals a day is better than eating three larger meals.

Many teens snack and graze throughout the day rather than eating nutritiously-designed meals.

Begin your day with a healthy breakfast, choose vegetables and fruit for snacks, avoid processed foods as much as possible and exercise most days for 25-35 minutes.

Monitor your weight.

Avoid fatty calorie-dense foods as much as possible.

If you are considering our Take Shape For Life Program and Medifast products, see your doctor and get the ok first. We have several meal plans available to meet the needs of people of all ages. It will most likely cost about $10-12 a day for the weight loss products for your program plus the cost of the lean and green meal. Teens sometimes need an additional packet of food or additional protein, as they are still growing their bones and bod.

I was an overweight teen and I hated it. I felt like an Amazon woman and wanted to wear the cool clothing the others wore, wanted to participate in the dances and activities and my weight always prevented me from feeling good about myself.

Now is the time to do something about getting your weight under control, Mike before it becomes a real challenge to your health and heart. Teens have special challenges as their peers can be so cruel.