I sent out an email to some current clients asking how they were doing on the program. I was so thrilled to see their progress and their new lifestyle changes and attitudes. They are on the right track and more importantly, taking a proactive approach to taking charge of their health and making the effort to improve it. Their future looks good and I have high hopes for their long term good health. (Note: I heard from many more, but only posted those that wouldn't give away their identity) Congratulations to all my clients that are on the path to optimal health......keep focused and enjoy the journey!
Hoping their stories might inspire others to want better health for themselves. I know I love hearing about their journeys and we can all learn from each other!
(Client #1)
My Story
I started the program about 2 years ago, I believe. I can't really remember the exact date. Maybe it was 3 years. Anyways. I was on the program for about 10 weeks and I lost 40 pounds. I have managed to keep that weight off this whole time, with in + or - 5 pounds.
As a child, I had always thought of my self as a little chunky. The first time I ever really remember thinking that when I was in 5th grade and we were weighed for the pentatholon. I weighed in at 102 lbs. I was one of the heaviest in my grade.
I was enrolled in dance classes for all of my childhood. However, that did not help with my weight problem. I started my first real diet in 7th grade. My father was on the Atkins diet and my mother and I were on the South Beach diet. i would pack string cheese and vegetables to take to school. It wasn't too bad. I lost 12 pounds on that diet. But it didn't last. I gained it back rather shortly. Plus more.
I knew how to eat healthy. What I didn't know was how to eat the correct portions and find healthy choices that were delicious. I loved fruit. I loved salad. I loved breads. I just loved food in general.
WhenI started High School, my weight was at an all time high. I weighed in at around 180 lbs. Catherine and I tried different methods of exercise. For a year, we would swim 1/2 to 3/4 mile every morning. When we wanted to switch it up, we would tread water for 40 minutes instead. It was a rigorous workout. But we were so obsessed that we didn't eat enough and put our bodies into starvation mode. I didn't lose a single pound.
My confidence and self-esteem were at an all time low. I wasn't going on any dates and my only friend was Catherine. I quit dancing because I was sick of seeing how fat I was compared to all of the other girls that were cheerleaders and on the dance team at school. It wasn't fun anymore.
I went through spots of depression, often considering suicide. I hated my life. I hated everything about myself. I viewed every kind word, every thoughtful action as pity from those around me. I would cry myself to sleep almost every night.
I tried anorexia a couple times. I never had enough self control to actually do something. I loved food too much. I would eat and eat and eat until I was so sick that I was on the verge of vomitting.
Then my mother found this new program . She researched it and decided to give it a shot. It taught her how to eat 6 small meals a day and how to make healthy choices. She lost 25 pounds on it. I decided to try it. 10 weeks and 40 pounds!
I have kept that weight off and feel so much better about myself. I feel pretty. I am happy on a daily basis. There are still times when I get depressed and eat until I am sick. But those times are rare and on the decrease. I am going on dates. I am respectful for my body and truly try to make the healthiest decisions. College is hard when it comes to nutrition. It is so much cheaper to buy potatoes and breads. But I am so proud at how well I am doing. I haven't fell into the "Freshman 15" group. Nor will I.
My mother has shown me that the most delicious and satisfying meals are the most healthy ones. I have a new love for fruits and vegetables. I often make my roommates food. I am in such a better place these days. I still have things I need to improve. But the person I used to be is behind me.
I am a lover of life.
(Client #2)
Well I have been on the program since July 1st. I know that I have lost more than 30lbs. I only quote the Doctor’s scale since that was where I weighed in “before” and on my last visit it was 30 but I know its more now because I have dropped from tight size 24 to a loose size 20. My energy level is great. I love the program because I think the food tastes great and it is sustainable for me. Since I often have client meetings for breakfast lunch or dinner, I am easily able to incorporate that into the plan. My biggest accomplishment would have to be that I was able to tour Israel and hike the hills and stairs and cobblestone streets for miles and miles each day in 95 degree heat. We ended each day with an aerobic workout in the pool. I brought lots of the medifast packets with me but it wasn’t really easy to sustain. I am proud to report that I made good choices. I had eggs and a scoop of fresh cottage cheese every morning. Salads loaded with fresh vegetables for lunch every day and chicken or fish with veggies for dinner. The first three days, I was having a big scoop of fresh hummus with my salad and by the third day I felt bloated and uncomfortable. I cut out the hummus for the rest of the trip and felt better right away. That was a breakthrough for me to recognize the importance of being aware and the cause and effect of what I was doing.
