Medifast/Take shape for Life/Optavia

I am looking into this for me. I need something very structured. I have yo-yoed on weight watchers before. I am at my heaviest now and just tired of carrying around the extra weight and feeling sluggish, etc. I need to lose about 45 lbs. I am not expecting it overnight but I need to change.

So it appears Medifast is still around but is now Optavia? So why is there still Medifast? Has anyone used any of these programs and been successful? Any advice?

Re: Medifast/Take shape for Life/Optavia

2 people I know are "health coaches" for Optavia.
From what I see, it's very calorie restricted (which means you'll likely be starving and more likely to fail) and the ingredients on their "fuelings" are not healthy at all.
tons of soy, artificial sweetners, sugar, etc
And as an example- one box of the snack bars is $23- for 7 small bars. So it's pricey too.
They constantly talk about how they cut out processed foods- then you read the ingredient lists and you are like- um really? All garbage.

Have you considered weight watchers?

Medifast/Take shape for Life/Optavia

Honestly all these programs are gimmicks that put you in a calorie deficit.

You’re better off tracking calories and seeing how you’re currently eating and then cutting back. Weight watchers is a good tool as Nell said.

Also, increase your NEAT (nonexercise activity). Get a fitness tracker to help you be more active. Weight loss is all about calories in/out. You do not need any fancy foods or extreme diets.

I found a lot of good information using IIFYM.

Medifast/Take shape for Life/Optavia

I have used that program a few times.... the fact that I said a "few times" is clue number one. I will say that it definitely works. I lost a good 30 pounds in 6 months - both times I did it. The issue I have with it is that I did gain the a good amount of weight back once I stopped it. And I was still eating better and working out so it wasn't as if I just fell off the wagon. But it is difficult to stay on the program bc its very expensive and at some point you want to be able to eat normal food again. and by 'normal' I mean something that isn't powdered and in a packet. Once I even worked fruit back into my diet I gained a little back - it was crazy.
So I am 50/50 on my opinion on it. It absolutely works. But is difficult to maintain and very strict. Also, the price is just crazy. The first time I did it was probably about 6 years ago and the price was $12 a box - it is no like $23 a box and the food id no different... so that turns me off a little that they make it so damn expensive now.
Of the people that I know that has kept weight off - they all have to in some way keep up the diet and continue buying the food. Even if its just 1 or 2 meals a day. Its just too expensive for me to do it forever lol. Also, the food SUCKS! But the bars and shakes are good.

Medifast/Take shape for Life/Optavia

it's HORRIBLE. I know someone personally who is a coach, and honestly i've distanced her as a friend because of how much she's tried to sell me on this plan. I also know that her photos are photoshopped and she told me that they all edit the before photos to make themselves look heavier initially.

Also, she lost like 15 lbs in 1 month, and just under 30 lbs in 2 months. Stopped doing it, and gained half of it back in the 3rd month. She was still about 15 lbs down but about 2 months after that and it's all been gained back.

IMO, it's not worth it. You're paying close to $500/month, eating really horrible processed foods that make you lose 1 lb/day, and then going back to regular foods and gaining it all back because the diet teaches you nothing about how to adjust your diet.

Do WW. It'll take awhile to lose the weight with WW, but you'll lose it in a healthy way, learn how to cook healthier meals and stick within your points, and do it all in a way that doesn't require you to buy anything outside of what you can find at a regular supermarket. I lost about 20 lbs since August, so approx. 5 lbs/month

Re: Medifast/Take shape for Life/Optavia

My co-worker just did this. She lost a lot of weight...like 40-50 lbs. in less than 6 months. She's at her goal. But she was eating 800 calories a day and it cost her a fortune.

A lot of the moms in my town are "coaches" and they all seem to keep the weight off but I think they are "coaches" so they can get free stuff and maintain.

Have you tried keto or even just a low carb lifestyle? I was doing really well using the Carb Manager app and doing keto. It's not that hard to do. I have a hard time at social events but on a day to day basis, it's fairly easy and satisfying.

Re: Medifast/Take shape for Life/Optavia

I also find it to be cult like and creepy to be honest.
A real pyramid scheme.

Medifast/Take shape for Life/Optavia

Extreme calories restriction is not heathy.

I always thought the tracking involved in WW would be a pain but honestly it’s not so bad with the app. I recently lost about 10 lbs and am glad I did it.

If you really want prepackaged meals, I did Jenny Craig a long time ago and kept the weight off for several years (till I got pregnant). Some of the food was actually decent. The desserts were legitimately good. The number of daily calories varies depending on your starting weight but the lowest is 1200 so not in an unhealthy range.

Medifast/Take shape for Life/Optavia

I was a coach. It worked until you stop. It’s all part of a MLM. It is similar to Keto as it puts you into ketosis.

I would not recommend it at all. It really messes with you.

Medifast/Take shape for Life/Optavia

I would not recommend Medifast just because of the ingredients alone in their foods. I looked into the plan a few years ago. That and the fact that they want you to cut ALL fruit from your diet. I couldn't get on board with that.

I have been doing the 310 shakes since August and I have to say that I'm down 16 pounds and the plan is super easy. I have a shake for breakfast and lunch and a regular dinner. I track my calories on My Fitness Pal and try to stay at 1200 calories. The shakes are plant based and 90 calories on their own if you make it with water. I use almond milk and add fruits and veggies to my shakes to bulk it up to a meal replacement shake. It really has been working for me bc as a busy mom, I find the shakes are the easiest during the day. I still incorporate healthy snacks if I get hungry during the day like a handful of almonds, an apple, some cheese....maybe look into 310 Shakes. The FB community is also really supportive. I feel like this is something I can maintain even if I don't want to do the shakes forever. You have many options with this plan.

Medifast/Take shape for Life/Optavia

I'm on Optavia right now. I know that it is shady and they approach you on FB (I've even griped about it here) but I had to do something, so I bit the bullet.
The food is gross. I'm not learning how to eat well at all, and I seriously miss fresh vegetables. My doctor was skeptical about the soy.
BUT
I had to do something, and fast. I couldn't move well anymore and since I am mostly sedentary because of disability, I had to do something.
The first month cost me $460. I lost 18.5 lbs. in 15 days. It's a start. I am NOT hungry at all because whatever protein powder is in those bars & snacks expands in your stomach. I actually drink my water.
Today is day 20. Christmas eve and Christmas day, I ate regular. I didn't gain any back. Hopefully, I can maintain using WW after I hit my goal....
This is totally unlike me to do a diet like this but I had to.

Re: Medifast/Take shape for Life/Optavia

Idk I feel like these programs are scams- once you get off the product you will gain weight. The only thing that has ever worked for me was weight watchers because you eat real food. I plan on rejoining WW in the new year since I gained about 7 lbs back