Medi Weight Loss Maintaince Phase

[Fit2010]

Irina - Banaba leaf (for carb cravings)....interesting! If something really worked I'd do it! Regarding insulin resistance, it's a medical diagnosis I was given by my MWL doctor after my initial blood testing, I had a random glucose of 139, my liver enzymes were slightly elevated, and my triglycerides were elevated. That, in combination with a waist line over 35" labeled me having "metabolic syndrome," which is not something you want...you can google it. I then went to my personal MD who did a Hemaglobin A1C blood test which showed a tendency to have higher than normal sugar levels....I was creeping up into the almost diabetic range. My grandparents and my parents all became diabetics after age 50 and I was heading that direction. That's why I took action with MWL to lose the weight. I dropped my A1C from 5.9 to 4.7 (well within normal range) but they still want me to stay on Metformin and keep with my maintenance and exercise. For ME I know that a rush of simple carbs is like sticking glue and cellulite under my skin...I get puffy and don't do well with getting it off....not like edema, but more like nasty syrup filled sponges that do nothing but grow in weight! Wish my tongue and brain would be more careful sometimes....so that's why I have to avoid so many carbs, esp pasta, crackers, chips, and some sweet fruits make me want to eat more and more!

[Jodi A]

Originally Posted by Fit2010

When I started at MWL clinic I was told once I reached maintenance it would be $35 for a visit. But when I got to maintenance they said that they had just a couple months prior revisited their costs and decided to make it the full $70 each visit and I think if I maintained well that I'd get a $10 bonus taken off.

I found that out last week too. After hearing it was still $70 (without including AS anymore) I decided to stop going. I can weight myself at home. I think that is rediculous. Plus, my clinic wasn't able to answer my maintenance questions. They said they are more familiar with the acute phase. I'm not paying $70 a visit for them to not even be able to answer my questions. It was very disappointing because they were very helpful in the acute phase. Although, I have to admit most of my questions have been answered on these boards!

[suthrn grl]

Originally Posted by Fit2010

Irina - Banaba leaf (for carb cravings)....interesting! If something really worked I'd do it! Regarding insulin resistance, it's a medical diagnosis I was given by my MWL doctor after my initial blood testing, I had a random glucose of 139, my liver enzymes were slightly elevated, and my triglycerides were elevated. That, in combination with a waist line over 35" labeled me having "metabolic syndrome," which is not something you want...you can google it. I then went to my personal MD who did a Hemaglobin A1C blood test which showed a tendency to have higher than normal sugar levels....I was creeping up into the almost diabetic range. My grandparents and my parents all became diabetics after age 50 and I was heading that direction. That's why I took action with MWL to lose the weight. I dropped my A1C from 5.9 to 4.7 (well within normal range) but they still want me to stay on Metformin and keep with my maintenance and exercise. For ME I know that a rush of simple carbs is like sticking glue and cellulite under my skin...I get puffy and don't do well with getting it off....not like edema, but more like nasty syrup filled sponges that do nothing but grow in weight! Wish my tongue and brain would be more careful sometimes....so that's why I have to avoid so many carbs, esp pasta, crackers, chips, and some sweet fruits make me want to eat more and more!

Deb,
I have spent the last month or so reading a couple of interesting books. The first one was "Diabetes Solution" by Richard K. Bernstien, M.D.. The MAIN reason I read this is because my 21 year old daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 10 years old... and I REALLY wanted to see if this NEW WOE that has worked so wonderfully for me (I am not diabetic)could benefit her with her diabetes. This man was type 1 all of his life and it's amazing to read the revelations of his life and his discoveries with diabetes and a low carb diet. Even if you just get it from the library and skim the good parts it really opened up my eyes. The second was "Why We Get Fat" by Gary Taubes...made ALOT of sense! And, the last was "Protein Power" by Dr. Michael Eades and Dr. Mary Dan Eades. All of these books have helped me understand how life with this WOE is not only possible but healthy.
I will have to admit I have had my doubts about continuing this WOE for life... and I still have my "days"...but, these books have helped me see how this WOE is more "normal" than what society today wants us to eat...which is a high carb, high fiber diet and they are constantly wondering why we are all getting fatter as a population.

