Medifast and Vegetarian
I am very active in helping people lose weight with Medifast in ways that I am not even permitted to discuss on this site. What I am able to tell you about Medifast is that it is one of the most effective weight loss tools I have ever have used. In fact, for Sue (wife) and I, it is the only thing that has worked for us. With that being said we went over to a friends home the other night to discuss Medifast and discovered that Ashley and her husband, (Channin) were interested in starting Medifast, but Ashley is a practicing vegetarian and had specific questions concerning her being able to use Medifast and yet maintain her status of being a vegetarian.
Despite my ever growing knowledge of being able to use Medifast to lose weight I had to admit the fact that I was not knowledgeable in the area of Medifast, when looked at from the perspective of wanting to maintain the standards of also being able to live a vegetarian lifestyle. What I have since learned about being able to use Medifast as a practicing vegetarian is that you first need to define exactly what is the definition of “vegetarian.” For the scope of this article we have taken the definition that Medifast uses, which is as follows;
“A vegetarian is a person who chooses to not eat meat, fish, fowl, or products containing these foods.
Reasons for this choice may include health, ecological, religious, or economic concerns, as well as
compassion for animals”
Looking deeper into the entire Medifast and vegetarian subject I further discovered that there are different types of, or different levels of what degree of vegetarianism a person may live their life. There are Lacto-vegetarians, Ovo-vegetarians and also Lacto-ovo vegetarians. There is also the stricter and more hard-line type of vegetarian that is referred to as a Vegan.
If a person wants to use Medifast to lose weight, or maintain a life-style geared towards optimal health, it is possible to use Medifast as a powerful tool for all degrees of vegetarianism, other than those wanting to live the Vegan life-style. Currently, it is not possible to maintain the Vegan life-style choice while using Medifast. For the other levels (Lacto-vegetarians,Ovo-vegetarians and also Lacto-ovo vegetarians) it is very possible to use Medifast.
What I have learned over the course of the last few months is that the use of Medifast has gone far beyond simple weight loss. The use of Medifast has become a way of life for Sue and I because the food is actually satisfying and also it is economical and simply put…it is good food fast. What that means is that now that I am done trying to lose my weight (I lost 112 pounds) I find myself in a weekly battle to ensure the weight stays off for the rest of my life. Now that I no longer strictly adhere to the 5 & 1 Meal Plan, I still keep the food on hand, and will continue to do so.
As far as the question of using Medifast as a vegetarian, as always, there is a wealth of official knowledge that can answer all of your questions. (Official Medifast vegetarian pdf file) If you are looking to start Medifast I will suggest that if you do start that you join the Medifast Advantage Program to get the best price available.
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How Do I Get My Child To Stop Eating?
If you are the parent of child that is over-eating you may be asking yourself the simple question of how do I get my child to stop eating all of the time? As simple as this question may sound it is extremely difficult to answer because the mindset of the child, and the parent need to be analyzed in detail. The first thing that needs to be decided is what age is the child. If the child is younger than 13 then we suggest you click on over to an article that is geared more towards the parent, since they are they ones that make ALL of the food decisions, whether the parent wants to admit it or not. If you are asking the question of how to stop your child from eating, and that child is less than 13 years of age, please refer to the following article: My Child Can’t Stop Eating and Is Overweight. If your child is the age of 13 or older, please continue on as we discuss this in great detail.
If you have a teenage child that you feel is over-eating all of the time the first thing you have to know and understand is the fact that if the son / daughter does not want to lose weight then there is very little that you, as the parent or guardian, can accomplish. Weight loss has to be the choice of the person that needs to lose the weight and unless you chain them to a wall, they will always be able to eat the food that is causing the obesity. If a teenager is more concerned with eating than with eating food that is nutritious, then you as the parent are helpless and will watch them balloon into adulthood. There are some things that you can do which amounts to little more than only bringing food into the home that is healthy and good to eat.
