The Medifast diet plan works, and it works fast. This is probably why it has become so popular, but it is not intended for someone who just wants to shed a few pounds. It is for people who need to do some drastic weight loss work.
In the old days, Medifast was only available through the services of a doctor, but now you can buy it online, or at a number of retail outlets. The only real downside is that it’s pretty expensive, but you can find coupons for Medifast at a bunch of sites around the web, including ours. The company has been around for decades and has withstood the test of time. This fact alone should tell you something positive about Medifast. It could not last if it did not work.
With the Medifast program you order meal replacements. All of which are low fat, low calorie shakes and soups packed with vitamins. The most popular plan allows for 800-1000 calories per day and consists of 5 replacements and one genuine “normal” meal. The regular meal needs to be purchased and prepared by the participant and emphasises lean proteins, vegetables and salad. It is possible to lose 2-5 lbs per week for the first 2 weeks and 1-2 lbs per week thereafter on the plan.
Medifast is one of the only diet plans that have passed rigorous clinical studies. These were performed by Johns Hopkins University and the results show an average weight loss of 67 pounds in men and 57 pounds in women in the study. The participants in the study all attended Medifast clinics rather than remaining typical in-home consumers.
There is also another medical study that shows that the Medifast program is very effective in controlling Type 2 Diabetes. In fact, it is even more effective than the ADA recommended program.
The best test of a diet program are the long term results. If you take it off, can you also keep it off and not succumb to the all too common yo-yo of weight loss and gain? The program recommends a transition phase of 4-6 weeks when coming off the diet plan. This includes gradually re-introducing fiber and fruit to your daily intake.
Naturally, exercise is a “must” and is part of any diet program. Medifast recommends exercising at least 5 days a week, and phasing in more activity during the transition period. An exercise program that includes strength training is ideal, since the weight loss can be drastic and you don’t want to lose muscle tone. Again, start the exercise (or strength training) gradually during weeks 4-6 of the transition phase.
There are different formulations for men and women. The Medifast 70 has higher soy protein content to their shakes and is intended for men. The Medifast 55 is ideal for women. Either will cost you just under $300 for 4 weeks which covers all the replacement meals (you still need to purchase the regular ‘normal’ meal). They also have free shipping, online forums and different meal plans and recipes.
There is also a special program for diabetics that is very successful, claiming that “after 34 weeks, 24 percent of the Medifast users decreased or eliminated their diabetes medication, compared to 0 (zero) percent on the standard food diet.”
In summary, the Medifast program is intended for someone who desperately needs to lose weight, rather than your typical New Year’s resolution to shed a few pounds. You may want to participate in the program under the guidance and support of a clinic or your doctor. The key period is the transition phase, but the program does work and you can really drop the weight fast.
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