My biggest struggle has been getting sufficient exercise in. I definitely saw the impact of exercise on vacation but my work schedule is so demanding that it is a challenge. Ive been getting out to walk a hilly route but I need to do lots more and every day.
Ive struggled with weight my whole life but have successfully got “skinny” twice through diet and exercise. As I was getting older, the diets weren’t working and I always had some success and then slipped off. I can see myself clearly at my goal and I know how good it feels to not be carrying around the big bag of weight. The reason why I started this diet is because I was starting to be disabled by it. My back, neck, knees, ankles hurt. If I went to see a client and we walked up stairs to their office, I would have to scoot into a rest room just to regain my breath. I work with Senior VPs and CEOs and I had to ask a group of them once if we could switch tables in a restaurant once because it was a booth and I couldn’t get in. I couldn’t close the seatbelt on an airplane without an extension and when traveling with colleagues-I would dread having to request one. I spent entire summers with my feet swollen which lead me to stop wearing skirts. Oh I could go on but you get the idea. I was in the Doctors office for an annual physical and I always get great reports because all my readings are in a good space. (no blood pressure, chlosterol, insulin, issues) but she told me that my biggest problem was my weight and I wanted to say “Duh”. But then she said the words that really kicked me in the butt. She said, you turned fifty this year and now it can be a slippery slope. If something goes wrong and you cant exercise to rehabilitate it, you will end up with one issue leading to another issue and more weight until you are disabled. She told me she saw it over and over again and I guess because I was feeling disabled, it hit me that I have to find a solution and make it work. She left the office and I sat there in my underwear and started to cry. I had tried every diet, every gimmick, every exercise video and I couldn’t stick with them. Things that worked in the past weren’t working now. I remembered a friend raving about medifast and she started when someone she knew had lost 75 lbs and kept it off for 2 years. I put in my first order that night and ive been on it ever since.
The reason I intend to stay on it is
I can run up the stairs
I can hike for hours now
I no longer need an extension on the airplane
I am fitting into my old sizes
I have to giveaway clothes because they swim on me
I feel great
When I last checked in with my Doctor, she hugged me and told me how proud she was of me and I thanked her for her tough words. My husband and I have a goal of retiring young and we want to have an active lifestyle and that is my true goal.
(Client #3)
The diet is going well, I quite amazed that I have been able to do so well. My change in how I eat has effected several members of my family. My husband has started to watch what he eats, he eats what I eat when he is home. My 24 year old daughter has really started to watch what she eats, and the proportion size. She has started an exercise program, she rides her bike several miles, and also runs. She is looking alot slimmer. There are those in my family who don't have a problem with weight issues, and it has not changed their eating habits. But maybe someday my example of changing will come to their mind when the time is needed for them to change.
I had my cholesteral and blood sugar levels checked last week. My levels are much better. My next goal is to get well and start walking on my treadmill. Thanks for your support!
(Client #4)
Things are going great! I am down 15 pounds and it has been about 5 weeks. I feel really good. My goal is to get to my optimal health and then inspire and motivate others to do the same. I have overcome cravings for carbs which is really a wonderful feeling.
(Client #5)
Hi Gloria, I started the program to feel better about myself and to have more energy. My goal was to lose 30 lbs. in 3 mos. I have exceeded that goal by 5 lbs. I'm thrilled with the weight loss and feel so much better. I'm adding in foods and so far so good.
(Client #6)
I think my biggest accomplishment is to have gone off of three of my prescription drugs. It feels wonderful to have arrived at a place where I don’t need to take them anymore. I also have noticed that my knee has not bothered me as much with less weight on it. I have had several surgeries lately on it and was I think to the point that the only thing that they can do is a knee replacement but it seems as I have taken off the weight it has relieved some of the stress to it and it has not been swelling or hurting as much as before. I know it doesn’t solve my problem but it does buy me some time. I am at 23 still and I would like to go to at least 30 pounds.