OK.... after all of this rambling... it dawned on me that you may have already read them :blush: Oh well... just wanted to share some really good knowledge that I have found with the board.
Have a blessed day!

[eptexy]

Originally Posted by Jodi A

I found that out last week too. After hearing it was still $70 (without including AS anymore) I decided to stop going. I can weight myself at home. I think that is rediculous. Plus, my clinic wasn't able to answer my maintenance questions. They said they are more familiar with the acute phase. I'm not paying $70 a visit for them to not even be able to answer my questions. It was very disappointing because they were very helpful in the acute phase. Although, I have to admit most of my questions have been answered on these boards!

I'm sorry but that is B.S. While I will always tout their program as being the best way to lose, my biggest complaint with Medi has been their lack of support/knowledge during the maintenance phase and this just solidifies it. It's almost as if they don't even want you unless you are losing. Maybe the maintenance folks are taking too many acute appointments?

[eptexy]

And the obsession over body fat percentage continues. I just read this on AARP -

"For women, a BMI showing body fat of 20 percent to 21 percent is considered ideal. (The average American woman has about 22 percent to 25 percent body fat.)"

Ugh! So how does one lose 8% body fat but not necessarily pounds??

[Fit2010]

Originally Posted by eptexy

I'm sorry but that is B.S. While I will always tout their program as being the best way to lose, my biggest complaint with Medi has been their lack of support/knowledge during the maintenance phase and this just solidifies it. It's almost as if they don't even want you unless you are losing. Maybe the maintenance folks are taking too many acute appointments?

I had a MWL appt today with the doctor discussing frustrations, etc....She says I've done well to keep off what I have in the past 1 year and not regain MORE but rather that I had lost 25% body fat from the time I started ...says MWL is now doing studies to vamp up their maintenance! Guess I'll still try to go monthly. Doc says that there is SO much relearning taking place and that we are not only fighting our cravings and upbringing but the culture we live in and the national epidemic of obesity!! We'll see....

[Fit2010]

Wanted to share some other info: My MWL doctor and I had a long discussion yesterday during my clinic visit about comparing Weight Watchers with MWL and how they have unlimited fruits and veggies and how this is NOT possible for me with Insulin Resistance. It can be way, way too many carbs, even if they are vitamin filled! I have to limit carbs right now to 25 grams daily, occasionally up to 30 grams. And in maintenance, for the rest of my life, try to stay less than 50 grams of carbs due to insulin resistance I will have for the rest of my life even though I'm on Metformin. It's actually the limits they recommend for all their MWL patients. Limiting carbs makes my body BURN fat. From 2009 til now I've burned off 25% of my body's fat! That makes me much healthier. I need to keep telling myself that when I'm tempted to think I can go back to my old eating habits!! It's okay to have a "planned splurge", she says, but I must save up my carbs as best I can for it and then get back on plan as soon as I can. Gulp! ....this WILL always be a struggle!

[Fit2010]

Originally Posted by eptexy

And the obsession over body fat percentage continues. I just read this on AARP -

"For women, a BMI showing body fat of 20 percent to 21 percent is considered ideal. (The average American woman has about 22 percent to 25 percent body fat.)"

Ugh! So how does one lose 8% body fat but not necessarily pounds??

I guess build more muscle?!

[suzanna1]

Erin ~ I don't trust the bioimpedence that the scales at Medi uses. I had a Bod Pod body composition test done about a year ago and have had caliper testing done at my gym. Both of these tests came out much lower than the scale results at medi. I can't pinch an inch (or much of anything) on my stomach or legs and Medi's scale says I am at 33% fat! No way! I am closer to 20%-22%.

[Fit2010]

Horray Suzanna!!! But I wonder if it's based on some "internal" layers of fat like around organs and such. I like your 20-22% better though!

[reebs]

So I am 5 pounds away from my personal goal of 165. My clinic goal is 170 so my next appointment they should transition me to maintenance. Of course really could lose more, but I just can't afford to keep going there every week. So I plan to stick to acute to lose that last 5 pounds. The weight is coming off so slowly now that I'm close to goal. Has anyone started maintenance even though their body fat% and fat mass is not in the desired range yet?

