I'm stumped. I'm not so sure what is the right answer to your question. I'll do some research and get back to you if I got an answer. You should email the people at Medifast as they probably know..

I like the strawberry/lemonade calorie burn and also have the raspberry acai antioxidant. Both are very yummy. I allow myself only one a day, and sometimes not every day. They are very refreshing, especially now that warm weather is upon us..

I getting my next order ready to ship next week, and I do exactly what you are doing Tracey, I get only my favorites. Bars and Soup make up the majority of my order. I have so many shakes and admit I only drink one a day. I feel more complete with 'eating' something than drinking..

Yard work continued yesterday - I am exhausted; it's suppose to rain the next two days and I hate to say I am happy it is! My quilting is calling me; not to mention my back - but boy we have gotten alot done, and I feel really good about it...

Hi Everyone -.

I just got my new order too and did the same. I only ordered shakes, bars and pretzels. I have been trying to have 2-3 shakes a day and it seems to be working well for me. I have lost 5.8 pounds in the last 9 days. I'm usually not very hungry in the mornings so I have 2 shakes, then maybe a soup lunch, then another shake, my L&G and then a bar for dessert. I did order the Strawberry Lemonade calorie burn, hoping that'll help me get my water down easier, but will limit myself to one a day.



I have to go to Chicago (love this city!) next week for 4 days to work and I am worried about trying to stay on plan. When my team meets in a city (we're spread all over the US) our usual plan is to hit the best restaurants for dinner....so this is going to be hard! Dinner I can handle, that's when I have my L&G, but I have several lunch meetings scheduled that may be an issue. Thinking of maybe just ordering a small salad with dressing on the side. If I don't lose next week, I'm OK with that - I just don't want to gain!.

I too am off for some shopping this weekend. I need some work clothes that fit! Its hard to spend money on these items since I work from home most of the year (in sweats) and only need to wear office attire a few times a year when I have to travel. (I'm an IT asset managment consultant that travels around to our different offices in the US.) I can't wait to get on the plane and see if I can get rid of my seat belt extension. That will be my biggest NSV..

Glad to see we are all plugging along and doing well. I have never in my life stuck to a strict diet this long or have lost this much weight. LOVE MEDIFAST!.

Have a great day all!..

Hey ya'll. Tracy - I had the strawberry lemonade when I was in FL and I really liked that one. Just in my opinion, I didn't like it made full strength. I split one package between two 16.9oz bottles. Never really occurred to me that it made the packets go further or that I could conceivably have more of it that way, but there it is. I'm sure others have different tastes, but I thought it was crazy-sweet full-strength. Hope yours is tasty! Best!..

Not up to shopping yet or the water additions, but good for you...

Welcome akasupermom!!.

Thanks for the tip Kelly. I'll probably split the packet in half!.

Kellie B., I think you might consider splitting L&G into lunch and dinner. I know when I order a salad with shrimp, I'm only getting 3.5 to 4oz. Shrimp is expensive, so restaurants tend not to give a super portion. I feel like I've been on this diet enough that I can eyeball the amounts and wouldn't overeat because I get so full on smaller portions. I'm sure you're in the same boat..

WOW, what a fantastic loss you've had! I need to drink more shakes!!!.

Well I got new bras. I stopped by my friend's workplace. She hasn't seen me in a month. The first thing out of her mouth was, you've lost weight. I'm getting that more frequently. I was reading several posts where people said it took a while for others to notice then all of a sudden you get the weight loss comments.

I'm not fully comfortable with it yet unless it's family. Why? I don't know. I also bought something crazy today! I got Jessica Simpson clip-in bang extensions. They give you bangs and a few tendrils of hair on the side. I needed them trimmed b/c I have like no forehead.

But, the hair stylist I got made me feel bad. She said oh these will be easy to cut, they don't match your hair color at all. She said the sides and the top look fake. I was crushed. I thought they looked cool.

One didn't even realize I had done anything to my hair. I guess I'm sensitive today. I think I'll ask my neighbor who is a stylist to see what she thinks. I don't want to walk around looking silly, but I really do think they look like real bangs. They sell them on QVC too.

Oh well, I'm being too chatty. Love ya Melt Aways!!..

Kellie - way to go on the loss. I sometimes think of doing more shakes, but I open my cupboard and I like all my choices and mix my food so much I only get on in a day..

Tracey - funny you say how people noticing and commenting make you feel uncomfortable. In 2009 when I lost alot of weight, the same thing happened to me. Isn't it funny, we want to be thinner, and when we get there it's like "don't notice me". "no do notice, I work hard at this". Enjoy it though!.

