I’m down another 1.4 pounds for a total of 44.4 pounds since starting Medifast on Jan 6th, 2010.
I’m really surprised because I was down so much last time when I felt a bit dehydrated and had my shoes off (for my body scan) that I was just hoping to be close. The fact I’m down more is great.

I attribute this recent rapid weight lose to my new exercise program. Since I started it, I’m averaging about 5 pounds a week vs. about 2.5 pounds the previous couple of weeks.

I promise I will write about it this weekend.

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I had my week 7 check in at the Medifast Center today and got some interesting info.

When I first started, my blood pressure was135/86 which was “high normal”.

Today, my blood pressure is 108/78 which is pretty close to “suggested optimal.

My pulse rate when I started was 93 beats per minute which is considered “poor”

Today, my pulse was 68 beats per minute which is considered “above average”

My pulse started to really go down as I started to add daily walks to my routine at about week 3 of Medifast. I’ll do a post later talking about exactly what I’m doing from a fitness perspective on Medifast.

Weight is down a total of 35 pounds and I had a chance to bring up some of the emotional issues I mentioned in my last post regarding feeling a bit overwhelmed with how much further I have to go. It felt good bringing it up.

I’m noticing that I’m taking better care of myself. I shaved off my facial hair and I’m doing a much better job looking presentable when I go out in public. It’s amazing how feeling morbidly obese makes you not care. I’m starting to care. I bought some Crest Teeth Whitening strips and they are working incredibly well. I’m not embarrassed about my teeth anymore. When I was drinking 64 ounces (at least) of diet coke per day, my teeth got very stained and yellow. I stopped smiling in public.  In just a few treatments, my teeth are “normal” looking.

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My 6 week Medifast review – I’m down 31 pounds which is great but it also reminds me of how much further I have to do.

Until this week, it’s been easy. The Medifast food is ok but monotonous. I haven’t been too hungry and I’ve stuck 100% to the foods on the plan. On occasion, I eaten more veggies but when I have it’s been lettuce or celery.

This week, despite my progress, I’ve gotten a bit discouraged by how much farther I have to go.  Its going to be months more and then months getting used to eating normal food again.

I can also see myself slipping into a thinking pattern that has been self-destructive for me in the past. That being starting to ruminate or wonder if Medifast is the “best program” or the “the program I should be on” etc. It’s a subtle trick I’ve used in the past to abandon something as it becomes hard.  I am reminding myself that it really doesn’t matter what is “best” only that Medifast is working for me and given time, I will reach my goals on it.

I can see how a coach could really help in this process. I’ve been going to the center but I mostly get weighed, check-in and buy more food. I don’t feel comfortable talking about my feelings and emotions in that environment – it’s too public. I think it would be easier one-on-one over the phone (am I doing it again? Questioning my path?)

Related posts:

1. Medifast Week 1 Update For my first Medifast review, I’ve lost  11lbs down to...

For my first Medifast review, I’ve lost  11lbs down to 301. Probably a ton of water weight.

It’s been pretty easy so far. I haven’t been terribly hungry and the “lean and green” meals are pretty big.  If you choose something from the leanest category, like turkey, you can have a very large turkey burger with hot sauce, 2 sliced small tomatoes and 4 ounces of sauteed mushrooms. Yummy.

It’s nice to be cooking again, even if its only once a day.  I went a long time surviving on fast food meals so the change is delicious and fun.

I definitely like the Medifast bars and shakes the best.

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1. Medifast – 6 Week Update My 6 week Medifast review – I’m down 31 pounds...
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Medifast says that days 3 & 4 are really tough. I haven’t found that to be the case. I feel a little off and a  little tired.

It reminds me of the day before getting the flu. Not terrible and its nice knowing that if this is the worse, I know I can get through it.

In fact, quitting diet coke and caffeine was MUCH harder. I‘m so glad I did this two weeks before starting Medifast or I would be miserable right now. I would drink a 32 ounce diet coke to start my day and some days, have one or two more.  That was bad and it SUCKED for a few days as I stopped cold turkey.  I am so glad that’s done too.

The food isn’t terrible. The soup blew up in my microwave (use a large bowl, not a cup) and when you aren’t eating much, you lament any spills

Not a fan of the pudding and HATED the scrambled eggs. YUCK!

Fan of the shakes (use a blender, they come out soooo much better), the bars and their oatmeal.

Initially, I going with mostly bars and shakes. Since I’m going to be on the program for so long, I’m sure I’ll go through stages of eating the other choices. But not the eggs. YUCK!

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I started my Medifast Very Low Calorie Diet today.  It’s exciting.  I weighed in at 312lbs on my 6′ frame. Ouch! My goal is to lose about 120 lbs. That’s a whole person!

I am working with the Medifast Centers. I need the support and I need the accountability.  For me, the program is going to be practically two years, from losing the weight for 9 or 10 months, spending 4 months on the transition phase and then continuing to go in once a week for the next year as I’m on maintenance.

What am I thinking about as I start this process?

1. Damn! This was a lot of money (about $1300 for me before buying food) and now I’m committed. I can’t quit.
2. I’m really looking forward to having more energy and starting to exercise again. As part of the program,  I won’t be exercising for about 3 weeks as my body adopts to the Medifast Program. But I can’t wait to get moving again – feeling like a slug is terrible and it’s how I feel most of the time.
3. I know I can easily do this for 3 months or so, but I really need to prepare myself to push beyond that.
4. I’ve tried some of the bars – not terrible. I have the starter kit of food, it WILL be interesting to try them.
5. Can I really lose 4 or 5 pounds a week!?

Overall, I’m just excited to be starting this.

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