[Fit2010]

I reached my goal weight (137 lbs) and BMI in "normal" range last Sept 2010. Here were my stats (this is off the MWL boards: Sept. 9, 2010/136.4 lbs./-1.0 ↓ /-53.40 /33.2%/45.2 lbs./66.8 lbs./23.4/90/62 /62 bpm/30 ; the corresponding categories above each of those numbers is Date/Weight Change/Total/Fat %/Fat Mass/Water/BMI/BP/Pulse/Waist.

When I look at my statistics it's amazing that when I was on my way DOWN the scales last summer at the weight I am now, I have the SAME statistics as I did just yesterday. I know I need to BE close to 140 to feel my best and be my healthiest, and look good on paper and in photos! That's just me though. I'm not a weight lifter kind of person....As you can see by the MWL scale, I was still 33.2% body fat at 136.4 lbs! And I had NO bra fat at that time! But currently less than 20 lbs heavier I do!! So I need this OFF!!!!!! This is what my Fat%, etc was when I started Dec 2009: 44.7% 85.0 lbs. 77.0 lbs. 32.6 128/82 70 bpm 37.50"

Through MWL I had lost 53.4 lbs, almost 40 lbs of it was FAT!!

[reebs]

Deb,
That's awesome on your losses. 40 lbs of fat is great! when I think about the 27 lbs of fat I've lost wow... yuck! I guess it really matters how YOU feel about yourself and not what is considered "desired" on those print out slips.

[Fit2010]

Keep it up Reebs!!! Great job!

[xmcsac]

Reebs
I am a couple pounds away from Maintenance as well. My clinic gave me a form to read and said next week I would transition, but I am afraid to increase my calories. The document showed daily intake of 800 calories for a week, then 1000, then 1200. Has your clinic informed you of this? If so will I stop the AS as well?

[Fit2010]

When I had gotten into maintenance they started me on Stay Slim....personally I didn't like it as well, they didn't curb my cravings like the AS. I do recommend to continue to take the Fat Burners!

[xmcsac]

Originally Posted by Fit2010

When I had gotten into maintenance they started me on Stay Slim....personally I didn't like it as well, they didn't curb my cravings like the AS. I do recommend to continue to take the Fat Burners!

Thanks, I just feel like I am going to regain by increasing my calorie intake!

[reebs]

Originally Posted by xmcsac

Thanks, I just feel like I am going to regain by increasing my calorie intake!

Maybe I haven't been losing as much or fast as I could have because my daily calorie has been closer to 800 in acute. My clinic has not said anything about calorie amounts just that I will be weened off the AS. I also am nervous about eating that much again and gaining. I will find out on Tuesday what the deal is since I have dropped below my goal over the last few days. Yay!

[xmcsac]

Originally Posted by reebs

Maybe I haven't been losing as much or fast as I could have because my daily calorie has been closer to 800 in acute. My clinic has not said anything about calorie amounts just that I will be weened off the AS. I also am nervous about eating that much again and gaining. I will find out on Tuesday what the deal is since I have dropped below my goal over the last few days. Yay!

OK, let me know. I am going tomorrow morning for my next appointment. I have averaged around 700 calories (500 the first week) as well and have been full for the most part. I am ready to eliminate the AS to see how I feel, some days I only take one and thats around 11am and other days I am taking at most 2, but never 3. The document they gave me last week was an overview of "Maintenance" she said we would talk more about it this week. She also stated that most people continue to lose the first couple of weeks of maintenance. I would like to be 150, not really any smaller than that.

[reebs]

So my clinic switched me to the short term maintenance as of today. Yay! And it's pretty much what your clinic told you xmcsac. Looks like I am no longer counting the carbs, it's now more the calories.The first week is 800 calorie a day with 1 starch (ex. 1/2 of a English muffin) 1 fruit(ex.1/2 small apple or peach), 2 veggie, 1 LF dairy, and 1 fat. I am weening off the AS only 2 per day now. No more will be given at the visits. They didn't mention the Stay Slim yet. Then the following week 1000 and then 1200 calories. I assume after two weeks I'll only go once a month which I can't wait for or rather my bank account can't wait for!

