Medifast is a diet program for weight loss that combines special diet products with one fresh meal per day. If you are extremely overweight, the program may be worth considering, since it promises rapid weight loss. However, be sure to get your doctor's approval before starting any diet for weight loss to make sure that it is the healthiest and most effective option for you.
How It Works
To lose weight, you need to eat fewer calories than you expend, or burn. Medifast is a low-calorie diet, providing less than 900 calories per day to help you create a calorie deficit. Each day, you eat five Medifast meals that each have about 100 calories, and you also have a Lean and Green Meal with lean protein such as chicken or egg whites, vegetables such as broccoli or lettuce and healthy fats such as olives or low-carbohydrate salad dressing. You can have up to three servings of low-calorie condiments each day.
Rate of Loss
Losing weight at a moderate rate of 1 to 2 lbs. per week is often the best rate because you can achieve this loss by making small changes to your eating and physical activity patterns. This allows you to lose excess weight while continuing to eat a balanced diet and get the nutrients you need, and also to develop new habits to help you keep the weight off permanently. The Medifast program aims to help you can lose 2 to 5 lbs. per week, and you should only attempt this if your doctor recommends it.
Customizing Your Plan
When you order your Medifast products, you select the most appropriate weight loss plan such as for men, women, individuals with diabetes, teens or older adults. You can customize your plan with your five Medifast meals to eat each day, with choices including oatmeal, brownies, pudding, pretzels and scrambled eggs. Up to three of your Medifast meals can be Medifast shakes, and each option has unique features such as soy or whey protein, antioxidants or kosher ingredients.
Support
Medifast recommends using its support system to help you lose weight. When you are a Medifast customer, you can create an account, set goals and track your progress online. You can get participate in community discussions along with other individuals who are following the Medifast program. You can get sales support from customer service representatives, or ask diet and nutrition questions by contacting a registered dietitian or certified personal trainer through the Medifast website.
Transition to Maintenance
Medifast helps you lose weight quickly by relying on diet products and drastically restricting the types and amounts of fresh food that you eat. As you approach your goal weight, the Medifast Transition Plan guides you in gradually increasing your calories and reintroducing normal foods back into your diet to improve your chances of maintaining your weight loss. Your transition program lasts eight weeks if you have lost less than 50 lbs., it takes 12 weeks if you have lost 50 to 100 lbs., and Transition lasts 16 weeks if you have lost more than 100 lbs. since starting Medifast.
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