Kelly - I agree the strawberry lemonade is very sweet, I use a very, very large glass and add ice, it seems like such a treat! Not sure if it affects me as a calorie burn, and don't notice a lot of caffeine affect from it, do you?.

I won't have that happening to me this time. Since moving back to Iowa just a year ago this month, I am not around many people I know well, except my family. At my little part time job I only interact with the front door valet guys (and they won't notice. lol). But that's okay, DH and daughter notice. My feet notice and that is what counts for me right now..

After loosing 4 in the week - yesterday I was up 1.8 and today down 1. That's what daily weighing does, you notice all the subtle changes. I had eaten late the other night and had a bloated feeling - but I don't let the ups and downs affect me like I use too. I was prepared for the increase, I felt it - I love the in tune connection I feel with my body..

TGIF everyone!..

I have a question I am curious about. We started with such a large group with lots of excitement! Now we are down to just a few of us, but I know many of the originals are still doing great with Medifast and on the boards..

Does the Melt-Aways not give the support needed? I also post on other threads, but this group just feels so much like 'home' to me..

I am just curious and getting lonely here...

I am new to Medifast and would like to join the melt aways if possible..

Welcome roxigirl - your very much welcome to join the Melt Aways. I would guess most of us joined Medifast end of Jan., early Feb so about 10+ weeks into the program..

Have you started the program yet, or still waiting for your food..

I am from Iowa and working on loosing first the 37 lbs I gained back when I was doing another diet program back in 2009. I can't wait to get there and then to really start my new journey!.

Tell us a little about yourself...

I'm still here! Just been really busy. Going on vacation next week so won't be around. I did hit my 50lb mark this week which has made me very happy. Talked to my doctor yesterday about my vacation, and I get to add basically a lean and green to each day while I'm gone since I'll be meeting up with friends and we all like to go out and eat before or after the show. Remember, on my doctor's plan, I only get to have 4 Medifast shakes and 1 Medifast soup every day, no lean and green - so I'm looking forward to be able to eat some real food again - just hope I don't overdo it..

I'm still dealing with TOM problems - 7th week straight now, been having a lot of abdominable pain so haven't been able to do much exercising this week. Had a cat scan this week to see if the tumor on my left ovary has grown any and the doctor did some blood work to check my hormone balance. I see her on Monday to get the results of all the tests, and then we'll decide if surgery will be necessary or what other options I have..

Glad everyone is having a great week! What a bunch of losers we are! Ha!..

Hi Everyone..Just wanted to check in and see how everyone is doing. I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. I lost 2.2 pounds this week. I am almost down 35 pounds. I feel good about that. Weekends are always the hardest for me, but I am hanging in there..

Enjoy the rest of the weekend...

Cathy and Denise: Congrats on your losses. You've both hit milestones!!!.

Welcome roxigirl!! I started at the end of January. When did you begin and what do you think so far? We are a small group with about four or five regulars and a couple who pop in when they can!.

Gloria, we have been dwindling down. I feel like everyone is supportive. But, when folks have made their mind up to not be on plan or end the program entirely, sometimes the decision is already final in their heads. Even, if we try to reel em' back in, they might know they are jumping ship. I started a challenge that began 11 days ago. The response for the challenge was overwhelming, like 50 of us.

Everyone keeps asking where they all went..

Today, I had grilled chicken with romaine and cucumbers. It was delish. I went to Target to look for Easter basket gifts. The smell of popcorn in their food area had me drooling. Usually, I'm good about that stuff since I've been on this diet for so long, but I was do for a Medifast meal, so I think that was part of the problem. When I got in the car, I had my pretzels.

She was eyeballing the banana pudding shake saying doesn't that look tasty, I want to try it. This was just after she snarled about my processed food diet. Jeez! I thought to myself, you'll pick on me for having a shake made from powder. I'm sure that mix is made from powder too!..

Cathy, I hope you are ok. I'm sending some prayers your way. You are a tough cookie for hanging in there!!!..

I'm still here too! I just don't get online much lately... sorry..

So today was our family celebration of Easter and we went to see relatives that we hadn't seen since Christmas. Even though several of them knew I was doing Medifast and knew I'd lost weight when they began to make the positive comments I got soooo embarrassed!!! It was exactly like you were saying about noticing vs not noticing. I don't know why I feel this way... I am proud to be healthier and losing weight, I know I have a long way to go but I also know I'm heading the right direction so why is it so hard for me to accept compliments and admiration from my family & relatives?!? They were all so positive and supportive yet I was extremely uncomfortable with any comments..