Bringing healthy food into the home does not mean that you eat lettuce and celery all of the time. What we are referring to is that you can skip the soda and all of the junk food frozen crap that is loaded with calories, fat and carbohydrates. Dairy products can be switched to low fat and breads can be whole wheat. When we say “whole wheat” we mean “whole wheat” and not “honey wheat” or anything like that. You, as the parent can start to stock the shelves of your home with healthier choices which will help slow down the inevitable march towards obesity, unless they want to make a change. If the child does not want to make a change and make an effort to get their life in order, they will eat what they want and you will not be able to stop them.
The last thing you should be doing is fighting with the teenager over their weight because this will only drive them away from you and into another bag of chips or an order of fries. If you even nag the child you run the risk of making them want to just eat more and more. You, as a parent of an overweight child, are in a tough position and that position is best “won” with love, understanding and alot of talking. You need to try and get the attention of the child to a point where they want to make a change and lose the weight. Unless they WANT to change, change is not going to happen and you are just exasperating the issue by fighting about the issue.
If you have a child that wants to make a change the problem is all too often that the parent does not know what it takes to lose weight. If the parent does not know what to do, the child will try and then fail and that will just drive them deeper into obesity. Do not despair because there really is a safe and simple way to help your child lose weight, if they are willing to make the needed changes in their daily life. This change can AND WILL happen only if the teenager is ready to lose the weight.
The change we speak of is that your child start the Medifast Weight Loss Program. This is NOTthe program your parents may have done, even though it has been around for about 30 years. This program has been modernized and if you were to ask your doctor, that doctor would cheer your choice for your child to use it to lose weight. As long as your child is 13 years old they can lose weight safely with the Medifast Meal Replacement Program. This program is not only effective and safe….it works and it works really fast. Just go ask your doctor…I dare you to ask and then not want to use the program.
The best parts about teenagers using Medifast is that it is NOTa program that will make the child visible at school. They will actually be eating more often than there friends and yet those “meals” can be anything from a bag of Medifast honey mustard pretzels to a chocolate crunch bar. Since the meals are quick, easy and really taste great they will be able to eat them right in the lunchroom and not look any different than the other kids.
Another big factor that will help ensure the success of your child, that won’t stop eating, is that it works very quickly. If you could get your child to earnestly use Medifast for 30 days they will have a great chance of continuing to lose weight until they have a healthy BMI. (BMI LINK) The reason why they will WANT to continue is because Medifast works very quickly. Actually we have discovered that Medifast works better than pretty much any other plan out there. (Medifast Comparison Article) Overall, Medifast for teenagers is a great program and it is a safe program and this is proven by the endorsement of The Johns Hopkin clinical study. We suggest you take your child to a doctor to confirm all that we are saying about the safety and effectiveness of The Medifast Meal Replacement Program.
If your child does not want to lose weight then there is little that you can do to help them. A person that does not want to help themselves really cannot be helped. If your child wants to lose weight and you hope to help them, then check out Medifast because it works. There is really not much more to say than that because it is that simple. If your child wants to lose weight Medifast works and it works very fast and it works very efficiently. The question here really is whether you believe what I am writing? If you doubt that then check out the link below, do the research and when you get a warm and fuzzy feeling about Medifast, start your child on the program. If your child wants to make it happen you will have provided the tools to allow it to happen. After they start the program you will simply be able to sit back and watch the magic.
The only other suggestion will be that they DO NOT order the variety pack. I suggest you add more shakes, crunch bars and snack bags. This way they will be able to fit in with their friends until the weight loss becomes so large they won’t care anymore about what their friends think, or say, about how they are losing all of the weight. Medifast works and it is just that simple!
We wish you luck!
Medifast or Weight Loss Surgery?
I was shocked today when someone I know at work ridiculed me for using Medifast because they thought I should of just had weight loss surgery. This person even went on to tell me that I am doomed to gain all of my weight back again really quickly! As I listened to this thin person make fun of the fact I was on Medifast, it amazed me that I was being made fun of by a person because I chose to use Medifast and NOT have weight loss surgery!