[Jodi A]

Originally Posted by eptexy

I'm sorry but that is B.S. While I will always tout their program as being the best way to lose, my biggest complaint with Medi has been their lack of support/knowledge during the maintenance phase and this just solidifies it. It's almost as if they don't even want you unless you are losing. Maybe the maintenance folks are taking too many acute appointments?

It was very frustrating!

[Jodi A]

Originally Posted by suthrn grl

Deb,
I have spent the last month or so reading a couple of interesting books. The first one was "Diabetes Solution" by Richard K. Bernstien, M.D.. The MAIN reason I read this is because my 21 year old daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 10 years old... and I REALLY wanted to see if this NEW WOE that has worked so wonderfully for me (I am not diabetic)could benefit her with her diabetes. This man was type 1 all of his life and it's amazing to read the revelations of his life and his discoveries with diabetes and a low carb diet. Even if you just get it from the library and skim the good parts it really opened up my eyes. The second was "Why We Get Fat" by Gary Taubes...made ALOT of sense! And, the last was "Protein Power" by Dr. Michael Eades and Dr. Mary Dan Eades. All of these books have helped me understand how life with this WOE is not only possible but healthy.
I will have to admit I have had my doubts about continuing this WOE for life... and I still have my "days"...but, these books have helped me see how this WOE is more "normal" than what society today wants us to eat...which is a high carb, high fiber diet and they are constantly wondering why we are all getting fatter as a population.

OK.... after all of this rambling... it dawned on me that you may have already read them :blush: Oh well... just wanted to share some really good knowledge that I have found with the board.
Have a blessed day!

Interesting book list! Is there one that you recommend over any others?

[Jodi A]

Originally Posted by reebs

So my clinic switched me to the short term maintenance as of today. Yay! And it's pretty much what your clinic told you xmcsac. Looks like I am no longer counting the carbs, it's now more the calories.The first week is 800 calorie a day with 1 starch (ex. 1/2 of a English muffin) 1 fruit(ex.1/2 small apple or peach), 2 veggie, 1 LF dairy, and 1 fat. I am weening off the AS only 2 per day now. No more will be given at the visits. They didn't mention the Stay Slim yet. Then the following week 1000 and then 1200 calories. I assume after two weeks I'll only go once a month which I can't wait for or rather my bank account can't wait for!

I started getting weaned off the AS when I started the 800 calories and now I am just on Stay Slim. It is hard with the AS. However they had me do 3 days of 800 then 3 days of 1000 during the weaning off period. The second week I was at 1200 which is where I am to remain but with no AS. Sounds like your clinic has a more gradual weaning off/caloric increase phase.

[Jodi A]

Originally Posted by eptexy

And the obsession over body fat percentage continues. I just read this on AARP -

"For women, a BMI showing body fat of 20 percent to 21 percent is considered ideal. (The average American woman has about 22 percent to 25 percent body fat.)"

Ugh! So how does one lose 8% body fat but not necessarily pounds??

You are also supposed to factor in age (I am 43 so this helps trust me!):

Age Underfat Healthy Range Overweight Obese
20-40 yrs Under 21% 21-33% 33-39% Over 39%
41-60 yrs Under 23% 23-35% 35-40% Over 40%
61-79 yrs Under 24% 24-36% 36-42% Over 42%

[suthrn grl]

Originally Posted by Jodi A

Interesting book list! Is there one that you recommend over any others?

Yes. "Why We Get Fat" by Gary Taubes. It just came out a few months ago and I have found it an interesting read.

[Catgaston]

New to maintenance, but my iPhone won't let me change stats... There seems to have been little activity here lately. Any tips for holiday maintaining?

[Fit2010]

Catgaston - Congratulations on making it to maintenance. I got there a little over a year ago and asked the same questions of this thread at that time....go to page 26 and start reading there. There is good advice. Problem for me is that I was in grad school and things got exceeding crazy/busy about 3/2010 and I will be finally finished in about 3 weeks!! It's a crazy time in my life right now!

Be good to yourself. Stay with MWL and do their plan all the way.

[Catgaston]

Thanks! I've actually read almost everything written on these boards the last four months. I've been motivated and only more so now.

[hyonlyf]

I've read it all too, hope more maintainance people come out...

[Fit2010]

hyonlyf - perhaps you could personal message some of them?