I did manage to stay mostly OP, I had turkey and a large tossed salad, but (confession time) I did have one bite of green bean casserole, and fruit salad, and one pinch (literally) of a homemade dinner roll. I didn't have any dessert or even one piece of chocolate, and believe me there was tons everywhere! Overall I count it as a success... we'll see what the scale says though..

Well, I hope you all have a wonderfully blessed Sunday and I'll check in again soon... I haven't left and I'm not abandoning ship! LOL.

Hugs,.

Cara..

Hi Ladies!.

Welcome to new folks. It's good to see you here. I suspect people come and go from a discussion group based on their needs. Some want more interaction, some less..

I went to a local improv show Friday night to celebrate my birthday w dh. This was the best night for us to go even though my bday was the previous week. We had dinner there as well. Very fun. There were 2 bday girls there; me and a 17 yr old. Naturally we ended up onstage for a skit.



Not sure if anyone believed me....

I ate some not OP bday cake at the theater. I'm back on track again today..

Last week my older sister went to the ER. She hasn't been feeling well for a couple of months. She was admitted to the hospital. Her doctors ran some tests and have found cancer in her abdomen. We will find out on Monday how serious it is. More tests are still being done to determine what the course of treatment will be.

This is so alarming. If you are a praying person, please add her to your prayer list. Her name is Julie. She is only 61. I am an optimist and look at the glass as half full, so am hoping for good news on the medical front...

Happy Sunday Melting Friends!.

Cathy - have a great vacation and congratulations on your continued success..

Denise - 35lbs. is fantastic!!! I bet you are feeling so much better..

Tracey - way to handle a day out - and it is kinda funny how friends will say things like your did. Some times it makes us wonder if they just don't like us changing. But you just keep changing! When does DH get home? I am sure it's hard when he is gone for such long times..

Cara, a little bite and a little pinch may not be totally OP, but think about what you would have done if you weren't on MF. I am saying you did GREAT!.

Barb -your right, people come in and out of the boards according to their needs and schedules, I was just missing you all!..

I am so sorry to hear about your sister. I will definitely keep her and your family in my prayers this week..

I am waxing my hardwood floors today, that should be a good workout! I am on my rollercoaster ups and downs - which usually happens the week after I have a big loss. I am going to increase water today and do two shakes, see if I can push it so I have at least a loss by Wed...

Cara: it does feel good when people notice. I do miss green bean casserole. I always wondered if you could make one with a Medifast cream of chicken packet, green beans, mushrooms, and a tablespoon of diced onion on top as a condiment. I may try it. I'll let you know if I do..

Barb: did your sister have certain symptoms that made her go in or was she feeling lethargic? That is so sad to hear. I will pray for her..

Gloria, I have some floors you can do next, lol! Ours really need to be redone. They are bleached from the sun in places..

Well ladies, it's a sunny day here, but we are being lazy. Last night we had bad storms and lost power for a little while. Luckily, a tornado did not touch down here, but one did in the next town over where my dh works. 30 people were injured. Mother nature is an mean mistress sometimes!..

Happy Monday Melt Aways..

Here's hoping you all have a great OP week! We do have a challenging event this weekend with Easter how is everyone celebrating; but more importantly to you have a plan in place to stay OP and still have a wonderful time with family?.

See less of you soon!..

Oooooo green bean casserole! I miss it, too. And I have some Medifast cream of chicken soup I wasn't thrilled with......hmmmmm *light bulb!*.

My sister hasn't felt great since December and has had trouble with sciatica since then. She went to an MD and chiropractor and was treated for that pain. Julie finally went to the ER last week because her leg was swollen and it turned out to be a blood clot. Not things I would associate with cancer, but understandable now knowing she had a tumor in her abdomen, no doubt pressing on other organs. Up until now, her health has been fine. The shock of it all has her dh and children (well, all of us) in a freak!.

Re: Easter - we are supposed to go to dh's mom's house. I imagine about the only thing I will be able to eat will be the meat (I hope the meat won't be doctored up too much). The majority of his family have no issues with their weight and eat lots and lots of carbs. Wild rice, Indian fry bread, potato salad, cole slaw with lots of sugar, fruit salad, desserts, etc. I thought I would try to eat some Medifast before I go, bring something I can have with the meat, drink a lot of coffee, chat, wash dishes by hand, and keep a low profile. It will only last a few hours.....

Wow Barb, it sounds like your sister has had a bad go of things. I hope she is better soon..