As the day continued it made me think about the fact that for the very first time I have been able to lose weight and now I have some ignorant thin person tell me that I was wrong because I should of had weight loss surgery. I know about weight loss surgery because I almost had it done as my wife and I even went to a three hour seminar on weight loss surgery options at Sacred Heart Hospital, in Pensacola, Florida. We went there and listened to the doctors talk about all of the requirements and how the insurance could be obtained to pay for the surgical procedure. We walked out of the meeting thinking that weight loss surgery could be the answer to our dreams.
When we went home and looked into the ability to use or insurance plan to pay for the weight loss surgery we were not too happy with the answer we received. We were first told that to quality for the insurance payment we had to gain a few more pounds! We were dismayed to hear that in order to quality for weight loss surgery, we had to get slightly fatter! We were still not giving up on the surgery and continued to seek more information and learned much. The thing that really slowed the whole thing down for us was not so much that getting insurance to pay for the procedure, it was what we would have to live after the operation took place.
When we learned that post surgical care would require monthly vitamin shots and this is when we started to think the whole surgery thing through some more. As we searched for answers on what to expect with weight loss surgery, we discovered that for the surgery to be effective for a lifetime that we had to give up many things we enjoyed. We learned that we would never be able to enjoy hot fresh bread fresh from the oven with butter drizzled on top. I did not want to swear off bread forever and this is when I started to look into Medifast. Sure I do not eat bread right now while on Medifast, but that means nothing in the totality of the rest of my life.
I love to drink soda and with weight loss surgery I could NEVER enjoy a guilt free pop again! As I looked even more into weight loss surgery options I started to see some serious reasons why I did not think I would be a happy weight loss surgical patient. I started to lean more and more way from surgery and more and more towards learning about Medifast as the best option available for me today.
I further learned that if I had weight loss surgery I would never be able to drink out of a straw again! WOW! A simple thing like drinking from a straw is a no-no for someone that has had bariatric surgery! This may seem like a little thing in the total scheme of life, but once I realized that straws would be taboo I started to want to learn even more about the ramifications of the surgical option. Soon I also discovered that many people become alcoholics because of the way booze gets dumped right into the bloodstream. I do not drink much, but I do not want to ever not be able to drink at a wedding or a night out.
As time went on I started to get turned off about the end results of weight loss surgery. I saw all of the people I know that had the operation only to lose a ton of weight, and then gain it all back again. I can think of three people that I know at work that had the procedure done and in less than four years they not only lost the weight, but also gained much of it back again.
As I stood there listening to this ignorant co-worker I smiled inside knowing the fact that my choice to use Medifast was the best decision I could have made for myself. I have lost almost 30 pounds in as many days and yes…maybe I can gain it all back again… but that is not what I am worried about at this moment. The reason I do not worry about gaining the weight back is because I have learned to deal with the issue of obesity all by myself. I have realized in just 30 days that in order for a person to be truly able to lose weight, and keep it off, they have to deal with the fact of what made them overweight in the first place.
Medifast has taught me that my food issue is with my inability to control my portion sizes combined with my snacking at night, while watching television. Since I have been able to lose the weight I intend to keep dealing with those issues because I never intend to let those lost pounds creep back into my life.
As I walked away from my snickering co-worker I felt very confident in my choice of Medifast over weight loss surgery. I say this because I know that no matter how I lose the weight, I will always be able to gain it all back again. I know that whether I had bariatric surgery, lap band surgery or any other weight loss surgery that the chance to gain the weight is always right there in front of my emotional being. I know now that even if the insurance company would have footed the bill, I would still run the risk of gaining all my weight back again. Can I still gain it back with Medifast??? Sure I can, but the big difference is that if I do can it back again it will be from eating bread, drinking out of straws and drinking Pepsi, which is a big no-no for a weight loss surgical patient.
As I sit here almost 30 pounds lighter from Medifast I know that for me Medifast was the better choice when compared to surgery. If you are contemplating surgery I implore you to think twice and at least look at Medifast as a much safer alternative. I say this because it has worked so well for my wife and I. I also say this because it is soooo much less expensive than going into the hospital and having a surgeon cut you open and remove portions of your body, never to be able to be replaced. I say this because the decision to have bariatric surgery is one that if you make it, it can NEVER be reversed. Medifast works and works well and you really need to check it out before you commit to another life of after weight loss surgery care.
Good Luck, and God Bless
Soaking Medifast Food
I have fielded many comments from people that are not happy with the flavor, texture or overall quality of Medifast soups or chili. Since I have come to love Mediast soups and chili (especially the chili) I was surprised to realize that EVERYONE did not know what I knew about how to best prepare Medifast soups and chili, by soaking them. What I have learned over the past months is that if you let your Medifast food soak for awhile, (those that have dehydrated ingredients) the flavor and overall eating experience increases ten-fold. Since I have been doing this for so long I do not even remember where I learned that it is best to soak your Medifast food for at least 3 hours, but preferably overnight.
The only thing you really need to remember is that you just add the required amount of water, that is applicable to your Medifast meal, and shake it up and store under refrigeration. Other than that there is nothing special to do. I have learned that it is best to let the food soak overnight, and I have let some of the meals up to 3 days! The only thing you need to know about the extended time of soaking your Medifast food is that after 3 days you may have to add a very small amount because the ingredients are doing what you want them to do….which is absorbing water.
By soaking your Medifast meals, that contain dehydrated ingredients, you will enjoy them so much more. You may even find yourself doing it everyday, as part of your easy to follow routine. Sometimes I soak a 3 day supply of meals all at once, which helps my week even more. I have taken the time to create a video about how simple it is to prepare, or soak your Medifast Meals to make them taste ssssoooooooo much better. Enjoy the video and if you want to chat….contact me, as I love all tings Medifast. I love to empower people to weight loss!!!! I love it when a person realizes that they too can lose weight…and reclaim their health!
Now go get those old stashed away Medifast meals out of the drawer…you know…the ones you thought that you did not like and soak them! You may be surprised by what you learn!
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Keith Quackenbush
850-449-0121
Dieting With Medifast
Dieting with Medifast is not new, as it is one of the oldest weight loss programs available to the general public. It has been around for well over 30 years, and has had solid clinical studies done by Johns Hopkins that validate the success that is available to anyone. The program is centered around a meal replacement plan called the 5 and 1 Plan. This is a very easy plan to follow, as you simply eat 5 Medifast meals, and 1 self-provided Lean and Green Meal. (Definition of a Medifast Lean and Green) The 5 Medifast meals come from a menu that contains over 70 items, and this menu is always expanding to include new selections. The plan states that the average weight loss that can be expected will range from 2 to 5 pounds per week, which is better than most other programs on the market. (Diet Comparison Article) There are specific plans tailored to meet the needs of of many groups ranging from diabetics to vegetarians, to teens to the elderly. (See all Groups) For a quick explanation of what Medifast is….here is a link to a very concise and informative article on this website. (What is Medifast?)
For a thorough review of the Medifast program, we offer the following articles that can also be found on this on this website.
- An Honest Medifast Review
- Another Honest Medifast Review
- Medifast Review 2012
- Complete Medifast review on main I Choose Thin.com website
The plan itself is very effective to any healthy person, that applies the program in earnest. Now that you know the basics of dieting with Medifast, let’s discuss what the whole plan is all about….and what it is really like to use!
I have used the program to lose 115 pounds, and I feel great to once again be thin. I have not been this weight since I was in high school, and I have been able to maintain this weight for almost 2 years. It is not only easy…it is not even something I consider to be dieting anymore. I have been able to lose my weight with Medifast, but more importantly I have been able to keep that weight off!
Please do not think I am some weight loss guru, or some athelte that runs marathons. I will leave that stuff to the people on the ranch, because it is just not me! I am simply a 50 year young guy, with a 55 year young wife, and because of Medifast, we have regained our health, and we will never let it slip away again.