Well how am I going to handle Easter? Mom is bringing a ham, which I don't eat. I am making a carrot cake, egg nest cookies, pea salad, and potato salad, none of which I can eat either. I am trying to put more thought in it. I am thinking of getting a smoked turkey breast and making a huge garden salad or a tomato cucumber salad with vinegar and black pepper. I also have debated on making a quiche for an all in one lean and green, or trying to make an OP broccoli casserole. I saw a recent posting for a good quiche recipe that serves three.

Do any of yawl have any recommendations?..

You guys are braver than I am for Easter. I will actually be driving back from my vacation so will not be having Easter dinner with the family. I've been avoiding my family since I started Medifast as I am waiting for my big "Wow" moment. The only one who knows I am dieting is my mother and she has been sworn to secrecy. Once I hit my goal (or at least have lost 100 pounds) I will unveil the new me to my family. It hasn't been easy keeping my secret as I keep getting dinner invitations, but fortunately, I've been able to come with up an excuse as to why I can't be there..

I got my results back from my Dr. today, and it looks like I will be having a hysterectomy in the near future. I can't say I'm not ready. The past 7 weeks have been really rough so will be glad when it's all over...

CK - I hope you will soon be on the road to feeling better. Sickness is so not fun! I don't say much to my family of origin about MF, either. We live in different towns, so not many will see me. I'm getting stronger emotionally all the time about the weight business, so their comments don't get to me so much...

Cathy, I hate to hear you might have to have surgery. I'm sure your family will be excited to see your weight loss unveiling!.

Well tomorrow is another weigh in for me. It's so fascinating to see the pounds go week after week. I love it..

I can't remember if I mentioned that I started a new work out routine. I've been changing it every three to four weeks. I'm going to classes now. Currently, I'm doing kickboxing, butts and guts, and a strength and cardio mix class. It's pretty fun..

Happy Tuesday Melt-Aways!!..

Way to go on all the exercise Tracey - I am sure it's one of the reasons for your great success..

I admit, it is a big downfall for me. I am so inconsistent with it. One week I do great and the next only 1 -2 days. I need to work on that!.

I did have NSV moment Mon. I decided to try on my dress slacks from a year ago when we moved from NJ and they fit perfect! I had lost 47 lbs during 2009 and with our move to Iowa last year put on 37 of it with all the new restaurants to eat at and dinners at friends and family. I just ate anything I wanted. Obviously I learned nothing from that journey..

So I am pretty disgusted with myself. I have only 9 lbs to go to be back to that 2009 weight and then I can move on. But I have dropped 2 sizes so that is a good thing. Can't look back, will forget about that failure and know this time I will succeed because I am learning my relationship to food..

Tomorrow is my weigh in also and my history shows I have little losses after I have a big week and with 4 lbs last week, I am going to be happy with 'any' minus #..

I finally made the turnip fries. mmmmmmm..

Hello Meltaways!.

Barb - I don't even know what to say... health issues with our loved ones are so scary especially when they're so sudden. You are in my prayers..

CK - I'm sorry to hear you're still having those yucky female problems but hopefully the surgery will help... I'll be praying for you too..

{{{HUGS}}} to both of you!!!.

Gloria - That's wonderful!!! It must feel so good to be back in your "new" old clothes. YAY for you!!!.

Tracey - You always make exercize sound like so much fun... I absolutely dread it. It's partly because I've been diagnosed with RA/Lupus so everything hurts sometimes but it's also partly that I just hate it. lol. I guess I need to find something I'll enjoy... keep making it sound so good and I might just try something..

As for Easter, we had our family one last week so this weekend we're hoping to go out for lunch with friends after church. I know it's kind of cheating to go out on Easter but it will be so much more pleasant to let everyone choose what they want to/can eat instead of me making it all... lol. Of course I will choose a salad with some chicken on it and NO croutons!.

I've been rather stalled in my WL these past couple of weeks. I'm not being as diligent with my water but otherwise I've been mostly OP... so I'm renewing my commitment to water. I'm telling you all this so you can help me be accountable... please! My commitment is... I'm going to drink 100 oz of water daily.



Hugs to all Meltaways!.

Cara..

I have been losing 1 lb a week for the past 3 weeks. Which is OK, but I'd like to do better. When I started MF, I cut back on my Curves workouts about 1/3. I think it's time to kick it back up again. Plus, with the weather getting warmer, it's getting to be time to fiddle around out in the yard. I like to mess around with flowers in the summer.

My belly dance classes are over until fall so I need something else to fill that exercise time. I'm afraid I'd damage myself if I went for kickboxing like Tracey, even though it sounds like fun...

It's funny to be needing new bras! I have bought a few, too. A good problem. I haven't tried the cold drinks yet, keep us posted on what you like...