What Dieting With Medifast Has Taught Me
What I have learned about myself, because of dieting with Medifast, is that I have an issue with portion sizes. (What I learned about portion control and my emotions) I will be the first to admit that I now understand that I do not NEED to eat massive amounts of food to be content. The biggest thing I have learned about myself is that when I am in front of food I get hypnotized, and do not stop eating until I overeat. I will eat, and eat, and then eat some more….until I go to bed and spend time with acid reflux. I love to eat all sorts of foods and my problem is that when I sit down to eat…I can’t stop! There even used to be nights that, while sleeping, I would burb acid reflex through my nose, and burn my nasal cavities like heck. Over-eating and portion control is the problem I had, and I was able to beat that problem with one bowl of Medifast chili.
I remember sitting down to eat my first bowl of Medifast chil and thinking that the reason I will lose weight is because I will starve to death, as the portion size is sooooo small. What I did not know then, that I do know now, is that it really does not matter how much food I eat because it is the quality that counts, and not the calories. It was a few minutes after I finished that bowl of chili that I realized that I was full, and I then realized that the only thing I need to do is simply get up and walk away from the table of food. I finally was able to understand that I needed to worry more about what I was eating, and not how much I was eating. Dieting with Medifast has been very easy for me to do because after I got through the first 3 days and entered fat burn…it was easy for the next 6 months. I never got tired of the food, and the fact that I was never hungry (Article Why I Was Never Hungry) really made it easy.
I will admit that when I first started the program it was tough for my budget, but once it became the way I lived my life, I really saved money by not eating out (fast foods) nearly as much. What I did not understand when I first started was that the cost of Medifast was not in addition to my food bill. The cost of Medifast became the bilk of my food bill as I was spending so much less money at the grocery store. (Best Price For Medifast)
Does Medifast Really Work?
The first, and the wrong, question everyone asks is how long long does it take Medifast to work. I say this because you need to stop thinking like a fat person by putting limits onto what you hope to do with your weight. You need to stop thinking of Medfiast as a diet, and more like a gateway to a newer and healthier life. The reason I say this is because if you just use Medifast as a diet, the weight loss will not be permanent. If weight loss is not permanent…your diet isultimatly a failure. If you do not change your ways, your weight loss will be temporary and it really just sucks to gain your weight back again!
I have no doubt that Medifast can help ANY healthy person lose significant amounts of weight, but I am also a realist. I know that there are many people that sign up for the program and try it out with a half-ass attitude and do things incorrectly. Those are the same ones that start off like gangbusters and then start to “cheat” on Medifast, and after a couple of weeks say the program does not work….”for them.”
The truth of the matter is that the most common problem with Medifast is a lack of understanding how the whole process works. The weight loss achieved by Medifast is more about receiving proper nutrition, and less about eating fewer calories. I will not fib to you and tell you that you will eat much more than 1,000 calories a day on Medifast. I will also not tell you that EVERYONE will lose weight dieting with Medifast.
What I can tell you about dieting, while using the Medifast program, is that the program works and you should expect to lose 2 to 5 poounds, each and every week. Will you be able to do that? The most honest answer I can give you is that I really do not have a clue! I do not know how dedicated you will be. I do not know how you will allow the drama, that swirls around your life, impact your emotional ability to “stay on plan.”
If you are out here on the Internet looking to see if dieting with Medifast will work, you should realize that is a completly different question from will dieting with Medifast work for you. Two very distinctly different questions, with two very different answers.
The one thing I can tell you about dieting with Medifast is that;
- If you are healthy…it works
- If you follow the plan you will lose 2 to 5 pounds per week
There is NOTHING I can tell you about how YOU will do dieting on Medifast because that is entirely up to you….because only you can decide your future and your fate.
Medifast can only help those…that are willing to help themselves.
Keith Quackenbush
850-449-0121
KeithQBush@Gmail.com
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